BANKSIA GARDENS COMMUNITY CENTRE - A HISTORY

There has always been a great demand for housing in Broadmeadows. In order to meet this demand, the Ministry of Housing began construction of the Banksia Gardens Estate in the early 1970's. It was completed in 1975 and, soon after that, workers at the Broadmeadows Welfare Advisory Committee, encouraged and supported by the participation of all public tenants and people of the Broadmeadows area, lobbied the Ministry of Housing for a unit to be used as a community flat. In 1981 the flat (Centre) became an Association which encouraged the participation of all Public Tenants and other local residents.

The Centre provided support and services to disadvantaged people in the area: sole parents, low income families and young people. In the early 1980's, there were few families from non-English speaking background. The community bonded together to lobby against Target for the reintroduction of Lay-by, which they won. By then most Banksia Gardens residents knew about the Centre and newly arrived residents were warmly encouraged to come along and make new friendships. Activities included youth groups, camps, a women's group, a fruit and vegetable cooperative, and a Child Care Centre in El Dorado Crescent. Newsletters were sent out regularly to local residents.

However, not all was great during this time: The Banksia Gardens estate became known as the 'Bronx' due to vandalism, violence and drugs in the area. Newly planted trees and shrubs became hiding places for criminal activities and it was difficult to establish a community commitment to the Centre as the estate was a transit area. On top of this the Centre became cramped and too small, and the need to change with the times was ever growing. It became apparent that more emphasis on women's lives was needed.

After several years of lobbying, in 1993, the Office of Housing built a multipurpose facility on the Banksia Gardens estate for the purpose of running various programs for the tenants and the local community. The Banksia Gardens Management Committee has managed the Centre ever since it opened.

Nowadays, Banksia Gardens Community Centre is available to be used by everyone working, living or studying in Broadmeadows regardless of age, race, religion, political beliefs, gender, sexuality or abilities. The Centre provides a wide array of programs and courses ranging from Introduction to Childcare to Yoga or Taekwondo. The Centre maintains a strong focus on the Banksia Gardens estate as evidenced by the requirement that a number of the Management Committee members are public tenants.

OUR BOARD OF MANAGEMENT

Banksia Gardens Community Centre is managed by and for the community by an elected Board of Management. The Board meets on a monthly basis to discuss all issues related to the community and the Centre. We welcome new members to come along and share their ideas and skills with us. The Banksia Gardens Board of Management will work hard to ensure the Centre's objectives are achieved.

BROADMEADOWS

Broadmeadows is located in the South-East of Hume City in Melbourne, Victoria. Its surrounding suburbs are Jacana and Westmeadows to the West, Dallas to the North, Campbellfield to the East and Glenroy to the South. Broadmeadows is a major town centre within Hume City and consists of a mix of residential areas, retail precincts, and public services and facilities.

As a suburb, Broadmeadows is more than 150 years old. During this time it has developed and grown from a farming community to a vibrant and growing suburb for housing and industry. The population in Broadmeadows is a diverse mix of cultures, incomes, religions, ethnicities and races, and has a mix of homeowners and public tenants. People chose to live in Broadmeadows due to the central convenience of work, schools, medical and health centres, public transport and shops. Banksia Gardens Community Centre exists to serve the needs of this diverse range of local people.