Hobsons Bay City Council’s first Centre of Excellence is officially open in Altona Meadows.
The refurbished Altona Meadows Library is now a STEAM Centre of Excellence, with a focus on science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics.
It was officially opened by Mayor of Hobsons Bay, Cr Tony Briffa; Deputy Mayor, Cr Diana Grima; and Member for Point Cook, Mat Hilakari, on Saturday 21 October 2023, when more than 3200 people attended to celebrate the new centre.
As well as providing the same great library and Council+ services residents have come to expect and enjoy, the STEAM Centre is a vibrant hub designed to help our residents be innovative and learn through collaborative projects and workshops. It features:
technology pods and media podcast room
an interactive floor feature
two robots
an interactive sandpit
a newly landscaped outdoor area
brand new public computers with Adobe Suite access
an extensive Library of Things collection which includes new items across content creation, accessibility and STEAM technologies
a curated STEAM book collection
large meeting room with stadium seating and virtual presentation equipment, and
a Makerspace purpose built for collaboration and creation.
Over coming years, the Civic Centre and each library across Hobsons Bay will become a Centre of Excellence with a dedicated theme, including video and board games; environment and sustainability; heritage, writing and publishing; art and music; and business, entrepreneurship and innovation.
The refurbishment was made possible thanks to a $500,000 contribution from the Victorian Government through the Living Libraries Infrastructure Program.
Quotes attributable to Mayor of Hobsons Bay, Cr Tony Briffa:
“I am thrilled to see the popular Altona Meadows Library reopened following extensive renovations, and our first Centre of Excellence in action.
“The Altona Meadows Library is an exciting and innovative place for community members of all ages to access an array of information, resources, tools and fun about all things science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics.
“Libraries have always been important places in our community, and now with Council+ services and the start of our Centres of Excellence strategy, they’re going to become even more valuable places for our residents.”
