Lakes Entrance Community Services Complex open
The Lakes Entrance community will be able to access a range of services in one convenient location following the official opening of the Lakes Entrance Community Services Complex today.
Officially opening the new complex, Minister for Community Development Lily D’Ambrosio encouraged the local community to make use of the fantastic new $5 million Jemmeson Street centre.
The Australian Government has provided $1.7 million and the Brumby Labor Government has provided $1.6 million to help establish the complex. Other regional organisations, including the East Gippsland Shire Council, Gippsland Lakes Community Health, Gribbles Pathology and Regional Arts Victoria also provided funding and support.
“Local people of all ages and backgrounds can now access a range of specific services in the same place they enjoy yoga, exercise and meditation classes, adult literacy and training programs and a venue for meetings and social support groups,” Ms D’Ambrosio said.
“I’m very proud to be here to celebrate this achievement with the community, and acknowledge the work they’ve done to make this wonderful new facility a reality.
“Facilities like this are about more than bricks and mortar – they’re about bringing people together to improve the capacity and strength of the community.”
The Federal Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, Jenny Macklin, said the Yoowinna Wurnalung Healing Service was a key part of the new complex.
“The Australian Government has delivered $1 million to develop the new Healing Service to help local Indigenous people deal with trauma and loss associated with family violence,” Ms Macklin said.
“We recognise the pain that family violence causes to families and how it can damage the life chances of children.
“A lot of thought and care was put into the location of this service to ensure that people would feel comfortable using the centre and victims would be able to report violence and seek help in confidence.”
Other services located in the new complex include the Lakes Entrance Aboriginal Health Service and Gippsland Lakes Community Health.
Ms D’Ambrosio said the project was led by a volunteer Committee of Management, made up of local Indigenous elders and community groups who developed new skills, experience and networks through the project.
“The idea for this project began to form more than five years ago and many people have worked tirelessly to make it happen. The Brumby Labor Government is proud to have been involved in such a community-driven project,” she said.
Member for Eastern Victoria Johan Scheffer said one of the truly impressive aspects of this project was the wide range of support it had received.
“This project is the result of support from all levels of government alongside local organisations, local business and an amazing amount of goodwill and volunteer labour,” he said.
“There have been many dedicated people within the community who have made this project possible.
“This is a fantastic facility that will serve the community for many years to come and everyone who has been involved in this project should feel very proud.”