Official Opening Child Youth Hub
Bellarine Community Health’s (BCH) new Child, Youth and Family Hub has been officially opened in the Kingston Estate in Ocean Grove.
More than 50 people attended the official proceedings, including Member for Corangamite Libby Coker MP who unveiled a plaque acknowledging the Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged Care funding for the building under the Community Health and Hospitals Program.
Ms Coker told invited guests the new hub will provide the right care to people when they need it. “To everyone who’s worked hard to see this project from concept to the official opening thank you, by standing together, working together and sharing knowledge we build a better future, a better community and better health system that serves those that need it most.”
BCH CEO Kathy Russell said the hub is a testament to the power of community collaboration and the support from many dedicated individuals, governments and organisations.
“I’d like to recognise the contributions of those who have helped us get to where we are today – celebrating a facility that will provide important care to children, youth and families in a growing community, close to where they live,” Ms Russell said.
Services operating from the new BCH hub include children’s speech pathology, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, and children’s mental health services including play therapy with some youth services to also be offered from the site.
BCH Board Chair Fay Agterhuis acknowledged the many contributors to the project.
“As I reflect on this project and the importance of community health, it’s not surprising that this amazing building and the services housed within, has brought together so many players – generous benefactors, service groups, community members and government,” she said.
“Community health care is critical, we all need it, we all use it, we all value it and ultimately, we would be lost without access to high quality health care in our own communities.”
The Corless Family Trust generously donated the land in Kingston Estate to establish the hub, with Win Corless, son Jason and daughter Christine all attending the opening ceremony.
“The Corless family is incredibly proud to see this vision come to life. My father, Ed Corless, believed in giving back to the community, and today, we see that vision realized with the opening of this new health and wellbeing centre. We are grateful to Bellarine Community Health for bringing this project to fruition and providing an essential resource for locals. This facility will ensure that quality healthcare remains accessible to the people of Ocean Grove and the Bellarine for generations to come,” said Jason Corless.
The BCH Child, Youth and Family Hub was designed by Four18 Architecture and built by Loaram Constructions. Financial contributions to the development were received from:
- The Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged Care ($4M)
- Corless Family Trust ($2M)
- Anthony Costa Foundation ($150K)
- The Department of Health- Victorian Health Building Authority (Regional Health Infrastructure Fund- Seed funding)
- Ocean Grove and District Men’s shed
- Ocean Grove & Barwon Heads Lions Club
- BCH raised funds through the National Container Deposit Scheme
The project has been designed in two stages and BCH is actively seeking funding, including grants, for construction of stage two which will further enhance the range of services which can be offered from the hub.
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