Funding for Go Goldfields exhausted
Published on 24 April 2025
Despite ongoing advocacy across Federal and State government, Council has been unsuccessful in securing the funding needed to carry on the award-winning work of Go Goldfields.
Since the launch of the Every Child, Every Chance initiative in 2020, Go Goldfields has been working to ensure that every child in the Central Goldfields Shire has every chance to grow up safe, healthy and confident.
Our Go Goldfields team has built trust by listening to and understanding the needs of local families. This information underpinned their work with agencies to improve service delivery, the development of local partnerships, implementation of evidence-based programs, contributions to policy and research work, and importantly advocacy for local children and their families.
One of they key outcomes of this work was the creation of the much-loved facility – The Nest – a safe and welcoming space for parents and carers to learn, connect and share.
Unfortunately, without ongoing funding, The Nest cannot continue to operate and will no longer open across the week for drop-in sessions from Monday, 28th April.
Central Goldfields Shire Interim CEO Sally Jones acknowledged that the closure of The Nest and the threat to the award-winning Go Goldfields work was a regretful outcome for the Central Goldfields community.
“We acknowledge that this announcement will come with much disappointment for local families who have been supported through this work over the years and will also dismay local service providers who have worked alongside the team.
“While as an organisation, we have embraced and embedded many new practices and responsibilities to support the ongoing momentum of Every Child, Every Chance within existing Council roles, the reality is that as a financially challenged rural Council, we are unable to maintain some critical elements without additional financial support from Federal or State government.
“We are seeking appropriate funding for a sustained period to continue the work of Go Goldfields. This funding would allow us to fund a full-time facilitator for The Nest, deliver the localised evidence-based parenting program and employ a Every Child, Every Chance Project Officer to continue providing the much needed ‘glue’ that helps our services work well together.
“It remains our goal that funding will be secured within the next few months so The Nest can reopen to the community, however at this stage we are unable to continue the program due to the current funding being exhausted.
“I extend my sincere thanks and gratitude to the collective efforts of our wonderful staff and service providers who have worked tirelessly for the benefit of local families over so many years.
“I’d particularly like to acknowledge the passion, tenacity and expertise of Go Goldfields Executive Officer and Manager Children and Families Carolyn Bartholomeusz who has worked relentlessly to avoid this outcome.
‘I’d also like to recognise the support of the Go Goldfields Leadership Table – particularly our community representatives, who have been instrumental in supporting this innovative and impactful work.
“If you have the opportunity, we encourage you to chat to our local State and Federal Ministers about why Go Goldfields and The Nest is important to you.”