Wednesday, 21 June 2023

Ministers statements: community organisations

Lizzie BLANDTHORN (Western Metropolitan – Minister for Disability, Ageing and Carers, Minister for Child Protection and Family Services) (12:45): I rise to update the house on how this government is delivering its election commitment of delivering for local communities. This government has proudly invested almost $7.6 million to support local communities. We are funding 59 community-based organisations, including neighbourhood houses, men’s sheds, food relief providers and philanthropic organisations, so they can continue to play an important role in supporting their communities, including older people, single parents, regional households, culturally and linguistically diverse communities, carers and people with disability. Of this almost $7.6 million, we have invested $5.3 million in grants to 59 community-based organisations, including neighbourhood houses and men’s sheds, for the important work they do in supporting their communities, including through the provision of food relief, and $2.2 million for FareShare to expand the provision of nutritious meals to people across Victoria who need them most.

We have invested $80,000 in the Keysborough Learning Centre; $50,000 in the Melbourne Steam Traction Engine Club to help them continue preserving vintage industrial, agricultural and maritime mechanical machinery as well as their history; $80,000 in the Mount Beauty Neighbourhood Centre to keep providing support to that community; $50,000 in Foothills Community Care; and $100,000 in the Hastings Community House to continue their work as a hub for community connection. We have committed $100,000 for the Alphington Community Centre to keep providing support to the community, $100,000 for the Creswick Neighbourhood Centre and $75,000 for the Ballarat Foundation, ensuring hardworking volunteers can continue to provide the services that their communities need. We have provided $55,000 to Port Phillip Community Group and $80,000 to Alamein Neighbourhood House and Learning Centre to continue providing low-cost education. We have invested $100,000 in Knox Infolink and $100,000 in Diamond Valley Community Support to make sure local families experiencing financial or personal hardship can access the help that they need, and we have invested $100,000 in Goonawarra Neighbourhood House to ensure hardworking volunteers can continue to provide the services that their community needs. This government is proud to continue to support our local communities right across our state as we recognise the impact our investments will have in strengthening communities.