Wombat’s Wish finds new burrow

BELLARINE child bereavement charity Wombat’s Wish is starting a new chapter, making the move from Drysdale to nearby Clifton Springs.

The move to 3 Dumbarra Avenue, Clifton Springs, ensures the charity can continue to provide an essential service to children across the state, with one in 20 Australian children under the age of 18 losing a parent to death.

Wombat’s Wish co-ordinator Nikki Dunne said the relocation began less than a fortnight ago and the charity is already back up and running.

“We had called Drysdale home for more than four years, after years of operating out of Yarra Street in Geelong, but with the new owner of our Drysdale building increasing the rent, it was time for us to move,” Ms Dunne said.

“This new space provides a lot of benefits, an increase in privacy for staff and participants for one and accessibility is greatly improved with stairs no longer an issue.

“I just think this new building is really inviting. It’s fresh and new, and to have such a kid-friendly space is very exciting.”

The charity has faced a slower pace in donations in recent months with cost of living pressures delving deeper into the coffers of residents statewide.

The charity also remains unfunded by the Victorian or Australian governments, leaving Wombat’s Wish to compete for more specific, localised and philanthropic grants, usually saturated with applications.

One of the by-products of the lack of donations is the charity will now have to look at whether or not it will need to cancel any of its Grief Camp programs in either Anglesea or Queenscliff, which Ms Dunne and her team are desperate to avoid.

“Donations are down because people can’t afford to. It’s as simple as that,” Ms Dunne said.

“We’re still eager to hear from businesses who might be interested in taking on corporate sponsorships, but it’s the same with businesses, cost of living is affecting those as well.

“We’re hopeful for the future, we certainly have the facilities to grow, but we’ll assess those on a needs and financial basis.

“We don’t know the answer to that right now.”

The new building comes with improved counselling rooms for both children and adults, enclosed offices for staff, and an easier to access reception area.

Office hours at Wombat’s Wish are open on Monday (9am-5pm), Tuesday (9am-5pm) and Wednesday (9am-2pm).