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Wonthaggi Centennial Centre Open Day

The much anticipated Wonthaggi Centennial Centre is ready for visitors.

By Bass Coast - 9th December 2011 - Back to News

Bass Coast Mayor, Cr Veronica Dowman, said the open day is an opportunity to be amongst the first people to enjoy the new Centre.

The new Centre represents the final part of Wonthaggi’s Centenary celebrations and has been a joint project between the Rotary Club of Wonthaggi and Bass Coast Shire Council.

"The building is a new landmark for the town and a fitting legacy of an historical milestone in our history," said Cr Dowman.

This new expansive building houses the Wonthaggi Visitor Information Centre, relocated from Watt Street. The Centre also contains a meeting space which can be booked by community members and organisations for meetings and functions.

"It is symbolic that this Visitor Information Centre features a display about the State Coal Mine, celebrating the mining history of Wonthaggi and inviting people to experience the Mine today. Wonthaggi was founded on mining and 100 years later this Centre welcomes people to our town to share this experience, and many of our other attractions.

"This Centre well and truly puts Wonthaggi on the map as a place that has so much to explore," said Cr Dowman.

Neville Goodwin, President Rotary Club of Wonthaggi said that the Rotary Club of Wonthaggi is delighted to see the new Centennial Centre completed. It is a number of years since we approached Council to work together on this project, and we very pleased to see the new Centre open.

"It provides a great new facility for visitors to the region and the Wonthaggi community. The Rotary Club is proud to have played a part in making it happen," Mr Goodwin said.

Bass Coast Shire Council, Community and Economic Development Director, Steven Piasente said the Centre was designed by Caroline McPhee, a local architect who won a design competition. You can’t miss this striking building as you approach Wonthaggi on the Bass Highway. The charcoal coloured exterior is eye catching and is all part of a well thought through design.

"The Centre incorporates the look and feel of a coal mine, making the link to Wonthaggi’s coal mining past. We are very pleased with the way the new building has come together and that the project has been completed on time and within budget.

Visitor Information Centre staff and volunteers are very excited to be working in a new Centre and are ready for the busy summer holiday season," said Mr Piasente.

The $1.5 million Wonthaggi Centennial Centre was jointly funded by the Federal Government through the Regional and Local Community Infrastructure Program ($1.1million), the State Government Sustainable Small Towns Development Fund ($300.000), Wonthaggi Rotary ($30,000) and Bass Coast Shire Council ($185,000).

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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