Funding blow for clinic

By Melissa Meehan
YARRA GLEN has been without a doctor since September last year.
Led by Marjorie Woollands, the Yarra Glen Chamber of Commerce and the Yarra Glen and District Township Group have been working hard to find both a doctor and appropriate rooms to set up a clinic in the town.
At this stage they have secured a willing doctor and the Uniting Church has agreed to lease Cameron House to be used as a clinic.
While there have been many positive steps made towards the opening of the clinic, early last week the groups were dealt a devastating blow.
During a meeting with McEwen MP Fran Bailey, the two groups were advised that they would no longer receive the promised $55,000 government funding towards the clinic.
While disappointed that Ms Bailey had told the groups she had secured the money last year, Ms Woollands said that a minor setback would not deter the groups.
“We are obviously disappointed about the funding, but we won’t let it knock us back,” Ms Woollands said.
“We’re still determined to have a community outcome. One way or another.”
Ryrie Ward councillor Jeanette McRae said that she was very disappointed when she heard that the groups would not receive the funding.
“I’m very disappointed that the money that our Federal member, Fran Bailey, had assured us was available for the doctors surgery does not seem to be there,” Cr McRae said.
Ms Bailey told the groups while she could not get the funding for the clinic she would find someone to donate paint for the surgery and would look into securing former Seekers member Athol Guy to perform at a fundraising concert at the racecourse.
Ms Woollands said that while the loss of the funding was a hurdle that the groups were determined to overcome, she said it would be a difficult task to complete the remaining refurbishment without community support.
“Fran said that she secured the funding, so on that basis we went ahead,” Ms Woollands said.
“We have already had wonderful support from many in the community, we have already had people donate fittings, labour, paint, rocks for the car park, windows, a sofa, table and chairs.”
Ms Bailey was unavailable for comment.