CHIRP Community Health in Castlemaine will be able to employ eight new staff members thanks to a funding boost from the state government.
Minister for Employment Jaala Pulford and Bendigo West MP Maree Edwards visited CHIRP on Friday to make the announcement.
The funding is part of the government’s $500 million Working for Victoria fund to support employment and contribute to Victoria’s response to coronavirus.
The local roles will allow CHIRP Community Health to better support isolated and vulnerable community members.
Ms Pulford said the pandemic had presented big challenges to our society, especially for people who were already vulnerable and isolated.
“These jobs have provided both a leg-up to workers who needed a break and a real community benefit,” she said.
Bendigo West MP Maree Edwards commended the team at CHIRP for the work they were doing to support the community during the pandemic.
“We’re creating jobs right here in Castlemaine in response to the increased demand for services,” Ms Edwards said.
Castlemaine District Community Health CEO Dianne Couch said the organisation was thrilled to be able to recruit members of the local community.
CHIRP has already made two new appointments with Sherene Clow taking on a community development role in volunteer engagement and LGBTI+ reach out and Elly Osborne taking on admin, general duties and COVID testing clinic admin roles.
Ms Osborne said she was relieved to secure the job.
“I worked casually in admin at CHIRP prior to the pandemic. At one stage I was working three casual jobs to make ends meet. It is wonderful to have secure employment in my local community,” she said.
Ms Couch said CHIRP had worked in partnership on COVID response with a number of local organisations but had also seen an increase in people seeking support for alcohol and drug issues, homelessness and mental health.
She said CHIRP would utilise the funding to bolster staffing in these areas including the appointment of two more team members on community development in the housing and mental health teams; an admin assistant; a quality role looking at policies and procedures; communications; and an IT role to support staff working on and off site in telehealth.
Working for Victoria has created more than 170 local jobs across the Mount Alexander and Greater Bendigo regions through organisations including the Mount Alexander Shire Council, Greater Bendigo Council, Bendigo Family and Financial Services Inc, Dja Dja Wurrung Enterprises, Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation and the North Central Catchment Management Authority.
A further 92 jobs have been funded in the Macedon Ranges, with the local council successful in securing funding for jobs in roles such as community support, tree planting and administration. A total of 49 of these roles have been placed to date.
Local job seekers can register and their skills will be matched to potential positions. For more information on Working for Victoria go to vic.gov.au/workingforvictoria.
