Emergency relief agencies call for support as Winter Appeal gets underway

BALLARAT Foundation CEO Andrew Eales officially launched the 2025 Ballarat Winter Appeal last week at the Creswick Woollen Mills.

Staff at the mills donated 160 wool blankets which will be distributed to people in need by the appeal’s local beneficiary emergency relief agencies, the Salvation Army, Uniting Vic.Tas, Anglicare, and St Vincent de Paul.

One hundred and twenty more Creswick Woollen Mills blankets funded through the appeal will also be distributed.

Mr Eales said emergency relief agencies are preparing to assist an unprecedented amount of individuals and families across the Ballarat region this winter who are experiencing financial hardship.

“The contribution Creswick Woollen Mills are making to the appeal again this year is incredible, and really important,” he said.

“We’re in a crisis around food and housing insecurity, and we know that from the feedback we get from the local charities.

“So blankets, warm clothes, and anything we can provide to families that eases the issues they’re experiencing is what we need this year.”

Uniting senior manager community engagement and support, Warrick Davison, said agency staff are seeing a growing amount of locals needing help to buy food and pay their bills.

“We’re seeing people who have never presented to a community-based service in their lives, but who are reaching out to services just to help put food on the table,” he said.

“The Winter Appeal helps us to support locals in the region who are doing it tough, especially through winter months, where they’re often faced with a choice of heating their home or using that money to buy food.”

Ballarat Regional Council president at St Vincent de Paul Michael Ryan said the Ballarat Foundation Winter appeal is a targeted way for those who can to support their neighbours in need.

“We all need hope and to have something to look forward to when things are not going so well,” he said.

“I strongly encourage you to support the winter appeal with the same generosity of spirit as in past appeals,” he said.

Appeal partner Blake Family Grocers are donating pallets of food valued at more than $30,000 to the emergency relief agencies.

Donations of non-perishable food, warm clothing and blankets can be dropped off at Anglicare Victoria, 14 Victoria St, Bakery Hill, between 10am to 2pm, Monday to Friday.

Financial donations, which allow agencies flexibility, can be made at ballaratfoundation.org.au by following links to Ballarat Winter Appeal.