Community Connect Program – Shop 16

Connecting our Community

Welcome to the Mooroolbark Community Connect Program, we look forward to sharing what the Program can offer you. The Community Connect Program is administered in partnership by Mooroolbark Umbrella Group (MUG) and Mooroolbark Traders & Community Group (MTCG).

At the heart of the Program is Shop 16, located in the Mooroolbark Terrace Shopping Centre, which has been made available through a generous lease-holder for community use. A Grants for Community grant through the Yarra Ranges Council makes the funding of administration, furnishing and utility costs possible. 

Shop 16 offers a central space to enhance and strengthen community connection and wellbeing through coming together and sharing ideas, planning and hosting activities, and creating an atmosphere of cooperation, support and belonging. Members of the community are invited to participate through volunteering, sharing ideas for the space and/or program, hosting their own workshops, exhibitions, activities or other initiatives.

Shop 16 is already hosting several community activities such as the DVD library, book exchange, and a homework club. In the weeks prior to the Celebrate Mooroolbark Festival, the committee used Shop 16 as their base. 

volunteering in Shop 16

Do you have a spare two hours a week? Do you enjoy talking to people? Would you like a space to get some work or hobbies done? We need you! 

For Shop 16 to run smoothly we need volunteers! We currently have volunteers running our DVD library and book exchange. You’ll be situated in our foyer, and can chat to passers by about the shop space, bring your laptop and do some work, or have some downtime with a hobby! Your role will be to talk to people about the shop space, hand out information about the shop, and take on a task or two to help the space run smoothly. We aren’t looking for a big time commitment just two hours a week.

If this is of interest to you and you’d like to chat to someone further about it, please fill out the expression of interest and we’ll be in touch shortly.

Uses and hire of shop 16

Are you looking for a hire space with competitive rates? Then look no further than Shop 16! We have a large carpeted space available with a kitchenette, tables, and chairs.

We are envisaging many uses of the space including the following ideas;

  • Social group get togethers
  • Book/Craft/Scrapbooking clubs
  • Tea and Chat
  • Special interest discussions
  • Support Groups
  • Cultural Groups
  • Disability groups
  • Classes – art/craft/writing
  • Board Game Sessions
  • Tabletop gaming eg Dungeons and Dragons
  • Kids birthday parties (can hire packages of toys from toy library)
  • Small business meetings
  • Art exhibitions – artwork, photography, fibre arts
  • And more! Tell us your fabulous idea and we’ll see if it can work!

If you are interested in hiring the space our hours of operation are Monday – Friday 10am-4pm, other times may be available by negotiation. Download our TOU for further information on rates and availability, and complete the expression of interest form. You’re also welcome to pop in and have a chat about your ideas.

The Community Connect Program is administered in partnership by Mooroolbark Umbrella Group (MUG) and Mooroolbark Traders & Community Group (MTCG), and proudly supported by Yarra Ranges Council. At the heart of the Program is Shop 16, located in the Mooroolbark Terrace Shopping Centre, which has been made available through a generous lease-holder for community use. A Grants for Community grant through the Yarra Ranges Council makes the funding of administration, furnishing and utility costs possible.