Funding needed to continue critical work

Published on 10 December 2024

Central Goldfields Shire is calling on both Federal and State governments for the funding needed to continue the critical work of Go Goldfields.

With a high rate of social disadvantage in the Central Goldfields Shire, the work Go Goldfields has conducted over many years continues to be vital for local families.

In 2020 Go Goldfields took a deliberate approach to address local social disadvantage through actively building confidence and capacity of families and focusing on ensuring children have the best start in life, using collaborative place-based solutions.

Last month, the success and impact of Go Goldfields was publicly recognised in a state-wide context with Go Goldfields taking out top honours in two of nine categories at the Victorian Early Years Awards.

Central Goldfields Shire Mayor Cr Grace La Vella said despite measurable progress and considerable progress over many years, support was urgently needed for Go Goldfields to continue.

“Despite our successes, entrenched socio-economic disadvantage, and its effects on our children, will take generations to overcome.

“Go Goldfields has developed a promising foundation for change through the Every Child Every Chance initiative but the model needs ongoing financial support to maintain momentum and achieve the change.

“Unfortunately Go Goldfields has no ongoing funding. This means, without State or Federal Government backing, Go Goldfields cannot continue its vital work and support the community’s journey towards enduring change.

“To embed the principles of Go Goldfields and to ensure every child in Central Goldfields has every chance to grow up safe, healthy and confident we need investment.

“To support our continued advocacy to State and Federal government, we’ve developed a prospectus to help strengthen our ask of government.

“We hope that through telling the Go Goldfields story we can secure the investment needed to ensure progress and momentum can continue.”

A letter, along with a copy of the prospectus - “An opportunity to invest in community driven change”(PDF, 1MB) - will be sent to the Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan and relevant state ministers, along with Federal Government ministers this week.