By Olivia Condous
An organisation working to support disadvantaged residents across the western suburbs has expanded its services with a new facility in Melton, in order to help even more families.
The Western Emergency Relief Network (WERN) is a not-for-profit organisation that supports people experiencing homelessness, family violence, mental health issues, refugees and those impacted by fires or floods.
WERN has gained a new, larger warehouse in Ravenhall supplied by Melton council, in order to continue working to help vulnerable people across the west.
The organisation has helped families since 2015 by giving them quality second-hand furniture, whitegoods and electronics.
The support service assists families and individuals in several council areas including the Melton, Moorabool, Brimbank, Hobsons Bay, Maribyrnong, Hume and Wyndham.
The organisation was originally set up by the Bacchus Marsh, Melton, Wyndham and Sunshine rotary clubs and is now supported by ten more clubs from across the western suburbs.
Melton council has offered WERN a low-cost lease on the new warehouse for 20 years.
Melton mayor Goran Kesic said WERN was an incredibly important not-for-profit organisation that provided essential emergency services to communities in the west.
“These services are in even greater demand since the impacts of the pandemic and the increased cost of living has hit every household over the last few years,
“Emergency relief is absolutely critical, and I’m very pleased that we can play our part to support a key organisation in its important work,” Cr Kesic said.
Western Emergency Relief Network chair Tony Ebejer said the new warehouse meant WERN had an “exceptional” opportunity to raise their support level for clients.
“WERN has been delivering emergency relief in the form of household goods across the west of Melbourne for the past seven years and to date has assisted over 7000 Australians with over 61,000 re-gifted items,” Mr Ebejer said.
“WERN is extremely pleased to partner with the City of Melton to deliver material aid to those in crisis within our community.”
