Japara’s Marg Fennell, front, holds the memorandum of understanding signed bycommunity house representatives, middle, Chirnside Park’s Rhonda Knight, Olinda’s Bruce Turnbull, Ciska Van Spankeren from Seville, Kaye Gee from Belgrave South, Denise Casey and Jane Jones from Healesville, Yarra Glen’s Karen Fothergill, back, Peter Dart from Chirnside Park, Rick Butler from Upper Yarra, Selby’s David Miller, Rick Tolsher from Woori Yallock, and Morrisons Peter Sank and Nich Rogers.
YARRA Ranges’ neighbourhood houses have formally united to fulfil their mission to be the leading voice in community development and learning in the shire.
Representatives from 12 houses signed a Memorandum of Understanding at Chirnside Park Community Centre on Tuesday 7 February.
Healesville Living and Learning Centre CEO Karen Kisala is also the Yarra Ranges Neighbourhood House Network chairwoman.
“It’s probably been 10 years in the making so it’s a rather historic moment for everyone here,” she said.
“I think this piece of paper, as insignificantas it looks, represents a commitment to each other and to our communities to fulfil our mission.”
Ms Kisala said there were a few simple reasons for the document.
“We’re doing it to support one another. We’re doing it to make us stronger,” she said.
“We’re doing it so we can advocate for our organisations and our communities, and we’re doing it to share our expertise, knowledge and experience.”
Signatories were the Belgrave South, Chirnside Park, Kallista, Olinda, Selby, Seville and Woori Yallock community houses, Morrisons, Healesville Living and Learning Centre, Japara Neighbourhood House, Upper Yarra Community House Learning Centre, Yarra Glen Living and Learning Centre.
