Crib Point Community House

se opened its doors on 21st June 1982 at 1 Park Rd, Crib Point. There were Play Groups, Art and Craft, Cookery & Gardening classes as well as Childcare. Funding from the Family Life Scheme of the Dept. of Community Welfare was used to hire 2 part time Co-ordinators and a grant from the Shire of Hastings helped pay for some start up expenses. In May 1984, the Crib Point Primary School moved to Milne St and left the original school building in Park Rd. After putting a stop to vandalism and with the help of Mr Peter Reith MP, and Mr Robin Cooper MLA, we were able to save the building from being demolished. The State Government then handed the building and land over to the then Shire of Hastings for community purposes. The Shire decided to sell the original Community House and use the money to repair and upgrade the old school and use it as the new premises for the Community House. In the meantime, we moved into the Community Hall for six months of hell. The hall was cold and voices echoed. We had both the classes and childcare in the same room and we had to pack away everything at the end of each day. Finally we moved into the refurbished old school building at the beginning of 1989. What a difference, we did not know ourselves, we had so much room. On 26th February 1989, we had the official opening by Mr Robin Cooper MLA, and Shire President Mr Jack Babbington, with official guests including Politicians, Naval Officials, past and present committee members and some past students from the old school. In 1995, the old Community Hall was relocated and joined to the Community House with extensions which included an office, Maternal & Child office, Toilets and Foyer. The new extensions were opened on 22nd March 1996. Our major achievement over the years has been the people that have come and gone and left their mark on the community and the community house. Many of them have gone onto bigger and better things such as work or study. In 1998 we started a Community Singing group which was very successful. We even appeared on Channel 9 A Current Affairs. We got a State Government grant and took Community Singing around Victoria, visiting other Community Houses and spreading the word about the benefits of community singing. Our Community Singing Kits were sent all over Victoria as well as interstate and to England, Scotland & Canada. In 1999 we identified a need for a Community House in Somerville. We started an outreach program at the Recreation & Community Centre. Eventually a committee of management was formed and funding was approved and the Somerville Community House was standing on its own.