New Salvos building in Wonthaggi more than just bricks and mortar
- deansimpson7
- 1 day ago
- 5 min read
Updated: 5 hours ago
BY LERISSE SMITH
After years of dreaming and careful planning, the Wonthaggi community in Victoria’s South Gippsland is celebrating the official opening of a new building for The Salvation Army.
And the premises in McKenzie St is more than just bricks and mortar – it’s a place of hope, dignity and connection, says Captain Amanda Hart, Corps Officer at South Coast Gippsland Salvos, that reflects The Salvation Army’s mission and vision.
“We planted a special tree as a symbol of new life and growth,” she said.
“For our space, for our building, for what goes on inside, and for our community as well … The main thing for us is that the building is not just for us; we are not just opening it for the Salvos. It’s for the community, and we want it to be shaped by the voices of our community and those who call Wonthaggi home.”
The official opening on 3 September reflected the strong community spirit, with guests from the local community, churches, Neighbourhood House and the local Shire.
Commissioner Miriam Gluyas officially opened the building ‘to the glory of God’, with catering provided by the Salvation Army Emergency Services (SAES).
In a heartfelt moment, Miriam helped plant the commemorative tree, a Callistemon ‘Kings Park Special’, a bright red bottlebrush native to Australia, donated by Bunnings – a neighbour across the road! Ms Jordan Crugnale, State Member for Bass, and Councillor Rochelle Halstead, Mayor of Bass Coast Shire, were both in attendance at the opening and shared inspiring and encouraging words with the attendees.
As the corps officer since 2023, Amanda oversees both the Wonthaggi and Leongatha sites, two separate buildings located about 30 minutes apart, operating together as a multi-site hub. Both sites are also co-located with other mission services, combining church and social mission in the same location.
And it’s an effective partnership.
The setup allows both to serve their respective diverse communities while sharing resources and a unified mission.
The Leongatha site has long been the hub for social mission services, covering a range of vital support areas, and now, with Wonthaggi’s new facility open, those services will have a stronger presence in Wonthaggi too.
The official opening of the new site means some of the social mission services can now operate out of the modern building space, enabling clients to have greater access – and it has been a long time coming.
A vision and plan for the new building was first sparked by Captain Amy Jones, the former corps officer in the region. While her original concept has evolved, especially since Wonthaggi and Leongatha came together as South Coast Gippsland Salvos in 2023, the essence of her dream remains: a place where people are welcomed, supported, empowered, and lives are transformed with the love of Jesus.
What was once a focus on just the corps and The Salvation Army’s Doorways program has now expanded to a vibrant, multi-use facility with a decent amount of office and community space, and a strong emphasis on community engagement with new services planned for the future.
The previous building served the community for nearly 50 years before being redeveloped into the new site. It not only provided spiritual support, but also support services, part of a legacy of more than 100 years of local ministry building God’s Kingdom in the region.
When the redevelopment began about a year ago, transforming the aged facility into a modern space fit for today’s needs was both exciting and innovative – with the focus remaining firmly on people and serving the needs of the local residents.
And the result? A well-equipped new building featuring a community hall suitable for worship and programs, a commercial kitchen, food pantry, several interview rooms, and office spaces for services, including Salvos Community Connect.
Some of the facilities inside the new building include a modern office space, a community hall where all the corps programs/ministry will take place, and a kitchen.
Alongside its weekly food relief programs, the corps is considering running activities such as cheese toasties and a cuppa in the morning for people when they come in to collect their food, allowing them to sit down and build community, foster fellowship, and reduce isolation.
Crucially, the new site is being designed with adaptability in mind. Rather than reverting to old routines, the team plans to conduct a community needs analysis to understand how best to serve the area going forward.
“We are not jumping straight into going back to the same old thing,” Amanda explained.
“We are really looking at what the community needs are, and how we can work alongside community to bring about something different and to look at different ways of what church can look like today in this day and age.”
Critical supports provided to the local communities include family violence, homelessness, and youth outreach – issues that are acutely felt in the Gippsland region. And the corps’ approach is collaborative, open to working with other agencies, groups, and stakeholders who share the same passion for change.
Orange Sky laundry pod
That spirit of collaboration was evident recently with one of Wonthaggi’s newest additions: an on-site Orange Sky laundry pod, launched as the 50th service site for the organisation.
With two washing machines and two dryers, the pod is open Monday and Thursday mornings, offering two weekly sessions where people can access laundry services in dignity and comfort. Local partners, including the council, Rotary, and the neighbourhood house, all worked together to bring the project to life.
“It has a really strong sense of community and wanting to help each other,” Amanda said when reflecting of the special qualities of the Wonthaggi community. “There are some really great opportunities for us to work with other services, other agencies, and community groups to really see some positive change in the area. I think locals are really keen to see the best for their community.”
To further engage with the local population, Amanda’s team is also planning a survey initiative in their thrift store, offering a $10 voucher to those who participate, either digitally via a QR code or on paper. It’s yet another way they hope to capture the voice of the community and shape the future of the space together.
As the new building steps into its new role as a vibrant community anchor, gratitude runs deep.
Amanda expressed thanks to the Salvos property team, Antarctica Architects, and local builders TS Constructions, who brought the redevelopment vision to life.
“They have just done an amazing job,” she said. “They have been fantastic to work with and brought an exciting development to life that is a beacon of hope for the local community.”
