XN000022-1977-12-20 — Page 8

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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 1977

FIRST COMMUNITY HALL ON THE ISLAND OPENS

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URBAN COUNCILLOR, MR. BROOK BERNACCHI, SAID TODAY HE WAS PLEASED THAT THE GOVERNMENT IS ESTABLISHING COMMUNITY HALLS TO PROVIDE RESIDENTS IN PUBLIC HOUSING WITH CONVENIENT ASSEMBLY PLACES FOR MEETINGS, DISCUSSIONS AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES.

HE WAS OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT'S HING WAH COMMUNITY HALL, THE FIRST OF ITS KIND ON HONG KONG ISLAND.

MR. BERNACCHI ALSO NOTED THAT THE GOVERNMENT IS ASSUMING A MAJOR ROLE IN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT WORK.

+ IT IS THROUGH THE INVOLVEMENT OF THE PEOPLE IN PROMOTING THE WELL-BEING OF THE ESTATE THAT THE RESIDENTS COULD BUILD UP A SPIRIT OF MUTUAL RESPECT, CONCERN AND CO-OPERATION - ALL AIMED TOWARDS THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A COHESIVE COMMUNITY, HE SA ID.

ON THE TASK UNDERTAKEN BY THE ESTATE COMMUNITY WORKERS, MR. BERNACCHI SAID THAT IT WOULD NOT BE AN EASY JOB TO INVOLVE RESIDENTS, WITH VASTLY DIFFERENT BACKGROUNDS AND WAYS OF LIFE, TO ADAPT TO THE NEW SURROUNDINGS.

THE HING WAH COMMUNITY HALL IS THE FOURTH ONE RECENTLY COMPLETED AS PART OF A PROJECT AIMED AT PROMOTING COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT. THE OTHER THREE ARE LOCATED AT LEK YUEN, LEI MUK SHUE AND LAI KING ESTATES.

APART FROM PROVIDING RESIDENTS WITH DIRECT SERVIES SUCH AS GUIDANCE AND TUITION FOR STUDENTS, STAFF OF THE COMMUNITY HALLS ALSO ENGAGED THEMSELVES IN ACTIVE LIAISON WORK WITH THE LOCAL COMMUNITY.

FACILITIES OF EACH HALL, WHICH INCLUDE A STAGE, CHANGING ROOMS AND CONFERENCE ROOM SUITABLE FOR HOLDING EXHIBITIONS, SOCIAL GATHERINGS AND THEATRICAL PERFORMANCES, ARE AVAILABLE FREE OF CHARGE TO YOUTH GROUPS, RELIGIOUS BODIES AND OTHER CIVIC ORGANISATIONS.

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