A closer look at the places that bring people together
Professional freelance musician Matthew Tsalidis will tell you that acoustics are the most important thing.
“When I got to the place that we played, I looked around and thought wow this has everything that a classical musician needs. The space wasn’t too small or too large. The high ceiling and the hardwood floor… the sound reverberates really beautifully without any kind of amplification. The sound sparkles and it blooms,” Mr Tsalidis said.
You would be forgiven for thinking that this praise is for the Sydney Opera House or Sydney’s City Recital Hall. Instead, Mr Tsalidis is talking about the Excelsior Hall at Thirroul District Community Centre. He’s been hiring the space for private concerts for the past year.
Image: Matthew Tsalidis says that acoustics are the most important thing a classical musician considers when choosing a venue to perform in.
“The stage lights at the Excelsior Hall are similar to what you find at the Opera House. You know those nice warm, yellow golden lights. That’s what a classical musician likes,” Mr Tsalidis said.
“I’ve been telling all my friends who are musos that this space is really beautiful. If you want to throw money at a space, I’d rather book Thirroul Community Centre, four times over than somewhere else.”
Thirroul District Community Centre is just one of 56 community facilities located across the Wollongong region. This number includes Neighbourhood Centres, Senior Citizen Centres, Childcare Centres, Library Community Centres and Hall. These spaces are not just used by classical musicians, they’re also places for meetings, yoga, philosophy, dance classes, craft sessions, kids’ activities, birthday parties, weddings, and free food services.
What makes these spaces so important isn’t just the architecture, the facilities, or even the activities on offer. It’s the people, like Matthew Tsalidis, who bring these buildings to life through their passion and love for community.
Another local who has spent a long time advocating for community centres is Karen McIntyre, Support Coordinator at the Bulli Community Centre. For Ms McIntyre, what makes the place she works at so special is that it’s a safe space where people can come and not feel stereotyped or judged.
“Every day is different. Every day is exciting. Every day we get to help somebody. [Bulli Community Centre] is a beautiful and amazing building to work in. It’s an amazing community. Everybody helps everybody,” Ms McIntyre said.
“We’ve managed the space for quite some time. I’ve been here for three years, and a lot has changed in just the last few years. One of the new services we offer is the Food Pantry. That started in April 2021, when COVID was rampant. We didn’t stop after COVID. We still run the pantry, but in a different way."
Image: The Food Pantry at Bulli Community Centre helps some of the most vulnerable people in our community.
“During COVID we were seeing 25 people a fortnight using the service. Now we run the Food Pantry weekly and we’re seeing 75 people or more. That’s individuals, families, young people, and older people. We’re getting at least three, four new people each week. I had one lady saying she had to tossup between buying food and turning the heater on.”
The Food Pantry runs every Thursday and opens at 9.30am for local residents. Those wanting to donate to the service can drop non-perishable items to the centre, to the Bulli Workers Club or to the IGA in Thirroul.
Discover more community centres and halls across the Wollongong area. Contact your local community centre directly to find out more about what programs, services and activities are on offer at the facility or to make a hire booking for your next function or event.
Did you know?
Wollongong City Council is currently searching for a new licensee for the Bulli Senior Citizens Centre. Find out more and submit an EOI by visiting our Public Notices webpage.
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