Despite the many changes and shifts the Northern Suburbs Community Centre had been through over the years it’s still all about the people, says centre manager Denise Delphin.
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The centre is now in its 35th year of providing a range of servicing to the communities in Launceston’s North. The centre has three sites at Newnham, Rocherlea, and Mowbray.
Ms Delphin said she started as a volunteer at the centre sometime around 1983 or 1984.
She said since then there had been a lot of changes within the community.
“In lots of shapes and forms, we’ve been a constant part of the community life in the Northern suburbs for 35-years,” she said.
“Rocherlea was one of the last broadacre housing developments back in 1983. It was a new emerging community, and the neighbourhood house became a part of that community.
“We were in our centre at Blackwood Drive from 1983 to 1990.
“We outgrew that original building because so many community members were taking advantage of being a part of the local neighbourhood house.”
She said the neighbourhood house then shifted to Archer Street at Rocherlea.
Then in 1993, the Mowbray and Rocherlea neighbourhood houses merged.
“Really exciting times for the community, because once again it brought that extra experience and support for local communities,” she said.
“In 2017 we opened our doors at the Newnham centre, and we’ve been there now just on 12-months.
“We’re operating now from three sites – Newnham, Rocherlea, and Mowbray.”
She said a wide range of “fantastic programs” were offered from each site.
“You name it, we probably do it,” she said.
“We couldn’t do any of this without the support of volunteers.
“We have a really, really strong volunteer base made up of members of the community through the Northern suburbs, and some people from further afield as well.”
She said the centre also had a “strong team of dedicated, passionate staff”.
Ms Delphin said the centre embraced difference by not only work with people of different abilities but also from different cultures.
“When you talk about change, we’re in a high settlement area, so we see lots of new faces in our community as well. We have new arrivals that are coming in from Bhutan, Nepal, Burma, and African communities.
“Neighbourhood houses are wonderful.”
Ms Delphin said she expected to see many more exciting things going on in the Northern suburbs.
“Watch this space,” she said.
- For more information about the Northern Suburbs Community Centre, visit its Facebook page or website.
Kasey Wilkins
Kasey Wilkins is education reporter at The Examiner, and also covers the East Coast. Get in touch at kasey.wilkins@examiner.com.au.
Kasey Wilkins is education reporter at The Examiner, and also covers the East Coast. Get in touch at kasey.wilkins@examiner.com.au.
