Providing Assistance to Outlying Communities

Our project has been a huge success with relationships in new communities formed and a regular service to outlying areas established. Even with Covid-19 restrictions we have still managed to provide a regular service to the four major shires we set out to assist. With the pandemic the dire financial situation in these remote areas has increased and the referrals have increased from 40% to over 55%.

A weekly service has been provided to Mt Alexander Shire in conjunction with the Castlemaine Maternal Child Clinic which provides the same service to Chewton & Campbells Creek. In the Campaspe Shire we have established a relationship via the Elmore Kindergarten and also the Echuca Toy Library and their surrounding communities. Loddon Shire has been connected to our service via Kerang Maternal Child Care Workers and Central Goldfields Shire it is via Maryborough.

All in all these connections have been provided with $296,070 worth of goods and we have supported 664 children from 402 families. The majority of cases have come from a background in domestic violence or financial stress.

The goods supplied are :-

• 111 Prams (both double & single)
• 135 Cots / Basinets
• 129 Car Seats
• 396 Toiletry Bundles 
• 429 Clothing bundles
• Other goods such as high chairs, linen, toys and furniture items.

All outcomes outlined in original submission have been met and in most cases surpassed. No variations to be noted.