New book celebrates community hub
26 August 2010
The first 25 years of a valuable community asset are celebrated in a newly released book, ‘Hub of a Community – The Story of Parnell Community Trust’, authored by Sally McLean.
Parnell Community Trust General Manager Phillippa Pitcher says the book documents Parnell Trust’s evolution from a small informal organisation with a limited mandate in Parnell, to its current role as a hub for the Parnell, Newmarket and Grafton neighbourhoods and the wider Hobson ward.
“It’s a case study for how a local not-for-profit organisation has flourished by responding to the needs of its community,” says Phillippa.
From humble beginnings in Parnell’s Knox Church and incorporation in 1982 as the Knox Centre Trust, the community’s increasing reliance on the largely grassroots organisation necessitated an approach to its management on a much bigger scale.
A 1996 move saw the newly-named Parnell Community Trust take up residence in the historic Jubilee Building on Parnell Road, from where it has grown and diversified its services to now engage approximately 250,000 contacts every year.
“We are immensely proud of what the Trust has achieved so far and see the book as the ideal way of celebrating our history, while also providing inspiration in the years to come,” says Phillippa.
For author and Parnell Community Trust volunteer, Sally McLean, the history is her first venture into writing and publishing.
“I am acutely aware of the Trust’s importance to this community, so was honoured, if not a little apprehensive about being asked to research and write this project,” says Sally.
“The willingness of others to assist me in bringing it to publication is testament to the impact Parnell Community Trust has had on the lives of a great many people.”
‘Hub of a Community – The Story of Parnell Community Trust’ is available for purchase for $25 from Parnell Community Centre, 545 Parnell Road, Parnell.
ENDS
