The official opening of the Bowenfels Community Hub took place on Thursday, September 19.
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The new facility located at 174 Landa Street is an initiative of the Bowenfels Engagement Project funded by the NSW Government, involving a number of key stakeholders.
Local residents, the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ), NSW Health, LINC (Lithgow Information Neighbourhood Centre), NSW Police, Thrive, Lithgow Community Projects and Notre Dame University Lithgow Clinical School came together to plan a space for the Bowenfels community.
The hub includes a clinic room where health services can provide vaccinations, blood pressure and diabetes checks for residents. There is also a pamper room, kitchen, bathroom and an open lounge room.
Commissioning and Planning DCJ WSNBM acting director Joanne Fadel said the hub was a place where local services could run outreach programs for the Bowenfels community.
"There will be an opportunity for a breakfast club for primary aged children living in Bowenfels, a well-being club to offer physical activities and educational programs about nutrition to children, training and education courses including cookery, healthy eating program and the option of studying for TAFE qualifications," she said.
She said the creation of a functioning hub space was exciting for the Bowenfels area and created a meeting space for people to come together.
"It will be a place for training programs, children's activities, barbecues, meetings and a chance to get together for a cuppa and a yarn.
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"It will enable residents to be involved in their community, feel included and supported by their neighbours and local service providers," she said.
Ms Fadel wanted to thank everyone involved in the planning and development of the hub.
"The opening of your community hub shows the importance of residents and local services coming together to develop positive outcomes for the community," she said.
She also encouraged residents to take advantage of the programs offered.
To book the hub, services will have to contact LINC.
"We will have a booking diary, so services just need to get in touch with LINC to book the hub.
"If people in the community need to know what's happening they can also call us and we will have a notice board up," LINC acting manager Lydia Commins said.
Ms Commins said the hub had taken about 12 months to get to this point and there was still some outside work remaining.
"There's still work to be done outside which is stage two and we'll get the pergola and barbecue area done.
"It's been a long process but the LINC home maintenance modification team, Janelle and Lachlan are the people behind this, it wouldn't have happened without them, receiving money is one thing but turning it into what they've turned it to is just amazing," she said.
Ms Commins also wanted to thank key stakeholders for their commitment to the community.
"The stakeholder meeting held once a month had all the ideas that came together, it's a whole lot of everybody's ideas, it's been a real collaborative approach in getting this up and running," she said.
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