QHub
Chris COUZENS (Geelong) (09:55): Last week I had the great pleasure of officially launching the new QHub in Geelong. I want to acknowledge the years of advocacy, influencing, collaboration, hard work and care that has been led by many people. Without their fortitude and vision to improve safety and supports for our LGBTIQA+ young people, we may not have this life-changing service. I want to thank Karen Field, the CEO for Queerspace Drummond Street, and Jack Khouri, the manager for QHub, and his amazing team, for all their valued work. QHub aims to increase inclusion and connection and improve mental wellbeing for young lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and gender-diverse, intersex, queer and asexual people across regional Victoria. It will be a safe, affirming, inclusive space, set up to provide services and connection for local LGBTIQA+ youth up to the age of 25 who are referred to the service. It will provide critical and centrally located supports and services for young rainbow people in the Geelong region, and it will also have an outreach to Surf Coast shire. This is a vital, life-saving rainbow program that has the voices of local communities and young people at its heart. Local safe spaces can greatly help to address the health and wellbeing issues experienced by vulnerable young people in regional areas. Young people – (Time expired)