Tracey Steiner and other community members angry at the potential loss of their community house.
JUST days before its funding is due to run out, representatives of the Delacombe Community House will today meet with Victoria’s Department of Human Services in an attempt to save the organisation.
Established with $300,000 funding from the Victorian government, the community house recently ended an auspice agreement with Child and Family Services Ballarat to become independently incorporated.
After June 30, CAFS plans to sell the Leawarra Crescent property while changes in funding arrangements from DHS have also threatened the organisation’s co-ordinator position, meaning that programs may have to cease in just over a week.
Ownership of resources and equipment used in the building, including televisions and computers, will be determined during a CAFS audit which is expected in coming days.
Delacombe Community House chair Che Vincent said yesterday volunteers feared they were facing “the beginning of the end”.
“We have just been advised by CAFS that they are coming to remove their possessions from the house before June 28 with us to vacate by the 30th of June,” she said.
“We requested a two-week extension but have yet to be given an answer but it is not looking promising,” she said.
Volunteers usually involved in the Homework Club for migrant children and recreational and education programs for people of all ages this week began cleaning the house and packing belongings.
Ms Vincent said the community house would appeal to the community and businesses for help relocating.
“It would be great find a generous business or organisation in the Ballarat area that could help us remove and store our belongings before the end of June or assist us with a new venue,” she said.
“We would be happy to try anything at this point.”
CAFS recently contacted various community service organisations about the purchase of the property before listing it with a local real estate agent.
The changes are expected to see the Ballarat East Community House and Phoenix Hub at Sebastopol boosted, leaving the Delacombe community without easy access to services.