Centre of support

By Melissa Meehan
UPPER Yarra residents will have unprecedented access to a host of support services with the official opening last Thursday of the newly constructed Shire of Yarra Ranges’ Upper Yarra Family Centre.
The $2.1 million refurbishment of the former Yarra Junction Community Link will provide residents with access to health and development programs for parents and babies, counselling and support services, material aid and a range of council services under one roof.
The centre was officially opened by Yarra Ranges’ mayor Tim Heenan, Minister for Children and Early Childhood Development Maxine Morand and O’Shannassy Ward councillor Monika Keane.
Cr Heenan said the project highlighted what could be achieved when all three levels of government worked together.
The Shire of Yarra Ranges contributed $1.6 million to the project with the State Government contributing $450,000.
The Federal Government gave $46,000 towards developing a multi-sensory playground.
“This is an outstanding facility that will make a huge difference in the lives of Upper Yarra residents,” Cr Heenan said.
Cr Keane, who has been a strong supporter of the hub concept, said the new centre would go a long way to improving service delivery in the Upper Yarra area.
“The Upper Yarra has historically been under resourced.
“This new centre will provide the community with a huge boost and will make it much easier for families and individuals to access important health and community services,” Cr Keane said.
She said in addition to the shire a number of agencies including Anglicare, Eastern Health, Eastern Access Community Health, LinC Church Services Network and Upper Yarra Community House would provide services from the new centre.
Cr Heenan said the centre was the first in a series of multi-service hubs planned by the shire, with new community hubs planned for Monbulk and Upwey.
“Given the strong support for community hubs coming out of the recent 2020 summit, it is pleasing to know that the Yarra Ranges is at the forefront in this service delivery concept,” Cr Heenan said.
Ms Morand said that during 2005-06 there was 1857 births in the Shire of Yarra Ranges, an increase of 2.4 per cent.
“This centre will provide a valuable service for the area by offering a range of integrated health and welfare programs for young families,” Ms Morand said.