Community gathers at new hub

LOCAL residents came together last Saturday to celebrate Ballarat’s newest community hub, Djila-tjarriu.

The hub officially opened in February and about 50 children have already begun kindergarten in the centre.

The facility also has two community rooms, a meeting room, a community kitchen and associated staff areas.

The day started with a Welcome to Country before kinder information tours, playgroup drop-in activities, art sessions and aging well events began.

Djila-tjarriu means place of play in Wadawurrung language and other Wadawurrung words are featured around the centre.

“I think it is creating that connection between community and Wadawurrung culture,” said Wadawurrung women, Jenna Oldaker.

“It doesn’t always have to be big things, sometimes it’s just little things.

“The City of Ballarat and everyone involved in this amazing building have been so supportive of Wadawurrung culture and heritage and country.”

Nathan Dumais toured the building with his son Benjamin, and he said he was impressed by the facilities.

“This is by far the nicest place I’ve seen,” he said. “It’s well organised, brand new and made for this.”

“The more facilities like this the better our children are going to grow up and they are going to have a better community to live in.”

Mayor, Cr Des Hudson said it was great to see the community using the new facility.

“The Djila-tjarriu Community Hub is such a brilliant facility and we are proud to show it off to the Ballarat community,” he said.

“As a facility that is designed to cater to the rapidly expanding western suburbs, we want people to come along and see what might be possible and how the facility can benefit them.”