CELEBRATIONS occurred on Friday to mark 10 years of a Cohuna community group’s role in initiating numerous projects.
More than 20 people gathered at the Cohuna Neighbourhood House to celebrate the organisation’s first decade of achievements.
Based in the former State Rivers and Water Supply Commission offices, the neighbourhood house’s staff and volunteers have developed many of the town’s attractions and annual events.
“Through drought, flood, stress and difficult times, the Cohuna Neighbourhood House has been a constant support for the community,” long-serving committee member, Margot Henty said in an e-mail read out.
The Gannawarra Neighbourhood House, which offered 15 contact hours per week, opened in 1996, with the organising having links with its headquarters at Kerang.
Cohuna residents successfully lobbied for its own community-run organisation in the following decade, with a new committee – developed with the auspice of Kerang District Health – formed in 2006 with the goal of developing local programs and initiatives.
Consisting of Neville Goulding, Margot Henty, Des Hudson, Kathy Miller, Kaye Wilson, Denise Waterson and Kerang District Health board representative, Kyra Laughlin, the new group were given the autonomy to provide programs relevant to Cohuna and its residents.
The new organisation, which increased its operational hours to 25 hours per week, went about developing its own initiatives, with providing the community with internet services one of the first goals achieved.
Within the next three years the neighbourhood house formed its own Men’s Shed group, developed links that enabled the Cohuna Learning Centre to run its classes in the adjoining former court house and implemented the annual town garage sale.
The neighbourhood house initiated the Cohuna Community Art Gallery, formed in 2010 in the former Cohuna Shire Council offices, with the Men’s Shed relocating from Cohuna Secondary College’s red brick building to its own headquarters at William Street in 2011.
Residents affected by floods in 2011 relied on the neighbourhood house for assistance, with staff playing a role in sourcing grants and other financial support.
Attention turned to the area adjacent to the Murray Valley Highway, with Gilrule Park and its abundance of native shrubs developed in 2012, whilst the neighbourhood house and the secondary college united to save Cohuna’s annual debutante ball in 2013.
“There have been many achievements, and all of these can be put down to community support,” Cathy Donehue said.
“The wonderful volunteers we have here are also the reason these milestones have gone ahead.”
Gannawarra Shire Council mayor, Cr Lorraine Learmonth – who was the centre’s co-ordinator from 2006 to 2013 – praised the numerous volunteers who have played a role in the organisation’s success.
“I would like to thank the committee and volunteers, as the neighbourhood house would not have survived without their efforts, especially in the early days,” she said.
