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No reprieve for crisis program By Charlene Macaulay Wyndham council has denied a request by UnitingCare Werribee Support and Housing (WSH) to continue funding its Wyndham Wellness Program. The council, which had funded the service since the 2007-08 financial year, said it could no longer “fill the gap” and that state and federal governments should have primary funding responsibility for the program. The council said it would work with the program to find sources of funding and advocate for expanding support services for Wyndham residents.
A report tabled at Monday night’s council meeting said cost-shifting from state and federal governments and the introduction of rate-capping meant Wyndham council had to “become even more realistic, transparent and focused about its roles and responsibilities and what it has the capacity to resource”. Cr Marie Brittan said the council had given more than $700,000 to the Wyndham Wellness Program but could not continue to fund a program that should be covered by the state or federal governments. “There has been significant investment in just one program, and council has never
committed to fund Wyndham Wellness on an ongoing basis,” Cr Brittan said. The council’s stance comes in response to a 324-signature petition lodged at the January council meeting calling on Wyndham to restore funding to the program, which supports residents in financial crisis. Funding was cut last December because of a change in the council’s grants scheme. The program, which supported up to 400 residents a year, offered immediate support for people threatened with eviction or suspension of utilities or in need of interest-free loans for car maintenance.
UnitingCare WSH chief executive Carol Muir said the program’s board had been self-funding the program since council funding ceased, and it was approaching the community and corporate sectors to keep it running. “For five years now we’ve been looking for alternative auspices,” she said. “It’s very clear to us, and to the council officers who have been working with us, that the Commonwealth and state governments do not fund municipalfocused programs that cover every age and target and cover a range of issues. “We believe strongly that it’s a municipal responsibility.”
A trail worth blazing Hundreds of locals will be pounding the pavement this Sunday in one of Wyndham Rotary’s biggest fundraisers. The club’s Fun Run will start at Chirnside Park at 8.30am and wind along the Werribee River Trail. Wyndham Rotary’s Max Coster says entries are up 12 per cent on the same time last year, with more than 360 so far registered to take part. Keen runners can still sign up for the fivekilometre or 10-kilometre courses. For those looking for a more leisurely outing, there are four-kilometre and eight-kilometre walking tracks. The fun run has raised more than $60,000 in the past nine years for the Royal Children Hospital’s Good Friday Appeal. The club is also running a community festival for participants to enjoy at the end of
The Select Entry Learning Program
( Wyndham’s only Department of Education Accredited Select Entry Program)
A special program for students who enjoy challenges and have a desire to excel. It features: • • • • • •
A challenging Academic Curriculum Full participation in the Arts, Sport and Technology A wide range of co-curricular activities An advanced Instrumental Music Program A group of supportive and highly motivated peers Outstanding Year 12 results
their run. It will include community displays, a jumping castle, a petting farm and other entertainment. Wyndham Vale couple Joanne and Paul Griffiths and their daughters Haylee and Caitlin will all tackle the eight-kilometre walk. Ms Griffiths says it’s the second year her family has signed up for the event. “I’m doing another thing called My Peak Challenge – it’s all about challenging yourself,” she said. “I thought it’s a great way to get the family involved and push us out of our comfort zone. “We did it last year and really enjoyed it.” For more information, go to www. wyndhamfunrun.org. Charlene Macaulay
Haylee, Paul, Caitlin and Joanne Griffiths will be doing the eight-kiloemtre walk. (Damjan Janevski)
Werribee Secondary College congratulates THE YEAR 12 CLASS OF 2015 Top 3 IB Students
Top 3 VCE Students
Jospeh Guo
Dalena Nguyen
Ramanpreet Manchanda
Top 3 VCAL Students
Seo Young Park
Norman Manuela
Javan Filer
Congratulations to our second group of International Baccalaureate students who completed Year 12. Our student’s results were once again outstanding. Werribee Secondary College is the first (and only), Victorian Government School to offer the IB.
Jobeline Madrid
Fetle Nega
Soo Hliang Pe Than
ATAR’S of 90+ • Joseph Guo
Year 7 Applications for 2017 are now open. • Dalena Nguyen • Fetle Nega Contact the College for an information • Alando Nguyen package.
• Xiaodong Su • Ramanpreet Manchanda (IB)
• • • • • •
Seo Young Park (IB) Jane Raman Zhuoan Liang Maryam Schegeninejad Yixin Gao Emily Thompson
• • • • • •
Sarah Hussein Geon Woo Bae Jobeline Madrid (IB) Afyeda Rahman(IB) Somhita Chatterjee Hai Pham
Tertiary Scholarships Awarded
Muhammad Al Islami: Access Melbourne Haylee Griffiths: VU Achievement Scholarship Sarah Hussein: Swinburne Dean’s scholarship Joseph Guo: Monash Vice Chancellors Scholarship
Krstomir Dusanovic: Access Melbourne Sabrina Papinot: Access Melbourne Maryam Schegeninejad: Monash Vice Chancellors Scholarship
For further Information about the International Baccalaureate program please call the College.
Emily Thompson: Equity Scholarship Melbourne University
The Werribee Secondary College Community extends to all our graduates IB, VCE and VCAL, our best wishes for their future endeavours.
WERRIBEE SECONDARY COLLEGE YEAR 7 2017 PARENT INFORMATION EVENING WEDNESDAY, 2 MARCH AT 7.00PM IN THE COLLEGE AUDITORIUM For further information or to book a tour please contact the College 12 WYNDHAM STAR WEEKLY \ FEBRUARY 24, 2016
T. 03 9741 1822 E. werribee.sc@edumail.vic.gov.au W. www.werribeesc.vic.edu.au
45 Duncans Road Werribee