By Kath Gannaway
Yarra Junction’s Purple Church has entered a new era with the official opening of EACH Social and Community Health Yarra Junction.
The expanded and updated building was reopened on Tuesday, 5 April, 2017, by EACH CEO Peter Ruzyla.
He was joined for the cutting of the ribbon by EACH director of Infrastructure Lesley Tarves, architect Frank Cruze and landscape designer Alison Watson.
Mr Ruzyla said the redevelopment which took the site from 260sqm to 420sqm provided a centre that had deep roots in the local community.
The centre will house programs and services including mental health recovery, financial and family relationship counselling, disability employment, gamblers support, early childhood intervention and drug and alcohol support.
Built in Warburton in the late 1800s, the building has been part of the Yarra Junction streetscape since it was moved ‘down the line’ around 1900 to provide a place of worship for the Uniting Church congregation.
In the late 1980s, it relinquished its religious role and became a centre for community health activities, including services by Eastern Health and Anglicare.
The facility has maintained its spirit and integrity, firstly through the retention of the colour purple, but also through the refurbishment of features such as the beautiful stained glass windows and timber floors.
Participants and visitors are greeted with a series of mosaic artworks depicting the mountains of the valley. The colourful ‘skies’ represent the diversity of people and their experiences in their journey of recovery.
The nine-month-long project was facilitated by EACH Mental Health Support workers based at Yarra Junction working with six consumers who dedicated their time, creativity and vision to create an entrance to the building that is welcoming and simply beautiful.
A series of consulting rooms, along with a large meeting room and an updated art and activities area will also be available for community use, providing a further link to the broader community.
Mr Ryzyla said the consolidation of services would simplify access, ensuring that people were connected through an integrated approach.
“This redevelopment will deliver a further integrated flagship centre that has deep roots in the Yarra Junction community,” Mr Ryzyla said.
“The new centre will be a ‘one-stop-shop’ with ready access to a range of services that will increase our outreach into the broader Yarra Valley.”
Labor Upper House Member for Northern Victoria, Jaclyn Symes, said the upgrade to which the State Government had contributed $500,000 would mean better access to vital community health services for Yarra Ranges residents.
“We know what a wonderful job the hardworking staff here at EACH do helping the community, and now they have the first-class facilities to match,” Ms Symes said.
