Launch of Mobile Community Hub in Wangaratta

5 Aug 2024

The official launch of the Pangerang Mobile Community Hub brought together a range of emergency services and was attended by over 1,100 people.

Established through a grant from the Black Summer Bushfire recovery fund, the Pangerang Mobile Community Hub was officially launched earlier in the year.

The launch brought together a range of emergency services to the Wangaratta Showgrounds, which is the site for the evacuation centre during emergencies.

“We wanted to help local people familiarise themselves with the site to help relieve anxiety during an evacuation,” said Pangerang Community Hub Executive Officer, Tennille Hall. “People were able to talk to services such as CFA, SES, Red Cross, Vic Police, Hume Riverina Community Legal Service, and the Mobile Hub, and get a better understanding of what will be provided at the site should an evacuation be put in place.

The free launch event attracted over 1,100 people, who enjoyed kids’ activities, food and live music. The event helped celebrate the extensive work undertaken by Pangerang Community Hub over the last two years to establish the mobile hub and deliver a range of programs and services to the Rural City of Wangaratta communities.

Despite delays in purchasing and setting up the vehicle (due to COVID and vehicle supply issues), the mobile hub has delivered over 70 events and programs across RCOW, including a number of smaller communities such as Eldorado, Glenrowan and Whitfield. “We’ve focused on activities and events for children and adults who may not have access due to their geographic location,” said Tennille. “We’ve run things such as BBQ and movie nights, men’s cooking classes, art and craft workshops, hip hop classes, playgroups, and digital literacy training.

“People are becoming more familiar with the distinctive colouring of the Mobile Hub. This means if they are evacuated to the evacuation centre in Wangaratta, they’ll recognise us and know we can help with kids’ activities, internet and computer access - and just a place to sit for a moment and connect with each other.”