Junction diverges to new sites and sounds
Community service provider has outgrown its space and will now expand
to multiple sites in Kingscote with the music program to take centre stage.
By DANIEL CLARKE
22/05/26
A youth music program is hoping to take centre stage in the Kingscote Town Hall as local social enterprise Junction spreads its services across Kingscote.
The organisation revealed this morning that it will transition from its home on Telegraph Road over the coming weeks, embedding its various services and programs across new sites within a co-ordinated network in Kingscote.
Junction's Community Development Officer Maree Baldwin said the "reality is we have outgrown our space and that's such a good problem to have".
"We were having to turn programs away and try and find other spaces because we just didn't have the room," she said. "The building has been awesome to create what a community centre is all about but we realised about 12 months ago that were starting to outgrow it.
Baldwin said the organisation was now in a "really exciting phase as we put life back into community assets".
"It will be a positive move for Council to be connecting with young people by hosting the music program in the Town Hall. It supports that connection and engagement between young people and Council which I know the elected members in particular are really keen on.
"We're looking in the next couple of years to be talking to residents and asking what is it that community actually wants. People now know and understand what a community centre is."
From mid-June, all Junction services (tenancy, Homelessness, Domestic Violence, Community Connections, Emergency Relief, Community Transport SA, Future Ready Volunteer) and FIFO services (Uniting Communities, CAMHS, Southern Community Justice Centre, Relationships Australia, Carers SA, Womens’ Legal Services) will be managed out of 13 Osmond Street.
It is also hoped community and social programs including the after-school popular drop-in program will be housed at Carnarvon House on Telegraph Road.
“Junction has a long-term, unwavering commitment to Kangaroo Island and this is another step in our evolution on the Island,” Junction Chief Executive Officer Maria Palumbo said.
“Over the last few years, we have significantly grown our presence on KI including our community housing portfolio. In line with our vision to further our impact across the Island, and the conclusion of our current lease, we will soon be transitioning to new premises in several key locations all closely located in Kingscote.”
Ms Palumbo said the community would still be met with the same familiar faces at the new sites and contact numbers and emails would stay the same.
“We are very proud of what we have been able to build over the past 11 years, and we are committed to identifying, and assessing, opportunities for long term investment on the Island,” she said.
“At the same time, the work we do and the impact we make is broader than a single location. This transition will enable us to embed our support and presence more deeply across the community.
“We are now contacting people who are directly supported by services and tenancies managed by Junction, as well as those who participate in programs based at the Community Centre; to answer any questions and ensure they can access our new locations.
“We are very grateful to our KI community, partners and everyone for their support. We are excited about expanding our footprint, and importantly, our support, for locals across the Island.”
Questions and queries should be directed to Maree Baldwin on 8553 2809 or 0439 501 235 or email mbaldwin@junctionaustralia.org.au.