The Aro Valley Community Council.
Community Governance Since 1978
The Aro Valley Community Centre is a public space for the Aro Valley Community that is managed by the Aro Valley Community Council.
Our mission is to operate a non profit charitable Community Centre which recognises the changing needs of its community and provides a friendly environment where those diverse needs are met through instruction, example, and participation.
The Aro Valley Community Centre is managed by a volunteer group, the Aro Valley Community Council Inc. The Aro Valley Community Council Inc has been in existence since 1978 and is a registered charitable organisation run by elected volunteers from the Aro Valley.
Our mission is to operate a non profit charitable Community Centre which recognises the changing needs of its community and provides a friendly environment where those diverse needs are met through instruction, example, and participation.
The Aro Valley Community Centre is managed by a volunteer group, the Aro Valley Community Council Inc. The Aro Valley Community Council Inc has been in existence since 1978 and is a registered charitable organisation run by elected volunteers from the Aro Valley.
COMMITTEE MEMBERS 2019 - 2020
Co-chair – George Sapsford
Co-chair – Ingrid Downey
Secretary – Luke Allen
Co-treasurer – Liam Hunt
Co-treasurer – Luca McDonnell
James Woods
Martin Wilson
Jay Buzenberg
Madeleine Rashbrooke
Helen Baxter
Miguel Mitchell
Lexi Goodmen
Tahiti Samina
Rebecca Ralph
Co-chair – George Sapsford
Co-chair – Ingrid Downey
Secretary – Luke Allen
Co-treasurer – Liam Hunt
Co-treasurer – Luca McDonnell
James Woods
Martin Wilson
Jay Buzenberg
Madeleine Rashbrooke
Helen Baxter
Miguel Mitchell
Lexi Goodmen
Tahiti Samina
Rebecca Ralph
ARO VALLEY COMMUNITY COUNCIL INC CHARITABLE OBJECTIVES
To protect and enhance the character of the Aro Valley area and to advance the interests and welfare of the Aro Valley community, including:
To protect and enhance the character of the Aro Valley area and to advance the interests and welfare of the Aro Valley community, including:
- To co-ordinate activities of a community nature for the Aro Valley community;
- To deal with government, local bodies or kindred organisations, companies, societies, clubs or individuals on matters of concern to the Aro Valley community;
- To protect and enhance the quality of the environment within the Aro Valley;
- To promote and safeguard the amenities and the health, safety, and economic, cultural and social welfare of the Aro Valley community, and;
- To promote and safeguard the community facilities and areas of the Aro Valley.
- The Aro Valley Community Centre is a multi-purpose hall that provides a low cost and accessible venue for a variety of user groups from the Aro Valley and wider Wellington region. It is a popular venue for parties and workshops that cater for people from all over Wellington.
- The Aro Valley Community Centre is a well used and popular venue, with a number of weekly user groups, some monthly user groups, and many more who book in casually for functions, rehearsals, workshops, and events.
- The Community Centre runs a number of programmes and events, including: an exercise class aimed at folks with low mobility; an ESOL programme for refugees and migrants; public meetings; an annual fair; and more. Regular events such as "Meet the Candidates" meetings at election times and community gatherings are facilitated by the Community Council to create opportunities for members of the community to mix.
- In addition, the Community Centre provides a focus for people to connect with other locals who live nearby. The Community Council publishes a free monthly newsletter - The Valley Voice/ Te Reo Hapori O Waimapihi - with information about local issues, events, people and news. It is distributed to households and businesses throughout the Aro Valley.
- The Community Council has strong links with the other permanent site user, the Aro Valley Pre School, as well as with nearby agencies with similar values, for example: Te Aro School; Thistle Hall; and Argo Trust. The Community Council has a strong tradition of being involved in social action relating to local issues, such as the advocacy and action which established Aro Park and in protesting the inner-city bypass. The Community Council continues to be involved with issues which affect the community. Our public meetings and special events are often lively, and are well attended when issues that have the potential to have a local effect are under discussion.
- The suburb of Aro Valley has a unique character. It is geographically compact and was established as part of the original settlement of Wellington. Historically it was a working class suburb, with more recently a high proportion of students renting accommodation here. In the last 30 years it has gained a reputation for being a community that takes social action on local issues.
- The Aro Valley Community Council employs a community coordinator, supported by an accounts person. The coordinator manages hall bookings and runs relevant projects and events. Approximately 80 volunteers contribute to the running of the centre. These volunteers are involved in everything from governance (the community council) through to newsletter delivery.
