A warm and welcoming legacy

AFTER 15 years as manager of Haddon Community Learning Centre, Joan Coker has announced her retirement.

Ms Coker joined the centre in November 2006 when it was known as the Haddon and District Community House.

After two break-ins at the facility, the existing manager left, and Ms Coker decided the centre needed a refresh.

“It was a very upsetting time for everyone,” she said.

“The committee at the time didn’t know anything about running a community house so we were all sort of floundering around.

“I thought if I used my trainer and tutor abilities, we could build the house up to be a professional place.”

In 2014, the centre was rebranded as Haddon Community Learning Centre and reflected Ms Coker’s commitment to providing inclusive training programs as well as a welcoming environment.

Ms Coker was an IT trainer by profession, and she upgraded equipment so the centre could provide modern training.

Other achievements included the wool and craft expo, a Move it Gently program for seniors, holding comprehensive barista courses, and a rural youth in action project.

However, Ms Coker said her greatest achievement was creating a warm and welcoming environment for people to visit.

“All I wanted was for people to come here and feel comfortable and that they could talk to me at any time,” she said.

“When I come in the door and help people who are really scared to do computers… I think you get that satisfaction out of individually helping people.

“To me, every person it important.”

The centre had to close during the COVID-19 pandemic and Ms Coker worked from home, but once restrictions were eased, the community returned.

Rick Bushell will now become centre manager from 2025. Ms Coker described him as an experienced computer tutor with a community-minded attitude.

“He did have a lot of the skills that I thought would be of benefit,” she said. “He does have a community base and I wanted the person to be community minded.”

Ms Coker said she hopes Mr Bushell can bring new ideas to the centre, such as more physical activities, and finish work she started, like improving the building and installed Indigenous art.

To find out more about the centre’s offerings, visit the Haddon Community Learning Centre website.