General News
15 November, 2024
Despite securing two state level awards, Go Goldfields’ future remains uncertain
Last year, while deep in the throes of postpartum depression, single mum Hayley Main searched for a village that would help raise her newborn son, Heathcliff. She found The Nest instead.
Cocooned in an inviting nook next to the Maryborough Regional Library, The Nest under the banner of Go Goldfields, has provided a designated family space for countless parents and carers.
Ms Main’s family is one of thousands to have benefitted from the initiative and that impact hasn’t gone unnoticed.
As part of the Department of Education Victorian Early Years Awards, The Nest has come out on top in the ‘Supporting Parents to Build their Capacity and Confidence’ category.
It won the accolade last week, in recognition of its “patient, respectful approach” that ensures “parents don’t navigate early parenting challenges alone...”
For most first-time visitors to The Nest, feeling exhaustingly “alone” is a common sentiment.
During her early drop-ins with the then eight-week old Heathcliff, Ms Main had been contending with long-spells of isolation exacerbated by her postpartum depression.
“I did feel quite vulnerable when I first went in but walking in to The Nest was like coming home, it was a breath of fresh air,” she said.
“As soon as I brought up every-thing I’d been through, everyone was incredibly supportive.
“Being in that space, I realised I wasn’t the only one with a lot of personal parenting struggles and the staff managed those experiences really well, with a lot of empathy — honestly, it’s been a great help for my mental well-being.”
She has finally been able to create a strong support network for herself, engaging in regular catch ups at The Nest with other parents.
“I have made some wonderful friends there and we give each other loads of support — we’re no longer alone,” Ms Main said.
“It’s a place where I can be myself. It’s nice to have a space like that, where you can build strong connections.”
However, that foundation is currently on shaky ground and risks collapsing in the coming months.
Unless the program secures $500,000 in funding annually, Go Goldfields could be permanently dismantled — resulting in The Nest’s closure.
If that were to happen, the community would have to reconcile with “a really terrible loss”.
“I’m a single mother raising two kids and The Nest has been an incredible resource for me — the staff go above and beyond for you, it is invaluable,” Ms Main said.
“A healthy community needs healthy, well-looked after families and keeping The Nest running is so important in maintaining that.”
Lack of ongoing funding has been a threat to Go Goldfields’ survival for several months now with reserves quickly drying up.
According to council’s manager children and families Carolyn Bartholomeusz, the team is relying on their recent award success to reverse its financial position.
Along with The Nest, Go Goldfields’ Great Start to School Program also won the state award in the ‘Continuity of Early Learning’ category.
“These awards recognise leader-ship and excellence in the field so we’re delighted to have been successful in two of the nine categories,” Ms Bartholomeusz said.
“It’s very exciting because it is a recognition of the work we’ve been doing over the last couple of years.
“The awards also come with funding of $15,000 each which will go towards the respective programs and while that’s greatly appreciated, we know it’s not enough.
“We have been working on a prospectus to highlight the work we’ve been doing, we’ll provide that to federal and state ministers to assess — it helps to be able to say we’re dual award winners.”
While the Go Goldfields team will continue working on attracting necessary capital, Ms Bartholomeusz said locals could pitch in too.
“As a whole, the initiative adds a lot of value to the shire and all of us should try to safeguard its future,” she said.
“Community members can make a difference too — have a look at our new website, speak to your councillors and speak to your local member.
“That could be a really positive step for the community.”
For Ms Main, as someone whose life has changed for the better with Go Goldfields, the preservation of the program bears a tremendous personal weight.
“At the end of the day, it takes a village to raise children but some of us don’t have that village — The Nest is our family,” she said.
