Proud to Attend the Winter Shelter Working Group

On Monday, I had the honour of attending the Winter Shelter Working Group Workshop in Bundoora as Mayor of the City of Whittlesea. It was truly inspiring to witness such a passionate and diverse group of individuals each bringing their own unique expertise and lived experience come together with a shared purpose to support our most vulnerable community members.

The workshop marked the first steps toward forming a dedicated organisation that will provide vital assistance to people sleeping rough, especially during the harsh winter months. The vision is simple yet powerful to offer temporary safe shelter, a warm clean bed, clean clothing, a nourishing meal, a good sleep and the opportunity for human connection and support to those in need.

Whilst I acknowledge that there are already a number of terrific services offering similar forms of assistance, what makes this initiative unique is its community led approach formulated specifically around the needs of people experiencing homelessness in the City of Whittlesea and Banyule. This place based focus ensures that the support provided is relevant, targeted, and built upon local knowledge and experience.

What stood out most was the spirit of unity and collaboration. The group successfully established a management committee and several subcommittees, each with clear goals and a strong commitment to working together. Their collective efforts reflect the very best of community leadership and compassion.

I want to sincerely thank and congratulate everyone who attended and contributed to this formative stage. Your dedication, insight, and generosity of spirit have laid the groundwork for what promises to be a life changing initiative for many across our municipalities.

As Mayor, I wholeheartedly support this important work and look forward to seeing this organisation grow into a beacon of hope for those experiencing homelessness in our City. This just demonstrates that together, we can build a safer, more caring, and more inclusive community for all.