The concept that was to become the Murchison and District Neighbourhood House had its beginnings in a community survey conducted in 1998. One of the community priorities that was identified in that survey was the need for a community facility to focus on providing craft, leisure and learning activities.
On 12 November 1998 a community meeting, chaired by Arch Mackinnon resolved to form a steering committee to develop a Neighbourhood House. A week later that steering committee was formed and arrangements were made with Murchison Community Care to use the old Bush Nursing Hospital. Steering committee members elected were Mary Raymond, Jo Burgess, Lucy Harper, Terry Farrell, Jan Bourke, Elisabeth Capuano, Shirley Cloggie, Jan Hillgrove, Karen Armitage and Annemarie Sutcliffe.
A mere two months after the first community meeting, the first committee of Murchison & District Neighbourhood House was formed on 14 January 1999 and an afternoon tea was arranged to open the Neighbourhood House to the public on 10 February.
When he opened the 19 November 1998 meeting, Arch Mackinnon read the following section from the original community needs survey:
“The enthusiasm and strong sense of community being shown by local people augers well for the future of Murchison. Our destiny lies in our hands. If anything is to be done it will only happen if we do it.”
The words were, indeed, prophetic. The people of Murchison had acted quickly, decisively and with a successful outcome.
Jan Hillgrove was elected the inaugural president of the House, with Jo Burgess as secretary and Mary Raymond as treasurer.
At the 14th January meeting the Committee also approved an auspice agreement with Murchison Community Care and resolved to join the Goulburn Northeast Association of Community Centres (GNEACC). Both of those associations continue to this day.
The First AGM
The first Annual General Meeting of the House was held on 9 September 1999.
Committee members elected for the following year were: Marjorie Patterson, Jo Burgess, Jan Bourke, Judy Prouse, Mary Raymond, Glenn Sutherland, Jan Hillgrove, Anna Sutcliffe, Simon Delahenty, Rebecca Hunter, Elizabeth Capuano, Shirley Cloggie, Lucy Harper, Terry Farrell and Garry West. Subsequently, Jan Hillgrove was re-elected president, Jo Burgess secretary and Mary Raymond treasurer. Simon Delahunty was elected vice president and Jan Bourke publicity officer.
Grants to Support Activities
In June 2001 the House was successful in gaining a Victorian Department for Sport and Recreation Country Action Grant of $2000 to support a program transporting residents to Mooroopna to participate in water aerobics. The program continues to operate today.
In November 2004 the House received a grant of $1992 from the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal to purchase weights for the popular strength training program which continues to grow. Additional equipment has recently been ordered to accommodate the increasing number of participants. Other smaller grants have been received to support a variety of health awareness and other activities which the House would not otherwise be able to provide for the people of Murchison and surrounding district.
Artworks
Three works of art have been installed at the House since it began. The mural in the play group room (originally the Bush Nursing Hospital operating theatre and now part of the day care rooms) painted by Narelle Gregory was unveiled in July 2001. This was added to by Jane Spencer in 2004. In 2003 Narelle completed another mural, which graces the main entrance to the house.
Also in 2003, a leadlight window was designed and completed by a leadlighting group at the House. The window depicts aspects of Murchison and the House. This was made possible by a grant of $900 from Regional Arts Victoria. It was officially unveiled by City of Greater Shepparton Mayor, Ann McCamish, on 28 March 2004.
Later Years
Governance of the House was restructured in October 2003.
Members of the new Board of Management elected at the Annual General Meeting were Marty Morris (president), Helen Eyles (minutes secretary), Anita Cory (secretary), Rod Halden (Treasurer) and Peg Trevaskis. Sue Schultz (vice president) was named the MCC representative on the Board.
Neil Lowe was later co-opted onto the Board to fill a position which remained vacant following the election. He was appointed treasurer in March 2004 when Rod Halden resigned due to work commitments.
Sue Schultz was elected president in the following year, with Marty Morris vice president and the remainder of the Board unchanged. During 2004 the Board completed a major review and revision of House policies and procedures.
Marty Morris was relected president for 2005-06 with Alan Rosser replacing Sue Schultz as the MCC representative and one position remaining vacant with the retirement of Peg Trevaskis. Inaugural president Jan Hillgrove was co-opted in March 2006 to fill the vacant position.
Board members elected for the 2006-07 year were Marty Morris president, Tanya Clonan secretary, Neil Lowe treasurer and Jan Hillgrove. Marg McMaster was the MCC representative. Anita Cory and Helen Eyles retired, although Helen’s retirement was short-lived. Tanya Clonan resigned when she left the district due to a change in her husband’s employment. Helen was co-opted back onto the Board and elected secretary.
Marg Clarke replaced Marg McMaster as MCC representative and Joanna Burckhardt was elected as a Board member, with other positions remaining the same for the 2007-08 year. Subsequently, for the 2008-09 year all members of the Board were re-elected.
Computer Facilities
Major renovations and an upgrade to computer facilities were undertaken in 2007 following the receipt of a $24,600 Modernising Neighbourhood Houses grant from the Department for Victorian Communities.
A wall was removed between what had been two single bed wards in the old hospital to allow the installation of eight computers and broadband Internet data access. The project also required the relocation of the House Library which was upgraded with permanent shelving.
The Board decided to take the opportunity to replace damaged ceiling panels in the adjacent corridor as well as old electrical wiring to that part of the building.
The new computer facility was officially opened on 30 August 2007 by Angela Verde, Community Engagement Manager for the Hume Region of the Department of Planning and Community Development.
Word processing, internet and digital photography courses in the new facility have proved popular. Residents, and increasingly tourists, are also taking advantage of low cost public internet access in the facility.
Opening Day
The opening day on 10 February proved to be very successful with over 50 people attending. The initial activities offered at the House were Cuppa and Chat Club, Newcomers Club, Book Club and Playgroup. Craft, Weigh and Walk for Health, Garden Group and Textile Craft “Bring your own UFO” (unfinished objects) were added to the activities by March and aerobics and computer classes (the latter provided at the Primary School by Marty Morris and Kerry Tuena) were soon to follow.
Getting Started
By June arrangements had been concluded with the Greater Shepparton City Council to provide a Maternal & Child Health Service at the House. Immunisations were to follow in April 2002.
The committee also approved the first Mission Statement:
Our mission is to provide a safe and welcoming place, where people of all ages can gather together for social and recreational activities and educational and health programmes.
When the House first opened, Murchison Community Care (MCC) donated $500 for initial expenses. MCC also provided the use of the Bush Nursing Hospital buildings.In August the House received a Greater Shepparton City Council Human Services grant of $3,500 for establishment and program coordination.
Participants were charged 50 cents for the use of the House. This has since increased to $1. Course fees were also struck to cover the costs of tutors and course materials.
The Murchison Lions Club donated a refrigerator and members of the public donated various pieces of equipment.
The House was opened and operated by members of the committee. This was life on a shoestring budget, but the House was thriving. The bank balance was $1522.31 by the time of the first Annual General Meeting.
Grants and Development of Facilities
The COGS Human Services Grant of $3,500 was paid in November 1999 and used to purchase tables, crockery, shelving, heaters and promotional equipment.
Following a submission from the House Committee the first annual operating grant from the City of Greater Shepparton was received. The first grant was $5,OOO. In later years this increased to $7,500 per annum and in 2008 further increased to $15,450. Over the years this grant has been used for a variety of purposes including equipment purchase, training programs for volunteers, subsidising participants’ cost for some important but expensive learning activities and maintenance.
Pre-Loved Shop
As early as 1999 the Committee was approached by groups wishing to operate an opportunity shop at the House. Initial interest was from a Nagambie church group. Later local interest became apparent.
In February 2001 what is now called the Pre-Loved Shop began operation under the organisation of Helen Eyles, Dot Rosser and Re Carver. Over the years many different volunteers have been a part of the shop’s growth.
Today, other than grants, it is the largest money maker for the House and is utilised by not only local residents but also visitors to the area. The latter often relate that they have heard that the Pre-Loved Shop is worth a stop on the way through Murchison because of its reputation for quality goods at reasonable prices.
