I LIVE in the City of Maribyrnong and am studying Community Development at Victoria University. I want to show my full support for the WFNH (West Footscray Neighbourhood House) campaign for proper and deserved funding.
The WFNH is currently under-resourced. It is only run for 25 hours per week and cannot meet the rapidly growing, complex needs of the community without proper funding. In the West Footscray area, we have many diverse cultures including newly arrived refugees and migrant communities who need support for their settlement.
The WFNH plays a very important role in addressing newly arrived communities’ needs and helping them to feel a sense of belonging in Australia.
They run ESL classes, community festivals, family and children’s activities and community projects like the Women’s Welcome project to name a few. The current lack of funding means that this important work cannot be sustained.
This fantastic community centre deserves full time funding and should not be neglected. I hope the State Government will fund it full-time.
Tluang Hnin Thang
Victoria University
Community Development student
