Go Goldfields: $2.5 million

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The ask - $2.5 million over five years 

Investment of $500,000 per year for a sustained period of five years will support the reactivation of Go Goldfields and the peer-to-peer parenting program to continue this much needed work.

Background 

Children in the Central Goldfields Shire are deeply affected by the socio-economic challenges experienced by our community.

The Go Goldfields program proved that a coordinated approach can make a difference. This was a place-based partnership between State Government, Council, service providers and the community supported by core staff.

Despite numerous successes, our ability to make a lasting difference is at risk due to a lack of ongoing funding

The facts 

  • 18.5% of Central Goldfields children were vulnerable in two or more domains (40.7% in one) compared to the state average of 11.8% (and 22.3% in one).
  • 33.6% of children in Central Goldfields are growing up in poverty. Many others are not far above it.
  • Central Goldfields is in the highest bracket for rates of family violence. 34% of these incidents were witnessed by a child.
  • Central Goldfields children are twice as likely to be living with a parent with mental health concerns than other Victorian children.
  • 13% of children in the Central Goldfields area have an intellectual disability, developmental delay or learning disability compared to 8.2% statewide.
  • Almost one in four children in Maryborough live in a family where no parent is working
  • 22% of Central Goldfields families are single parent families (state average is 15%)
  • 45% of Central Goldfields households depend on government payments as a primary source of income
  • People in Central Goldfields are four times more likely to live in a caravan, cabin, or improvised home as their primary residence compared to the Victoria average (ABS)

Establishing The Nest was a key success of the Go Goldfields program that enabled practical and tangible support for families and practitioners in Maryborough. There were more than 2200 family visits to The Nest drop-in sessions between July 2022 and December 2024, with more than 1300 referrals to additional supports and services.

Improvements in social and emotional competence of children starting school despite state and national trends falling between 2021 and 2024.

Recognised as the winner of 2024 Victorian Early Years Awards in categories of:

■ Continuity of Learning – for our work on transition from kinder to school

■ Supporting Parents to Build their Capacity and Confidence – for establishing The Nest

There is no ongoing funding available to continue the life changing work started by Go Goldfields.

Key issues

Economic and social disadvantage: Highest rate of poverty in Victoria with disproportionate levels of poor health, family stress, substance abuse, and mental health issues.

Service gaps and accessibility: Significant gaps in services, geographic isolation and poor public transport further limit access.

Community trust and engagement: Trust in institutions is low, compounded by limited social capital and fragmented service delivery.

Strategic priority

■ Our children and families need continued investment in Go Goldfields to support the ongoing development of integrated community-led supports and service design

Stakeholders and key partners

■ Murdoch Children’s Research Institute

■ Maryborough District Health Service (MDHS)

■ Centre for Non-Violence

■ Bendigo and District Aboriginal Co-operative (BDAC)

■ Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH)

■ Department of Health (DH)

■ Department of Education (DE)

 

 

 

 

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