Centre bale-out

By Paul Pickering
DROWNING in escalating costs, the Burrinja Cultural Centre upgrade project was thrown a $2 million lifeline by the Federal Government last week.
La Trobe MP Jason Wood and Federal Minister for Local Government Jim Lloyd visited the Upwey facility to announce the funding last Thursday, sparking rapturous applause and a collective sigh of relief from the gathered staff and community members.
The timely cash injection will go towards the redevelopment of the Burrinja facility to include a 410-seat auditorium and an Indigenous cultural education garden.
The long-coveted performing arts centre project has been in the pipeline for decades, yet only became a reality in May last year when the State Government announced that it would add $3 million to the Shire of Yarra Ranges’ $4.6 million of funding.
But as Yarra Ranges mayor Tim Heenan explained last week, it soon became evident that more money would be required to satisfy the hills community’s vision for the facility.
“It got to the stage where we had to go cap in hand (to the Federal Government),” he said.
“And I’m so proud of our Federal member because we gave him an enormous task and he has risen to the occasion.”
At the announcement, Mr Wood wryly apologised to Mr Lloyd for badgering him about the application for a grant through the Government’s Regional Partnerships program.
“I was advised by the Shire of Yarra Ranges that this project was in grave danger without the support of the Federal Government, so I’m absolutely delighted to be here announcing over $2 million in funding,” he said.
Mr Lloyd said that $2 million was at the upper limit of the Regional Partnerships funding scheme, with the average grant being around $80,000.
“It has been a pretty hard slog to get something as sizeable as this project through, but I can tell you that my electorate would be very jealous of this fantastic community facility.”
The Indigenous cultural education garden will include an Indigenous environment learning exhibition and will host hands-on art workshops.
The auditorium will be available for use by local schools and community groups, as well as hosting various touring shows and musical performances.
Burrinja president Louis Delacretaz said many school groups have already inquired about booking the facility after the projected completion date of December 2009.
Mr Delacretaz was keen to acknowledge the contributions of all three levels of government in getting the project over the line. “The community needs that tripod of support working together,” he said.
Burrinja chief executive Ross Farnell said that construction could begin as early as September next year if all went according to plan.