Brentwood beginnings

IN 1990, the vast new housing estates south of Berwick were beginning to take shape. Brentwood had been a historic home, after which the first new development south-east of the village was named.
With so many young families moving to the area, it was time for the council to provide some vital services. The pre-school and maternal and child health centre at Brentwood Park was the 19th centre to be opened in the area by the mayor Ray Bastin in February 1990.
He credited the committee with having initiative and carrying out much hard work. The committee was formed in 1988 with the aim of raising the princely sum of $600 for basic equipment for the centre. Today, it would buy little more than some stationery.
The committee worked for 18 months raising funds through a variety of activities, eventually raising $1000 more than the target.
Cr Ray Basin congratulated the council’s architectural draftsman Joe Smits, and builder Ed Olvier for the design and construction of what he described as a very functional centre.
The centre cost around $300,000. The council funded it with a capital grant from Community Services Victoria of $42,000.
Pre-school directress Margaret McGuckin told those at the official opening she hoped the centre would stand out as a focal point within the Berwick community. Most residents at Brentwood today would agree it has achieved those objectives.
As well as operating as a pre-school and maternal and child health centre, the building also provided space for playgroups.