Proposed woodworking facility planned to engage the old and young in Riverview

A local not-for-profit has devised a bold new plan to use ‘grumpy grandpa’s’ to engage the community. See their proposal.

Riverview Community Centre is the proposed site for the new Grumpy Grandpa's Woodworking Community Group. Photo: Facebook- Riverview and district community centre with QYFSS

An Ipswich community group have devised a masterful plan for re-engaging and connecting seniors, students and those with disabilities in their recent application to the council.

The West Moreton Migrant Services Inc, or Goodna Neighbourhood House, has started formal proceedings to open a woodworking shed on the grounds of the Riverview Community Centre after seeing significant disconnect and loneliness in the older population.

The shed, which will be known as Grumpy Grandpa’s Woodworking Community Group, will consist of a 15x8m shed and a toilet facility, which will provide a functional and safe space for members of the community who are skilled or interested in woodworking to create in the space.

The application for the extension to the community centres comes as just one part of the approvals process for the shed to be constructed, with the Goodna Neighbourhood House also requiring the funds to construct the facility.

Proposed location for the Grumpy Grandpa's Woodworking Community Group

They have previously applied for the Gambling Community Benefit Fund and were rejected, but last week submitted a new application alongside the application for development.

The Gambling Community Benefit Fund is a Queensland State Government initiative which provides approximately $60 million in grant funding to not-for-profit organisations each year.

Centre co-ordinator, Luck Choummanivong said that the area used to have community woodworking facilities, but they were shutdown due to inadequate size and the coronavirus crisis putting seniors at risk.

“When Covid hit, they said seniors were at high risk and then they had nowhere to go,” he said.

“Close to $40k of woodworking equipment had to be stored underneath the community centre for the last three or four years, because there was nowhere for them to use it safely.”

Mr Choummanivong said he hoped that not only would seniors be able to come in to the facility regularly, but that they would also be able to engage with programs at locals schools, for disengaged students, and with support workers working with clients with disabilities.

“There would be opportunities for people who want to come and learn, seniors would be able to act like mentors for students at schools and teach them.”

The community group has had support from the Ipswich City Council in their application, as the council owns the freehold land the community centre is on and the shed is proposed for.

In a letter accompanying the application, Graeme Martin, the Acting General Manager of Infrastructure and Environment, voiced his support and said it would provide great opportunities for the community.

“The proposal will improve the provision of grassroots community infrastructure, and further support the development of social and community opportunities for the community,” he wrote.

“Council is supportive of community organisations like the Goodna Neighbourhood House taking the initiative to develop, improve and maintain community facilities.”