By Prealene Khera
It was during one of her business classes that 35-year-old Hiba Fathi first felt the rush of entrepreneurialism, which later morphed into a dream of opening her own eatery — ‘Dusty Coffee’.
However, the impetus of that vision no longer exists, and with it, neither does Ms Fathi’s dream.
For the last four years up until November 29, she had been studying English and business at the Meadow Heights Education Centre.
The not-for-profit institute was forced to shut its doors due to ongoing financial struggles, according to the centre’s board of management president Phillip Perroni.
“In a nutshell, our expenses far outweighed our income and we were losing money hand over fist for a while,” he said.
“Covid was the main factor, especially [post-pandemic] — we didn’t get enough students back in the classrooms but we continued to pay rent because we didn’t want to lose the premises.”
While the board implemented measures to cut-back costs, Mr Perroni said the deficit was a hurdle they couldn’t overcome.
“As much as it pains us to do so, we need to go in this direction,” he said.
The closure has left students like Ms Fathi in the lurch.
“It’s very sad — this is so hard,” she said.
“Where do we go?”
Operating for three decades, the centre provided educational opportunities to adults from diverse backgrounds. From language lessons, beauty and make-up training, to computer skills and general support, the space “empowered” people to “build strong and resilient communities”, according to the centre’s website.
“We were very happy here, we love it, and we need it,” Ms Fathi said.
“It was perfect for us because there’s also a free childcare space within the centre so we didn’t have to choose between our education and our families.
“There’s also a school nearby and I know mothers who would drop off their kids and come to class.”
A core offering of the Meadow Heights Education Centre was “accessible education”.
This access has been stripped away from 24-year-old Nour Chaker.
“I am very angry and upset,” she said.
“I don’t have a licence, so for me the centre’s closure also puts a stop to my education.
“Not only will I not be able to learn, I won’t be able to socialise — it’ll be lonely.”
According to Meadow Heights Education Centre teacher and assessor Nikolas Kolendrianos, the closure is devastating for both staff and students.
“Let’s not forget a lot of these people were displaced, they’ve gone through extensive trauma and this can inflict those emotions again,” he said.
“The whole school community is devastated.
“We’re all saddened and everyone is trying to put on a brave face but it’s going to be a hard transition.”
With more than 200 enrolments, Mr Kolendrianos said as classes come to an end, its “ripple effect will be felt across the area”.
Mr Kolendrianos said “miraculous funding“ was the only way the centre’s fate would be reversed.
“It can be saved if we have donors, or people interested in keeping the school running.
“I’m not sure how much money we need but I suppose if we received $500,000 that could keep us going for another year.”
Northern Metropolitan Liberal MP Evan Mulholland said the situation warrants immediate government intervention.
“I am concerned about reports [of] this much-loved facility closing down and the impact it will have on local residents and their access to education and training,” he said.
“Meadow Heights Education Centre is where so many of our community learned to speak English, became job ready, gained social skills and became active members of our community.
“It is clear that the [state government] needs to step in to save this wonderful community resource.”
While the centre’s future is stuck in limbo, Ms Fathi’s dream is anchored with hope.
“I’m hopeful it’ll be saved, and then maybe ‘Dusty Coffee’ could become a reality,” she said.
“We can only hope.”
