By Parker McKenzie
Knox City Council has voted to extend the pilot program at Millers Homestead until 2027 in partnership with Eastern Region Libraries.
A report on the yearlong collective use Arts and History Centre pilot program at the historic homestead recommended that the council notes the success of the pilot, extend Eastern Region Libraries license agreement be extended until 2027 and disband the Homestead’s community reference group.
At a council meeting on Monday 28 November, Deputy Mayor Jude Dwight moved the motion at the officer’s recommendation.
“The only negative comment that I’m hearing is I wish it were open late and on weekends, and the only concern that I’m hearing is what happens down the track; what protections are in place to ensure Miller’s remains the great community asset that it is?” she said.
“Council now has an extensive story of our roles, support and obligations to Miller’s homestead which have never existed before. We are creating a new legacy that will continue to serve the community well into the future.”
Since the pilot program was launched in late 2021, Millers Homestead has hosted a variety of events from art exhibitions, book launches, author talks, family story time events, poetry readings and group singing lessons.
Cr Yvonne Allred seconded the motion and said Millers Homestead has seen fantastic management and programming over the past 12 months.
“I too have had nothing but positive feedback from residents, attendees and directly from the community reference group,” she said.
“I fully support the license agreement terms to extend the agreement for a further four years until January 2027. I look forward to the sensitive, creative space that ERL dream up.”
Millers Homestead was first built in 1888 and is one of the oldest surviving buildings in the Knox LGA.
Cr Soronia Grasso said she had the privilege of attending multiple events this year at Miller’s Homestead.
“I mentioned before I that happened to be an English teacher, I’m also a history teacher, so having history and literacy and books and the library come together: what a fantastic combination,” she said.
“I’m very excited about the extension of the pilot program and the success of it.”
Multiple councillors thanked the Miller’s Homestead Community Reference Group which will be disbanded on 7 December.
The motion was unanimously passed.
