The $1.284 million Wallan Community Services Hub was officially opened on Thursday 25 November, providing access to much needed community services and programs with a focus on early intervention and prevention.
The former childcare centre at 42/80 Bentinck Street, Wallan, has been transformed into an integrated community services hub, supporting the anchor service, the Goulburn Region Orange Door.
The Orange Door is a free service for adults, children and young people who are experiencing or have experienced family violence and families who need extra support with the care of children.
The Orange Door Access Point brings together key community service organisations that specifically respond to family violence issues including Nexus Primary Health, Family Care, Primary Care Connections and Rumbalara along with Family Safety Victoria.
Mitchell Shire is over-represented in family violence statistics, recording the 11th highest rate of family violence incidents for a municipality in Victoria as reported by the Victorian Crime Statistics Agency. The shire has approximately twice the family violence rate compared to the state average.
There has been a significant deficit in locally-based family violence and support services in Wallan and the entire Northern Growth Corridor with residents required to travel long distances to access services.
This new centre delivers a key recommendation of the Royal Commission into Family Violence, to establish a network of support and safety hubs which provide a new way for those experiencing family violence, and families who need assistance with the care of children, to access the services they need to be safe and supported.
Consulting rooms, a conference room and separate meeting spaces are included in the hub for the provision of flexible early intervention and prevention for those experiencing family violence and child well-being issues.
The project has been jointly funded by the Victorian State Government providing $850,000 through the Growing Suburbs Fund and Mitchell Shire Council contributing $434,000.
The Orange Door access point at the Wallan Community Services Hub, in Bentinck Street, is open from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday.
