The loss of a Bendigo hub helping women advocate for disability support is a symptom of a system close to crisis, a local disability advocate says. or signup to continue reading Alex Reimers said she had "personally felt the devastation and heartbreak" among users over the recent closure of a local "hub" provided by advocate organisation Women with Disabilities Victoria. It was shut due a lack of funding.
Women with Disabilities Victoria is one of 52 independent disability advocacy organisations calling for an extra $60 million in funding for their sector to meet demand in the 2024/25 financial year. "From a personal point of view, it has been absolutely devastating to lose the support and connection of the Bendigo hub as I have not only made beautiful new friends there but have also become steadfast in my confidence and how I am in my community," said Ms Reimers, who is non-verbal, via email. Ms Reimers was unaware when contacted on Tuesday of a federal government funding "lifeline" which had been found for Women with Disabilities, according to the member for Bendigo, Lisa Chesters, and it was unclear whether the Bendigo hub would reopen.
As well as being a point-of-call for issues with the complicated NDIS, the Bendigo hub - where members met monthly for meetings and activities - had been some users' only social outlet and public place of safety in the community, the local advocate said. It had been a place where "for the first time ever, we all feel safe, seen and heard," .
