South Gippsland turned on its finest weather for Friday’s official opening of the bright and modern Korumburra Community Hub, a long-awaited and happy event for the many community members present.
Prior to the opening speeches and ribbon cutting, Sentinel-Times enjoyed a tour of the impressive $7 million facility with council’s building coordinator Peter Cook, the project manager for the Hub.
He outlined some of its features along with challenges that had to be overcome before and during its construction.
Some features deliver environmental and efficiency benefits, such as sensor activated blinds, double glazed windows and solar panels.
Challenges included the pandemic and the need to find a replacement window contractor, both of which caused delays, as did South Gippsland’s more familiar wet weather.
There were also tricky design elements, particularly the building’s hilly location and the desire to shape the Hub around existing trees in a manner that ensured their survival.
Korumburra & District Historical Society and the town’s new Myli Library have settled into their comfortable and modern surroundings, with Milpara Community House to operate from its new premises from Monday November 13.
Council’s Hub-based customer service desk will be operational in the new year.
The Historical Society’s display case in the library is filled with an array of fascinating items, with Helen Comer, who has been a driving force in ensuring a smooth move for the organisation, excited to highlight historical exhibits including ones that have been hidden away for some time.
The spacious library area includes a computer room suited to training courses, along with classrooms, one of which is ideal for craft activities.
Korumburra Secondary College students helped set up for the open day and also spent time using the library classroom facilities.
“They love it,” principal John Wilson said, also impressed with the learning spaces available.
Melbourne’s FJC Studio architects designed the Korumburra Community Hub, with those at the firm having expertise in and a passion for creating community buildings, having been responsible for the Sale Gallery and Moe Library along with many other projects.
“All of our buildings are designed around the site, so we worked hard to capture all the views,” FJC principal Geoff Croker said.
The Hub is constructed from natural materials such as spotted gum and blackbutt timber, bricks and metal panelling.
Feature stairs offer scenic glimpses of trees as people move between the building’s two floors.
Senior architect and interior designer Kirstin Walsh noted every room was designed for purpose, with appropriate acoustics factored in.
“We’ve got quiet zones and public zones,” she said.
Geoff summed up what motivates him and the FJC Studio team.
“When the community takes ownership of a building, that’s the biggest reward for us,” he said.
The Korumburra Community Hub was funded by a significant contribution of $5 million from the Victorian Government’s Community Infrastructure Loans Scheme and $750,000 from the Living Libraries Infrastructure Program.
With so many parties involved in establishing the Hub and the fact it will be shared by different tenants, a team effort was appropriate for the ribbon cutting.
Milpara Community House president Neil Coxon, Myli libraries CEO Leanne Williams, Upper House Member for Eastern Victoria Tom McIntosh, Korumburra & District Historical Society president Bob Newton and South Gippsland Shire Council mayor Nathan Hersey combined for the honour of declaring the Hub open.
