The Hills Photographic Society is calling on Cardinia Shire Council to improve accessibility to the Hills Hub in Emerald, with the association calling for new staffing measures and longer opening hours.
In a recent letter to the council, the HPS executive committee said since becoming a client and founding participant of the Hills Hub since its opening, support received from council staff has “diminished considerably”.
“Recently we had a situation where the entire club’s access to the hub was suspended as our president had his access terminated without prior notice,” the letter read.
The letter also claims rules and access to the facilities change from “one year to another”.
“For example, last year HPS was encouraged to exhibit photographic displays throughout the premises, and this resulted in displays in several rooms, and an impressive display leading up the stairs,” the letter read.
“We were also granted access to storage space which was gratefully utilised to facilitate ‘bump in’.
“This year, we were denied access to anything but the ‘art space’, denied permission to relocate a table we considered to be more appropriate for exhibition usage, denied access to storage facilities, and had to justify why we were seeking access to the Hub ‘out of hours’ when the obvious answer was ‘because we are holding an exhibition’ and community members want to view it.'”
The HPS committee also recommended a placemaker be employed to coordinate the day-to-day operations and stakeholders of the Hills Hub facility., as per a role advertised in April 2021.
The placemaker would also implement proactive and productive relationships with the stakeholders and develop and support the delivery of a range of programs and events with stakeholders
“We have experienced a number of problems while organising, and during, our most recent exhibition and also throughout the past year issues that could have been avoided had a fully prepared, motivated, and engaged ‘Placemaker’ taken ownership of events and community usage of the Hub.”
A Cardinia Shire Council spokesperson said the council “appreciates the feedback provided by Hills Hub users and broader community,” and it will “review any concerns raised by the community and assist to resolve them wherever possible”.
“After lengthy consultation it was determined that public opening hours of the Hills Hub building are between 10am – 1pm weekdays. During this time, the public are welcome to use the lounge spaces in the Hub, enjoying tea, coffee or taking a quiet break from their busy days,” the spokesperson said.
“During these hours, the reception desk is attended by volunteers from groups using the facility. The volunteers contribute significantly to making the Hub a welcoming and inclusive space.”
The spokesperson said the hub has “large, versatile rooms downstairs” along with a “meeting room, training room, consult suite and gallery space upstairs”.
“The gallery space hosts music residencies, arts events and exhibitions. Those who hire spaces at Hills Hub can access the building in line with their booking times, in addition to the public opening hours,” the spokesperson said.
“Hills Hub is home to Emerald University of the Third Age (U3A), Emerald Men’s Shed and the Emerald Village Association. Other regular bookings include ‘Hub Play and Connect Playgroup’, first time parents groups, toy library, dance classes, STEM classes for 5-12 year olds, youth program and employment service.”
