Labor Candidate for Gippsland Sonny Stephens and Labor Senator for Victoria Raff Ciccone met members of the Bairnsdale Senior Citizens Club on Monday to announce $500,000 funding to find a suitable meeting space for the group.
Working with East Gippsland Shire Council, Federal Labor has identified a disused kindergarten that would be ideal for this group to call home. A full independent review of the building has revealed the site requires significant renovation and refit to be fit for purpose.
This election commitment would put $500,000 towards this build, which would mean the project could be delivered and in use within six months of works commencing.
This will allow the Bairnsdale Senior Citizens to provide a range of affordable, accessible events and activities in
their community.
Currently they do not have stable place to call their own.
With nearly 40 per cent of the population of Gippsland 60 years old – and over 22 per cent over 70 – seniors play a big part in our community.
The Government is committed to providing a welcoming and engaged space for inclusion and accessible activities, particularly when social inclusion can be difficult in remote areas.
Consistent with past practice, election commitments will be delivered in line with Commonwealth Grants Rules and Principles.
“I’m delighted to support the senior citizens of Bairnsdale and surrounding communities in announcing this $500,000 election commitment to create a beautiful, practical and permanent space,” Ms Stephens said.
“Senior citizens are a vital part of our community and I’m proud to work with East Gippsland Shire Council to
make this happen.
“I’m grateful to the local community for supporting this project and supporting each other,” she said.
Senator Ciccone said he was pleased to work with East Gippsland Shire Council to ensure projects like this happen for our regional communities where geographic isolation can lead to a lack of social inclusion
“This project will allow seniors to make valuable contributions to their community, neighbourhood and family, while also enjoying the mateship
and dignity that social interaction provides.
“The Albanese Labor Government is supporting our senior citizens in Bairnsdale and the East Gippsland region,” she said.
Senior Citizens president Peter Drummond said the club had been waiting 23 years for a suitable meeting place.
She said the club had been meeting at the Picnic Point Hall, but because it was a shared facility it was not suitable.
She said it was particularly not suited to people with disabilities.
“We are an organisation with a lot of elderly people and just simple issues such as access are difficult. We also have to pack up all our equipment after each meeting.
“This is particularly difficult for our members,” she said.
“We are keen to work with the shire to find our own place, but we want to be involved with that process.”
Mr Drummond said everyone was excited with Monday’s announcement and “it all looks promising.”
