Liam McNally
This year’s Melton council Mayoral Ball Fund will donate more than $44,000 to two Melton not-for-profit organisations.
Foregoing the annual mayoral ball and donating the allocated funds to grassroots organisations is a tradition in Melton council set by Cr Kathy Majdlik during her time as mayor a decade ago.
This year, Mayor Lara Carli chose for the funds to be split equally between youth homelessness service Hope St, and disability support service Pinarc.
“I chose these two organisations because of the amazing work that they do in our community,” she said.
Pinarc Deputy chief executive Sara Cavanagh said the organisation is thrilled to receive the generous donation.
“Everyday Pinarc therapists work with children, teens and adults across Melton to help them reach their goals and ensure that we live in a community in which people with disability are equal and valued members,” she said.
“We look forward to using this donation to support our work in Melton.”
Hope Street chief executive Donna Bennett shared the same sentiment.
“When we get a wonderful surprise like this it means we can do more for our clients,” she said.
Ms Bennet said the money will go towards the Hope St Melton service which provides independent units for people aged 16 to 20 years for two years, allowing them to re-engage with education and employment and resolve issues such as mental health.
Of the hundreds of young people the program has engaged, Ms Bennet said it has had a 90 per cent success rate in moving people on to private rentals.
“There are many fantastic organisations in the Melton area, and there are many that don’t have a lot of resources for the people they serve, so we’re really grateful we were one of the two selected,“ she said.
“I’m really thrilled Cr Carli gave me a call herself to tell me about the donation. It highlights the strong partnership Hope St has with Melton council,“ she said.
“Together we’re able to support vulnerable young people in the community.“
