Community News

The central community hub of Villawood’s Geelong flagship, Armstrong Mount Duneed, is becoming a physical reality as its final key components near completion.

The latest element to fall into place, Poa Banyul, is already a busy centre echoing with the sounds of youngsters at play – and dancing, singing, learning – as kindergartens, maternal health and community services swing into the operation.

This $13 million community centre is just one part of the vibrant Mount Duneed urban hub that features Club Armstrong with its café, pools, gym and function venue, Bunjil’s Nest adventure park, a surging Mirripoa Primary and the rapidly emerging Mount Duneed Village retail and community precinct.

Poa Banyul’s features include:

• Three kindergartens;
• A three-year-old kinder that doubles as a multi-purpose room for playgroups and community programs;
• Outdoor playground area;
• Maternal child health consulting rooms;
• Family support consulting room and parents lounge;
• Multiple flexible community spaces, kitchenettes.

Pre-school classes are already under way, with some 55-odd kiddies across two facilities. This number will climb significantly in the new year. Community sessions are similarly ramping up with various activity classes, parent sessions from the adjoining Mirripoa, hot-desk workers and others coming on board.

Similarly, child health services are drawing mums and kids in rapidly growing numbers as Poa Banyul slots neatly into central Armstrong’s one-stop kinder/school, café, playground, club urban matrix.

Parents can drop off the kids, grab a café with friends, visit the gym or pool for a workout, take the little ones to the club’s park or, shortly, when the Mount Village opens, tackle some shopping and retail therapy, visit the doctor, chemist, learn to swim, childcare  and more – all without having to move the car.

Or even drive at all.

Armstrong’s 20-minute neighbourhood urban design is all about making life easier. About bringing the services and amenity residents need within easy, walkable access.

It’s about healthy living with loads of physical and social activity options, about getting outside and enjoying natural surrounds, about keeping in touch with neighbours and friends, about watching kids grow to be strong, engaged and healthy.

The Poa Banyul Hub, built by the City of Geelong and operated by MELI – new iteration of the merged Barwon Child Youth Family and Bethany services – is right on song with Villawood’s community imperative.

It provides babies and young children with a great start in life. At the same time, if offers parents and carers an accessible and welcoming community space.

It’s all part of the ever-evolving integrated urban planning where Villawood is leading the field and constantly changing Australian greenfields living for the better – and setting the benchmark for others to follow.