Historical information

In 2016, the Cardinia Shire Council decided to replace an existing bus shelter outside the Emerald Community House (ECH) - this shelter had been decorated with mosaics - with a bus shelter compliant with the current safety regulations. This caused a strong protest by people who did not wish to lose their loved bus shelter. Protesters, supported by the ECH, completed all-night vigils and garnered considerable publicity. Eventually, the Council agreed that, although the planned bus shelter would go ahead, the mosaics from the original shelter would be saved and a shelter approximating the original would be built close to the ECH. This outcome was accepted by the protesters. The Victorian Neighbourhood House movement was born in the early 1970s during the Whitlam era of significant social change. It grew out of local community need, particularly the isolation of women in the community, with a vision to bring people together and enhance the opportunities of people and communities. Another initial emphasis was to provide an informal, non-threatening and nurturing environment that supported individualised learning. The Emerald Community House (ECH) began in 1974 - one of the oldest continuously running incorporated community houses in Victoria. The State Government changed service providers for the ECH in 2025. The previous service providers have donated records of the ECH including this photograph.

Significance

The Emerald Community House has been a significant and valued contributor to community life since its inception in 1974.

Physical description

Colour photograph of Emerald Community House (ECH) group of sixteen supporters and staff in front of newly installed shelter decorated with original mosaics following the resolution of a dispute with Cardinia Shire Council which had decided to demolish the shelter and replace it with a new bus shelter which would meet community safety and disability compliance standards.