Meli is excited to be appointed operator of the new Yirrama Community Hub, currently under construction on the corner of Amber Avenue and Precinct Road in Charlemont.
Families can now apply for three and four-year-old kindergarten places at the new Yirrama Kindergarten, opening as part of the hub at the start of 2027.
Jointly funded by the City of Greater Geelong and the Victorian Government, the Yirrama Community Hub is being purpose-built to support early years services and community programs for people of all ages.
The hub will offer modern, flexible spaces to ensure the facility can grow and change with the community’s needs over time. It will feature four kindergarten rooms with 132 places, maternal and child health services, allied health, and multi-purpose community spaces. The facility is conveniently co-located with the new Yirrama Primary School, offering families a single drop-off point.
Grounded in Wadawurrung cultural knowledge and inspired by the story of Parrwang (the magpie), the hub has been thoughtfully designed to reflect connection, care and community.
“We recognise the important role this hub will play as a welcoming and inclusive place at the heart of the local community,” Meli CEO Robyn Hayles said.
“Centred around its kindergarten, the hub will be a vibrant shared space that supports lifelong learning, connection and wellbeing for children, families and the wider community.
“This will be a place where children feel safe, supported and excited to learn, where families feel valued, and where the community can gather to access a range of supports and opportunities that create a strong sense of belonging.”
Member for Western Victoria Gayle Tierney said the Yirrama Community Hub would provide more options for young families.
“This is such an exciting project for local families in Charlemont and Armstrong Creek,” Ms Tierney said. “As more young families move into the area, having kinder, maternal and child health services and community spaces close to home really matters.
“Yirrama Community Hub has been designed as more than just a building – it will be a place where families connect, children learn and the community comes together.”
Charlemont ward Councillor Emma Sinclair said the hub would deliver high-quality early childhood education and health services in a vibrant and inclusive environment.
“The Yirrama Community Hub will be a central, accessible space for local families and community groups to come together for a range of educational and social activities,” Cr Sinclair said.
“We’re pleased to appoint Meli Kindergarten Services, who bring strong local experience and a fantastic reputation in early childhood education.”
The addition of Yirrama Kindergarten brings the total number of kindergartens in the Meli network to 33, located across Geelong, the Bellarine Peninsula and Colac.
For more information and applications, head to Yirrama Kindergarten | Meli.
Quick Exit