NOVEMBER 5, 2019 \ STARWEEKLY.COM.AU
NEWS + SPORT + PROPERTY GUIDE
Play centre to close By Esther Lauaki Craigieburn’s 123 Play Centre will be forced to close at the end of next week despite hundreds of parents and regular visitors campaigning to keep it open. Business owners Anthony and Belinda Galizia opened the play centre, the only one of its kind in the area, four years ago in the Craigieburn Central shopping precinct. About a year ago the Galizia’s began negotiations with landlords, Lendlease, in anticipation of an 80 per cent rent rise on the premises – but a resolution could not be reached. Mr Galizia told Star Weekly the rent rise would send them bankrupt within a month. “There was almost no negotiation over the lease,” he said. “Lendlease came to us with the rent increase and that was it … there was no negotiation. “My counter offer was to pay $30,000 a year more than we are currently paying, but Lendlease would not budge one cent. “We have no other choice but to close.” Facebook posts about the closure have attracted more than 500 messages of support and prompted dozens of emails to Lendlease. In an email seen by Star Weekly, a Craigieburn Central spokesperson said Lendlease was “continuing discussions with 123 Play Centre”. “We value the relationships we have with our retail tenants and we want them to succeed,” the email stated. “We know that the retail environment is challenging at the moment and we’re working closely with our tenants on how we can support them.” Long-time customer Katrina Mitropoulos said 123 Play Centre was more than just a business to the community. “I’ve had my kids birthday parties here, there are grandparents that look after their grandchildren during the school holidays that come here,” Ms Mitropoulos said. “Mother’s groups and even groups outside of Craigieburn as far as Kilmore, Mernda and Wallan come here.” Mr Galizia said the support from the community has been overwhelming. “We’ve always been in children’s entertainment in Craigieburn and we started this centre because we felt there was a need for one in this community,” he said. “For an area with so many young families, you need a play centre. “We’ve invested four years of our lives in a business that we love to then walk out worse off than when we started.” The 123 Play Centre’s last trading day is November 17.
Remember our veterans Thousands will gather across the northern suburbs for Remembrance Day this weekend. November 11 marks 101 years since the Armistice that ended World War I and John Lynch, Betty Maher and Maureen Reed will be among those observing a minute’s silence at the Craigieburn War Memorial at 11am, in memory of those who died or suffered in all wars and armed conflicts. Mr Lynch served in the Malayan Emergency and Indonesian Confrontation with the Royal Australian Navy. Mrs Mayer and Mrs Reed both lost family members aboard the wrecked HMAS Sydney II on November 19, 1941. More than half a million poppies are expected to be sold in the annual Poppy Appeal with volunteers from Craigieburn and Epping Returned and Services League members among those out in force across the state. Epping RSL appeals officer Mary Bell said all money from Poppy sales will go to current and former servicemen and women in need. “Our poppy ladies have already displayed a wall hanging saying Lest We Forget made out of handmade poppies outside the [RSL] building,” Ms Bell said. A group comprising members of Epping RSL, Market Fresh Epping and Heart Kids will also be exhibiting photos of their recent trek along the Kokoda trail. A Remembrance Day ceremony will be at Epping RSL starting with a prelude at 10.15am. Poppies are available from the RSL, Woolworths or Officeworks stores across Victoria or volunteers throughout November. Esther Lauaki Betty Maher, John Lynch OAM and Maureen Reed. (Damjan Janevski)
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