Something’s Cooking in Beechworth
The Beechworth Community Kitchen will be cooking with gas as early as April next year and local residents can’t wait to get in the mix.
Beechworth Neighbourhood Centre Coordinator, Judy Lazarus says people are coming from every which way to ask how they can help get the new project up and running.
“I’ve had equipment donated from all over the place! There has been a tremendous response from the community, they’re all very excited,” she said.
The Community Kitchen Project, jointly funded by Regional Development Victoria and Bendigo Bank will involve the conversion of an existing computer room at the Neighbourhood Centre into a fully functioning kitchen.
“The social aspect of cooking really underpins everything about this project,” Judy said.
“We hope that the kitchen attracts the marginalised and disenfranchised members of the community. If we can build their trust, they may go on to do other things.”
The Neighbourhood Centre is made up of two 150 year-old heritage listed churches and is at the heart of the gold rush town.
“The Neighbourhood Centre is right in the centre of town and it’s a focal point for the community,” Judy said.
“After the bushfires, people came here for information and then ended up sitting down and talking with each other.”
Judy, who moved to Beechworth six years ago, appreciates the sense of community in the small town and says country life is a breath of fresh air compared to her previous life in Melbourne.
“I was driving to work on the Eastern Freeway one day and I decided, I don’t want to do this anymore! I moved to Beechworth and opened a Bed and Breakfast,” she said.
Now, Judy is well-established in the Beechworth community and is working hard to better community resources.
“I’ve wanted to establish the Community Kitchen since I started at the Neighbourhood Centre five years ago, and I’m really happy it’s finally underway.
“Cooking is a real leveller. I’ve told people that we will all cook together and then sit down and eat together, and they really love that idea.”
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