Hills Hub in Emerald
Key points
- The hub is a beautiful, accessible and integrated facility that will support various volunteer, community and local business initiatives, bring several community groups and programs under one roof, and provide a great location for community, arts and social events.
- A number of fun activities for all ages are planned for November, December and January.
- Several community groups and organisations are currently operating from the facility.
- Rooms and spaces in the hub are available for hire on a regular or casual basis. Submit a booking enquiry through Booking Cardinia.
What's on at Hills Hub
Join in the fun at Hills Hub with a number of activities for all ages planned for November, December and January.
Activities are delivered in partnership with Emerald Library and will be held at Hills Hub, corner Belgrave-Gembrook and Beaconsfield-Emerald roads, Emerald (unless otherwise stated).
Gentle exercise for adults
Build and improve your strength, balance and mobility.
- When: Monday 18 and 25 November, 12:30pm–1:30pm
Monday 2 and 9 December, 12:30pm–1:30pm. - Cost: free. Bookings essential.
African drumming
African Beat’s master drummer brings a drum for each child to participate in games, stories and rhythm activities.
- When: Monday 25 November, 10am–11am.
- Where: Emerald Library, 400B Belgrave-Gembrook Road, Emerald.
- Cost: free. Bookings essential:
Christmas table decorations
Create your own Christmas table centrepiece.
- When: Tuesday 26 November, 12:30pm – 2:30pm.
- Cost: $10 for kit to be purchased from tutor on the day (cash only). Bookings essential.
Hey Dee Ho – beach fun concert
Enjoy the musical fun and energy of Hey Dee Ho. Suitable for children aged 6 months to 5 years.
- When: Wednesday 11 December, 9:30am – 10:30am.
- Cost: free. Bookings essential.
Blast off to space
Children are invited to take part in hands-on experiments, build their own space creations and learn what it takes to become a space explorer.
- When: Wednesday 8 January, 10am–11am.
- Cost: free. Bookings essential.
Dino discovery adventure
Fun activities include digging for ‘fossils’, learning about dinosaur species and creating mini volcanic eruptions.
- When: Monday 13 January, 10am–11am.
- Cost: free. Bookings essential:
Craft for kids – funky feather braids
A fun activity for primary school aged children.
- When: Wednesday 15 January, 10:30am–12:30pm.
- Cost: free. Booking essential:
Ready Steady Go Kids
Children are invited to participate in fun activities and build skills in basic ball handling.
- When: Monday 20 January, 10am–11am.
- Cost: free. Bookings essential:
Introduction to face painting
Learn basic skills for applying face paint. For ages 14+.
- When: Wednesday 22 January, 12:30pm–2:30pm.
- Cost: free. Bookings essential:
Opening hours
Open to the public Monday to Friday, 9:30am to 2:30pm (except public holidays).
Community groups and organisations operating from the hub
The following community groups operate from the Hills Hub. Please contact the community groups directly for more information.
- Emerald Men’s Shed: mensshedemerald@gmail.com
- Puffing Billy Toy Library: puffingbillytoylibrary@gmail.com
- U3A Emerald: info@u3aemerald.org.au
- Emerald Village Association: www.emeraldvillagenews.com.au/contact
Location
Corner of Belgrave-Gembrook and Beaconsfield-Emerald roads, Emerald
(Next to Worrell Reserve and Emerald Library, directly opposite the shops).
Getting there
Car
Parking is available in the Worrell Reserve car park. Enter the car park via the roundabout at the intersection of Belgrave-Gembrook Road and Emerald-Monbulk Road.
Bus
The bus stop is located right outside the facility.
Bus routes: 695 Belgrave – Gembrook or 695F Gembrook – Fountaingate
Features of the facility
Ground floor
- 3 multi-purpose rooms (can be converted into 1 large hall)
- Commercial style kitchen with pass
- 2 community lounge areas and kitchenette
- Entry foyer and reception area
- Accessible amenities (available to the public during office hours).
- Workshop and loading bay
First floor
- 2 training rooms (can be converted into 1 large training room)
- Kitchenette
- One consulting suite
- One meeting room
- One informal meeting space
- One arts/performance space
The Hills Hub adjoins the Emerald Library via a pathway, landscaping and a reading garden, providing a lovely outdoor space for people to gather.
Photo slideshow of the Hill Hub
Support for local business and the arts
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The Hills Hub has meeting, consulting and training rooms available for hire to support local businesses and training organisations to improve local training opportunities and employment pathways.
- The arts and performance space and events program will support existing and emerging artists and increase local participation in and appreciation for local arts projects.
How the Hills Hub benefits the community
The Hills Hub responds to the emerging needs of local residents in Cockatoo, Emerald, Gembrook and surrounding Hills townships.
Bringing several community groups under one roof better connects people in the community, increases social interaction, and provides improved access to a range of community activities including skills-based learning.
History of the Hills Hub
The $8.1 million Hills Hub project was funded by:
- Cardinia Shire Council: $5.97 million
- The Australian Government’s National Stronger Regions Fund: $1.5 million
- The Victorian Government’s Growing Suburbs Fund: $1.5 million
- Dandenong Ranges Community Bank Group in partnership with the Eastern Dandenong Ranges Project Group: $250,000
· The Hills Hub, which has been a number of years in the making, was developed in close consultation with the local community.
· To ensure the hub reflected the community’s needs, Council and the community established the Hills Hub Advisory Committee.
· The committee represented a cross section of stakeholders and interested parties to ensure the project built on community strengths and promoted community leadership.
The committee met regularly throughout the project with members representing these organisations:
· the Eastern Dandenong Ranges Project Group
· Emerald Mechanics Institute
· Emerald Men’s Shed
· Emerald U3A
· Emerald Village Association
· Lions and Rotary clubs
· Puffing Billy Toy Library
· 3MDR
· Ranges Ward Councillors
· the Worrell Reserve Committee of Management
· many individual community members.
The advisory group met monthly from February 2015 and started the first phase of the design process. The preferred design concept was endorsed by the community after extensive engagement and consultation.
Council acknowledges the community, stakeholders and contributors for their ongoing collaboration and perseverance. In particular, we thank the advisory group, who worked diligently to ensure the project moved forward, and the Emerald Mechanics Institute, who managed community programs at the former hall over the past 25 years.