What is the Centres of Excellence?

The Centres of Excellence strategy seeks to enhance Council managed spaces and places by increasing learning opportunities in vibrant, welcoming centres enjoyed and used by the Hobsons Bay community. Before finalising the draft strategy we’d like to check in with the community to see how people feel about the proposed themes and locations. We’d also like to know what kind of programs, collections and experiences you’d like to see in these spaces. Please submit your feedback by completing the survey below.

The goals of Centres of Excellence are;

  • establish Council+ Centres of Excellence at Council venues across Hobsons Bay, each with a unique theme and focus
  • community members find our services exciting, relevant, easy to access and supportive of their growth and aspirations
  • communities are more connected, inclusive and inspired
  • an increased sense of civic pride across the municipality
  • each centre will be a destination that encourages increased visitation and participation

The concept of centres of excellence builds on the existing

  • Envirocentre at Altona Library
  • Heritage Centre at Williamstown Library
  • Creative Technology Hub at Seaworks in Williamstown.

Centres of Excellence strategy expands on this experience to direct the establishment and development of additional centres across Hobsons Bay

Click here to learn more about the Envirocentre at Altona Library

Click here to learn more about the Heritage Centre at Williamstown Library

Click here to learn more about the Creative Technology hub at Seaworks in Williamstown.

How can I contribute to this project?

During this stage of consultation, we would like your feedback to define and confirm the themes and locations for the new centres. There are a few ways to get involved;

  • Tell us what you think about the themes and locations by completing the survey.
  • Come to one of our drop-in sessions or pop-ups to speak with Council officers and theme experts TBA
  • Click the follow button to stay tuned for further updates and stages during the 5-year rollout.
  • Leave your details for future focus groups and advisory committee panel.

Themes and locations of the centres

Each centre will have a unique theme that programs, activities, specialist equipment and collections will be curated around. The following themes for the centres have been proposed, which will be developed through community consultation:

  • Environment & Sustainability

    The existing Enviro Centre at Altona Library will be enhanced through further curation of the collection and the events and activities available.

  • Business, Entrepreneurship & Innovation

    Supporting the local business community and start ups the Civic Centre will host different courses and workshops with a focus on emerging skills required for the future workforce. This could be marketing for social media, design thinking or project management skills.

  • Art & music

    Newport Community Hub is a base for senior groups, young families and youth. With a music studio and instrument loan available it lends itself to the theme. Newport is a hub for the local arts community with the Substation just across the road.

  • Video games & Boardgames

    Altona North Library is situated between two local high schools and is a after school destination for many students. By encouraging learning through play whether this is by development of video games, learning coding skills or expression through animation.

  • Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, & Maths

    Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics will come to life at Altona Meadows. With a $1M refurb scheduled for this site, new technology integrated with purpose-built learning spaces will create a bridge between the community and technology.

  • Heritage, Writing & Publishing

    The existing Heritage centre at Williamstown library will be enhanced through further curation of the collection and the events and activities available. Williamstown is a hub for local authors and hosts Williamstown Literary Festival on an annual basis.