General News
31 March, 2024
Community in crisis mode
Concerned parents and residents met with officials on Tuesday night to brainstorm solutions for Hopetoun's childcare crisis.
Concerned parents and residents met with officials on Tuesday night to brainstorm solutions for Hopetoun's childcare crisis.
The Community Information Session at the Hopetoun Recreation Reserve was facilitated by Yarriambiack Shire mayor Cr Kylie Zanker and CEO Tammy Smith, along with By Five Wimmera Southern Mallee executive officer Jo Martin.
Cr Zanker said the meeting was attended by 58 people and described the atmosphere as "absolutely electric."
"Everyone was so engaged and passionate, wanting so badly to find an early years leader," Cr Zanker said.
"If there is anyone out there looking for a community that is going to embrace you, love you, and look after you, this is the service to come to."
Cr Zanker said there were some sad stories shared on the night, with families already planning to cut down on their work hours because of the lack of child care, but that the community was also attempting to support each other and help out with the children.
"It does have a huge impact on the community when a childcare centre, potentially, as of April 1, shuts down," Cr Zanker said.
"There was a lot of support, a lot of rallying as to how the facility could make it work, together, but they definitely need a service leader."
Cr Zanker confirmed Council do not run the centre, but said they are an advocate for the service, advertising and networking alongside Uniting Wimmera in an attempt to solve the problem.
"The community had some amazing ideas and thoughts," Cr Zanker said.
"They are looking at housing so they can entice people to come, housing support and other incentives.
"Wherever possible the community is bending over backwards to find the right person for that role."
Over the course of two hours, attendees discussed short term measures, as well as other long term solutions, such as policy changes.
Beulah’s Heather Sherwell attended the meeting and said
Ms Sherwell’s two-year-old son has attended the childcare centre for 12 months while she and her husband work.
Family support was limited to one day a week, and with their baby due in April, the family are facing having to relocate if suitable care can’t be found in the community.
“My options are to move back to Melbourne, find appropriate private care, or reduce my hours with work - and our budget doesn’t allow for that,” Ms Sherwell said.
Ms Sherwell earlier expressed her concern that Uniting was not doing enough to fill the staff openings, but said she took reassurance from the meeting last night.
"I am pleasantly surprised that the local government is taking a role in attempting to resolve the issue," Ms Sherwell said.
"The crisis is a national issue, but Council is stepping in to come up with ideas and solutions, and giving us something to all work through together.
"It does affect so many in the community, and although I still came out of the meeting optimistic, there wasn't a resolution yesterday.
“I do have a bit more confidence that the cogs are turning and there is potentially light at the end of the tunnel.
"The best people are talking about this and attempting to solve it."
She said transparency is a vital part of the road ahead, and that the limited advertising and lack of proactive communication from Uniting had frustrated parents immensely in recent weeks.
"As parents, we have been in the dark," Ms Sherwell said.
"We don't know how far into the process for recruitment they are, if they have found a solution, if they are nowhere near a solution.
“Not having that comfort is leaving a lot of women not able to go back to work, unable to work at the same capacity and forcing them into being primary caregivers, rather than assisting in financially supporting their families."
Ms Shewell said that Uniting were not completely to blame for the situation, as she recognises there is a national shortage in education.
"People don't see how amazing the Mallee is, and what strong communities and opportunities there are - from an emotional and social aspect, for both families and kids," she said.