Calls to fund Yarra Glen Living and Learning in Parliament

State Liberal Member for Eildon Cindy McLeish MP has called on the Victorian Government to provide recurrent funding to the Yarra Glen and District Living and Learning Centre.

Speaking in the Victorian Parliament Ms McLeish said the Yarra Glen Living and Learning Centre is one of 35 neighbourhood houses across the state that do not receive recurrent funding from government.

“The neighbourhood house needs funding to continue to operate at its current capacity. The centre is vibrant and active, with a strong community presence. It offers a wide-ranging program, and they are able to source many program leaders and facilitators locally,” Ms McLeish said.

Ms McLeish said she was impressed that despite the lack of government funding, the centre has been able to increase its membership and offer worthwhile programs to the community.

“Over the last three to four years they have had a great story of strong growth, which has actually seen them triple their membership. This is as a result of their strong governance and management as well as their devotion to the centre.”

“They scrimp and save and now run on the smell of an oily rag. I know the manager now has to do many volunteer hours on top of what is allocated to keep up the centre's presence in the community. It is stressful and very time-consuming for those at the heart of the centre's operations to continue to seek out and then apply for grants to stay afloat,” Ms McLeish said.

Ms McLeish concluded saying that on top of the funding needs of Yarra Glen Living and Learning Centre the government should deliver on its commitment to support neighbourhood houses.

“Labor has failed to deliver on its 2014 election promise to support neighbourhood houses so they can meet their communities' needs. That’s why Liberal and National MPs presented petitions to the Minister for Families and Children this week calling on her to keep her promise,” Ms McLeish concluded.