Voters will be the first to utilise Kiama Uniting Church’s new extension, when the church is used as a polling booth on 4 December. The official opening for the church community will be happening the following day.

“We will be christening it by selling democracy sausages and holding a stall,” says the Rev Kath Merrifield with a laugh.

“It is quite appropriate as the basis of it is that we wanted facilities so that we could offer hospitality to everyone.

“It’s been in planning for a long time to replace tired and outdated facilities that were not accessible to everyone.”

The new building, which links the recently restored lecture hall with the church building where services are held, consists of a foyer, a semi-commercial kitchen and accessible toilets. As part of the works, funded by the congregation, the carpark and surrounds have also been upgraded.

The new kitchen will get a work out on Election Day

“Already people are using the foyer as a smaller meeting space, and moving the old kitchen has enabled me to relocate my office to the centre of what is happening,” says Rev Merrifield.

All of the buildings are now accessible from the carpark.

“It is not just for the use of the congregation, but has always been about us being able to offer hospitality to the whole of the community and we want to develop it as a safe space for all people,” says Rev Merrifield.

“I’m aware there are a number of community services available in Kiama, but there are also gaps, and we are very open to suggestions about what might be helpful for people.”

As yet no decision has been made on what to do with the adjacent old manse once the Kiama Men’s Shed moves out next year.

Out at Jamberoo, the Uniting Church has recently been successful in getting State funding of $32,000 for a disabled unisex toilet, which much looked forward to internal access rather than the current out buildings.