Our William Street Building in Brookvale:
A Legacy of Kindness and Vision

Behind every strong foundation is a remarkable story — and the story of Northside’s building begins with Illeanna Archer, a woman of quiet strength and extraordinary resilience.

Born amid the chaos of the Russian Revolution, Illeanna fled with her family to China, where she spent her early years. As a young woman, she married and moved to Hong Kong with her husband and two little girls. But her life was soon shaped by the hardship of war. During World War II, Illeanna and her daughters were interned in a Japanese prisoner-of-war camp for three long years. Her courage carried her through that ordeal — and when peace returned, she made a bold decision to start anew in Australia. Though her husband had promised to follow, he never came. Illeanna forged ahead alone.

In Sydney, she built a new life — literally. Alongside a friend she had met in the internment camp, she began a small construction business. The two women shared a vision for “building things” — not just properties, but opportunities.

That’s how I first came to know Illeanna. It was 1960, and I was a young apprentice hairdresser in Gordon. She was a regular client, and as I later learned, the owner of the building where I worked. In 1964, I bought the salon myself, and we became close friends. When my daughter Nicole was born, I sold the business and began seeing Illeanna privately at home to do her hair. Our friendship continued as the years passed.

When my son Grant was born in 1976, life changed dramatically for our family. As Illeanna continued her weekly visits, she became a witness to the many challenges Grant faced navigating school and later the transition to adult life. I would often speak about the difficulties young people with disabilities were facing — particularly the lack of accessible and supportive places like a day program facility.

By then, Illeanna had become an accomplished businesswoman. One day, she mentioned she had just sold a property and was thinking about donating to a charity — perhaps something that could help create a space for young people like Grant. I never imagined what she had in mind. Her generosity was extraordinary. Illeanna gifted $400,000 — the full cost of the building that would become home to Northside. I was stunned, humbled, and deeply grateful.

She and her daughter, Patricia Perry, attended the official opening and continued to take a keen interest in Northside’s journey over the years. Illeanna’s quiet but powerful contribution helped open doors for countless people with disabilities — giving them a place where they could grow, connect, and thrive.

Illeanna passed away at the age of 102, a remarkable woman in every sense. Her legacy lives on in every life touched by Northside and Bushlink. Her gift wasn’t just a building — it was belief in a better, more inclusive future.

— Maria Circuitt