Fresh start for vital service at purpose-built HQ

LIFELINE Loddon Mallee’s new purpose-built headquarters in East Bendigo has been officially opened by Premier and Bendigo East MP Jacinta Allan.

The state-of-the-art, two-storey facility located within stage one of the $55m Prime Business Park was designed to host and support the organisation’s in-demand growing network of volunteers, and paid employees.

Business manager Stacey Kelly said the volunteers “love” how it has come together.

“We’ve done a huge recruitment drive in the last couple of months so having the new centre makes it that much more special,” she said.

“Even little things like our kitchen area downstairs, we’ve built that big enough so our operations staff can go down and collaborate with our volunteers.

“It’s been great to be able to sit down with them and learn more about what they’ve done in their previous lives or what they’re studying, all those types of things.

“Obviously, some calls can be difficult so we’re there to support them too.

“Our volunteers mean a lot to us so it’s a really nice feeling to be able to do that.

“Some of them we’ve had here for over 20, 30 years, which is absolutely amazing.”

Kelly said with increased demand, the new facility also gives the organisation the extra capacity to grow.

“The more people that we have volunteering, the more people we can fit in here so we can take on more calls when we need to,” she said.

“The demand for the service has increased significantly in recent years and we’re proud that we’re able to have this centre to help try and alleviate some of that pressure.”

She said volunteering to help out is as easy as going to the Lifeline Loddon Mallee website and making contact.

“We have a job for any sort of person that would like to volunteer,” she said.

“Some people are a better fit for our two op shops and some people are wanting to be on the phones.

“We’re more than happy to help accommodate them and find the best fit for them because it’s really important that they’re doing something that they love to do and know that they’re giving back.”