A vacant shopfront in Vincentia Shopping Village on Burton Street has been transformed into community space, managed by Vincentia Matters and available for many community-focused uses.
Vincentia Matters and its sub-group, Vincentia Connections continue to breathe new life into the Burton Street Shopping Village with a new agreement in place to use a shop facing the square (Shop 14) as a hub for residents and visitors alike, promoting wellbeing and belonging by running activities and workshops, drop-in occasions and supporting other community groups.
At a special Opening last night (Thursday 13 February), members of Vincentia Matters and other locals gathered to toast the new hub and share information about how it can be put to best use.
Anne Hastings of the Vincentia Connect committee said: “Community groups might use it for their meetings, they might run drop-in morning teas, they could run talks, meditation, exercise groups. It must be a not-for-profit activity. For example, Golf Course committees might use it as a meeting space. The local schools might use it as an exhibition space for the students’ work. It might be part of an art trail.”
She added that groups can book a one-off use, or ask about a regular slot.
The group has an agreement with property manager, Mintus, to use the space till at least September this year, paying a nominal fee to cover utilities.
How to Book
Anne said other community groups can pay around $15 for two hours, and request to reserve the space via email, bookingsVCCH@gmail.com and give their name, the title and purpose of the event, the date and time of the event, and number of people expected to attend.
“We look forward to this being a successful venture that will provide a well-used space for our community,” Anne said.
About Vincentia Connections
Vincentia Connections, a sub-group of Vincentia Matters, aims to enhance the sense of community health, wellbeing and belonging in our local and wider area.
The first hugely successful event by the group was a Community Connect Day on 24 November 2024 that saw not-for-profit local groups, artists, musicians and families come together in Vincentia Village to forge deeper connections and promote good health and wellbeing.
Anne said that the community hub is the second step towards achieving these aims. “It will help Vincentia Connections further support the community and bring involvement and connectedness. Since the community has lost its Golf Club as a meeting space, it will also serve as a place where local groups can meet.”
As well as a place for meetings of local community groups, Vincentia Connections will initiate informal get-togethers, talks and repair workshops in the coming weeks.
