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House of Assembly - Fifty-Third Parliament, Second Session (53-2)
2017-05-31 Daily Xml
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Mitchell Park Neighbourhood Centre

Ms DIGANCE (Elder) (15:33): Last week, I was very pleased to be able to be part of the 30th anniversary celebrations of the Mitchell Park Neighbourhood Centre. I joined an enthusiastic and excited crowd of supporters and attendees of the centre as we reminisced, cut cake and sang happy birthday to the centre.

Some of the words included here today are courtesy of Marlene Littlewood, a volunteer of the centre since its inception. Marlene recounted on the day that, in the 1970s, the Housing Trust of South Australia provided a house to be used by the community to run school holiday and after-school activities. Marlene told us all that the house was so popular that it soon became a place where mums would escape from their day-to-day routine and, over a cup of coffee, discuss their local issues of concern and exchange ideas that helped many learn new skills.

Thanks to the original centre manager, Lynne McDonnell, and her group, the club was born. This was the forerunner for the amazing hub of activity that is today Mitchell Park Neighbourhood Centre. Marlene also told us that in the early days, along with a group of others, she would approach the then coordinator, Jill, with ideas for programs and she would always listen and was very supportive, with her response always being, 'Okay, we could give it a go.' Marlene told of the fun in producing the community newsletter pre-computer days when everything was typed on a typewriter, hand cut and pasted and then photocopied, and the good old faithful liquid paper corrected all that was wrong.

During the evolution of the centre, the Mitchell Park Kindergarten also recognised the growing needs of the community and met with Marion council and the Housing Trust of South Australia to discuss how these needs of the community could best be met. As a result of these discussions, it was agreed that a permanent meeting place was required and, with funding from the Housing Trust of South Australia and the council, the building was constructed, being built on land partly owned by Marion council and the kindergarten.

When completed, the building was handed over to the City of Marion for fit-out and provision of staff. The official program of the grand opening stated that, when all furnishings and equipment were in place, the total cost of the project would be $145,000, comprising the South Australian Housing Trust's contribution to the building of $95,000, Marion council's contribution to the building of $35,000 and furniture and equipment of $15,000. The centre was officially opened 30 years ago today on 31 May 1987. Before long, the centre became a hive of activity and a meeting place for the community. If local people were not attending a program, they would sit and talk and plan and exchange ideas, an activity that still continues today.

In the official program of the grand opening, the building was described as an excellent example of cooperation between organisations, with the aim of the centre being to provide activities to cover the needs of the local community. This early aim is not so very different from that of today. The Mitchell Park Neighbourhood Centre's aim is to respond to the health, welfare, individual needs and community needs of adults and children. Today's statement gives additional depth to the offerings of the centre as it talks about achieving this by facilitating a fun, diverse and accessible range of social, recreational and educational activities and programs that develop personal growth and encourage wellbeing and a sense of identity and community.

The official grand opening program went on to say that the coordinator had recently commenced duties and was working towards developing a wide range of activities. Exercise classes and a family planning service were among the first programs to be organised at the centre. The centre's offerings have grown and evolved and today are extensive, with the centre full to overflowing as every space and every minute of the day is filled.

The centre offers flexi fitness; sewing, beading and crafts; a knitting and craft circle; a men's breakfast; a literacy program; English as a second language; a walking group; a women's walking group; an over-50 social group called the Silverliners; the Repair Cafe; mandala colouring; a playgroup; guitar lessons; senior social groups; Under Construction, an Asperger's social group for boys; new arrivals refugee immunisation; Groove Gold; Girls Connect, an Asperger's social group for girls; and much more.

Today, as in the early years, when you first walk through the door you feel a warmth and friendliness and are made to feel very welcome with a chirpy hello. This is how it has always been, and it rightly deserves the title 'the heart of the community'. The centre has unquestionably and successfully provided many services over its 30 years, and I look forward to the centre being able to offer many more programs and activities within the community in the future. Thank you to the wonderful staff of Mitchell Park Neighbourhood Centre and the amazing volunteers and all those who use and attend the great list of classes, activities and groups. Happy 30th anniversary, Mitchell Park Neighbourhood Centre.

Mr PICTON: Deputy Speaker, I draw your attention to the state of the house.

A quorum having been formed:

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