Beloved local community organisation, Goranwarrabul House, has closed its doors following severe funding cuts from the Allan Labor Government.
Operating in Seymour for more than a decade, Goranwarrabul House has been the region’s primary point of assistance for the First Nations community during that time.
Seymour is home to one of the region’s larger First Nations populations, with a higher proportion of the population (3.8 per cent) being listed as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander compared to the state average (1 per cent) and national average (3.2 per cent).
45 families relied on the organisation for food support and over 100 people attended services at the facility each week, with some families travelling over an hour to access the support the organisation offered.
Goranwarrabul House provided food relief, court and legal support, medical support, cultural support, referrals, transport, engagement officers at schools, and were responsible for Aboriginal Liaison Officers at hospitals in the region.
The Nationals’ Member for Euroa, Annabelle Cleeland, has been advocating on behalf of Goranwarrabul House since being elected, repeatedly calling on the Allan Labor Government to provide recurrent funding for the crucial community organisation.
“Despite the enormous benefits Goranwarrabul House provides to families across North East Victoria, Labor has made the cruel decision to stop funding one of our region’s only effective First Nations outreach services,” Ms Cleeland said.
“Failing to fund this incredible local service is set to have an enormous impact on the health, wellbeing, and community spirit of First Nations residents in our region.
“While Rumbalara has recently established a pop-up location in Seymour, it fails to provide the same level of community-based, community-led care that Goranwarrabul House has offered the region for over a decade.
“If this Government was genuine in their attempt to close the gap as they so often preach, then supporting community-based organisations like Goranwarrabul House would have been an easy decision.”
Ms Cleeland successfully advocated for a one-off grant of $50,000 for Goranwarrabul House in 2023 and is the sponsor of a petition that calls on the State Government to provide long-term funding security for the organisation.
“This petition calls on the government to provide recurrent funding for Goranwarrabul House to cover their expenses including community program costs, community program contingency, rental expenses, staff and facility costs, motor vehicle costs, and administrative support,” Ms Cleeland said.
“Despite the closure of Goranwarrabul House this week, I still implore everyone to sign the petition and make this Government aware of the significant impact this closure will have on our community.”
Ms Cleeland has also written to State and Federal Ministers calling for the funding to be provided, most recently addressing letters to several ministers at the beginning of October. None of the ministers written to have replied as of yet.
The online petition can be signed online at Goranwarrabul House, Seymour – Petitions – Parliament of Victoria
