Among those present were City of Sydney Councillor Marcelle
Hoff, NSW Department of Housing
Director General Mike Allen, the founding Chair of The Factory Community Centre
Inc., The Ven. Dr Geoff Huard and Cathy Huard.
“My first reaction to Patrick’s [Patrick Russell, Factory Coordinator] phone call was
one of shock,” Dr Huard said in a speech. “I could not believe The Factory was
celebrating 30 years of existence.
“For me, it all started in late 1976 when I
was wandering around the area trying to meet people in my new job.”
Dr Huard came across The Factory, which is
located at 67 Raglan St,
Waterloo, and “wandered in to say
hello”.
He spoke to a young girl there, who could
not run several activities and programs.
Dr Huard decided to ask the Head Office of
the girl’s organisation what was occurring.
In December 1977, the Anglican Parish of St
Saviours in Waterloo
accepted responsibility for managing The Factory. “The biggest challenges were
staff and funding,” Dr Huard said. “The existing staff left when they learned
the church was taking over so we were really starting from the ground up.
“Over the next 14 years, we were blessed
with outstanding Coordinators who contributed so much to creating the right
atmosphere, having energy and ideas, gathering various programs and driving the
place along.”
He also named the ideas for programs The
Factory runs for residents. Today these include Family & Community Support,
Poet’s Corner Pre-School and Waterloo Before &
After School Care.
“There are lots of memories of good and
tough times that I treasure.”
Mr Russell said, “We’re celebrating
surviving in Waterloo.
We’re having other celebrations on December 7 – Waterloo’s Summer on the Green.” The all-day
celebration will take place within the green area beside the Marton Gardens
(weather permitting).
The Factory presents:
Summer on the Green
December 7, 2007
11am–2pm Older residents picnic themed
event
3–5pm Young people’s Christmas party
5–8pm The Factory Community Centre family
entertainment party Light music, stage performances, bouncing castles, BBQ,
information stalls, face painting, sports activities, and guest appearances.
Marking International Disability Day, and local community projects such as the Marton Gardens
mosaic.
Photo Voices
Learn photography & Photoshop
Photo exhibition
Contact Irene 0416 410 374 or 9519 2597
Photo: Ali Blogg – Caption: Mosaic wall at Marton Gardens
compliments of The Factory
Source: South Sydney
Herald November 2007 www.southsydneyherald.com.au