Established: 1973
Location: 185 Bigge Street, Liverpool
This centre was named after Hilda M Davis, an outstanding local citizen who supported community activities in Liverpool from her retirement until she died aged ninety-nine in 1986.
It seems appropriate that the foundation stone of the Hilda Davis Senior Citizens Centre was laid by the Prime Minister and Federal member for Werriwa, Gough Whitlam on 25 August 1973. During Whitlam’s government, multiculturalism was officially recognised and a policy of assisting and fostering other cultures within Australia was established. This centre has become a focal point for many migrant communities to meet, especially before they have found their own communal space. Recently many Iraqi migrants have settled in Liverpool and for them, this centre has become a meeting place. Bigge Park opposite, is also used for spontaneous gatherings.
The Galbally Report of 1978 recommended establishing services to help successful settlement of people from culturally diverse backgrounds. The report also encouraged maintenance of community languages and cultures. Liverpool Migrant Resource Centre was established in November 1979 and was one of the first such services to support migrants and refugees. The centre is still active, nearly thirty years later, offering groups and individuals facilities such as: meeting rooms, a community library and computer access. It also helps families, children and elderly people, and assists with work placement and English language classes.
In Liverpool approximately a hundred and fifty different languages are spoken and the Centre offers information and interpretation services in many of these languages.
