The Andrews Labor Government is continuing to invest in regional Victoria with the opening today of the new Robinvale Community Hub which houses a library, a resource centre for young and old and a space for meetings.
Minister for Employment Jaala Pulford officially opened the facility alongside local residents and representatives from the Swan Hill Rural City Council, Robinvale College and the Colman Foundation.
The Labor Government invested $2.3 million to make the community hub a reality, improving education and employment outcomes for the Robinvale community and delivering a key commitment of the Government-backed Mallee Regional Partnership.
The library and resource centre are located at Robinvale College - bringing the school and the wider community together - and also provide information technology facilities, meeting rooms, a conference space and a kitchen. The hub will facilitate the delivery of early-years education to support families in the important north-west centre.
The place-based approach to community infrastructure within the hub and broader Robinvale College precinct is being delivered in partnership with the Colman Foundation's Our Place model.
Robinvale College joins nine other Our Place partnerships across Victoria with a focus on improving long-term outcomes, beginning with quality early childhood education through to educational and employment opportunities for parents within the community.
To support this further, the Government is providing $80,000 to the Colman Foundation to co-fund a Community Development Adviser in Robinvale to drive community and employer engagement for an additional year.
The Government's investment in the community hub project is part of the Regional Partnership initiative that supports the identification, development and delivery of key priorities across the state - including economic development projects, master plans and programs.
Robinvale is a growing regional centre and produces 70 per cent of Australia's almonds and 65 per cent of its table grapes but has higher than average long-term unemployment.
As stated by Minister for Employment Jaala Pulford
"The hub will provide benefits for a wide range of people - from the very young and school kids through to our cherished senior citizens - and it's fantastic that this facility is up and running."
As stated by Minister for Regional Development Mary-Anne Thomas
"Improvements to community well-being and liveability will help Robinvale retain skilled workers, providing a foundation for economic growth and enhanced social cohesion."
As stated by Member for Northern Victoria Mark Gepp
"Libraries are important facilities for regional communities, they provide access to quality educational resources and allow for increased community connection. I know the hub will quickly become a very popular place."
