By Luke Voogt
Clifton Springs music veteran Jill Meehan will bring her Celtic folk to Karingal’s Eastern Hub for the community centre’s first anniversary Saturday.
“I really believe in what they’re doing there,” she said.
The 56-year-old singer-songwriter has released 30 albums and has been teaching music and performing since she was 15.
Meehan grew up in Melbourne, with her musical parents and Irish roots inspiring her love of Celtic folk.
“We used to sit around the piano and singing along to mum playing, and dad used to play piano accordion,” she said.
Meehan moved to Clifton Springs in 2008. She said singing at the anniversary celebrations was her way of giving back to the centre.
“I actually run a music and poetry group there once a month. They’ve been very welcoming and accommodating – they’re great people.”
Meehan will join local artists The Sugarbells, Jon Willard and the Mini Maestros in donating their time for the event.
Eastern Hub has hosted functions for Geelong’s business leaders, community groups, not-for-profit organisations and local government agencies.
But helping people with a disability to learn and grow has been its primary focus, said Karingal chief executive officer Mike McKinstry.
“In many ways, the hub has exceeded our expectations and we want to see this community space further its reputation as a go-to venue for a range of events,” he said.
“We’d like to see more local people coming to the venue for their creative and educational endeavours or networking opportunities.”
Eastern Hub employs people with a disability in venue support, cooking and front-of-house roles.The celebration begins at 10am Saturday (8 April) with cake decorating, art therapy, yoga, sewing, swing dancing, an animal farm and music throughout the day.
