Mr CLAYTON BARR (Cessnock): My Electorate is very fortunate to have 3 Neighbourhood Centres in the Lake Macquarie part of the Cessnock Electorate. Sugarvalley Neighbourhood Centre is located at 65 Carrington Street West Wallsend. The Centre is not-for-profit and is staffed by some of the most caring and community-minded individuals who are there for the community in which they operate. The Centre was set up in 1982 and known as The Sugarvalley Neighbourhood Advancement Group Inc as a voluntary information service for the demographic areas of West Wallsend, Holmesville, Barnsley, Killingworth, Wakefield and Seahampton. In 1984 the service became the Sugarvalley Neighbourhood Information Centre. The Centre operates 5 days a week and provides a safe, supportive environment. Services offered include photocopying and emailing, community washing machine, community library, hot showers and Share the Dignity Pink Box, as well as helping people with complicated forms, uploads and scanning for things like MyGov and Centrelink. Programs at the Centre include Supported Playgroup, Oz Harvest (available every Friday), Food Bank as well as Justice of the Peace services. Thank you for all you do.
