Waratah-Wynyard Council is pleased to announce a partnership with Big hART, who will run ‘The Watershed’ program from the new Wynyard Multi-Purpose Building, in partnership with the Wynyard Yacht Club, when it opens to the public in 2022.
Big hART has been part of the North West landscape since it was founded in 1992 and is a key driver of innovation and community development in the region.
‘The Watershed’ will develop confidence and new skills in vulnerable young people of the municipality, opening up new education, training and event opportunities for the community, including with the local hospitality industry.
The program will provide education, training and events from the new building, partnering with local cafes, chefs, businesses and community organisations to cater for a program of special events.
“This is a great opportunity for the community to come together and collaborate in a wonderful new space that will benefit our youth and surrounding businesses,” Waratah-Wynyard Mayor Robby Walsh said.
Scott Rankin, Creative Director and CEO of Big hART, is excited to bring The Watershed to Wynyard.
“Big hART will work in partnership with the Wynyard Yacht Club to curate a program which brings the community together and has a wide range of inclusive activities which are fun, fresh and contemporary.”
The decision to provide Big hART with a fixed term lease for the café space at the multi-purpose building was made by Council as an interim COVID-19 recovery measure.
“With the uncertainty of COVID-19 and its potential to negatively impact existing cafes and restaurants, Council’s objective is to activate the space without competing with local businesses at this time.”
“Big hART’s residence at the Wynyard Yacht Club is beneficial to our municipality by not only training vulnerable people, but also by helping our local community organisations, businesses and hospitality industry thrive during these difficult times,” the Mayor said.