With his ‘ken-do’ attitude, Ken Gash got it done

By Murray Silby

Oct 31, 2022

**Hands on:** One of the key people behind the creation of The Cottage addiction rehabilitation centre, Ken Gash got tired of waiting and so, with others, set about making the service a reality.

Ken Gash was variously known as a successful local businessman, philanthropist, community serviceman and much-loved family man, but to residents at The Cottage, he was also a caring, motivated and driven leader, who changed many lives for the better.

The Cottage is a residential rehabilitation centre that helps people recover from addiction.

Mr Gash, who recently passed away aged 77, was a co-founder of the centre along with his wife, Helma.

Fellow co-founder and company secretary, Rob Bryant, said he and Mr Gash met in 2017 because they shared an interest in treatment for addiction.

“We (with wife Trish) went and met Ken and Helma, and after five minutes of conversation, he said, ‘When do we start?’,” Mr Bryant said.

“This is ‘ken-do’ Ken: ‘When do we start? I’ve got a house.’ He was brought in because he had someone in his family who couldn’t get help and this is how this whole thing got started.”

Mr Bryant said his friend had gotten tired of having to deal with bureaucracy and just got on with making the project a success.

“He’s been an architect in the planning, the building, the fixing and the making work available to get them (the residents) back into the community. Respecting them,” Mr Bryant said.

“A compassionate person, who said, ‘We can do it’. His compassion was driving his will to make this work, and we both have a pretty stubborn streak.

“We will miss him dearly, but he has left a powerful legacy, which we will continue to honour.”

**Honoured:** The unveiling of a plaque recognising Ken and Helma Gash at The Cottage, a residential program in Shepparton assisting recovery from addiction. Pictured are (from left) company secretary Rob Bryant, general manager Aaron Gilhooley, support worker Sharlie Liew, son Shaun Gash and former director Cheryl Hammer.

The Cottage has helped 400 people with its addiction rehabilitation programs, with a 50 per cent success rate.

Former board member Cheryl Hammer said Mr Gash helped create a positive culture at The Cottage.

“Ken forged a culture at the facility that allowed us all to work in a non-judgmental, caring and no-fuss way, which benefited the residents,” Ms Hammer said.

“He taught us a great deal about being a good human and he will be sadly missed.”

Mr Gash’s dedication to the program went beyond helping to establish it, offering many of its participants a chance at employment.

He organised a crew from The Cottage to rebuild fences and help landowners after the 2020 bushfires in the Corryong region, and residents have since helped with local community efforts, including as recently as sandbagging for the flood effort in Shepparton and at Rochester.