A new community centre in Tarneit has been officially opened with a smoking ceremony performed by Bunurong Traditional Owners of the land on which this centre is built.
Located at 61 Polly Parade in Tarneit, Bembit Bag-rook will offer a range of community, health and educational services, programs, and activities for people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities, including kindergarten and maternal child health services.
The Bembit Bag-rook Community Centre is the first stage being delivered as part of Wyndham City's $21 million Tarneit North Community Precinct Masterplan.
Wyndham City's early years partner, Bestchance, will manage the Centre, which will be fully operational in early 2023.
Bestchance is a not-for-profit organisation that delivers quality education, care and therapy services for children and manages the Mainview Blvd Family Learning Centre in Truganina and other kindergartens across Wyndham City.
Wyndham City Mayor Cr Peter Maynard said: "Tarneit is one of our fastest growing communities, with the population forecast to more than double in the next 20 years."
"Our proactive delivery of new community centres with critical health and education services in high-growth areas is a major priority and achievement for our City. We thank our early years partner, Bestchance, and the State Government for their support."
From mid-October to December 2022, the Bembit Bag-rook Community Centre will be home to Tweddle Child & Family Health Service (Tweddle). Tweddle will deliver a new Early Parenting Day Stay program opening in Tarneit for Wyndham mums, dads and bubs.
The Wyndham Day Stay Program will be operated by Tweddle weekly for families with babies up to 12 months of age. Mums and dads will get support to help their babies and toddlers learn sleeping, feeding, bonding and routines that will continue to enhance their development and wellbeing.
The temporary Day Stay service is opening in the lead-up to Tweddle's new Residential Early Parenting Centre, due to commence service delivery in mid-2023.
Wyndham City's Healthy City portfolio holder Cr Adele Hegedich said: "New parents face many challenges, and one doesn't have to be travelling long distances to get the support they need. We are thrilled to partner with Tweddle, and we know their support will have a lasting positive impact on the lives of mothers, fathers and children in Wyndham."
Earlier this year, the Centre was officially named Bembit Bag-rook Community Centre after consultation with the Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation, the Registered Aboriginal Party for the Traditional Owners of land on which this community centre is built. In language, Bembit means 'flower' and Bag-rook means' women'.
The delivery of the Bembit Bag-rook Community Centre is supported by $2.5 million from the Victorian Government's Growing Suburbs Fund and by a Victorian Government $2.5 million Building Blocks Grant.
Cr Maynard was joined at the official opening by Wyndham City CEO Stephen Wall, Sarah Connolly MP and the Minister for Local Government, Melissa Horne.
