FROM its small beginnings, one local project has been a fount of inspiration to women in Greater Dandenong.
This year, Wellsprings for Women is putting into action a new theme, titled Creating Positive Change. The initiative is being led by Veronica Hassett, manager of the energetic and forward-thinking staff.
The project is run under the auspices of the Presentation Sisters Victoria. The religious order came to Dandenong in 1912 and the sisters all taught in schools.
Wellsprings opened in 1995, and operates from a building in Dandenong’s Langhorne Street. The premises were once occupied by the Sisters.
The late Sister Ann Halpin founded the centre to support isolated women in Greater Dandenong.
It started with 10 women attending drop-in sessions for two hours on Friday mornings and, by 2001, there were 230 women from 41 cultural backgrounds enrolled in a variety of programs.
The classes and get-togethers continue to grow. New programs added include educational sessions, support groups and advocacy.
A home visit program for homebound mothers has been expanded. “Sustainability is the keyword we constantly hear in our society today and especially the challenge of economic sustainability, but to me it refers to having the ability to maintain an organisation’s vision and mission,” Ms Hassett says.
Footnote
Mayor Youhorn Chea recently announced two new names for the Greater City’s streets. Halpin Way honours the late Sister Ann Halpin. Another is Settlers Square, which acknowledges early settler activity that established Dandenong’s reputation as the gateway to Gippsland and acts as a reminder of the area’s rich migrant history.
Living and learning
Wellsprings for Women’s Living and Learning Together program, which has been financially supported for six years by the Scanlon foundation, has won an award from the Victorian Multicultural Commission.
Sophie Duggan, a representative of the foundation, visited Wellsprings in February and observed the functioning of the Living and Learning program . She expressed her appreciation for the professionalism and skills of tutor Helen Sanders.
She praised the team and the volunteer tutors who help to run the highly effective program.
Our book nooks
For many years now I have been privileged to write about our city’s two popular libraries at Dandenong and Springvale.
They give hours of pleasure to adults and children as well – importantly to preschoolers. One of the extremely popular sessions is Story Time held on Mondays at the Dandenong library and Thursdays at the Springvale library.
Do you have a milestone, memory or question for Marg? Email marg@yourweekly.com.au or post submissions to A moment with Marg, c/o Greater Dandenong Weekly, PO Box 318, Dandenong 3175
