Town’s community centre hopes

By DION TEASDALE
MILLGROVE’S Community Building Initiative could result in the township getting its own community learning centre.
Millwarra Primary School, in conjunction with the Millgrove River Valley Church, has approached the State Government to fund the project.
The proposed centre would comprise a theatrette, offices, a learning kitchen, a recording studio, group rooms, training rooms and a community internet café.
Gembrook MP Tammy Lobato, who instigated the Community Building Initiative with Millgrove residents in November last year, has added her support to the project.
In Parliament earlier this month Ms Lobato asked Minister for Education Services Jacinta Allan for her department to fund the community learning centre.
“The action I seek is for the minister to support the application made by Millwarra Primary School, in conjunction with the River Valley Church in Millgrove, for funding through the Community Facilities Fund,” Ms Lobato said.
“These community facilities are sorely needed to enable both the church and the school to deliver the services required by residents.”
Ms Lobato said opportunities for community development were limited without adequate community facilities to cater for programs run by local church and school groups.
Ms Allan said she was aware a funding application for the project had been submitted to the government’s Community Facility Fund and would follow its progress.
“This matter is under consideration, and I look forward to having further discussions with (Ms Lobato) as it progresses,” she said.
Ms Allan commended Ms Lobato for her ongoing work with the Millgrove community.
“I would like to commend very highly the member for Gembrook for her dedication and her drive to see the improved delivery of services and facilities in Millgrove,” she said.
“It is a great example of how local members of Parliament, working with their communities, can strive to get key outcomes to improve community services.”
Ms Lobato said that successfully attracting funding for a community learning centre in Millgrove would be the culmination of months of hard work and planning by her and residents.
“For years (Millgrove) has endured the lack of a voice and a lack of representation,” she said.
“Now it has a very powerful voice, its own voice, telling all and sundry what it wants and needs.”