ISSUE 168 MARCH 2015 THE NORTH & WEST MELBOURNE NEWS IS PRODUCED BY VOLUNTEERS AT THE CENTRE Town hall to become a dedicated ‘Arts House’ The four rooms at the North Melbourne Town Hall’s were, until recently, available for hire by locals and groups within the local community Photo: Adam Falloon Adam Falloon audiences across the city. It has grown to a arts venue has put pressure on community What the Arts House did offer is that next year size where the full use of the North Melbourne groups to find other viable venues. we can use the Meat Market, which comes Town Hall will allow a more engaged, exciting One such group is the Errol’s Angels under CUTHS funding. The only thing is that he Arts House management, in and accessible program for artists, audiences Community Choir. In the last two years, it’s one space to use and the capacity is 500. conjunction with the City of Melbourne, and the community. The transition of the use of Errol’s Angels have taken advantage of the Well, that’s just too big … it’s huge. It’s just Trecently decided to make the North North Melbourne Town Hall to a programmed Community Use of Town Halls Scheme inappropriate for us. Melbourne Town Hall a dedicated arts venue arts space supports Melbourne to be the (CUTHS) funding provided by the council “The town hall shouldn’t be used for just with effect from January this year. centre for contemporary and experimental to hire out the North Melbourne Town Hall arts or the community — I think there’s room The unavoidable consequence of this is that performance and interactive art.” supper room for fundraising concerts. The for both to use it together.” the hall and adjoining spaces are no longer The statement points out that there are still choir also makes use of the rehearsal room. The Centre’s annual street festival, Spring available for public hire. This has worried a local spaces available for community hire, The choir’s chairperson, Kathleen Fling, may also be affected by this move, as including the newly refurbished Kensington McPherson, is opposed to the changes. the town hall is often used for activities and number of community groups in North and Town Hall and the Kathleen Syme Library and “It’s a very sad day when North and West events. West Melbourne who rely on regular use of the Community Centre in Carlton. Melbourne community groups no longer Arts House, the organisation that currently venue. Another Arts House venue, the Meat have access to anything at that beautiful manages the North Melbourne Town Hall, Arts House has been working with groups Market, is still available for public hire. The old building that is part of North and West operates as an arts branch of the City of that use the space to find alternative venues to North Melbourne Community Centre, located Melbourne’s heritage.” Melbourne and is a presenter and producer of cater for their requirements. behind the Melrose Street shopping centre, The group was very concerned that no one contemporary arts projects. In response to News enquiries, a City of also offers spaces for use by community notified it of these changes before they were Arts House began 10 years ago as a small Melbourne spokesperson released this official groups. implemented and that the website had not been arts initiative and has since grown in scope statement outlining the plan for the town hall: Regardless of the reasons for the changes, updated with the information. and reputation as a proud supporter of “Arts House is a magnet for artists and the decision to make the town hall a dedicated “We have to look for alternative venues. contemporary performance and interactive art. COMMUNITY 3, 10 • HISTORY 9 • THE CENTRE 11 • OPINION 12 • SPORT & HEALTH 14 • POLITICS 15 • YOUTH & EDUCATION 16 • TRAVEL & FOOD 17 • ARTS 18 2 NOTICEBOARD North and West Melbourne News MARCH 2015 NOTICEBOARD Pleasedelivercontributions,letters EasterServicesinNorthandWestMelbourne andfeedbackto: StAlban’s,Anglican North and West Melbourne News 55MelroseStreet,NorthMelbourne Easter Eve Saturday 4 April 6.00pm 58 Errol Street, North Melbourne 3051 Sunday 5 April 10.00am Easter Service Email: [email protected] StJames’OldCathedral,Anglican Telephone: 9328 1126 CornerKing&Batmanstreets,WestMelbourne(opposite FlagstaffGardens) The NorthandWestMelbourneNews CopydeadlineforJune2015edition: 3 April 10.00am Good Friday Passion Reading is a quarterly publication produced by Wednesday13May 5 April 10.00am Easter Sunday Holy Communion volunteers from North and West Melbourne StMaryStaroftheSea,Catholic and the inner city. 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