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Treasurer of the BACA Jackie Chase noted that the primary reason she joined the committee was to help divert the association\u2019s remaining funds as openly, ethically, and transparently back into the community to the residents they were originally intended for.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am quite proud that it hasn\u2019t been frittered away, I am happy it has not been used on personal items like lunches at all,\u201d Ms Chase said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is all going back into the community to very worthwhile groups that are operating successfully on the Bellarine.\u201d<\/p>\n
BACA has carried out its duties for more than six years ever since forming itself to protect the community\u2019s interests in relation to the proceeds of the sale of Ann Nichol House.<\/p>\n
Despite their initial purpose being unsuccessful, BACA then changed course and decided to be a voice for older and frail residents of the Bellarine, through support, advocacy, and health promotion.<\/p>\n
But over the years, the Bellarine Peninsula has grown, and other organisations are being formed which appear to meet community needs, therefore BACA\u2019s future had become very limited according to the association.<\/p>\n
Compassionate Hearts on the Bellarine is one of the organisations to receive funding from the BACA, supporting people in the region who have life limiting illness with carers in their homes and providing ongoing education to the community around illness, dying and loss.<\/p>\n
Chairperson of Compassionate Hearts Pauline Nunan said it was an honour to reinject the funds back into the community.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are very grateful to be able to use this money,\u201d Ms Nunan said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve also spoken to BACA about using these funds to provide a suitable honorarium to the organisation\u2019s coordinator at appropriate times over the next few years given she\u2019s always worked voluntarily.\u201d<\/p>\n
Representative of Bellarine Community Support Register, Jenny Gibbs, also said that these funds will provide numerous benefits to both the Bellarine community and the individuals that her group connects with.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt will give the community a feeling of safety and security, and we will be able to provide individuals with an ID card that will be connected to families in cases of emergency, as well as more care calls and more time spent with our registrants,\u201d Ms Gibbs said.<\/p>\n
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