The Wulanda Recreation and Convention Centre Stage 3 Community Reference Group (CRG) has met for the first time. The Stage 3 CRG will work with Mount Gambier City Council to provide input into the operational model and the activation of the major community centre currently under construction at Olympic Park on Margaret Street.
Council’s acting chief executive Barbara Cernovskis said council sought broad representation from the community, with 20 CRG representatives selected from: education, allied health, early childhood, retirement and aged care, first nations, disability, community services, sporting/recreation clubs, swimming, basketball, netball and music/performing arts/events industry sectors.
“The CRG provides the opportunity for community members to contribute to the future operational model for this facility,” she said. “The CRG will meet quarterly and to ensure broad community input is maintained, council will co-opt other community groups, individuals and/or sector representatives such as youth, when necessary.”
The CRG membership, endorsed by council, includes Jessica Magarey, Belinda McLaren, Duncan Kirk, Terry Walters, Mark Lovett, Paul Manfrin, Luke Riley, Maree Thompson, James Stephenson, Peter Kartu, Yvette Holmes, Teresa Stewart, Julie Moran, Nathan Stratford, Scott Martin, Michael Kosch, Phil Lowe, Robert Povey, Shaun Dunford and Jamie Bignell.
Playgroup SA Coordinator Belinda McLaren has worked with children for almost 25 years, including 11 years within inclusion support. She hopes to use her extensive knowledge within the early education sector as part of the CRG. “I would like to be able to contribute to the CRG to ensure the needs and interests of families of children with additional needs are planned for and the space is inclusive and welcoming to ensure their successful participation in the centre,” Ms McLaren said.
“I took part in the development of council’s original Charter for Children and feel that this ideal can be visible within the Wulanda Recreation and Convention Centre ensuring the space is child and family friendly.” Hallmont Estate Resident Committee Chairperson Terry Walters joined the CRG to represent local people of retirement age.
“The centre looks very impressive and I hope that it gets used by older people in our community,” Mr Walters said. “I would like to see buses and transport to the centre and hope the elderly will feel comfortable to use the facilities and really benefit from the centre.”
As a person living with impaired vision, Paul Manfrin joined the CRG to play an active role in the community to advocate for greater inclusion, accessibility and awareness for people living with disability. “To me, this centre represents an area where everyone in the community should feel comfortable to use it and to continue coming back,” Mr Manfrin said.
“By being able to suggest some strategies or ways to manage a challenge which will make the centre more inclusive, I hope not only to benefit the disability community, but also other people. Greater inclusion in the community feeds more diversity, greater empathy and understanding of people’s differences and needs. All this leads to a stronger community.”
The Stage 3 CRG follows the work of the Stage 1 and 2 CRG groups established in July 2018 to work with council to provide advice to assist with the initial planning stages and then the intermediate design of the development.
