Vickers Street Community Hub and Kindergarten Open

The Albanese Government has delivered on another election commitment, with one of Ballarat’s most highly anticipated community facilities complete and ready to open its doors to the public. 

The Vickers Street Community Hub and Vickers Street Kindergarten is now officially open.

The project was funded by $4.5 million from the Australian Government’s Investing in Our Communities program, $4.5 million from the State Government’s Building Blocks Capacity program, and $1.9 million from the City of Ballarat.

As a shining example of a three-way collaboration between all three tiers of government, the community hub is set to transform the heart of Sebastopol. 

It replaced the former outdated building that housed the Sebastopol Seniors Citizens, providing the club with a new home, with the addition of a kindergarten, maternal child health suites and other community facilities.

The location of the hub will also complement other well-loved community facilities next to and nearby the site, including the Sebastopol Men’s Shed, Ballarat Community Health, St Georges Reserve, Victory Park, and Sebastopol Splash Park. 

Highlights of the new facility include: 

·         Three 120-square metre kindergarten rooms  

·         A main hall with a 150-person capacity, featuring an accessible stage 

·         Four meeting rooms with varying capacities ranging from 12-50 people 

·         Maternal child health consulting rooms 

·         A community kitchen 

·         An outdoor playspace with existing trees retained and an undercover play area 

·         On-site carparking

Full maternal child health services will begin on Wednesday 7 January and the new kindergarten will begin in line with the 2026 school year in late January. Kindergarten tours will also begin from Wednesday 19 January.

The naming of the Vickers Street Community Hub was formerly gazetted by Geographic Names Victoria earlier in December.

This followed community consultation in August to ensure the name for the new facility complied with the Naming Rules for Places in Victoria, as set by Geographic Names Victoria, before being formally approved and registered.

Enrolments at the 66-place kindergarten are now being taken for 2026 via the City of Ballarat kindergarten webpage.  Kindergarten is free for everyone attending participating programs.

Quotes attributable to Member for Ballarat Catherine King:

“The Sebastopol Senior Citizens have a well-deserved new home and Vickers Street has been transformed with the community hub now officially open.

“Congratulations to everyone who was involved in making this project a reality. Connections, friendships and memories will be made here as this new hub provides a lasting legacy for the Sebastopol community.” 

Quotes attributable to Member for Wendouree Juliana Addison:

“The Vickers Street Community Hub is transformative for Sebastopol. 

“From visits to maternal and child health, to children beginning their kinder journey, through to seniors staying active and connected - this is a place where generations can learn, grow and thrive side by side.”

Quotes attributable to City of Ballarat Mayor Tracey Hargreaves:

“We are extremely proud to deliver a facility like this that will strengthen the community and benefit people of all generations.

“This is more than just a building. It is a long-term investment in our people and the wellbeing of our community.”