Feature Story

A growing need for space

Finding the right place to bring people together in a world where we increasingly work from home and live in even tighter spaces is becoming more essential, particularly as we head into a post lockdown world. Vennu is a new booking website for special, unique community spaces and Hunter’s Hill has jumped on early.

WORDS BY NICOLA RICHES

Suzanne Campbell relocated to Berry from Sydney more than a decade ago. By that time, Sydney’s expansion, both up and out, was in full swing: more people, housing challenges and increased density. Lifestyles were changing too. Suzanne could already see the importance of more space in an increasingly urbanised world. One of the answers to that problem was on her new doorstep in Berry.

Berry’s beautiful Uniting Church was built in 1932 and is a favourite for local weddings. Wesley Hall, the original 1884 Wesleyan Church, isn’t too far away and has been lovingly refurbished. Then there’s the Berry Branch of the Country Women’s Association that meets in an historic listed building in the heart of Berry. With its modern kitchenette and simple facilities, that building is, as you would imagine, cute as a button. These are the types of places you could walk past and appreciate on a stroll through Berry, or our local suburbs like Hunters Hill and Lane Cove. And although you might casually wonder if you could use these great spaces for another purpose – maybe a party, an exercise class, a meeting, or even as a workspace – it might not be immediately clear how to make that happen.

Suzanne’s background is in technology. She describes her corporate life as “extraordinarily rich” and counts, among her many successes, inclusion on Crikey’s “most influential people in Australian tech” list. Now she is the founder and CEO of Vennu, a platform that bridges the challenge (a need for space for people and communities) and the solution (venues like that cute as button CWA hall).

Suzanne Campbell

The idea was quite simple, as Suzanne explains, “In the newer parts of my town, there are younger families who do not know how to connect with these venues because the spaces have been managed in legacy ways that no longer meet customer expectations. “They expect to find a space using some digital means, and many in Berry had none, or only a limited digital presence.”

Uniting Church Hall - Berry

Vennu, much like for example, Airbnb, is an intuitive platform that makes it easy for everyone – individuals, people, families, businesses, organisations – to access an abundance of unique spaces. They range from the wooden 1925 Badger Creek Hall in Victoria to the majestic St Stephen’s Uniting Church in the heart of Sydney.

Unlike big corporate venues or hotels, the people responsible for these buildings are often community leaders or volunteers in local groups.

“All of these places are in the hands’ people who feel a strong sense of stewardship and take their management and maintenance responsibilities seriously,” says Suzanne. “These buildings are often strategically located. They are valuable in real estate terms and to their community. They’re local and affordable, and they have a vital role to play in keeping the community connected.” As Vennu grows, so too does the number of venues listed. Hunter’s Hill Council was early to spot how bookings on the platform could deliver their local spaces to a new demographic and provide a new revenue stream, to keep them in good condition.

The council has listed three spaces at the Henley Community Centre (formerly the Bowling Club) – the Main Hall, the Bowling Greens, and the Green Room, plus the Hunters Hill Town Hall, demonstrating its commitment to community engagement.

Suzanne says that Hunter’s Hill Council was the first such organisation to cater to an upswing in events following the last lockdown in 2020 and is well-positioned to seize new opportunities when current restrictions are lifted.

The nearest local suburbs that carry Vennu listings are Putney with a local yoga studio, the Scout Hall, and the bowling club, plus there is the C3 Church in Lane Cove and the Greenwich Sailing Club. Across the greater Sydney region, there are more than 230 unique places for hire at incredibly modest rates.

“With increased use, not only do you have the increased revenue that comes, but you have a whole host

of other social benefits,” says Suzanne. Vennu takes the hassle out of short-term hire for time-poor staff and volunteers, delivers community connection, and creates employment opportunities for staff for cleaning or catering as required.

Although COVID restrictions are temporarily limiting activities of all kinds, bookings can be made up to 12 months in advance – so get creative and plan your next event in one of the fantastic community spaces that we have on our doorsteps.

OUR FAVOURITE VENNU VENUES

• Broadway Shopping Centre Rooftop, Glebe

• The Church on the Mall, Wollongong

• Helensburgh-Stanwell Park Surf Life Saving Club

• National Innovation Centre – Atrium, Eveleigh

• Hunter’s Hill Henley Bowling Green