By REBECCA BILLS AND KATH GANNAWAY
Childcare and some courses to survive
UPPER Yarra Community House (UYCH) has stepped up to plug the dwindling hole of vocation and post-secondary education in the area.
After the announced closure of Morrison House in March, UYCH is now set to enter into a lease with the Shire of Yarra Ranges in respect of the land located at 20 Old Hereford Road, Mount Evelyn.
UYCH CEO Sally Brennan said there was a misconception that UYCH was taking over Morrisons.
“We are absolutely not,” she said.
“Morrisons is a community based organisation that had very diverse offerings that they had developed over many years.
“UYCH is taking on the business of the Registered Training Organisation in some courses including VCAL and the children’s services – but not all.”
Director Environment and Engineering Mark Varmalis said the proposed lease between council and UYCH related to the site itself, whereby council provided a means of supporting groups including UYCH to deliver the community services.
“We understand it is UYCH’s intention to continue many of the programs previously delivered by Morrisons, subject to the ongoing viability of the programs and UYCH’s ability to continue to attract state and federal funding,” he said.
“Council has been working in partnership with UYCH and the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development to ensure the ongoing delivery of the childcare services currently operating from the Old Hereford Road site.”
Ms Brennan said they were entering into a lease with council to preserve the services that were currently being delivered from the Mount Evelyn site.
“We are committed to retaining the staff we need,” she said.
“In the children’s centre it is really important for kids to have the same workers, and it is important for students who develop relationships with their trainers,” she said.
Mr Varmalis said since the announced closure of Morrisons, council had received interest from other parties in taking over delivery of programs from the site.
“UYCH was able to demonstrate a capacity to deliver similar services from the site and attract funding from government agencies to deliver community education programs,” he said.
Ex-Morrisons board member Paula Herlihy said on Wednesday 16 April the board signed over the company to administration.
“Now it is in the hands of a firm called Grant Thornton until the lease is handed over. The company is often used by the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development – they have assisted in a similar closure for a Gippsland group in the past,” she said.
“I have no position at Morrisons as of this sign-over – we no longer have any power or any say.
“At the end of the day, we wanted the best for everybody.”
Partner at Grant Thornton Australia Andrew Hewitt said childcare and before and after school programs were to commence at the Old Hereford Road property under UYCH on Tuesday 22 April.
“My understanding is that UYCH has obtained from council the rights to occupy the premises,” he said.
“I’ve seen correspondence that there is a period of time that council needs to execute a new lease, however they can provide the property under a given right.
“We will continue to be the administrator of Morrison House until all their affairs have been tied up.”
Mr Varmalis said under the Local Government Act, council was required to advertise its intent to enter into a lease agreement at least four weeks prior to the agreement taking effect.
“This process also provides an opportunity for the community to make a submission on the proposed lease,” he said.
“Council has indicated its intention to commence the lease with UYCH on 1 June, 2014.”
