Stiff cheddar

By Lia Bichel
EMOTIONS flared when Casey residents gathered in Narre Warren last week to say goodbye to redundant staff of the Old Cheese Factory.
Until eight weeks ago, the Narre Community Learning Centre (NCLC) had tender to manage the Berwick venue.
It received tender for the facility 12 years ago, and rebuilt it from a derelict building known as Springfield Estate to a venue used for numerous activities, classes, community programs and weddings.
Local residents and NCLC employees cried and some spoke out in anger about the council’s decision to not re-instate the tender.
Casey Council said that after a review, it determined in-house management would be the most effective management structure for the venue.
One resident likened the farewell to a funeral and another said Casey Council had stuffed up.
“It was a derelict dump turned into an absolute jewel,” one resident said, “but now the dragon has taken it off you – it was the wrong decision.”
NCLC chief executive officer Wayne Hewitt said it was a sad time for the NCLC.
“We have spoken about our concerns to council but there really is nothing else we can do,” Mr Hewitt said.
“We are so proud of the work we have done and don’t know what’s going to happen to it now.”
Mr Hewitt said Casey Council offered four of the five staff three month positions from 3 July, but has since retracted the job offer to horticulturist Vanessa Knapp.
Mrs Knaap said she went through an interview process and received a three month position following the loss of the tender, but was told on Thursday that she would not be needed.
Her husband Paul was a manager at the Old Cheese Factory until January, when he was in a serious motorcycle accident which left him with several injuries and unable to work.
He said the Old Cheese Factory had been a huge part of their family life and they were devastated about the council’s decision.
The couple have three children, the oldest who is unwell, and said the news had added more stress on the family.
“It doesn’t rain it pours at our house,” Mrs Knaap said.“I was in shock when I was told I wasn’t needed. I don’t need any added stress. I am a bit numb.”
Mrs Knaap said it would be a huge loss for the facility if the plants in the gardens did not receive specialised care.
She said there were many heritage plants at the venue, some more than 100 years old.
City of Casey director planning and development Peter Fitchett said a recruitment process was done to appoint casual staff in an interim staffing structure, during which the council was able to draw upon significant facility management experience.
“Following the appointment of a full-time facility coordinator, permanent positions will be advertised and recruited,” he said.
Mr Fitchett also said the council had professionally qualified horticulturalists employed within its Parks and Reserves Department who would oversee the future development of the gardens.
He said the Old Cheese Factory would be managed by council’s leisure facilities team who oversaw similar facilities like Myuna Farm and Wilson Botanic Park.
“They are also responsible for supervising the Casey ARC, RACE and The Shed contracts as well as Casey Fields, which receive over a million visitors each year,” he said.