At a meeting of the Board of the Kununurra Community Resource Centre last night, the members considered the possibility of ceasing services to the community of Kununurra after 25 years of building capacity and helping Kununurra get connected to technology. The CRC is facing closure as its financial viability as a social enterprise is not promising in the face of decreasing contract payments from the state government, the uncertainty of the Royalties for Regions funding under the new state government, and lower than expected income on services delivered to the community over the last year. |
“The challenge facing Kununurra CRC is that because Kununurra is a very young town, we have limited public buildings that are available for community groups to use.” said Chairperson Debra Pearce, “If community groups are to be sustainable here, to have meeting rooms, to have a place from where to deliver their services, Kununurra needs a community hub space, similar to the Lotteries House model of the late 90s/early 2000s. Until this occurs, groups like ours have no option but to pay commercial rates to deliver not-for-profit services, and we simply can no longer afford to operate this way”.
The Board has accepted the resignation of Manager, Natika Hawes-Wright, who has been in the role for the last seven years, and is stepping aside in an attempt to give the organisation an opportunity to explore alternative service delivery models, and to consider the need for the organisation in the community past 2017.
With this in mind the Board invites current financial members and other interested parties to an urgent meeting to be held next Thursday, 22nd June at the CRC, 8 Banksia St. The purpose of this meeting is to consider whether the organisational aims and objectives are
still required and needed in Kununurra.
All community members and organisations are urged to attend and put forward their opinions and suggestions.
“The KCRC Board is seeking innovative solutions to help keep this organisation functioning, should the members resolve to fight to keep the CRC services in Kununurra.” added outgoing Manager, Natika Hawes-Wright, “We request your participation in this discussion
as we work to determine the pathway forward for the Kununurra CRC.”
For more information please contact Natika Hawes-Wright - Kununurra Community Resource Centre.
9169 1868 or manager@kununurracrc.net.au