Laura farewells TCH after 20-year tenure

THE Torquay Community House (TCH) has officially farewelled one of its longest-serving staff members after more than 20 years in Price Street.

Laura Connor first began her tenure at the TCH participating in and running cooking classes back when the house still ran the Mermaid Café, and also producing recipes for the house’s Springboard newsletter.

Following some volunteering at the House between jobs, Ms Connor felt her history of working in the hospitality industry made her a suitable candidate for the Coordinator role she would eventually hold for the next 20 years when the job opening appeared.

“When I joined, I was really at a point when I really wanted to work in a sector (neighbourhood houses) and an environment that would be a benefit and provide good positive outcomes,” Ms Connor said.

“I am extremely lucky to have been part of and to have worked with so many different organisations and incredible people, but also I leave with an incredible feeling of achievement and fulfilment, which not everyone is lucky enough to have – it is a great privilege.”

Ms Connor refers to the house as “the heart of Torquay” and that certainly seems to be the case, with many ongoing initiatives being conceived by Ms Connor and her team, such as the Danawa Community Garden, the Life Activities Club, the Men’s and Women’s Shed, the University of the Third Age and many more.

Ms Connor’s role as TCH co-ordinator had one main priority, which was to develop the community. This came with identifying the needs of the local community and helping the community to bring these needs to fruition.

“That was by far the most rewarding aspect of my role,” she said.

“There were also little things that I loved, like hearing someone say, ‘that changed my life completely’ or ‘that made such a difference’. Those personal stories were really things that kept you in the job and kept you going, making it really worthwhile.

“You could see the difference you were making.”

TCH chair Rhonda Anchen reinforced the notion of Ms Connor being a wonderful mentor and role model as co-ordinator, maintaining her love of Torquay since acquiring her role in 2001.

“Laura is a fearless advocate for her community,” Ms Anchen said.

“She is tenacious with an outstanding, committed work ethic. Laura, motivates, mobilises and inspires people to take action and be more aware of community issues and how to provide solutions.”

Ms Connor, like many others across the state, is now looking forward to seeing her family again once COVID-19 restrictions have eased.

Regarding her future, however, she remains adamant that she will remain connected to the TCH in some capacity, as she says “there are a million things” she is interested in doing.