Many Happy Returns for Redfern Community Centre

13 March 2006

The highly successful Redfern Community Centre will celebrate its second anniversary this week with a party for its patrons, featuring a photographic exhibition, entertainment and a birthday cake.

"The centre has been a huge success story, as a popular meeting place and for its fantastic program of cultural and recreational services," Lord Mayor Clover Moore MP said. "More than 50,000 people visited the centre in the past year."

Successful programs include health and fitness classes, hospitality training courses, break dancing and art workshops, music recording, elders' lunches, an IT room, and the children and youth after school and holiday program.

The Aboriginal Men's Art group held their first exhibition last December, inaugurating a new enterprise for local people in the area.

Also in 2005, the music studio launched its first compilation CD; Best of the Mob at Redfern 05, which will have to be re-recorded this year to meet demand.

The Centre has continued to host major events including NAIDOC week, break dance parties, the international friendship games for young people, and the NEON youth employment expo.

Lights Camera Action (LCA), another Redfern Community Centre initiative, provides a free online talent agency for Indigenous people seeking work in film, television and theatre. LCA has successfully placed over 250 people in the industry and more budding talent sign up for the website every week.

Ms Moore will cut a birthday cake at the centre and enjoy a bush tucker smorgasbord with local residents.

Date: Tuesday 14 March, 2006

Time: 3.30pm - 5.30pm, cake cutting at 4.15pm

Where: Redfern Community Centre, 29 Hugo Street, Redfern

The Centre was opened by Her Excellency, Marie Bashir, Governor of NSW, in March 2004.

Media contact: Maya Catsanis Tel: 9265 9553 Mob: 0409 045 425