A $3.6 million community centre in central New South Wales is now regarded as a model for the future delivery of health services and its success has been recognised in the National Awards for Local Government awards.Cabonne Council won the award for its ground breaking Waluwin Community Centre at Molong.
Serving a population approaching 13,000, it is one of the first, fully integrated primary health and community care buildings built in Australia.
The Waluwin Centre was conceived in 2002 and opened in February 2010 by then NSW Parliamentary Secretary for Health Andrew McDonald, who described it as the pinnacle of best practice in Australia.
The complex comprises of a HealthOne NSW centre which houses general practitioners, community health workers and allied health professionals, such as a speech therapist, occupational therapist, physiotherapist, child and family health and nurses, as well as pathology services. The Waluwin Centre also contains the Cabonne/Blayney Family Day Care and Cabonne Family Links services, an Anglican Church office and community meeting rooms.
By being located in the same building, Family Day Care, Health One, Family Links and Anglicare support each other, providing vital and convenient community services.
Mayor Bob Dowling said the centre is the result of a true partnership between Federal, State and Local Governments working with the community.
Councillor Dowling said the award recognised the zeal and hard work of the community and its council to establish a fantastic resource.
