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Wonthaggi Centennial Centre Officially OpenBass Coast Mayor, Cr Veronica Dowman, and the Hon Warren Snowdon MP, Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Indigenous Health, officially opened the Wonthaggi Centennial Centre on Friday, 23 March 2012. By Bass Coast - 30th March 2012 - Back to News The Mayor described the afternoon as a wonderful celebration, with over 80 people attending.
"We were honoured to have special guests attending the event, the Hon Warren Snowdon MP and Ms Sharon Dyt, Regional Manager of the Department of Planning and Community Development. Unveilling the official plaque for the Centre with the Minister was a moment I will remember," said Cr Dowman.
"The Wonthaggi Centennial Centre is a wonderful asset for the community and the official launch was a chance to acknowledge everyone who has been involved in the project," said Cr Dowman.
Cr Duscher said it was gratifying to see the project finally completed.
"This building is an important link to our heritage and will really add value to our community. It is also wonderful space for our dedicated volunteers and staff to work from. There is a long history of great work done by the volunteers, since the original Information Centre begain in the early 80s," said Cr Duscher.
"We really appreciate the work that the team does. It is not just about providing information. This is the first contact visitors make with the area and it set the tone for the visit."
Community and Economic Development Director, Steven Piasente, said 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 opened to the public late last year. It houses the Wonthaggi Visitor Information Centre and is fast being recognised as a new landmark for the town," said Mr Piasente.
Since its relocation to the new facility, the Wonthaggi Visitor Information Centre has experienced a dramatic increase in ‘walk-in’ visitation. Between December and February there were over 7,000 walk-in visitors to the new Centre, a 56 per cent increase on the same period last year.
"The staff and volunteers are thoroughly enjoying the new Centre with it’s increased facilities and interpretive displays," continued Mr Piasente.
"There is also space for the sale of local food products, publications and souvenirs which has been popular with visitors. The new meeting room is being used extensively by the community and many feel a sense of ownership and community pride in the new Centre," said Mr Piasente.
The $1.5 million Wonthaggi Centennial Centre was jointly funded by the Federal Government Regional and Local Community Infrastructure Program ($1.1 million), 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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