Mountain Views
Mail Covering the foothills of the Yarra Ranges & Murrindindi Shires
3 Tuesday, 6 February, 2018
School crossings cut
7
A Mail News Group publication
2018 Preps on the go
2 2 -2 4
Best in local sport
Phone: 5957 3700 Trades and Classifieds: 1300 666 808
Postcard lobby By Kath Gannaway Yarra Glen Living & Learning Centre (YGL&L) is on a mission to secure ongoing State Government funding. The centre which has gone from strength to strength in the past few years is one of only 35 of the State's 376 neighbourhood houses that receive no state funding. With the State Budget coming up in May, and an election looming in November, YGL&L is lobbying to get the funding they need under the Department of Health & Human Services' Neighbourhood House Coordination Program (NHCP) Manager Debra Traill said the funding was vital. "Without that DHHS funding we cannot continue to operate at the capacity we currently do, let alone increase our operating hours to ensure we meet our community's educational, health and wellbeing needs and keep our community connected" she said. YGL&L has pitched in with Neighbourhood Houses Victoria's 2018 NHVic Budget & Election Campaign asking members to sign campaign postcards to be delivered to Victorian Government Families Minister Jenny Mikakos. The postcards call on the Labor Government to honour its 2014 election commitment to invest in and support the expansion of neighbourhood houses, a commitment NHVic says in 2018 has still not been met. Ms Traill and YGL&L committee member Rosalie Collie handed the postcards to State Member for Eildon, Cindy McLeish MP at her Yarra Glen electorate office in January, with a request to deliver them to Minister Mikakos. Ms McLeish told the Mail that Labor's policy on funding of neighbourhood houses is yet to be released. "At this point in time, given preparations are being made for the coming year's budget, the onus falls fairly and squarely on the current government," she said. She said she intends to hold the State Government to account on fulfilling their commitments and would also be calling on Minister Mikakos to invest in the Yarra Glen Living & Learning Centre. Minister Mikakos's office told the Mail that the State Government provides recurrent annual funding of $30.11 million to neighbourhood houses, networks and NHV, including 14 in Yarra Ranges.
Yarra Glen Living & Learning Centre's Rosalie Collie and Debra Traill hand campaign postcards to Cindy McLeish MP (centre). Funding for NHCP has risen each year, a spokesperson said, including an additional $210,000 over two years in 2017 for NHV to support to neighbourhood houses facing operational management and governance issues. Ms Mikakos said the State Government would continue to fund neighbourhood houses through on-going funding, but gave no commitment on whether Yarra Glen L&L would be| included in NHCP funding in the next round. Ms Traill however said funding across the
board is not keeping pace with the growing demands of population increase, especially true in growth corridors and for people effected by rural isolation. YGL&L operates the only neighbourhood house within the Yarra Ranges Council partnership program that does not receive the NHCP funding. "The only financial support we receive is Yarra Ranges Council partnership funding, which only covers expenses such as utilities, insurance, amenities, maintenance and a very
small pro-ratio towards salaries," Ms Traill said. She said the centre is constantly having to apply for grants to secure temporary funding to pay staff who also work a large number of volunteer hours. "Although volunteers will always play an important role in the centre, an increase in financial support is vital to maintain the momentum that has been achieved over the past three and a half years in growing programs and supporting community," Ms Traill said.
12328060-RC43-16
YARRA RANGES
Ph: 5966 9999
YOUR TOTAL REAL ESTATE SOLUTION
David McKee 0419 150 009 david.mckee@atrealty.com.au www.atrealty.com.au
12377913-ACM07-18
•SplitSystems •DuctedHeating andCooling •GasApplianceSales andInstallation
AU36010
SPECIALISTS IN
12339093-LB07-17
GAS HEAT & COOL
Wattyl Decking Oil 4Ltr $58 10Ltr $130 Can be Tinted
Computer Colour Matching OPEN: MON-FRI 6.30am-5.00PM•SAT 8.00am-12.00noon
9737 6833
24d John St., LILYDALE