General News
20 June, 2024
Centre committee turns 30
For 30 years, the Daisy Hill Community Centre committee has played a vital role in bringing the small town together. Earlier this month, current and former committee members gathered at the local hall for a special luncheon celebrating their 30th...
For 30 years, the Daisy Hill Community Centre committee has played a vital role in bringing the small town together.
Earlier this month, current and former committee members gathered at the local hall for a special luncheon celebrating their 30th anniversary — highlighting the strong commitment of the volunteer group.
The idea of a local committee sparked in January, 1985, following the devastating Maryborough-Avoca bushfire which tore through Daisy Hill and burned 50,800 hectares.
Nine years later in 1994, the committee began meeting at resident Alan Poole’s garage, before the community centre was officially opened in January 1995.
Local Rita Wiseman, who served on the committee for 22 years as the treasurer and secretary, said the group helped evolve the building into a community hub.
“The committee’s main role is to run the hall but they go way beyond that,” she said.
“They organise a lot of the events that happen in Daisy Hill throughout the year like Australia Day, community garage sale, Christmas in July dinner and a Christmas get together.
“Around four days a week or more there are people here doing something — there are sewing groups, crafting, music and yoga, so it’s great to see it continually being used.”
Wendy and Graeme Newitt, who served on the committee for over a decade after moving to Daisy Hill following retirement said the group’s involvement in the community creates bonds between residents.
“When we first moved here we didn’t know anyone, so we thought it was a good idea to come to the annual meeting where we could meet a few people, next thing you know we were placed on the committee,” he said.
“The committee has always been passionate in bringing the people of Daisy Hill together — we have quite a few new people coming into the area now which is fantastic and we want to welcome them into the community.
“That is being a part of a small town, everyone knows everyone and everyone knows the community's business.
“Across Australia there are a lot of little halls that have dwindled down and more or less died, but we have been able with our committee over the years to keep this one going and is still thriving after nearly 30 years.”
While reminiscing about the last three decades, Ms Wiseman said her fondest memories on the committee were connecting with fellow residents.
“I have always enjoyed spending time with everyone, we used to have bus trips, trivia nights, raffles, a lot of fun activities,” she said.
“We are really lucky to have such a wonderful hall, the committee over the years has done a great job with the upkeep and I hope it stands for another 30 years.”