A new home for the Welcoming Centre
Dear Supporters and Friends of the Welcoming Centre,
For the past nine years, through the generosity of countless supporters and partners, we’ve been able to call 100 Drayton Street, Bowden: home. However, the building has been listed for sale and our existing lease expires at the end of this year.
While change is difficult, it also brings opportunity. The Welcoming Centre will continue to create a safe, supportive, and welcoming space for refugee families, people seeking asylum, recently arrived migrants, and the local community across greater Adelaide.
We’re excited to share with you that a new home for the Welcoming Centre has been found!
A significant opportunity has been identified to establish the Welcoming Centre, and associated Welcoming Australia activities, in the Kilburn Community Centre.
The City of Port Adelaide Enfield and Welcoming Australia are delighted to share that the Welcoming Centre has found a new home.
Since the announcement, in February, of Welcoming Australia’s need to relocate from the Welcoming Centre’s current home in Bowden several steps have been taken. The process included research and data mapping to understand the best location in Greater Adelaide and discussions with numerous community partners.
Welcoming Australia’s relationship with the City of Port Adelaide Enfield continues to grow and develop. In May 2017, the City of Port Adelaide Enfield were the first council in South Australia to join the Welcoming Cities network and in May 2022 the City of Port Adelaide Enfield was accredited as a Welcoming City.
After nine years in Bowden, the Welcoming Centre is excited to relocate to Kilburn and work alongside diverse and vibrant communities and organisations such as Vinnies Refugee and Asylum Seeker Service, The Peace and Welcome Garden, the Kilburn Football and Cricket Club, One Culture Football, Lutheran Care, St Brigids and other local schools, businesses, and community groups.
The Kilburn Community Centre, neighbourhood and surrounding area is already a dynamic space and there is strong alignment with the principles and work of Welcoming Australia. Our partnership will build on existing work and relationships and model a ‘Welcoming Precinct’, in Kilburn and surrounding areas, through collaborative projects, initiatives and activities.
The City of Port Adelaide Enfield is a safe, inclusive and welcoming City for residents, businesses and visitors alike. The partnership and co-location will complement and extend existing activities and efforts and further advance communities where everyone can belong, contribute and thrive.
We share this news with a sense of gratitude for the amazing people that have been part of our journey and excitement for the future. We look forward to continuing the journey with old and new friends at the Kilburn Community Centre from October 2022.
We will continue to provide updates, and we invite you to join us in the work of creating communities where everyone can belong.
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