Space supports community groups

SINCE 2021, a former baker’s residence at 407A Warrenheip Street has given not-for-profit groups a place to conduct meetings, develop plans, and complete their goals.

Overhauled the year prior and since run by Community Bank Buninyong, the town’s Buninyong Community House has proven a popular hub for organisations both local and surrounding.

“It really is a meeting space for the community,” Community Bank Buninyong communications lead Sam Elshaug said.

“It’s almost a DIT facility where we provide the space for community groups to do what they do best. We have an online portal where groups can apply to use the Community House.

“Once approved, they can manage their own bookings, and coming and going from the property themselves. It’s free for non-profits or for-purpose groups to use.”

Ms Elshaug estimated more than 100 groups had booked the space following its overhaul during the COVID-19 pandemic, which saw the heritage facade restored brick by brick during construction.

“When we first started up, we went from plenty of white space in the diary to the point where it’s heavily booked,” she said.

“We have a whole range of groups now from environmental groups to those involved in niche hobbies like book clubs and craft groups, to commercial groups which can hire the space for a fee.”

Commercial groups can also apply to use the space for a fee.

For the past year, Angela Jones has hosted the Buni Bridge social bridge sessions out of the site for up to three hours on Tuesday mornings.

“We started off in the smaller meeting room until we outgrew it, and now we have about 20 people in the large room each week,” she said.

“This space is beyond our wildest dreams. To be able to access a facility like this at no cost to the group is a credit to the bank.

“It’s a very welcoming and incredibly well-cared for space, and it’s a joy to play in.”

The property’s redevelopment saw $750,000 spent on restoration, landscaping, and extension works throughout COVID-19, after which the bank was celebrated by the National Trust Victoria.

Before the reopening, the space also served as a relief centre during the 2015 Scotsburn bushfires.

The bank’s community partnerships lead Kelly Bevan said the site had fostered unexpected collaborations between local groups.

“Our purpose is around building community, and the fact groups can meet together, collaborate, and learn from each other, it also provides the opportunity for us to tell them about what we do as well. It’s about building capacity.”

Head to communityhouse.com.au/about to apply to use the space.