LAST-MINUTE community support and $916 from a wood raffle have helped Toodyay’s popular Community Resource Centre to avert imminent closure – but more money is needed to ensure its future.
“We need $10,000 more to get us back in the black,” centre manager Nicole Coleman (left) said at the end of last month.
“We can stay open for at least the next little while but need to raise $50,000 to keep going for the whole of the next financial year.”
Read more
The Stirling Terrace facility provides a range of community services for local residents, including printing, laminating, secretarial support, office services, events and workshops.
It helps people to access online government services on computers provided at the centre.
It also rents out a conference room and meeting space for use by other organisations.
Ms Coleman said the State Government contributed $106,000 a year in quarterly instalments under a five-year deal that runs until June 2027.
This paid for just over half of the centre’s operating budget, she said.
Other revenue came from fees and charges for services, fund-raisers such as raffles, membership fees and donations.
The centre has asked the Toodyay Shire Council to provide a total of $10,000 to help pay for the town’s annual Christmas Street Party and School Holday Program.
The request will be decided at the next council meeting starting at 1pm on Wednesday June 22.
Ms Coleman said the requested funds were for annual one-off community events and did not cover the $10,000 needed to cover the centre’s budget shortfall for everyday operating expenses.
The centre had 115 financial members, including some small local businesses, who paid between $15 and $50 a year depending on their membership category and circumstances.
Staff numbers were recently cut with the departure of an administration officer, leaving three others to keep the centre open.
Ms Coleman said the centre had no money to pay for a replacement.
However, she was heartened by the public response after the centre posted a recent plea for help on a local Facebook community page.
“We just need $10,000 to keep going,” Ms Coleman said.
“I don’t think anyone in this town would like to see us close.”
If you can help, please call 9574 5357 or email admin1@toodyaycrc.com.au.