General News
10 January, 2025
Funding sought for initiative
With Go Goldfields’ future still in doubt, the Central Goldfields Shire Council has written to both state and federal governments in a plea for funding to continue the initiative’s work.
With a high rate of social disadvantage in the 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.
Late last year, the success and impact of Go Goldfields was publicly recognised in a state-wide context with Go Goldfields taking out top honours in two categories at the Victorian Early Years Awards.
However, despite this recognition at a state level, the initiative has been unable to secure ongoing financial support from a government level, requiring around $500,000 annually to continue.
Central Goldfields Shire mayor Grace La Vella said despite measurable progress over the initiative’s 10-year history, 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,” she said.
“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.”
Internal research by Go Goldfields indicates there’s been a significant upswing in participation as a result of the program.
Participation of 15 hours of kinder each week rose from 33 percent in 2019 to 85 percent last year, while engagement in first-time parent programs has risen from three percent in 2019 to 60 percent in 2024.
Go Goldfields’ The Nest, a space that enables parents and carers to connect, access support and link to services has seen more than 2200 family visits since July 2022, with more than 1300 referrals to additional supports and services made in that same time frame.
Council has sent both a letter and prospectus to the Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan and relevant state and federal ministers in a bid to continue Go Goldfields’ work in the community.
“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,” Cr La Vella said.
“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.”