BROKEN Hill City Council Mayor Tom Kennedy has thrown his support behind the Clubhouse, which is set to close in the middle of the year.
The Clubhouse Broken Hill is an afterschool program run by not-for-profit organisation Social Futures.
It is a free technology-learning hub for young people which opened in Broken Hill in December 2023.
The Clubhouse was established with funding from the New South Wales State Government’s Our Region, Our Voice’ Regional Youth Investment Program.
It is also part of the international Clubhouse Network, which began in Boston, Massachusetts and later established across Australia.
Social Futures manages Clubhouses in Broken Hill, Lismore, Ballina and Bathurst.
It was recently announced the program will conclude at the end of Junee with parents and families notified of the change.
“It is with heartfelt sadness that we share some important news with you,” the correspondence said.
“Unfortunately, despite our best efforts, we have not been successful in securing ongoing funding for The Clubhouse program.
“As a result, the program will be coming to a close before June 30, 2025.
“While we don’t yet have a confirmed closure date, we wanted to ensure you were informed as early as possible.”
The correspondence stated that the team will “work hard to explore and share information about alternative after-school opportunities and programs that may be of interest”.
Cr Kennedy said he had been alerted about the pending closure on April 11.
“I received an email from a concerned local resident alerting me to the pending closure of the Clubhouse Broken Hill, due to government funding issues,” he said.
Cr Kennedy will put this forward at the council meeting next Wednesday.
“I believe there are numerous local children who attend this service (which operates after school hours, Monday to Thursday from 3pm to 6pm) and provides a unique experience for young people to explore new technologies with assistance and encouragement from local staff who have a passion in youth services and mentorship.
“The learnings from this program could be a meaningful step in the right direction for a career in many artistic or technology-based professions.
“Clubhouse Broken Hill is obviously well supported and is filling a need in the community for after-school activities for young people, and it is disappointing to hear that this local service is being lost to the community due to the removal of government funding.”
Social Futures has been contacted again to ask what their funding application process is and at the time of going to print, the Broken Hill Times were still awaiting comment.
In last Friday’s story on the Clubhouse, parent Mal Hutchinson was mistitled as Ms instead of Mr.
The Broken Hill Times apologises for this error.
