New Bunya hub pride of the community

A new community facility at Bunya will connect the local community and provide a space for residents and special interest groups to come together.

Opening the Kakowan Community Facility at James Drysdale Reserve, Councillor Matt Constance (Div 10) predicted the $1.6 million Council-funded centre, which will be run by the Golden Valley Keperra Lions, would fast become a hive of activity.

“It’s all about partnerships, it’s all about bringing more facilities to the community to allow them to achieve what they want to achieve,” Cr Constance says.

He says the multi-use hub replaces the former SES depot, which is now located in a state-of-the-art facility at the reserve.

“James Drysdale Reserve really becomes the heartbeat of the community with this facility,” Cr Constance says.

“Mums and dads will be able to stop for a coffee at Kakowan’s new coffee servery that is due to open in the coming months and mingle with the Lions while their kids play or train on the nearby sports facilities.

“This facility diversifies the uses for James Drysdale Reserve, turning it from a sporting facility into a thriving community hub.”

As well as being the GVK Lions’ new headquarters, Cr Constance says a shed adjacent to the hub will become home to Stationery Aid, which collects and cleans excess and used education resources for disadvantaged students.

“The Kakowan Community Facility will be a meeting point for the Bunya Residents’ Association and ideas floated for its use include repair cafes, yoga and paint ’n’ sip events on the deck,” Cr Constance says.

Rooms for hire

Mayor Peter Flannery says the building has two meeting rooms for hire, as well as two multipurpose rooms with kitchens, which can be used as one larger room. Each space has direct access to the expansive deck which overlooks bushland.

“Kakowan has been named by the community and it will be run by community groups so you know it will be a truly community-owned facility for everyone to enjoy,” he says.

“The Golden Valley Keperra Lions Club will move in as the managers of the facility after decades of service to the Hills District by raising money for those in need and hosting community events such as Christmas carols.”

GVK Lions Club president Debbie Payne says the club is delighted to be managing the centre for the next five years, having worked tirelessly with Council to bring it to fruition.

“This building is second to none – it exceeds my expectations,” Ms Payne says.

GVK Lions Club community committee chairman Paul Ryan entertained those at the opening with a rendition of The Pointer Sisters classic I’m so excited – a nod to the phrase he used frequently as the building took shape.

“I am excited that Moreton Bay Regional Council has this great vision for James Drysdale Reserve,” Mr Ryan says.

“This is testament to how Council can recycle and repurpose land that was perhaps less attractive in its previous form.”

Mr Ryan says the centre’s name, which reflects the Turrbal name for kookaburra - Kakowan - is fitting.

“We hope it will be a place of much laughter and chatter,” he says.

Booking enquiries can be made with Golden Valley Keperra Lions by phoning Paul Ryan on 0409 688 675 or emailing [email protected]

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