Home to many

A PLAQUE recognising the redevelopment of Rowan Park House in Doveton was unveiled last week.
Rowan Park House was built in 1951 as a farmhouse and has since been used, among other things, as a youth employment service, a medium-term housing facility for families, a women’s refuge and it was also home to the Doveton Library.
The redevelopment of the facility was named a priority of the local community through the Doveton Eumemmerring Neighbourhood Renewal initiative.
The state government provided $26,000 in funding for the redevelopment, and the City of Casey and neighbouring Maranatha School also pitched in financially.
As a result, a partnership project between the state government through Neighbourhood Renewal, the City of Casey and the local community was formed to redevelop the facility.
Dandenong MP John Pandazopoulos attended the unveiling of the plaque and congratulated the City of Casey, Doveton Eumemmerring Neighbourhood Renewal and the Rowan Park House Interim Management Group.
He also recognised the Rowan Park Interim Management Group for their work and contribution in the redevelopment of the facility.
The group was formed in September 2009 to consider and recommend to the council a range of uses and activities for the redeveloped Rowan Park House in Doveton.
“Doveton Eumemmerring Neighbourhood Renewal commenced in 2003, with the eight years of state government funding continuing until 30 June 2011,” Mr Pandazopoulos said.
“At this time it is anticipated many aspects of the initiative will have been embedded into the local community – such that there were long lasting outcomes and benefits for the Doveton Eumemmerring community.
“As a Neighbourhood Renewal site, residents, services, government and businesses are working together to close the gap on disadvantage in Doveton Eumemmerring.
“The continued empowerment of residents through community engagement, co-ordination of collaborative planning, strategy development and implementation processes is a central focus of Doveton Eumemmerring Neighbourhood Renewal.
“The newly redeveloped facility is now a flexible multi-use community facility available for a broad range of community uses.”