THE departure of the YMCA from delivering youth services on the Bass Coast, fitness classes for the over 50s and management of the Phillip Island and Bass Coast Aquatic and Leisure Centres marks the end of an era for the YMCA.
Bass Coast Shire Council has appointed Anglicare Victoria to manage the YES Youth Hub from July 1 and Aligned Leisure a subsidiary of the Richmond Football Club to run the Phillip Island Leisure Centre and Bass Coast Aquatic and Leisure Centre.
Programming and services will continue throughout the transition period as normal.
The YES Youth Hub team and Bass Coast Y thanked the community for its support.
“We are immensely grateful to the local community who have supported the YYH whether it be on the steering committee, partnering events and programs, or supporting the drop-in sessions to make the YYH the success that it is.”
The highlights for the YES Youth Hub have been building well-attended drop-in sessions, delivering three fabulous Pride Prom events, a brilliant Youth Arts event, a multitude of successful grants, reaching young people across Bass Coast through the Youth Hub school holiday program, and working with FReeZA to hold numerous music events featuring young musicians from the Bass Coast.
“The Youth Advisory Council has been a key part of our
success and has shaped our work and the direction of the YYH,” said senior coordinator Erin Johnson.
“We are so thankful for their dedication and commitment to improving Bass Coast for young people and look forward to seeing the next chapter for the YES Youth Hub and keeping in touch with the many friends we have made over this time.”
YMCA Wonthaggi has been running fitness classes at Inverloch three times a week for 25 years and for many the group has been a vital point of connection.
“With most members choosing to move to Inverloch for their retirement years many new friendships have been formed helping to end social isolation,” said Prudence Scholtes. “Those friendships and community involvement have endured well beyond the years they have been capable of physically joining in the fitness classes.”
Attendees ages range from 53 to 98 with many more attending social outings in local coffee shops after class, monthly lunches and birthday celebrations at local hotels and cafes across the Shire, and bi-monthly dinners. The program will now be supported by GippSport.
“The impact this group has had on the personal health and mental well-being of participants cannot be underestimated,” said Ms Scholtes.
Community reaction has been mixed with one parent hoping Aligned Leisure can maintain the vacation care program, junior sport programs and youth outreach and community engagement projects which are vital to local families. Other members have suggested more evening classes and a crèche.
“I made so many life-long connections at the Y when the kids were little. It’s so important for new mums and dads.”
Another said it was disappointing to lose a charitable organisation like the YMCA.
“What the YMCA provides to the community is YMCA specific and can’t be provided by the other organisations, the culture and mission of the YMCA has stood the test of time, and they manage the facilities well and are innovative and relevant in their program development for the community.
“Thank you to the YMCA managers that have done a wonderful job for so many years.”
On average membership fees have increased just above CPI.