St Vincent de Paul (SVDP) Assistance Centre in Lakes Entrance was officially opened just over 12 months ago and sadly they are seeing increasing demand for their services.
Prior to opening the centre located on The Esplanade they operated out of St Nicholas’ Church, but it was not really appropriate to their needs.
“It did show us that support from SVDP was needed in Lakes Entrance,” president of the SVDP conference Bairnsdale, Trish Veevers, said.
“Public transport to Bairnsdale is very limited and presents time challenges, with public transport from Orbost even more of a challenge.”
The time at St Nick’s gave SVDP the evidence that an assistance centre office was needed in Lakes Entrance and so it happened. Trish is proud of all the work done at this centre by very dedicated volunteers.
“We are all aware of the housing crisis across the country, the state and very definitely across East Gippsland. There is a community of people who sleep rough here every night at Eastern Beach, on the dunes, in every public toilet, by the fishing club. These are desperate people, men, women and sadly some children. Age does not guarantee housing security,” Ms Veevers said.
IMAGE: President of the Saint Vincent de Paul conference Bairnsdale Trish Veevers (second from right) with volunteers at the Lakes Entrance Assistance Centre are calling for more volunteers to join the team.
