Sarah Pearson would really like some help in the garden.

She admits her thumb is less than green.

While the leader of the Community Hub at Wilmot Rd Primary School, offering all manner of activities for participants, she can’t possibly be an expert at every one she facilitates.

But that’s what Community Hubs are about; people helping each other and sharing their wisdom.

And sometimes even killing plants together, despite best efforts to keep them alive, is just as important a bonding exercise as any.

The hub is located within the grounds of Wilmot Rd Primary School.

It’s open Tuesday to Friday, where anyone can pop in for a coffee and a chat between 9am and 3pm.

As far as structured programs go, the hub provides English, Farsi, citizenship and craft classes, as well as a weekly playgroup for pre-school kids and their parents.

Around 50 to 100 families visit the hub each year for its various programs.

“English class is every Wednesday and we have a fantastic teacher in Rabya, she offers English for all levels,” Ms Pearson said.

“We also do cooking classes a few times a term, which are always very popular.”

In addition to the program schedule, which varies slightly between terms, the hub also provides occasional stand-alone sessions.

There is no cost to participants.

“We have partnered with some fantastic organisations and have had great once-off sessions with artist Melinda Solomon, Opera Australia, Victoria Police and many others,” Ms Pearson said.

She said the activities were driven by demand and hub attendees were asked regularly for input on where they would like to go and what they would like to do.

Ms Pearson, a former support worker who has been the hub’s leader for more than two years, said she found her role rewarding.

“It’s a safe space people can come and interact and find a connection,” she said.

“Knowing you can help someone and be there to help them learn things and come out of their shells.

“We partner with the Shepparton ethnic council to provide citizenship class, which we have had six of our attendees that we know of pass their citizenship test.”

The Ethnic Council of Shepparton and District also helps the hub deliver Friendship Café, which sees hub participants visiting various locations in the area to gather and chat.

“We have been on bus trips to the Kyabram Fauna Park, Bendigo for picnics in the gardens and many places around the Goulburn Valley,” Ms Pearson said.

On Mondays, the hub hosts community sessions where different organisations and service providers talk to the group about their roles and what they offer.

Each winter, the hub, which is funded by the government and philanthropy, and supported by The Greater Shepparton Lighthouse Project, runs a free clothing event, where the community is invited to donate clothes they no longer need or want.

Over two days, the public is invited to take what they need from the selection of garments.

This year saw 207 people through the doors. Leftover clothing was donated to Primary Care Connect for its Papua New Guinea disaster relief drive.

The ‘community’ and ‘hub’ in Community Hubs are equally illustrative of their entire essence.

“We have a community pantry that anyone is welcome to come and take what they need and we also have a community library that people can access at any time,” Ms Pearson said.

Now, back to that garden that needs a few volunteer green thumbs’ loving touches when the hub’s gardening program amps up again this coming term; it’s available for hire as an outdoor space.

As is the indoor hub space outside of program times.

∎ To keep updated with programs and events at the Wilmot Rd Community Hub, add Sarah Pearson Hub Leader on Facebook.

∎ This story is part of a series:

• Introduction

• Mooroopna Park Primary School Community Hub

• St George’s Rd Primary School Community Hub

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Monday, 23rd October 2023

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