Christmas arrived early to Bellarine Community Health’s new Child, Youth and Family Hub in Ocean Grove thanks to the Ocean Grove & District Men’s Shed.
Men’s Shed participant and local legend Ray McHenry spent around 30 hours creating a handmade wooden teepee to feature in the children’s outdoor therapy space at the new hub in Goodwell Drive.
Men’s Shed manager John Lowrie said Ray had a real vision for the project. “Ray has been keen to see this project through and contribute to the community,” he said.
“He’s used recycled timber palings and spent hours creating the teepee for the kids to use.”
The new Child, Youth and Family Hub in Ocean Grove has been purpose built and will provide contemporary facilities to support children, young people, and families on the Bellarine, with both indoor and outdoor therapy spaces.
“The teepee from the Ocean Grove Men’s Shed will be a great feature in the outdoor space and I’m sure the children will love playing in it,” BCH capital works manager Michelle Day said.
“We’re grateful for the contribution from the Men’s Shed and look forward to working on other projects with them in the future.”
The new hub is nearing competition, with services scheduled to start from January 2025. Children’s services operating from the new hub include speech pathology, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and mental health together with some youth services.
Construction has been designed in two stages and BCH is seeking further funding to complete stage two.
Funding for stage one of the project has been provided through the Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged Care and the Anthony Costa Foundation with the land in Kingston Estate Ocean Grove donated by the Corless Family Trust.
