Vickers Street Community Hub throws open its doors to the public

One of Ballarat’s most highly anticipated community facilities is complete and ready to open its doors to the public.

The Vickers Street Community Hub and Vickers Street Kindergarten was officially opened on Thursday, marking a significant milestone and delivering a $10.9 million facility to the community within the planned timeframe.

Federal Member for Ballarat Catherine King, Member for Wendouree Juliana Addison and City of Ballarat Mayor Cr Tracey Hargreaves visited the site to cut the ribbon and celebrate the completion of the project.

As a shining example of a three-way collaboration between all three tiers of government, the community hub is set to transform the heart of Sebastopol.

The project was funded by $4.5 million from the Federal Government’s Investing in Our Communities program, $4.5 million from the State Government’s Building Blocks Capacity program, and $1.9 million from the City of Ballarat.

It replaced the former outdated building that housed the Sebastopol Seniors Citizens, providing the club with a new home, with the addition of a kindergarten, maternal child health suites and other community facilities.

The location of the hub will also complement other well-loved community facilities next to and nearby the site, including the Sebastopol Men’s Shed, Ballarat Community Health, St Georges Reserve, Victory Park, and Sebastopol Splash Park.  

Highlights of the new facility include:  

• Three 120-square metre kindergarten rooms  
• A main hall with a 150-person capacity, featuring an accessible stage  
• Four meeting rooms with varying capacities ranging from 12-50 people  
• Maternal child health consulting rooms  
• A community kitchen  
• An outdoor playspace with existing trees retained and an undercover play area  
• On-site carparking

The hub will remain open to the community on Friday December 19, with staff members available to show community members through the new building.  

Full maternal child health services will begin on Wednesday 7 January and the new kindergarten will begin in line with the 2026 school year in late January. Kindergarten tours will also begin from Wednesday 19 January.

City of Ballarat Mayor, Cr Tracey Hargreaves said the completion of the facility highlighted the Council’s commitment to the community.

“We are extremely proud to deliver a facility like this that will strengthen the community and benefit people of all generations,” she said.

“This is more than just a building. It is a long-term investment in our people and the wellbeing of our community.”

Member for Ballarat, Catherine King said that the Albanese Government was proud to have supported the project.  

“The Sebastopol Senior Citizens have a well-deserved new home and Vickers Street has been transformed with the community hub now officially open.” she said.  

“Congratulations to everyone who was involved in making this project a reality. Connections, friendships and memories will be made here as this new hub provides a lasting legacy for the Sebastopol community.”  

Quotes from Member for Wendouree, Juliana Addison said the community would provide enormous benefit to Sebastopol.

The Vickers Street Community Hub is transformative for Sebastopol,” she said.  

“From visits to maternal and child health, to children beginning their kinder journey, through to seniors staying active and connected - this is a place where generations can learn, grow and thrive side by side.”

The naming of the Vickers Street Community Hub was formerly gazetted by Geographic Names Victoria earlier in December.

This followed community consultation in August to ensure the name for the new facility complied with the Naming Rules for Places in Victoria, as set by Geographic Names Victoria, before being formally approved and registered.

Enrolments at the 66-place kindergarten are now being taken for 2026 via the City of Ballarat kindergarten webpage.  Kindergarten is free for everyone attending participating programs. 

Visit the Vickers Street Community Hub webpage for more information, including room bookings.