Media Release by The Hon Julie Collins MP

Families and children benefit from renovated centre in Mount Druitt

Joint Media Release with:

  • The Hon Richard Amery MP, NSW Member for Mt Druitt
    Ed Husic MP, Federal Member for Chifley

The Parliamentary Secretary for Community Services, Julie Collins and the NSW Member for Mount Druitt, Richard Amery, today launched a revamped Communities for Children centre which will benefit more than 200 vulnerable parents and children.

Ms Collins said the refurbished facilities in Mt Druitt would build on the success of the Gillard Government’s Communities for Children program.

“Families in Mt Druitt now have a new meeting room with IT and kitchen facilities and a child care and children’s play area to provide a safe and healthy environment for their children,” Ms Collins said.

“The renovated space will be a real asset to the community and will enable parents to participate in parenting programs while their children are cared for onsite.”

The Gillard Government provides Mission Australia with around $1 million per year until June 2012 to deliver activities at the Mount Druitt Communities for Children including, parenting skills, a service targeted to Indigenous families, play-based activities, speech pathology, mobile child care, and referral to other local services.

“In Mount Druitt, Mission Australia works in partnership with other local organisations to deliver early intervention and prevention services that improve the health and wellbeing of vulnerable children and their parents,” Ms Collins said.

“Communities for Children, a key plank of the Gillard Government’s Family Support Program, provides prevention and early intervention programs to vulnerable families with children up to 12 years.”

Mr Husic said, “I’m delighted to see funding for these much needed facilities coming the way of Mt Druitt.”

“I’m sure they will help support many local families in need.”

Mr Amery said the renovated building and new play area would help ensure families in Mount Druitt who face significant disadvantage get the extra support they need.

“This is an example of Governments and local organisations working together to deliver services which meet the community’s needs,” Mr Amery said.

“The early years of a child’s life are critical and these vital early intervention and prevention services work towards ensuring that Australia’s children have the best possible start in life,” Mr Amery said.

The Mt Druitt children’s centre has received a $44,500 Community Building Partnership grant from the NSW Government to undertake the renovations.