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Support Register makes “appropriate” move in Ocean Grove

July 20, 2024 BY

L-R: Bellarine Community Support Register volunteers Karen Thornton, coordinator Debbie MacLeod and Prue McDonough in the register's new space at Ocean Grove Police Station. Photo: VINNIE VAN OORSCHOT

BELLARINE Community Support Register (BCSR) has made its long-awaited move at Ocean Grove Police Station, further streamlining the organisation for the benefit of locals across the region.

While the move downstairs at the local police station may seem like a small adjustment, BCSR volunteer coordinator Debbie MacLeod said it was time to reshuffle the register’s space.

“When the police sergeant offered us the space we are now in, it gave us a really good excuse to make a change, and we’re so glad we’ve made it,” Ms MacLeod said.

“We’ve just undergone a rigorous transition transferring our archives to a digital database, meaning we require less space now, so it was another reason the move was more appropriate.”

The digital transition took three weeks to complete with more than half a dozen volunteers contributing to the process, re-archiving more than 1,300 documents on register members.

BCSR has been serving the region since 2005 and as of last month, 1,400 registrants and 40 volunteers are part of the initiative with more than 2,000 care calls made each year.

Ms MacLeod said the feedback from volunteers has been positive in the few weeks the register has been in its new space.

“We’ve streamlined a lot in the past year and the volunteers have been really grateful for that.

“People have been really happy and there was a bit of change during those first few weeks since we made the move in late-May.

“To the residents we look after, nothing has changed aside from the floor we are on at the police station, so if anything we should be more efficient moving forward.”

Those interested in volunteering at the register can reach out via [email protected]