The Seville Community House celebrated four decades of connection, collaboration and creativity on 18 September.
Over 50 people gathered at the Killara Estate for the event where many speeches were given and lots of tasty nibbles were consumed.
Seville Community House manager Stacie Adams said it was an amazing event because it brought everyone together.
“We’ve had an incredible turnout, mostly from our program participants, and for me, the really special thing has been seeing everybody together in the same room.
“We often have smaller groups of four or five people for our programs, so it’s really special.”
A plethora of prominent people filled out the tables of the bustling Killara Estate venue, with many smiles plastered across faces as the event commenced.
The sun’s golden rays blanketed the rows of grassy vineyards outside as if the weather decided to take part in the celebrations.
Casey MP Aaron Violi and Evelyn MP Bridget Vallence also delivered speeches on the day.
The Seville Community House initially formed in 1985 where they renovated a venue at the Seville Primary School, before an official opening on 5 August 1985.
With funding from the State Government and the Shire of Lilydale (now Yarra Ranges Council), the organisation began holding art and craft activities, support services for local mums and a range of after school programs.
Seville Community House committee chairperson Anne Kean said whether it be keeping up with current trends or moving classes online during covid, the group’s longevity lies in its innovation.
“One of the things that’s important about the Seville Community House is that it adapts as things change. The economic conditions change, so it adapts to meet what’s needed in the community.
“Though there still are a lot of classes and activities that were similar to 40 years ago, there’s also more emphasis on community engagement and social connection,” Ms Kean said.
Evelyn MP Bridget Vallence echoed this sentiment and praised the community house’s flexibility during lockdown.
“The Seville Community House was flexible and adaptable and became an online community house and provided really crucial opportunities for people in our community to stay connected.
“We really owe a massive thanks to the Seville Community House for what they do and the programs that they offer,” Ms Vallence said.
Ms Adams said she found the way the organisation facilitates friendships to be one of its strongest fronts.
“Getting the chance for people just to have a small social connection where they get to really engage with four or five people is something that I find really special about Seville Community House.
“We get to create a space where people can bring really nice friendships and get to be together with those people week after week and develop that for their life,” Ms Adams said.
Those who attend Seville Community House’s programs overwhelmingly found the sense of connection to be the most enjoyable aspect of participating.
According to Seville Community House’s own survey, 84 per cent of respondents found spending time with others to be the main benefit, followed by meeting new people at 80 per cent.
This is compared to 40 per cent of respondents who found developing a new interest or activity as the main benefit of attending Seville Community House’s activities.
Despite receiving $168,000 in income last year, Ms Kean estimated its value as almost double that number using the Neighbourhood House Victoria’s Real Impact, Real Value survey.
“You’ve got value through the volunteers, through the emergency food relief as we have a food pantry that’s available for people in the local community,” Ms Kean said.
Looking forward, the Seville Community House is set to move into the new Seville Pavilion once it is built.
Ms Kean said it would open up a myriad of new sporting opportunities as the house expands its programs further.
“We’ll be moving in with the other sporting clubs, so it’s a really exciting future,” she said.
