The house Cate built: how a mothers’ meeting led to a community centre

WHEN Torquay’s mothers had nowhere to meet, Cate Remenyi made it her mission to create a community space for them.

More than three decades later, the Torquay Community House is still operating.

Remenyi said the house was originally created to support mothers in the region with a place to gather, but now serves all members of the community.

Support for the idea gathered quickly in the early 1990s, with 60 people attending the first public meeting.

“I was at home with the children and we didn’t have a place for women to meet or do anything except for play groups,” Remenyi said.

“I thought well how come Anglesea’s got a community house and we don’t. Anglesea is smaller than us, so I spoke about it with the women.

“I said, ‘What do you think about us getting a community house?’ and they said ‘Yes’.”

In the decades since, the house has moved, changed names and expanded its offerings, but its mission of supporting the community has remained unchanged.

Remenyi said she is proud to have watched it grow and evolve under successive coordinators.

She said each has brought new ideas and initiatives, ensuring it continues to meet community needs.

 

From recreational classes to adult learning, the community house has hosted a wide range of programs.

A labour of love for those involved, Remenyi said she is not surprised it has remained a cornerstone of the community.

“I knew it would be,” she said.

“I’ve got a strong feeling for community and I knew that people would pop in and do nothing but also pop in and take advantage of everything on offer.

“Torquay has a very strong sense of community so I knew the house would just keep going on.”

In recognition of her service to the Torquay community, Remenyi was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in this year’s King’s Birthday honours.

Hesitant to accept at first, she said she initially thought she was being scammed before her daughter convinced her otherwise.

Remenyi said despite the recognition, the community house would not exist without its volunteers.

“I was passionate about getting the house going and because other people were helping, the passion was easy,” she said.

“I had a lot of people helping me. It’s just the way community supports one another.”

The Torquay Community House is open Monday to Thursday during school terms.