By JESSE GRAHAM
THE YARRA Glen Memorial Hall will be open more often, with the town’s Living and Learning Centre using the space for classes.
Yarra Glen and District Living and Learning Centre office co-ordinator, Debra Traill, announced last week that, as of Monday 25 January, the centre would be “overseeing” the hall and its reading room.
The move will see the centre running courses out of the hall in partnership with Yarra Ranges Council, with Eastern Regional Libraries still running the reading room.
“The centre will not be taking over the hall, instead we’ll become the liaison between the council and the community,” Ms Traill said.
“We’ll extend things that are currently at the living and learning centre – we’ve got tai chi lined up this term.”
She said children’s courses would also be organised, as well as a children’s choir, which, she said, might perform at events in town in the future.
Yarra Ranges Council representative Kym Murphy said the change would see the hall open more often, meaning services such as free Wi-Fi would be more available.
“We’re really excited about it,” she said.
“I mean, it’s just another demonstration of the willingness of council to partner with really great local organisations that are really connected to their community, and know what their community wants as well.
Ms Traill said the centre was seeking feedback about the opening hours of the reading room, and would change the hours according to the town’s need.
In the meantime, the room is open from 9.30am-noon and 3pm-5pm on weekdays, with the possibility of Saturday opening hours.
She said the centre was also looking for volunteers to help with the hall.
For more information, call the Living and Learning Centre on 9730 2887.
For bookings at the Memorial Hall, contact Yarra Ranges Council on 1300 368 333.
