By ANEEKA SIMONIS
THOSE afflicted by mental illness or battling family violence trauma can seek help at a newly opened community health care centre in Pakenham.
Toomah Community Centre, officially opened on Friday 3 July, is Cardinia shire’s first collaboratively-owned community centre – built at the cost of $6.8 million.
The facility, which is part managed by Living and Learning and utilised by Windermere Child and Family Services, provides a space for vulnerable and disadvantaged members of the community to seek help and support.
According to Cardinia shire Mayor Leticia Wilmot, the centre will also help jobseekers build on the skill sets they need to get a job.
“Building a centre like this is critical,” she said on behalf of the council, which contributed $3.3 million towards building the centre.
La Trobe MP Jason Wood, who helped Windermere collect $2 million which was contributed toward the health and wellness centre, said providing help to those at their lowest point is a critical function of the centre’s service providers.
Eastern Victoria MP Daniel Mulino, who spoke on behalf of the State Government, which provided $1.5 million toward the project, spruiked the projected benefits which are expected to be provided by the centre in years to come.
“The State Government was very happy to be able to provide funding for the centre.
“But, more importantly, we look forward to seeing what the incredible work the people and volunteers will do here in the years and decades to come,” he said.
A bronze sculpture depicting a sentimental ‘swamp gum leaf’ sits outside the community centre.
Artist Julie Squires, who was acknowledge for her creative and meaningful contribution to the colour of the centre, said the sculpture – The Gift – tells a story of the area’s rich indigenous history.
A plaque at the site read: “As a ritual, young women travelled through the country of Toomuc Creek in order to understand their birthing rites as they transitioned to womanhood. In return for their safe passage, their commitment to obey the laws were symbolised through exchanging the gift of a bought swamp gum leaf dipped in water.”
Ms Squires said she gained her inspiration through talks with well-known aboriginal elder Carolyn Briggs who helped open the ceremony.
The centre also features the shire’s first social enterprise project – On-Track Cafe – whose proceeds will be donated to Toomah Community Centre’s health care providers.
