The time has come for a community organisation in Shepparton to close its doors.
The Point of Difference Studio is saying goodbye after five years of creating a safe space for community members.
The warehouse off Benalla Rd, where the POD Studio was located, was designed to be a safe space for people of all cultures to come together and connect with their culture and others.
The Know Your Roots Program in particular helped connect students with local community leaders to share in Pacific Island cultures.
Co-founder Betul Tuna said that at first, she and her co-founder Mellisa Silaga thought they couldn’t afford the rent for the warehouse, but then received an offer that seemed too good to be true.
“We made a verbal agreement saying we would get a 12-month pilot program,” she said.
“We did the 12 months, hoping that we would be able to demonstrate, document and collate the information needed and put it forward to sustain funding for the future.
“Unfortunately, the pilot program was never implemented.
“Sad to say, I think I know we did the work.”
Although the POD Studio had the option to fundraise, they actively chose not to for an important reason.
“We don’t do (fundraisers) on purpose,” Ms Tuna said.
“The people who are going to donate are the people who need our services the most.”
POD Studio moved to the Benalla Rd warehouse after its original space in Mooroopna was flooded in October 2022, prompting a search for a new home for the studio.
“After COVID and the floods, we knew that we needed something bigger that could store and house people as well,” Ms Tuna said.
“(This) was one roof for us to do all of our youth work, advocacy, activism, events, festivals and consultations for departments. That’s how we used the space.”
Although they’re disappointed to close, Ms Tuna said they’re “free-spirited” and have possibly “outgrown physical spaces”.
“Our work will continue as long as we’re breathing,” she said.
“A part of the issue was also that, maybe, we don’t fit in four walls.
“We started in backyards and at the lake, we’ll just go back to that. I think we might stay in that place for a while, to be honest.
“But if people insist that we have a space, I’ll put effort in to make that happen again.”
First Nations people have been, and will continue to be, a important voice in helping shape the POD Studio’s next steps.
“We run with a board, we listen to Elders, and people along the way,” Ms Tuna said.
“We will always stand in solidarity alongside First Nations communities.
“We’ll stand and do whatever it is that they need or ask us to do.
“That’s always our number one priority.”
Although they are sad to be saying goodbye to the space, Ms Tuna said the team was proud of everything they’d accomplished, and their work wouldn’t stop because the studio was closing.
“(As a) mainstream service, unfortunately, we are no longer open for business,” she said.
“(But) our homes, hearts, minds, efforts, energy, breath, as long as it exists, will always be available.
“We’re proud of everything we’ve accomplished.
“We’re proud of saying we’re shutting our doors. We have no regrets.”