Meli to manage new Mount Duneed kindergarten

The Poa Banyul Community Hub, Mount Duneed. (Supplied)

The City of Greater Geelong has announced Meli will manage the recently completed Poa Banyul Community Hub in Mount Duneed.

Meli, an organisation recently formed by the merger of the Bethany Group and Barwon Child, Youth and Family (BCYF), will provide kindergarten services that are expected to begin in term three this year.

The hub, located at 110-122 Unity Drive, Mount Duneed, will also provide a range of family services including maternal and child health, family support consulting rooms and flexible community spaces.

Meli chief executive Grant Boyd said he was looking forward to providing spaces and services that could bring the community together.

“We are excited to be part of the Poa Banyul Community Hub where our experienced team will work together with local families and children, to create a fair, safe, and inclusive community where everyone can thrive,” Mr Boyd said.

“Meli is proud to take on the management of the Poa Banyul Community Hub and look forward to making a valuable contribution to the dynamic, growing communities of Mount Duneed and Armstrong Creek.”

Last week the City revealed the facility would be called Poa Banyul Community Hub, which translates to ‘grassy hill’ in Wadawarrung language, after engaging with the Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation.

Geelong mayor Trent Sulllivan welcomed the name and Meli as the new manager of the community hub.

“We’re delighted to have been able to decide on a name that reflects the significance of the

region to the traditional owners,” Mayor Sullivan said.

“The City is delighted to be able to work with Meli, Greater Geelong’s largest provider of kindergarten programs, I’m sure its staff will do a great job in providing high-quality early childhood education.

“The Mount Duneed and Armstrong Creek areas are growing quickly with many young families with kindergarten age children moving into the region.”