Membership fees are kept at a low $40 per year for a family, from 2nd Term $40, from 3rd Term $30 or from $15 per term.
Course fees are normally $4 per hour ($8 for the typical 2 hour class session). Where volunteer teachers are not available for courses in particular demand, fees for these classes are higher, to accommodate a fee to the teacher.

Membership Entitlements Include:

• 4 newsletters per year and the ability to enrol in any course.
• Discount photocopying and access to Occasional Care.
• Family membership and participation in social functions.
• Free tea and coffee whilst attending courses and access to small library of craft books.
• Hire of the centre equipment and furniture for functions.

See Lindsay during office hours for further details.

Crèche Roster Options:
As of Term 2 2009, the following policy has been adopted in regard to the various crèche users:

• A compulsory Crèche Levy of $30.00/term will be introduced for each family who use the crèche, (to help with staff costs and crèche consumables), payable on enrolment.
• “Occasional Care” users and “Course Crèche” users will be required to do one 2 hr “busy bee” session/term in the crèche (day and time at mutual convenience).
• “Play Programme” mums will still need to do one volunteer crèche roster/term.

For more information please visit the crèche page.

Refund Policy For Courses:

• Course fees are paid when enrolling.
• Your place in a course is only confirmed by payment.
• If the course you have enrolled in is cancelled for any reason, you will be notified and a refund given.
• If you withdraw from a course before it commences, you will be given a credit which can be used in the following 12 months.
• If you withdraw after the class has started, it is not possible to issue credit or refund fees.

Parking Rules:
Parking at our Centre is limited to 9 cars as illustrated in this diagram. This allows access to the crèche backyard, and provides safe entry and exit onto Beaufort St through the turning circle. Please note that parking in the turning circle is allowed for a maximum of 5 minutes for drop offs and pick-ups only. Street parking is available most times in Lawley Crescent, adjacent to Perth College basketball courts. Please do not park on Beaufort St.

Please Remember:

• Do not park in the driveway if you need to leave the centre early or as soon as your class finishes. Others may take time to collect their children.
• Do not park halfway down the driveway if you wish to leave early, (which assumes others will go around your car to park further down).
• Park close to the car in front to allow maximum use of available space.
• Only park in the small bay if no part of your car intrudes into the turning circle.
• Do not block the turning circle.

Thank you

A Message from the Treasurer Regarding Payment of Fees

Our Centre runs on a tight financial budget, relying on our members to pay their memberships and enrolments in courses promptly. Along with a few fundraising efforts throughout the year, the Centre manages to keep its doors open. In order for the Centre to continue without any financial difficulty, I remind you that after you have enrolled formally in the office, that all fees are payable in full at the first lesson.

Please also note that no re-enrolments will be taken until all outstanding monies have been paid. We don't want any global financial crisis looming at our door in 2010!

Many thanks,
the Treasurer

A woman, renewing her driver's licence, was asked by the woman at Registry to state her occupation. She hesitated, uncertain how to classify herself. 'What I mean is, ' explained the woman at Registry, 'do you have a job or are you just a .....?' 'Of course I have a job,' snapped the woman. 'I'm a Mum.' 'We don't list 'Mum' as an occupation, 'housewife' covers it,' Said the recorder emphatically.

I forgot all about her story until one day I found myself in the same situation. The Clerk was obviously a career woman, poised, efficient, and possessed of a high sounding title like, 'Official Interrogator' or 'City Registrar.' 'What is your occupation?' she probed. What made me say it? I do not know. The words simply popped out 'I'm a Research Associate in the field of Child Development and Human Relations.'

The clerk paused, ball-point pen frozen in midair and looked up as though she had not heard right. I repeated the title slowly emphasizing the most significant words. Then I stared with wonder as my pronouncement was written, in bold, black ink on the official questionnaire.

'Might I ask,' said the clerk with new interest, 'just what you do in your field?' Coolly, without any trace of fluster in my voice, I heard myself reply, 'I have a continuing program of research, (what mother doesn't?) In the laboratory and in the field, (normally I would have said indoors and out). I'm working for my Masters, (the whole family) and already have four credits (all daughters). Of course, the job is one of the most demanding in the humanities, (any mother care to disagree?) and I often work 14 hours a day, (24 is more like it). But the job is more challenging than most run-of-the-mill careers and the rewards are more of a satisfaction rather than just money.' There was an increasing note of respect in the clerk's voice as she completed the form, stood up, and personally ushered me to the door.

As I drove into our driveway, buoyed up by my glamorous new career, I was greeted by my lab assistants -ages 13, 7, and 3. Upstairs I could hear our new experimental model, (a 6 month old baby) in the child development program, testing out a new vocal pattern. I felt I had scored a beat on bureaucracy! And I had gone on the official records as someone more distinguished and indispensable to mankind than 'just another Mum.' Motherhood! What a glorious career! Especially when there's a title on the door.

What the Mt Lawley Neighbourhood Learning Centre means to me!
Each term we hear from both long-time and more recent members on what the Learning Centre has meant to their lives and families as we examine how the Learning Centre has become an integral part of the community over the last 30 years.

Rachel
A couple of years ago I was working part time and looking for something creat ive to do. There are not many courses around on Fridays but the Learning Centre had a watercolour class. Although I had never EVER tried painting I thought "Why not?" and found a great new world. I really enjoyed the classes although I very quickly discovered that I had absolutely no ability. However, our teacher Sue is a most inspiring and conf idence-boost ing teacher, always finding at least some small mark of promise in the worst of my efforts. I also really enjoyed the company of the other women in the class - all equally supportive so that the classes are fun as well as challenging.
Changes to work hours meant that I couldn't get back to classes the following year but as soon as I retired I was back to the watercolour class. I think I have progressed from 6 year old standard to probably 8 or 9 year old standard but am constantly stimulated by the (to me) scary challenges Sue gives us.
One thing has led to another. I now also enjoy listening to my bones creak each Tuesday in the Yoga class and have done my bit to cover the world with Quillos.
I look forward to exploring some of the other offerings at the centre, but above all, I enjoy the company of the people I meet there.
"…Sue is a most inspiring and confidence-boosting teacher… I enjoy the company of the people I meet there."


Sue
I joined the Learning Centre in 1987 and it changed my life. I was new to Perth and didn't drive so my social circle was very limited. My eldest child was 17 months old. Creche places were at a premium and we had to queue on Enrolment Day from 5.30am just to get a spot in the Creche. I met a lovely girl named Jill with a son the same age as mine. The boys became inseparable and are still firm friends today (as are Jill and I). I became more involved in the Centre and as my confidence grew I took on the positions of Programmer, Minutes Secretary and eventually a Coordinator and later a course leader.
The Centre has given me the opportunity to try various crafts, e.g. Stiffy Bows, embroidery, beading, cushion making (evidence of these phases remain in my house!) My 3 boys all attended the Play Program and have even met up with other Learning Centre children at University. Through the Learning Centre I have learnt new skills and made some wonderful friends. To me the Centre is about sharing – recipes, hints, advice and skills. How different my life would be without the Centre.
Of course I no longer need the Creche but I treasure Wednesday afternoons when I can join the Patchwork Girls for a chat and a coffee (and a little sewing). I hope to remain a member for a long time. I wonder what Course I should do next!
"…the Learning Centre… has changed my life. To me the Centre is about sharing, recipes, hints, advice and skills."


Zandra
I originally joined the Mt Lawley Neighbourhood Learning Centre when my children were toddlers as a form of respite from my daily mothering duties. Having recently moved from interstate, it also gave me the opportunity, not only to hone my craft skills and broaden my knowledge, but to meet new people with similar interests. I also believed it important to introduce my children to other little ones in the area, to develop in them a trust in adults other than their parents, and to show them alternate routines and ways of playing from those at home.
In short, a means of developing their social skills in a safe environment. Now that my children are both in the upper end of secondary school, being at the Learning Centre has revived my interest in craft, and particularly, in Yoga. It has also rekindled my belief in the goodness, support and importance of community.
"…the Learning Centre… has rekindled my belief in the goodness, support and importance of community."


"The Learning Centre" - An Integral Part of our Community

Annette
I was introduced to "the Centre" (as it is affectionately known) some 12.5 years ago by a friend I met at playgroup. Over those years I have participated in quite a range of courses - needlework, watercolour painting, yoga (twice), garden sticky beaks, mosaics, beading, quilting, sumptuous lunches, Christmas decorations, chocolate Christmas trees, card making, raising children - the list goes on. My membership-card is very very thick!!
While doing these courses I have had the pleasure of meeting a HUGE range of people. On one level I have learnt a great deal about different crafts but on a another level I have learnt more about myself - what I can do (I never believed myself to be crafty at all). I have learnt the value of a kind word. I have also learnt about the meaning of true friendship and the importance of women in my life and how much I enjoy and value their friendship and company.
I have also had the pleasure of teaching people courses. I feel I have gained so much out of this experience - I find it very satisfying helping someone to learn a new skill and watch them grow with hopefully a little help from me. So what does the MLNLC mean to me? A heck of a lot - it is a very valuable part of my life and the character of our neighbourhood. NB: Annette has been responsible for the multitude of quillo makers over the years at the centre.
"…I have learnt more about myself - what I can do… I have also learnt the meaning of true friendship."


Terena
The Learning Centre has been a sanity saver for me. With two very busy little boys under 4, my two hours scrapbooking photos at the Centre on a Tuesday are my 'me' time. The kids are happy playing in the crèche and I am happy scrapbooking.
I first heard about the centre in 2005 via a flyer at the Mt Hawthorn Child Health clinic. The Learning Centre I found is located in a gorgeous old character house that has craft rooms at the front and a well kitted out crèche and playground at the back. My oldest son Rhys was 8 months when he first started in the crèche. Apart from being babysat by his grandmother, he had never been looked after by anyone else. I viewed doing 'crèche duty' as an opportunity to get Rhys used to the crèche routine and Liz, the crèche supervisor, while I was there.
The Learning Centre allows me to have 'time-out' to myself. At Tuesday morning scrapbooking I can organise and display my photos. I have also been able to do beautiful photo albums for my family. I so enjoy my Tuesday morning routine at the Learning Centre that when I returned to part time work after 12 months maternity leave I organised my work days around having Tuesdays off. We moved 'south of the river' just before my second son, Adam was born. I initially thought that once we'd moved 'south of the river' that Mt Lawley would have been too far to travel. But, it only takes me 20 minutes, which is well worth the 2 hours peace and quiet from the boys.
When Adam was about 8 weeks old I took him along to the centre. The first time back, I kept Adam in the craft room with me (thinking he’d be close at hand for a breastfeed) while Rhys played in the crèche. Rhys, who at the time was 2 and a half became quite stressed and unsettled in the crèche because his baby brother wasn't with him, so from a very early age Adam has been going to the crèche.
The Learning Centre gives me time-out, and the ability to learn new skills - I’ve also done a card-making and quillo course, while the kids are happy and well cared for. It’s a great centre which I’d encourage any Mum to discover.
"…the Centre has been a sanity saver for me… It’s a great centre which I’d encourage any Mum to discover."