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The new West Warrnambool Neighbourhood House is officially open.
Community members, partner organisations and local school students joined Warrnambool City councillors and staff to celebrate the milestone in Pecten Avenue this morning.
The West Warrnambool Neighbourhood House was first established in 2019 and was co-located with the Beamish Street kindergarten. The popularity of the programs, coupled with an expansion to the kindergarten program meant that a dedicated space was needed.
In the interim, programs were held at the Archie Graham Centre, AL Lane Pavilion, Warrnambool West Primary School, St Pius X Primary School, Brauer College and in the open space of Pecten Avenue Park, which is now the House's permanent home.
“This is a significant development for the West Warrnambool community," Warrnambool Mayor Cr Ben Blain said.
"Many in the community advocated for this project and they should feel proud that their efforts have helped create a wonderful community focal point for West Warrnambool.
“It's amazing that for several years the West Warrnambool Neighbourhood House was able to deliver services and programs without having a dedicated space. That’s a testament to the efforts of Council staff, particularly Neighbourhood House Coordinator Jill Bourke.
“In a way that challenging beginning provided a proof of concept. It showed the neighbourhood house was valued, needed and would be embraced were it to have a dedicated home.”
Warrnambool Deputy Mayor Cr Vicki Jellie said that delivering services within West Warrnambool made them more accessible to a wider group of people.
“It’s for the whole city, but this community especially here will utilise and appreciate what this will bring,” she said.
“There are people here in the area that might not have a car and would have to catch a bus to go into town.
“So to be able to walk around the corner and attend a craft session, or a session on how to use the internet or pay a bill online, that’s what has come of this and I think that’s a really important thing for the whole community.”
West Warrnambool Neighbourhood House Committee Member Tonia Wilcox said that she was excited to celebrate the beginning of a new chapter for West Warrnambool.
“A neighbourhood house is more than just a building, it’s the heart of a community, and in West Warrnambool, this house is the heart of the west,” she said.
“It will be where people come together, where friendships grow, where skills are shared and where a real sense of belonging grows.”
Fellow committee member Mel Steffensen invited the community to embrace the new facility and to get involved.
“As we open this new space, we invite all of you to make it your own,” she said.
“To use it, to shape it and to continue building a community that is strong, connected and welcoming to everyone.”
West Warrnambool Neighbourhood House Coordinator Jill Bourke thanked Warrnambool City councillors and staff past and present, West Warrnambool Neighbourhood House committee members and program volunteers, St Pius X and Warrnambool West primary school and Brauer College.
“The core principles of community development emphasise community participation and collective action. I think today, what we are witnessing is the result of community, collective action,” she said.
West Warrnambool Neighbourhood House programs commence in March and will include a mix of arts and crafts, health and fitness, technology, social and after-school sessions.
To find out more, follow the West Warrnambool Neighbourhood House on Facebook or check the physical noticeboard in front of the house itself.