Wednesday, 1 November 2023

 Gary MAAS (Narre Warren South) (09:57): I recently had the pleasure of attending Merinda Park Learning and Community Centre’s open day in Cranbourne North. The centre is a really important hub that offers childcare services, English courses, rooms for community meetings, and classes including computer skills, payroll systems, citizenship tests, and skills and competence for members in my community to get a job. It is a hub which encourages education and community involvement and is a welcoming and supportive place for many in our multicultural communities.

The open day brought families and the community together, and there was a real spirit of harmony and inclusion. The day was full of entertainment, including face painting and a petting zoo, and emergency services were there with various displays. And what would a day like this be without a sausage sizzle, of course? It provided an opportunity for local residents to connect and explore various ways to get involved in the community centre’s activities and programs. Visitors met with staff and talked about volunteering and were provided with information on sessions offered by the centre, including adult education, youth activities and support services. The success of the open day has set the stage for people of all ages to take advantage of the various programs and initiatives offered by the centre. I would like to thank centre manager Michelle Davidson and her team. Thank you for inviting me to this terrific event. I will look forward to my future visits to Merinda Park Learning and Community Centre to see its growing program.