WOLLONGONG -- As a result of a three-year campaign by Warrawong residents, the NSW state government has made funds available to reopen the Warrawong Community Centre (WCC) and employ full-time staff. The centre will celebrate its reopening by holding an “open day” on February 2.

The open day, to be held at Greene St. Community Hall, has been organised to enable local residents to meet the new workers. Residents will be encouraged to give suggestions to the workers about what services are most needed by the community.

WCC worker Lucy Pepolim said the reopening of the centre “is something for the community to celebrate. Warrawong is the most diverse and disadvantaged region in the Illawarra. Thirty-five per cent of residents are from non-English speaking backgrounds, one quarter are unemployed, and youth unemployment is 49%. Despite this, many important services have been closed. So it is something to celebrate when a service is opened rather than closed.”

The aim of the WCC is to unite residents and create a sense of community while providing information and services, Pepolim said. The centre provides an information and referral centre, a drop-in centre, gentle exercise classes, a children's playgroup, a women's group, a men's group, a youth group and a breakfast program.

For more information, telephone Lucy or Kerry on (02) 4275 1875 or 4276 2278.

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