The centre is now located immediately inside the main entrance to the new library and will be the first point of public contact for people visiting the library providing a one-stop information shop on volunteering and various community resources and opportunities.

Bendigo Volunteer Resource Centre chairman Paul Kirkpatrick said the move marked an important and exciting change for the centre.

 “We see this new location as offering the BVRC an exciting opportunity of being able to more readily inform the Bendigo community on the exciting and fulfilling volunteering opportunities that are available in Bendigo and beyond,” he said.

“We are much more visible here than in our previous premises, we are the first thing you see when you come in.

“It is easier for people to find us.

“This will be a fantastic partnership between the BVRC and the City for the benefit of our entire community.”

Bendigo Volunteer Resource Centre manager Helen Yorston, said while the ventre was grateful to the City of Greater Bendigo for providing premises in Allan’s Walk,  this new location would enable the centre to open longer hours and provide important community development opportunities.

“The staff are really looking forward to engaging with community members using the library and to providing opportunities and training in this new world class venue,” she said.

The move also coincides with Bendigo Volunteer Resource Centre becoming an independent entity after having been auspiced by the Bendigo Regional YMCA for the past 11 years.

 “Whilst we enjoyed being under the umbrella of the Bendigo Regional YMCA, it is now a fantastic opportunity, in our new home, to spread our wings and reach even further into the community”, Ms Yorston said.