By Jed Lanyon
Yarra Ranges Council has agreed to partner with Healesville Living and Learning Centre (HLLC) once again.
On Tuesday 28 May, councillors approved the recommendation put before them to check HLLC’s finances and then enter a two-year partnering agreement worth more than $63,000.
The HLLC has been providing a range of community and learning activities in Healesville since 1979.
In June last year, HLLC chose not to extend its partnering agreement with council, the only neighbourhood house to decline a new three-year deal.
By September, a new CEO and board members reconnected with the council and other key funding bodies.
HLLC treasurer Robynne Mauger told the council meeting there had been lots of positive changes over the past 10 months with a new CEO at the helm, including new committee members with different skill sets.
“It’s quite dynamic now,” she said.
She said one change was that HLLC wouldn’t be a registered training organisation (RTO) and would instead partner with external RTOs to deliver courses.
This would cut compliance costs.
Councillor Fiona McAllister said that small investments into neighbourhood houses gave the council big returns.
“We’ve been through an interesting time at Healesville … I’m feeling really optimistic about the future,” she said.
“The new CEO has uncovered so many opportunities for the centre to go into a very strong position for the community.“
Quarterly performance measures would be included as part of the partnering agreement.
CEO Jenny Branton said she wasn’t in a position to comment on HLLC’s previous administration and that she is looking forward to fostering a great relationship with council.
