Eltham Girl Guides Refurbishment

In June last year, Member for Eltham, Vicki Ward announced that the Andrews Government would provide $150,000 to refurbish the Eltham Guides Hall. This Sunday, with much anticipation by the local Girl Guide community, the newly refurbished hall was opened.

The hall, which was originally owned by Melbourne University was donated to Eltham Guides in 1964. It was taken down and then rebuilt in Eltham by a large number of local volunteers and has only had minor works done since.

Then, like now, the community understood the important contribution Girl Guides make to the community. Helping young girls to develop confidence, self-reliance, learn team building and leadership skills while giving back to the community.

This refurbishment, which employed many local trades’ people, will mean that the Eltham Girl Guides will be able to continue that important work. During construction all the asbestos was removed from the building, insulation was installed to make the building more energy efficient, the entire interior was refit, and new bathrooms were put in with showers, a requirement for camps to be held at the hall.

Not only do the Eltham Girl Guides have a great new facility to do their activities but the space can be more universally used, including by other community groups and by other Girl Guide groups visiting Eltham.

Quotes Attributable to Lyn Glassford, Nillumbik District Manager for Girl Guides Victoria:

“Our hall was in desperate need of repair with leaky roof, asbestos walls, a kitchen that was just functional and bathrooms not fit for purpose. Little work had been done to the hall over the decades and now that this work has been done, it is going to be a great space for all to use.”

Quotes Attributable to Vicki Ward MP, Member for Eltham:

“Eltham Guides has done an amazing job with this $150,000 grant to transform their ageing, asbestos ridden hall into a light, bright modern space where girls from Gumnuts to Olaves can explore the world of Guiding.  Thank you to the many volunteers who put in countless hours to plan and coordinate this much-needed project.”