Welcoming all people into our Neighbourhood Houses: Sue Kent is a Woman of Yarra

During March, to celebrate International Women’s Day, we are celebrating the women of Yarra, and sharing stories from exceptional women who live, work or volunteer in the City of Yarra.

“It's an absolute delight to work [at the Belgium Avenue and Collingwood Neighbourhood Houses]. I can't wait to get to work every day.

I work alongside, and with, local residents. It’s such a diverse, generous community, so creative in its approaches to solving problems.

Over the years, art has really worked for this neighbourhood house and our culturally diverse community. It doesn’t rely on language. It has its own language basically.

COVID-19 was like a roller coaster. A lot of places closed down, obviously for good reasons. We found a way, through offering food security and food relief, to meet the needs of a very frightened, vulnerable community and keep them socially connected. 

From this, we were able to start art projects that could be done at home and online. People would mail us their creations. Everything had to be done via snail mail in an envelope size. There were gift tags, mosaic pieces, rice paper painting. The art brought together a number of different cultural groups that didn’t know each other.

We slowly built to a wonderful end of year exhibition, celebrating the resilience of the community and its creative spirit. People banded together and supported each other. There’s a positive legacy that is going to be carried on.”

Sue is the manager of the Belgium Avenue Neighbourhood House at the North Richmond Housing Estate, and Collingwood Neighbourhood House at the Collingwood Housing Estate. Sue has worked with the neighbourhood houses for 41 years, passionately delivering local community programs. As a former sculptor, she uses art as a common language.

During March, to celebrate International Women’s Day, we are celebrating the women of Yarra, and sharing stories from exceptional women who live, work or volunteer in the City of Yarra.

“It's an absolute delight to work [at the Belgium Avenue and Collingwood Neighbourhood Houses]. I can't wait to get to work every day.

I work alongside, and with, local residents. It’s such a diverse, generous community, so creative in its approaches to solving problems.

Over the years, art has really worked for this neighbourhood house and our culturally diverse community. It doesn’t rely on language. It has its own language basically.

COVID-19 was like a roller coaster. A lot of places closed down, obviously for good reasons. We found a way, through offering food security and food relief, to meet the needs of a very frightened, vulnerable community and keep them socially connected. 

From this, we were able to start art projects that could be done at home and online. People would mail us their creations. Everything had to be done via snail mail in an envelope size. There were gift tags, mosaic pieces, rice paper painting. The art brought together a number of different cultural groups that didn’t know each other.

We slowly built to a wonderful end of year exhibition, celebrating the resilience of the community and its creative spirit. People banded together and supported each other. There’s a positive legacy that is going to be carried on.”

Sue is the manager of the Belgium Avenue Neighbourhood House at the North Richmond Housing Estate, and Collingwood Neighbourhood House at the Collingwood Housing Estate. Sue has worked with the neighbourhood houses for 41 years, passionately delivering local community programs. As a former sculptor, she uses art as a common language.