Residents are invited to mark a major milestone in Donnybrook’s history with the official opening of the murnong community centre this Saturday 21 February.
The opening event will run from 9am to 11am and include a smoking ceremony, ribbon cutting, performances, children’s activities, face painting and free coffee.
Whittlesea council is hosting the community opening event at the centre, which mayor Lawrie Cox said is a culmination of years of planning, design and construction.
“The murnong community centre will provide residents with many of the support services they need from birth through to their senior years,” Cr Cox said.
“Having this centre close to home will reduce the need for residents of the growing Donnybrook community to travel long distances to access essential community services.”
The $11.4 million facility located at 183w Olivine Boulevard was supported by over $7 million in grants from the state government.
“Without this support a community centre of this quality would not be possible.”
The centre includes two kindergarten rooms, a mini-branch library, study spaces, maternal and child health consultation suites, changing places and accessible toilets.
Organisations and groups will be able to book the large community hall or the multipurpose activity rooms to hold events and programs.
According to the council, environmental sustainability was a key focus during construction with the centre featuring solar panels and a water tank.
The centre also features public artwork including one that tells the story of the murnong (yam daisy) which is a vital staple food for the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people.
