Setting the stage for 2026

Good cheer was the order of the day at the first meeting of the newly constituted committee of the Parkville Gardens Residents’ Association (PGRA) this month.

With two very successful events, the Spring Sizzle and our AGM, not long behind us, four new committee members on board, and the festive season looming large, there was plenty of positive energy about.

We’ll meet again in February to organise our first event of 2026, a two-evening workshop aimed at promoting women’s safety, confidence and connection in the neighbourhood. The sessions will be a month apart. Dates are yet to be finalised but are expected to be around late February and March while the evenings are still light. More details to come in the February bulletin.

In the meantime, our thanks to the City of Melbourne for the grant that’s making this event possible, and for the separate grant that’s covered the cost of our public liability insurance.

Heritage lovers please note: Roslyn Rymer, senior urban designer with the City of Melbourne, has offered to lead a Parkville heritage tour for interested residents. It will be held from 11am to 12. 30pm on Saturday, February 14, meeting point to be advised.

We’re delighted to learn that the City of Melbourne is consulting the community about its draft Community Infrastructure Plan 2025-35. In particular we note what it says about north-west Parkville: “The [Parkville] area has a higher proportion of older residents, particularly in the north-west, where aged care facilities are located. This part of Parkville is less connected to the rest of the municipality and lacks flexible, bookable community spaces. In the short term, there is a need for early years and family services spaces.”

It goes on to suggests ideas for future planning, one of which is “considering the need for a community hub in north-west Parkville to provide access to programs and services, including flexible community, health and wellbeing spaces.”

PGRA has been advocating for a community centre for years, so we will take full advantage of this opportunity to press the case. Have your say by February 8 via participate.melbourne.vic.gov.au/community-infrastructure-plan.

We are also pleased to learn that social housing provider Housing First is at last in the process of advertising for a person to fill their vacant community engagement and development role. We hope this will be the start of a new era and look forward to the successful applicant’s active collaboration with PGRA.

Finally, PGRA sends greetings and good wishes to everyone for a safe and happy festive season. •