Nationals Member for Euroa Annabelle Cleeland has put pressure on the Allan Labor Government to provide adequate funding for Seymour’s Goranwarrabul House, a community organisation providing crucial services for local First Nations people.
Goranwarrabul House is currently seeking $380,000 in annual recurrent funding, which will be essential in providing First Nations people of the Euroa electorate and beyond with many forms of support and care.
As it stands, the crucial community service’s funding is set to expire this month after no new funding was included in this year’s Victorian State Budget.
Ms Cleeland has continued to advocate for the organisation in recent months and recently raising their funding concerns in Parliament.
“Goranwarrabul House means ‘Gathering Place. Healing Place. Pleasant Place’ – and it truly lives up to its name,” Ms Cleeland said.
“This crucial service provides food relief, court and legal support, medical support, cultural support, referrals, transport, and they are the only local option for Aboriginal Liaison Officers at hospitals in the region.
“45 families rely on Goranwarrabul House for food support each week, and over 100 people attend services each week.
“As it stands, this community group will no longer be able to operate without an increase in their annual funding to cover wages, vehicles, rent, maintenance, and general supplies, while also allowing them to host their support groups, outings for children, and their NAIDOC events.
“If this Government is genuine in their attempt to close the gap, then supporting community-based organisations like Goranwarrabul House would be a fantastic first step.”