Things get cooking at community kitchen

THE community came together Barkly Square last week to celebrate the launch of the site’s new community kitchen.

The upgraded facilities are the result of a joint effort between the Ballarat Regional Multicultural Centre, the Centre for Multicultural Youth, and BGT Jobs and Training.

With development completed late last year, BGT CEO Graham McMahon said the kitchen was always something his organisation wanted to achieve at the community focused Barkly Square space.

“It was always a training kitchen that was here when this building was a high school. It just needed some upgrades and refurbishing,” he said.

“That was going to be expensive, and that’s when the collaboration started with BRMC and CMY, and then the opportunity for the regional multicultural grant.

“It takes a long time to come together, but it’s a great add-on to what we offer, and perfect for our tenants to utilise.”

The kitchen was funded with $100,000 provided by the State Government as part of their Regional Multicultural Infrastructure Fund.

Construction was carried out by WBW Metal Construction, and executive officer at BRMC Ann Foley said the facilities will emphasise Barkly Square’s role as a multicultural hub.

“I think nearly every one of our 27 members are going to get something out of it at one time or another,” she said.

“So many community groups will have access, everyone from the Italians to the Malayali to the African community.

“To have a place where we can actually invite the cooks of varying cultures to use the facility, it makes it that much easier for everyone to be included.”