Dream realised

By Tania Martin
A 30-YEAR dream for a multi-purpose community “hub” in the centre of Monbulk will now be possible after the Federal Government injected $2 million into the project.
Casey MP Tony Smith last week announced the latest cash boost for the community centre project.
The long-awaited $6 million community centre hub can now move forward with the cash injection and appointment of an architect.
The current community centre on the corner of Moores Road and Main Street will be demolished to make way for the new one.
Mr Smith said the new centre would include a multi-purpose shared library with Monbulk Primary School, early learning facilities such as preschools and playgroups, a maternal child health centre and a senior citizens centre.
He said the funding was the biggest and most significant announcement for Monbulk in a very long time.
“It will mean the Monbulk community’s dream can finally become a reality,” he said.
“This funding will mean Monbulk will have a state-of-the-art community hub with facilities to cater for people at all stages of their lives.”
The idea to build a community hub was born more than 30 years ago but it wasn’t until three years ago that plans started to take shape.
That started in 2003 when Monbulk Primary School received $200,000 from the State Government for a library, but at the time the school principal, Ray Yates, felt the money would be better used for building a community centre. The school, local community groups and the Shire of Yarra Ranges then joined to develop a plan for the centre.
Mr Yates said the project had now received $5.3 million towards the expect $6 million centre.
He said it was a jointly funded venture between all levels of the government and the local community.
So far the State Government has allocated $910,000, the Shire of Yarra Ranges $1.95 million,$2 million from the Federal Government, and $200,000 from the primary school and community.
Mr Yates said the latest contribution was the final piece of the puzzle and that it would allow the project to move towards laying down some concrete plans.
He said it was the realisation not only of his dream but that of a group of local men who originally came up with the idea 30 years ago.
Harry Seamer, who died 11 years ago, and Don Murdoch, George Gray, Alby Marr and Barry Hill dreamt up the idea of the community centre but their vision was before its time.
Mr Seamer’s wife, Lillian, said he would have been so proud to finally see it all come true.
Local police officer Alan Fincher said it was fantastic to finally see the project moving forward.
He first got involved with the project as a shire councillor and since retiring from the council has continued to push forward with the dream.
He said the centre would create a place for young and old for generations to come.
It is expected that work on the new centre will start in March next year.