About

 

Living Learning Pakenham is an independent not-for-profit Incorporated Association governed by a volunteer Committee of Management.

Vision

A responsive organisation providing quality lifelong learning opportunities to empower the individual and the community.

Mission

Living Learning Pakenham Incorporated is committed to providing quality lifelong learning in a caring, supportive environment which contributes to the economic, social and cultural development of individuals and the community.

Values

Committee of Management

Living Learning Pakenham is governed by a volunteer Committee of Management which provides strategic direction for the organization based on community consultation, planning, monitoring, steering and evaluating the organization against the Mission and Vision statements.

President Jillian Ronald

Vice President Position available

Treasurer Wilma Van Eyk

Secretary Margaret Perrin

Public Officer John Goff

General Members Vanessa Van Gramberg,Reg Mattingley

Manager Tammy Lobato (non-voting member)

 

Organisational

Brief History

Sometime during the year 1988, a small group of community minded women met in Pakenham over a cup of tea to discuss the idea of setting up a small drop-in, child-minding centre.

By early 1989 the fledgling Pakenham Neighbourhood House was up and running. The first courses were programmed and a course brochure was distributed by the local Boy Scouts. To encourage young mothers childcare facilities were arranged.

Two relocations followed between 1989 and 1991, first to 50 John St, and then to 55 Henry St Pakenham. A coordinator was employed and more than 150 people were accessing courses and activities at the centre each term. Pakenham Neighbourhood House was now firmly established and a vital asset to the community.

During the next thirteen years 1990 – 2003 many new courses and activities were developed as the centre continued to meet needs in the community and continued to flourish. To accommodate the increasing number of activities and services on offer a childcare specific building was acquired, as well as the house next door, a portable building was purchased and the large garage was converted to a classroom, finally an outdoor gazebo was refurbished to also hold classes, this was affectionately known as the birdcage.

In 1995 the Committee of Management recognized that the name Pakenham Neighbourhood House no longer seemed to adequately reflect the diverse nature of the organization including the growing adult educational, business management and employment skills courses that were being offered by the centre. By the end of 1995 Pakenham Neighbourhood House had become officially named Living and Learning Inc or LLINC.

The year 2000 brought a Council request for yet another move. So began a very unsettled period while a variety of new locations were considered.

In 2002 Cardinia Shire Council made available the redundant basketball stadium within the PB Ronald Reserve. With State and local Government funding assistance the stadium was re-designed to provide 1000 sq. metres of room space, including classroom areas, office spaces and childcare area. The opening was celebrated on April 2^nd 2003.

The greatly improved facility aided continued growth so that within the next few years LLINC had a clientele of 1000 people a week coming to engage in activities at the centre.

In 2007 LLINC was the first Neighbourhood House to be officially endorsed by the Association of Neighbourhood Houses and Learning Centres as a Quality House.  LLINC also became Living Learning Pakenham and a new logo was adopted.

In 2010, Living Learning Pakenham celebrated 20 years of community building, and with Federal Government funding carried out a refurbishment of the centre making possible continued development.

Our thanks to John Goff, who has written two books on the history of Living Learning Pakenham, which has given us a valuable record of our past. Living and Learning in Cardinia – To celebrate twelve years of Neighbourhood House and Community Service.

Community Building with Living Learning Pakenham (20 Year History)