Salvos and Sony partner in opening new Goodna youth and community centre
Singer Pete Murray chats with two young locals before the concert. (Photo: Cheryl Tollis)
“Soundpoint”, The Salvation Army and Sony Foundation Youth and Community Centre in Goodna, Queensland was officially opened on Thursday 4 October.
“This is a wonderful occasion, full of joy, hope and possibilities,” said Major Paul Moulds as he addressed official guests from partners Sony BMG Music Entertainment and Sony Foundation, donors Woolworths, Sage, and Technology One, councillors from the local Ipswich Council, state and federal members of parliament, and The Salvation Army.
“In this place we will witness miracles and see the power of redemption,” continued Major Moulds, who led the Queensland disaster relief effort for the Army in the aftermath devastating floods almost two years ago.
“We will see good come from bad, despair give way to hope and a triumph of the human spirit over any adversity or hardship.”
Soundpoint is a community gathering and meeting place for the residents of Goodna and surrounding suburbs of Ipswich, whose lives have been disrupted by the devastating floods that struck Queensland in late December 2010 and early January 2011.
In response to these floods, The Sony Foundation wanted to assist The Salvation Army with long-term support for Queenslanders in their recovery from this tragic event. A $2 million gift from the sale of The Sony Foundation’s Flood Relief album was donated to the Army, money which has helped establish Soundpoint.
The centre includes Salvos Legal, youth and family counselling services, a Housing Rebuilding Project support worker (flood), educational support for those disengaged from mainstream education, activities-based programs, the Meeting Place Cafe and a Family Store.
“The Sony Space” provides opportunities for a variety of functions within the centre, including movie nights, community workshops, dance and music-based activities and conferences. The outdoor youth space is equipped with barbecue facilities and plenty of room to “hang out”.
Soundpoint will also encourage and develop a range of creative mediums accessible to young people, such as digital art, film and photography.
Several youth traineeships will be offered in hospitality and retail, and it is expected that other avenues will be created for young people and adults to gain experience and skills through volunteering.
The community opening for Soundpoint took place in its spacious car park after guests had toured the facility.
Denis Handlin, Chairman and CEO of Sony BMG Music Entertainment, and Colonel Wayne Maxwell, Chief Secretary of the Army’s AustraliaEasternTerritory, unveiled the official plaque, before Bernie Van Tiel kicked off the free concert.
Hundreds had gathered in the car park to watch and enjoy a free barbecue, coffee, and activities for children.
Singer Pete Murray was a concert highlight, and the hip hop dance teams from “Street Dreams” and the Billabong skateboarding exhibition engaged the crowd of all ages.
Image gallery
Denis Handlin, Chairman and CEO of Sony BMG Music Entertainment, and Colonel Wayne Maxwell, Chief Secretary of the Army’s AustraliaEasternTerritory, unveil Soundpoint’s official plaque. (Photo: Simone Worthing)
Clare Mercer, Youth Activities Officer, answers questions on youth-based activities offered at Soundpoint. (Photo: Simone Worthing)
A young hip hop dance team entertains the crowd. (Photo: Simone Worthing)
Hundreds of people from the local community came to the opening and enjoyed the celebrations. (Photo: Cheryl Tollis)
Singer Pete Murray was a hightlight of the opening’s community concert. (Photo: Cheryl Tollis)
Comments
since Soundpoint youth and community center goodna has opened in 2012 it has done good wonders to the Suburb or goodna and surrounding areas. now with soundpoint been open for a couple of years people are going to the center all the time and thanks to all the friendly staff there it is a happy place
As I left Goodna in March 2014 and came back again to Goodna for the Jacaranda Festival for 3 Months. I miss all the activities there and the Community Barbecue on Thursday Nights meeting up with Ian and Crew for a chat and fellowship. I now live on a farm in a very isolated part of North-Eastern Tasmania and feel quite lonely without the fellowship out here in this windy hole this time of year, but its good to try to experience different places (Rural) and experience the country life here. But I miss the times every Thursday where I used to call at the "Meeting Place Café" with Chockie Dog from Fernvale and have two Cappuccinos and have a chat with the staff behind the counter. I occasionally ring one of my mates at the Community Barbecue and here what's happening occasionally, but one day I will come back to Goodna as a tourist again and check it out!
Neil (N E Tasmania)
As I left Goodna in March 2014 and came back again to Goodna for the Jacaranda Festival for 3 Months. I miss all the activities there and the Community Barbecue on Thursday Nights meeting up with Ian and Crew for a chat and fellowship. I now live on a farm in a very isolated part of North-Eastern Tasmania and feel quite lonely without the fellowship out here in this windy hole this time of year, but its good to try to experience different places (Rural) and experience the country life here. But I miss the times every Thursday where I used to call at the "Meeting Place Café" with Chockie Dog from Fernvale and have two Cappuccinos and have a chat with the staff behind the counter. I occasionally ring one of my mates at the Community Barbecue and here what's happening occasionally, but one day I will come back to Goodna as a tourist again and check it out!
Neil (N E Tasmania)