Combined not-for-profit opens new branch

A MERGER between two aged care and disability support services now has taken physical shape with an office in Ballarat.

With Merrimu absorbed into Annecto in 2019, branch staff celebrated their launch in Wendouree last month.

Carolynne Smith, general manager for the Western Grampians region said the new space will be a contact point for the organisation’s offerings.

“This was a logical next step to have a retail space where people can come in and have a talk about what services we offer,” she said.

“It was to let everyone know Merrimu is still important to our clients and are now part of Annecto.

“Before this, Merrimu were based at our group services in Alfredton and Annecto were more Melbourne-based.”

The not-for-profit provides home care packages for people in the region and variable NDIS support.

Merrimu was established in Melton in the 1970s with a focus on western Victoria and branched out to Ballarat in 2014 while Annecto started in the 1950s and has 16 offices Australia-wide.

Ash McNeight, acting operations manager for specialist support said the new space gives the organisation a physical presence for the community.

“It’s good just having a real space where people can come in and chat,” he said. “They may not want to know about services. They might walk past and be curious about what we are.

“We want to try to get more of that community involvement in here as well. It doesn’t just have to be groups we facilitate.”