Six months after a western suburbs volunteer agency pleaded for a state government lifeline, Volunteer West says it has not received funding certainty or a ministerial meeting it had been promised.
The Altona-based agency – serving Maribyrnong, Hobsons Bay, Wyndham, Brimbank, Melton and Moonee Valley – could close in June if it does not receive permanent funding.
The agency matches volunteers to their interest. It could be anything from helping migrants learn English to driving children to soccer training.
General manager Emma Sharp said Western Metropolitan Liberal MP Bernie Finn had been approached for help, ahead of November’s state election.
“Our funding is still only locked in until the end of June,” she said.
“The department that was looking after our area has been got rid of and rolled into social services.
RELATED: Giving back to others a boon
“We don’t really know what’s happening. We’re really seeking to know by the end of this month or mid next month if there are any plans to cut it and, if so, what that is going to mean for us. It could mean shutting our doors or merging with another organisation, which we really don’t want to do.
“We’d like to stay independent and open.”
Ms Sharp said it was concerning that the Liberal Party had no minister for volunteering, unlike its Labor counterpart (John Eren).
Ms Sharp warned the agency’s closure would increase social isolation, particularly among migrants and unemployed residents, in a region of high disadvantage.
More than six months ago, Mr Finn called on parliamentary colleague, Community Services Minister Mary Wooldridge to meet Volunteer West with a view to supporting the organisation. A meeting is yet to eventuate.
Mr Finn did not respond by deadline.
GOYA DMYTRYSHCHAK
