Our series of stories describing the history of the Daylesford Courthouse Complex has featured events leading up to its occupation by its current user, the Daylesford Neighbourhood Centre (DNC).  Last week we looked at the pre-history of the DNC before its current ‘home’.  This week we follow the ‘Transition’ from The Convent into the Courthouse.  Our thanks to the Daylesford Museum for helping us in our historical research.

The story so far:  In December 1988 the Daylesford Continuing Learning Centre at 10 Howe St. (under the auspices of the Community Centre based at The Convent) was conducting 22 courses and workshops (from ‘Care of Goats’, thru ‘Small Chair Upholstering’ to ‘China Painting’.

The records are less than comprehensive, but some of the highlights of the next chapter include:

  • The Daylesford Continuing Learning Centre ceased operation in October 1991.
  • On 1 January 1992 The Courthouse was leased to the Daylesford Neighbourhood House and Learning Centre Inc. for 20 years by the Victorian State Government’s Historic Buildings Management Committee.
  • On 26 August 1999 Parks Victoria was delegated by the Government to manage the lease.
  • On 3 March 2003 Parks Victoria and the Daylesford Neighbourhood House and Learning Centre Inc. met to establish a Committee of Management. This is the model that has continued until today.
  • In 2013, the Committee of Management initiated a bid for DNC to acquire the old police station on the block adjacent to The Courthouse. That request has been pursued regularly since, without a satisfactory resolution.
  • In 2016, DNC ran 29 courses and activities. (Sadly, ‘Care of Goats’ had dropped off the curriculum by then!)
  • In 2018, Parks Victoria’s responsibilities were transferred to Heritage Victoria who are currently responsible for the lease to the (now) Daylesford Neighbourhood Centre.

For the past 20 years, DNC in its current format has been responsive to the current and future needs of the Daylesford district and surrounding community.  DNC has been a highly respected and appreciated institution in Daylesford’s community.  It has encouraged community development and provided support, environmental sustainability, training and education in a collaborative and complementary way to the whole community, particularly the vulnerable.

In the next issue (next year!) we interview one of the early leaders of DNC who was responsible for establishing much of the current DNC processes.

 

Reminders

  • DNC will be officially closed on Friday 16th December, re-opening on Monday 9th January 2023.
  • Cert III in Early Childhood Education & Care course in 2023. Participants will learn locally and at the end of the course, gain qualifications to work in the Child Care sector.   We are currently taking expressions of interest from interested parties.   Please email us with your name, email and phone number to admin@dncentre.org.au and we’ll be in touch!  Course proposals available from DNC.
  • DNC in a new partnership with the Ballarat & Grampians Community Legal Service are offering a free legal advice service! To make a booking, please call BGCLS direct on  5331 5999 and tell them we sent you!

 

Joke of the Week

An assassin is seen running towards Donald Trump.  The Secret service bodyguard sees him and shouts “Mickey Mouse!”

This frightens the assassin who runs away.

Donald Trump thanks his Secret Service bodyguard and says “Thank you, but why did you yell Mickey Mouse?”

The bodyguard replies “Sorry Sir, I meant to say Donald, Duck.”

 

[If you’ve got a better joke, send it to admin@dncentre.org.au and we’ll publish it. (Remember, this is a family publication! ?).  We’ll even include your name if you wish – or you can protect your anonymity!]