NEWS
George Wright Aboriginal shelter shuts its doors BY ALANA SCHETZER aschetzer@mmpgroup.com.au
SCOTT MCNAUGHTON
THE only dedicated public housing for Aboriginal people in the innercity has closed. George Wright Shelter, in George Street, was quietly closed last month by Aboriginal Hostels Limited, which runs dozens of Aboriginal housing projects across Australia. A lack of use and health and workplace safety concerns were the reasons cited for the unexpected closure. The terrace house provided shared bedrooms, a lounge room and barbecue. No one was staying in the hostel at the time of its closure. A spokeperson said: “The future of the hostel is under consideration by AHL and will be informed by consultation. These decisions are never easy however it is clear that there have been changes in the local demand since the hostel first opened in 1986.
George Wright Shelter off Gertrude Street
The building itself is a terrace house that is not ideal for the purpose it was originally established.” The hostel was named after Fitzroy Aboriginal activist George Wright, who died in 1977. It was opened in
1986 in response to the then large number of homeless Aboriginal people in and around Fitzroy. It provided short-term accommodation only. There are several other dedicated hostels for Aboriginal people in Melbourne. The rest are in country Victoria, including Shepparton, Mildura and Healesville. The hostel was one of the last dedicated services for Aboriginal people around Gertrude Street. Melbourne Aboriginal Youth, Sport and Recreation is the only dedicated Aboriginal centre left on Gertrude Street. Richmond MLA Richard Wynne said: “This is a very important community asset, which has a very long history and a number of leaders of the local Aboriginal community have approached me to ensure that the service is retained.” The Wurundjeri Tribe Land Cultural Heritage Council was contacted for comment.
Food trucks to move into Yarra after coucil backflip FOOD trucks will be allowed to operate in residential areas of Yarra following a policy backflip at a council meeting last week. Councillors voted to change the strict guidelines on where foods trucks can operate following a backlash from businesses and potential customers. Several locations in residential areas will now be open to permits in a trial. The minimuum distance a truck can operate from an established take-away business has also been reduced, from 200 metres to 100 metres. Food trucks have been officially allowed into Yarra since July 1 but the restrictive rules meant no businesses were able to receive a permit for the first six months. Four operaters currently have the coveted permits. Food trucks are becoming increasingly popular throughout Melbourne, especially neighbouring City of Darebin, where they
‘We’re really grateful for all the support shown so far’ have been allowed to trade for many years. Businesses use social media to inform customers of their location each day. There are about 36 food trucks in Melbourne. The trial will be reviewed in 12 months. Those who objected to the policy being relaxed argued that food trucks should be subjected to planning laws as bricks-and-mortor businesses are, and that there are “true benefits derived” from allowing them into the municipality Taco Truck and Beatbox Kitchen operator Raph Rashid said many of the concerns would be proven to be baseless during the new trial. “A lot of concerns are purely speculative. We build our businesses with our customers in each area and we’re really grateful for all the support shown so far,” he said.
ALANA SCHETZER
City of Yarra, Your Community, Your Council Trains Not Toll Roads
Annual Grants information sessions
You are invited to get on board the official launch of the Trains Not Toll Roads campaign.
Applications for Yarra Council’s 2014 Annual Grants are open from Tuesday 11 June 2013 until Friday 26 July 2013, for non-profit programs in community development, arts & culture, family, children & youth, sport & recreation, and environment.
The event will be held on: > Thursday 13 June, 6.30pm–8.30pm Fitzroy Town Hall (201 Napier St, Fitzroy) Special guest Alannah MacTiernan, Western Australia’s former Minister for Planning and Infrastructure, will speak about the successful campaign for Perth’s 70km Mandurah Rail Line, which joins the suburbs to the city. Come to the public meeting to support public transport and send a big message to the Premier that we don’t want the east west toll road and tunnel. For more information or to RSVP, contact Council on 9205 5025 or at trains-nottollroads@yarracity.vic.gov.au
Information sessions will be held at: Collingwood Library (11 Stanton St, Abbotsford) Monday 3 June at 10am, Fitzroy Town Hall (201 Napier St) Wednesday 5 June at 2pm, Richmond Town Hall (333 Bridge Rd) Thursday 6 June at 6pm. For more information visit www. yarracity.vic.gov.au/Community-grants or contact the Yarra Grants Team on 9205 5170 or at yarragrants@yarracity.vic.gov.au
Koorie Stories and Songs Join us for an evening of music and stories featuring popular Aboriginal singer-songwriters, Peter Rotumah, Rachael Maza and Benny Walker.
Bike courses for intermediate cyclists Council, in partnership with Cycling Victoria, is offering an opportunity for people to improve their cycling skills.
Koorie Stories and Songs will be held at Fitzroy Library (128 Moor St), Wednesday 29 May, from 6.30pm–8pm
AustCycle will provide intermediate training on 2 June, at Ryan’s Reserve Tennis & Netball Centre, Swan St, Richmond.
This is a free event for National Reconciliation Week and everyone is welcome.
For more information and to register, visit www.vic.cycling. org.au or contact Tom Dixon at Cycling Victoria on 8480 3077 or at tom.dixon@cycling.org.au
For more information, contact Yarra Libraries on 1300 695 427.
Amcor public meeting Council is holding a community meeting to provide an update to local residents about proposed changes to the Amcor site in Alphington. The meeting will be held on Wednesday 5 June at 7.30pm, at Alphington Primary School Rooms 1 & 2 (use front entrance) Yarralea Street, Alphington. For further information, please contact Sherry Hopkins on 9205 5374 or at Sherry.Hopkins@ yarracity.vic.gov.au
COUNCIL MEETING Where: Richmond Town Hall (333 Bridge Road) Date: Tuesday 4 June Time: 6.30pm
For more information visit our Website: www.yarracity.vic.gov.au or Telephone: 03 9205 5555 TTY: 03 9421 4192 or Interpreter Services: 03 9280 1940 [ 6 ] MELBOURNE TIMES WEEKLY – YOUR COMMUNITY VOICE
May 29, 2013