There was no election commitment or guarantee prior to the budget that funding would continue, with the CMY regional offices set to close if the money didn’t come through. 

But on Tuesday, it was announced $926,000 would be allocated to the regional CMY offices over the next two years, to be reassessed at the end of that time and shared between Ballarat and Gippsland.

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Ballarat is expected to receive $240,500 each year for two years. 

Ballarat’s office opened in 2012 as part of a regional pilot program, with the CMY running in metropolitan Melbourne for more than 20 years. 

Since the two regional offices opened their doors, more than 1500 young people have used their services. 

Ballarat team leader Barry Petrovski said the group was stoked its program would continue. 

“Now we can continue; it means we can strengthen the work we’re doing and expand our service reach across the region,” Mr Petrovski said. 

“The Ballarat population is growing and changing,” he said. 

“There is a need for programs like this that work to promote diversity and social cohesion.” 

CMY chief executive officer Carmel Guerra said the centre’s work was crucial for young refugees and migrants who encountered significant barriers as they tried to settle in Australia. 

“Through this renewed funding commitment, CMY can ensure that services and programs are available to break down barriers, helping young people to flourish when they arrive in Australia,” she said.

“The Latrobe Valley in Gippsland has the second-

highest proportion of overseas-born residents in regional Victoria, while Ballarat has a high per capita quota of international students in Australia.”

nicole.cairns@fairfaxmedia.com.au