Great way to meet new people at Waminda House’s weekly link-up at Benalla’s CWA hall

By Simon Ruppert

Feb 19, 2024

Great initiative: Local volunteers will facilitate a new, weekly meet-up at Benalla's CWA hall, aimed at increasing social inclusion in the Rose City. Pictured are Melinda Dockery, Karen Curl, Waminda Community House Manager Leeane Bullard, Lynne Sidhu, Lee Harrison, Christine Cvetkovic and Sharon Handley. Photo by Simon Ruppert

Waminda House is hosting a new program of activities at Benalla’s CWA Hall on Bridge St East, called Link-Up, aimed at increasing social inclusion in the community.

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Waminda house Manager Leeane Bullard said it has secured funding from Freemasons Victoria.

“That covers us for renting the CWA hall every Wednesday during school term time for the rest of 2024,” Ms Bullard said.

“The aim of link-up is to provide an opportunity for people to just walk in and have a cuppa.

“They can bring their kids. It’s multi-generational and is available for little or no cost.

“We’re also gonna have a kid’s activity corner, and that will be facilitated by Tomorrow Today staff.

“Every week, we’ll have an activity. There’ll be a theme, and they’ll have some songs, reading and a play activity to go along with that.

“They’ll be facilitated the first five weeks by an artist, and her name’s Sharon Handly.”

Ms Bullard said in the mornings, there would be coffee and cake for people to enjoy while having a chat.

“The first one’s going to be a Devonshire Tea. They’ll get a barista-made coffee and a cake for just $5.”

Ms Bullard said the coffee would be made by students from Benalla’s Flexible Learning Centre.

“They’ve been coming to Waminda Community House for a few years now, and the coffee is great.”

The program is a great opportunity for parents who’ve been rushed off their feet all week to bring the kids along, give them something fun to do, and sit and enjoy a coffee, cake and a chat with other parents and community members.

But Ms Bullard said while the kid’s activities make it a perfect place for parents, the idea is to be inclusive to the whole community.

“It’s about that social side of life,” she said.

“There’ll be plenty to do for adults. We’re also going to have a creative corner and regular workshops. The first workshop will be free.

“We’re hoping to create opportunities for people to join book clubs, and they can be a great way to bring people together.

“We will be doing cooking lessons and a session on how to create a healthy and yummy lunch box. With that one, we’re looking more into Term 2 or 3.

“We are also hoping to hold information sessions. And they might be on the NDIS, or topics around aged care, for example.

“And the program will evolve. We’ll add things that people might suggest and might be fun.”

Ms Bullard said the program would not be possible without the generous support of local volunteers.

“We’ll also be welcoming group bookings. Perhaps a social group or a group from one of the aged care facilities would like to come down.

“If a group will be taking it would help if they called us in advance. They’d be very welcome, but it would help if we had an idea how many might be there.”

The program begins on Wednesday, February 28.

“Everyone’s welcome,” Ms Bullard said.

“It doesn’t matter your age or your background. Other than the larger group bookings, anyone can just turn up on a Wednesday from 10am.”

For more information, call 5762 4528.