Tara Murray
Duke Street Community Centre manager Lana Bedford has always called the western suburbs home. She speaks to Tara Murray about what she loves about the local area.
What is your connection to Braybrook and the local area?
I’m a proud ‘westie’. I’ve had a lifelong connection with the area. I was raised in Sunshine and Deer Park and I have worked in Braybrook and Sunshine for many years.
What are your favourite things to do around Braybrook and the surrounding areas?
As a community development professional, I am passionate about building a stronger and more resilient Braybrook community. So, my favourite thing is to work with individuals and groups to give them the skills they need to undertake projects in the local community. One example is a partnership we have with Braybrook College Community Services students. Each year the students develop a community engagement project to address an area of identified need. Some examples have included a ‘Youth Mental Health Day’ and a ‘No Waste Market’ to reduce landfill.
-Do you have a favourite place to eat in the area?
We are spoilt for choice but if was asked to choose just one it would be Braybrook STN at Central West plaza. They have an interesting menu and the coffee is great!
-How long have you been at the Duke Street Community House?
In 2000 I joined Duke Street as volunteer – a support worker for the Western Women’s Domestic Violence Support Network – sadly this program no longer runs out of Duke Street. From 2006-2012 I held several roles at Duke Street including training officer, project manager and community development officer. In 2016 I returned to the organisation to take on the role of manager.
-What does the house do and why is it so important to the local community?
Duke Street Community is a not-for-profit incorporated association and provides many invaluable community services, including occasional childcare, and conducts a wide range of programs for adults and children of all backgrounds. It is a registered provider of Adult Community Education programs and runs a broad range of accredited and non-accredited programs. As a small, friendly and accessible community house, Duke Street is well placed to support individual learning needs and offer people the chance to learn in a safe, informal and relaxed atmosphere at low cost
-How are things at the house now with COVID-19 restrictions easing?
As a training provider our focus is on entry level language classes, the development of basic language, literacy and numeracy skills, digital literacy, and classes for work preparedness. With COVID-19 restrictions easing our education classes have resumed to face-to-face learning. This is fantastic as most of our students are CALD learners and being able to provide face-to-face support is important for this group. It has been great that occasional childcare program has continued to operate throughout COVID-19 and provide much-needed support and respite for local families.
-Tell us something about yourself that not many people know?
I was lucky enough to walk the red carpet at the Kath & Kimderella movie premier. It was so much fun to meet the cast!!!
