Functions / Services at the proposed BRCC Centre
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Multipurpose Hall with stage and sliding walls
Aiming for flexibility of space and accommodating up to 250 seated guests. Envisaged functions include Balls, Concerts, Weddings, Parties, Art Gallery exhibitions, Conferences, other uses.
Such space made available for rent.
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Library, including Films
Includes film viewing hall / room. Other halls / rooms to accommodate meetings of associated clubs / societies such as Pushkin Foundation, Philosophical / Debating Societies / others.
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Museum of Russian Culture for permanent exhibits.
Also Gallery / Exibition Facility for displays of locally produced or imported Handcrafts / Works of Art. Some of these Gallery / Exibition designs are potentially very decorative and could be as simple as a series of display cabinets / shelving and which could be used to enhance the wall of Library, Dance Studio, Restaurant or other site.
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Orthodox Cultural Centre, including relocation of the present school
Facilities from the two Woolloongabba churches. Perhaps a whole floor of the proposed BRCC Centre could be allocated for this. A space for a chapel is one of the requirements that has been mentioned already. Obviously active input from teachers/church ministry will be expected.
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Secular Russian Language/Culture Education Facility for children and/or adults
Such Facility might be able to use the same floor space as (4) above, but on different days (?).
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Russian (or other) Restaurant and adjoining Bar
There is not a single Russian restaurant in Brisbane; if appropriately developed, it is likely to be an attraction not only to BRCC members, but to many other Brisbanites, including those living in the surrounding High Density Residential.
A Cafe specializing in selected desserts (such as Blinyi +/- Caviar / Piroshki +/- Borsch / Pelemeni / Golubtsi).
Order your Kulich, Pascha and Easter eggs. Tea is a central part of Russian diet - drinking tea (+/- desserts) from Samovar can be relaxing / interesting attraction for the locals.
Vodka tasting at the Bar (?) added attraction.
Cooking classes, especially traditional Russian foods, will probably interest many, including the young.
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Performing Arts - "People's Art"
Education and performing facilities for Folk Songs / Choirs / Russian Customs and Folk Dancing / Ritual rites / Fairytales / Fables / Games / Amusements / Folk musical instruments / Craft workshops (e.g. using birch bark, clay, traditional dress, embroidery, others) Ð now is the time for the interested parties to show expressions of interest and to contribute details and specifications of what they would like in the new Centre.
Dance Studio is almost certainly needed - this could be made available for rent.
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Health Care Facility including Medical services and Community Support services
Physiotherapy, Occupational therapy, Acupuncture.
Social Work, are some examples.
Gymnasium facilities (Rhythmic gymnastics) could complement such environment - these can be made available for rent.
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Liason / Information Service for people new in the area
Providing Interpreter Service, helping with Legal Aid / Social Security procedures / Solicitors / Accountants, others.
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Travel Centre
With special interest in travel to Russia / Russian tours. Other travel services.
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Shop / Retail outlet
For Russian/European food. There is no such outlets in Brisbane presently, people travel to Gold Coast. Russian Gift Shop also seems appropriate - many craftsmen in Russia may be interested in displaying / selling their work in such overseas facility. Physically disabled (but celebrated) artists and Russian orphans, could be encouraged to display / sell their work.
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Accomodation Service
Such as Serviced Apartments / Motel facilities. Special Guest accommodation.
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Caretaker Facility
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Child Care Facility
This might be a highly desirable service to provide in the local High Density Residential environment. Obviously there will be a need to check BCC requirements for such facility and whether these would be possible to provide at this Centre.
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Voluntary Organizations Support Facilities
Such organizations are a "Way-of-Life" for many pensioners and other people in Australia. BRCC Centre must encourage and promote recognition of such voluntary workers efforts and contribution of their time and energy to the local Community Life. For example, in one Brisbane Community Organization, voluntary workers are taken on a monthly tour of the local Art Galleries, as a "thank you" gesture; there are many other ways that such efforts could be recognized.
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BRCC Youth Club Facilities. Undoubtedly the future generation must
be made welcome at such Centre - it could provide Internet facilities and access to sporting organizations. The Centre could be the local resource for National / International Art and Literary competitions and other creative undertakings.
Youth is at the centre of developments and strategies of the Orthodox Cultural Centre.
Similar secular planning could complement - for example ÒSister CityÓ concepts could be expanded and which could add to interesting exchanges with the ÒMotherlandÓ. Sponsors from both sides are probably easy to find.
Youth could be encouraged to communicate by e-mail (or other similar means) with youth in Russia and which could be of mutual benefit - on the Russian side there is tremendous interest in Australia and the English language, while our young could improve their Russian language and make their own discoveries about Russia.
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Car Park Facility
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Modern Kitchen Facilities, including establishment of a Catering Kitchen / Catering Services.
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Storage Facilities
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Boardroom Facility