Peter Walsh receiving postcards from Echuca Neighbourhood House co-ordinator Sarah Peake, Crossenvale Community House co-ordinator Rob Foran and Lockington Neighbourhood House co-ordinator Tanya McDermott.
Photo by
JORDAN TOWNROW
Neighbourhood House Victoria’s ‘Keep our Doors Open’ campaign officially ended on Friday, December 5.
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Throughout the campaign, community members were asked to fill out a postcard with reasons why neighbourhood houses were a vital part of the community.
Neighbourhood houses throughout Campaspe Shire came together on the Friday to officially hand their postcards to state Member for Murray Plains Peter Walsh.
Mr Walsh will take the postcards to parliament and deliver the messages to Victorian Carers and Volunteers Minister Ros Spence.
Echuca Neighbourhood House co-ordinator Sarah Peake said the response from the local community during the campaign had been overwhelming.
“We were inundated with the postcards. We've had to call out twice for extras to be sent to us, and then we ended up having to print our own copies because we just haven't been able to keep up,” she said.
“The messages on the postcards that we've received have been really clear and really strong and supportive of this campaign.
“I just hope that the minister actually reads those messages and gives us what we need to stay open.”
Representatives from Campaspe Shire Council and neighbourhood houses from across the shire handed their postcards to state Member for Murray Plains Peter Walsh.
Photo by
JORDAN TOWNROW
The campaign calls on the Victorian Government to increase funding for the Neighbourhood House Co-ordination Program by $11.7 million.
The NHCP is the main source of funding for neighbourhood houses across the state and has not seen an increase despite rising costs.
With communities relying on neighbourhood houses now more than ever due to the cost-of-living crisis, more funding is needed to support community members and provide programs and services.
According to NHV, half of the 401 neighbourhood houses across the state could be in danger of closing if a 25 per cent increase in funding is not achieved.
Mr Walsh said he was optimistic that the organisation's pleas would be heard.
“I would be well optimistic that the government will have to do something because (neighbourhood houses) are so important in our community. If they don't, there will be backlash,” he said.
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