@Normal:Monbulk MP James Merlino, Premier John Brumby and Monbulk Primary School principal Ray Yates check out the new hub plans. 55344
By Casey Neill
MONBULK’S new heart is finally pumping.
Premier John Brumby opened the Monbulk Living and Learning Centre last Thursday, marking the end of a six-year journey to bring a dream to life.
Mr Brumby said the $5.23 million hub would bring the community together under one roof.
“It’s a beautiful facility,” he said.
“It will strengthen the community.”
The building at the junction of Main Road and Moores Road emerged from a partnership between Yarra Ranges Council ($1.65 million), the state ($1.28 million) and federal ($2 million) governments, Monbulk Primary School ($200,000) and the local community ($100,000).
Its facilities include a children’s library, family and children’s services, shire community link, café, gallery and community space.
Monbulk MP James Merlino said consultation revealed the community needed a meeting place.
“Specifically, families stated they wanted a centre for the entire community, complete with integrated services and opportunities for people of all ages,” he said.
“This hub will help improve the quality of life for Monbulk families and I am sure it will become a hub of activity for years to come.”
The project was born when Monbulk Primary School principal Ray Yates approached Mr Merlino for $200,000 to match a school council commitment.
The hub overcame several objections from individuals. Mr Merlino said the result was worth the trouble.
“This is probably the single most significant community infrastructure building in Monbulk for generations,” he said.
“It’s just amazing. This is a day for celebration.” Mr Yates shunned praise.
“It’s a team approach,” he said.
He said former Monbulk Police Sergeant Alan Fincher helped him conceive the dream.
They found support from Mr Merlino, Casey MP Tony Smith and Chandler Ward councillor Graham Warren.
He said the result was even better than he had hoped.
Cr Warren agreed.
“The community will be rapt in this building,” he said. He said the shire link was now open and other services would follow in coming months. The shire will continue attempts to secure funding for a full library.
Cr Warren said community groups were “splintered all over the township” and this centre would bring them together.
“That was the biggest driver for me,” he said.
“The synergy of that I think is a great thing.” Mayor Len Cox said every major town in the shire needed a centre. “A little heart of the town where people can go for all different reasons,” he said.
“This is exactly what this is and it will be for many, many years to come. It will be the centre of life in Monbulk.”
Wurundjeri elder Murrindindi helped shape the building’s design, which takes inspiration from the Aboriginal mia-mia (hut). He performed a stirring welcome to country.
Monbulk College and Monbulk Primary School students presented music.
Liberal Monbulk candidate Matt Mills said the occasion was soured because the official opening was invite only.
He said several people from the community had expressed their disappointment at not being included after contributing to fundraising for the project.
Mr Mills said they were also disappointed a full library was not yet included.
•Cash puff for Billy, Page 3.
