By DANIELLE GALVIN
DIGNITARIES were singing the praises of the Outlook team on Friday for the official opening of the community centre.
But the biggest announcement to come out of the memorable next chapter in the history of the organisation was the partnership with the School of Hard Knocks.
The school, run by Jonathon Welch, will be starting up a choir at the Toomuc Valley Road centre.
Mr Welch also runs the Choir of Hope and Inspiration, formerly the Choir of Hard Knocks.
“It’s a very special day in the history of Outlook,” vice-president Brian Paynter said.
“Today we are writing another chapter.”
The choir sang a few songs for attendees at the special opening, including Cardinia Shire councillors George Blenkhorn, David Young, Kate Lempriere and mayor Graeme Moore.
President Edwin Hume paid tribute to those who had helped make the $4.7 million centre a reality.
“I am excited, relieved and proud of Outlook’s achievement,” he said.
Life governor Russell Broadbent was lively and animated in his speech.
He thanked the choir and remarked that they had brought “great joy” to the centre with their performance.
The Federal MP for McMillan said they once believed the old centre was fantastic.
“For you, yes it is a beautiful building but you have created a piece of artwork,” he said.
“Through all of the years and the tears, the pain and the endeavour, you had a go.
“I know how much work you’ve done.”
Mr Broadbent said the community and Victorians could be proud of the centre.
Disability advocate and campaigner Tricia Malowney spoke of her involvement in Outlook.
She said she often told others about the Pakenham social enterprise, and how good it really was.
“I love this building – it is bright, open and a cheerful place,” she said.
Outlook CEO Tony Fitzgerald spoke about how far the organisation had come and all of the tiers of government that had been his target.
“It is well to remember the major barriers that cause isolation and poverty,” he said.
“That is a lack of access to education, housing and employment and our need to love, be loved and be accepted by our community.
“People with disability in particular have been marginalised by at least one or all of these barriers.”
Mr Fitzgerald said there were important people to thank including Mr Broadbent, Mr Paynter, Deputy CEO Anne McCormick, Outlook’s internal steering committee, former La Trobe MP Laura Smyth as well as Pakenham 3D Design, builders and plenty of others.
“To me Outlook Community Centre is symbolic – a symbol to the inclusion of all,” he said.
“It closes one chapter and leads Outlook into the next chapter which among other things is the NDIS.”
The new choir will be called the Altogether Choir and will be led by the School of Hard Knocks.
At a council meeting last week, Cr Lempriere and others supported a $1000 donation from Central Ward funds to go towards the new choir. She then donated a further $1000 from her own money to the start-up of the choir.
