Eastern Hub Geelong is a vibrant addition to the eastern Geelong community, providing activities, events and services for people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds.
Built on the original Karingal site on the corner of McKillop and Humble Streets, the $6.5 million hub is the outcome of a six-year journey that commenced in 2010. The project brought together local groups and organisations to establish a community space that is welcoming and inclusive.
Officially opened in April 2016, Eastern Hub Geelong offers a range of indoor and outdoor spaces open to the community and available to hire for business and networking events, community meetings and training sessions.
Maintaining genU’s commitment to enriching the lives of people with a disability, the hub is also home to its assisted leisure and recreation program.
Fast facts
- Is Eastern Hub accessible?
Yes, the building is fully compliant with accessibility requirements. - Who can use Eastern Hub?
Hub facilities, including Seasons café, Rachinger Gallery, community shed and playground are open to the public, while a range of spaces are available for hire by businesses, incorporated associations and community groups. - How do I hire a room?
We offer a simple booking process for the hiring of rooms. Please refer to our Book a Room service for more
details. - How do I find out about events?
Eastern Hub delivers community programs and activities which can be found on our What’s On page. We also publish monthly Hub Happenings which will soon be available on the website.
Our room names
Rachinger Gallery
The gallery in the foyer, lounge and corridors of Eastern Hub is named in honour of Norman Rachinger who worked with children with a disability and special needs at Karingal for 30 years and served five terms as president of Karingal Inc (now genU).
Hinchcliff Room
The Hinchcliff family was among the earliest European settlers and landowners in Geelong and our multi-purpose room is named in their honour.
Connor Room
The larger of two activity rooms is named after J.H. Connor, a three-time mayor of Geelong, Member of Victoria’s Legislative Assembly and a Member of the Legislative Council for the electorate of South Western Province.
Hickey Room
Eastern Hub’s second activity room honours the Hickey family who were one of the earliest European families to settle in East Geelong including Bartholomew Hickey who lived in the area in the 1880s.
Tomlinson Room
Our meeting room is named after Olive Tomlinson. Olive founded the Social Organisation for Handicapped with which she worked until she was 93.
Thank you
genU thanks all companies and organisations who donated to the building of Eastern Hub including our major donors:
- State Government of Victoria, Australia
- Regional Development Victoria (RDV)
- Department of Health & Human Services
- The Percy Baxter Trust
- Adroit Insurance Group
- The Alcoa Foundation
- Give Where You Live
- The Gandel Foundation
- The Geelong Community Foundation
- The Jack Brockhoff Foundation
- East Geelong Rotary
- Geelong Rotary