Wednesday, 2 August 2023

Ministers statements: community organisations

Lizzie BLANDTHORN (Western Metropolitan – Minister for Disability, Ageing and Carers, Minister for Child Protection and Family Services) (12:29): This government has invested almost $7.6 million in the recent budget to deliver promised projects for local communities. Through the delivering for local communities fund, we are funding 59 community-based organisations including neighbourhood houses, men’s sheds, food relief providers and philanthropic organisations.

Over the winter break I had the chance to visit some of these organisations and see firsthand the difference these investments will make. In Glen Waverley I visited Waverley Woodworkers with the member for Glen Waverley. The local member is a great advocate for this organisation. I know that he is very pleased that this men’s shed are the recipients of a $50,000 grant to invest in machinery and infrastructure to ensure that they can continue to provide the community with the best equipment. It was an absolute pleasure to talk with the shedders about how this investment will impact the important work that they do in their shed for the community.

I was particularly interested to hear that the Waverley Woodworkers have an active toy-making group who make toys and give them to those in need in the community. From childcare centres and kinders to the children of women in corrections, they are providing toys to those in need. Listening to the shedders describe the look on children’s faces when they receive one of these toys was really inspiring. I am sure that this $50,000 grant will help them continue to deliver for the community. I would also note that this men’s shed also welcomes female members, and it was great to chat with members of the club about how they came to be involved with the shed and the reasons why.

I also had the chance to visit Bk 2 Basics with the member for Narre Warren North. This organisation is responsible for providing meals and healthy food for local families, among many other things, such as running a community pantry. It was incredible to see the scale of food and pantry items Bk 2 Basics are able to distribute to their community. Our $100,000 investment in this organisation will allow them to continue delivering their services and help those most in need.

This government recognises the impact our investments into local community organisations will have on them so that they can continue to play an important role in supporting their communities, including older people, regional households, carers and people with disability and culturally and linguistically diverse communities.