The Outpost opens doors to new home in Geelong CBD

Members of The Outpost's board outside the service's new location on Little Ryrie Street. (Back, L-R) Russell Opie and Benjamin Donaghy. (Front, L-R) Maggie O'Neill, Raema Ash, Corinne Telford, Kahlia-May Lewis and Amy Flint. Photo: ELLIE CLARINGBOLD

THE Outpost said goodbye to its Busport building home of 20 years earlier this week, after opening the doors of its new home to the community for the first time.

Now located at 42 Little Ryrie Street in Geelong’s CBD, the not-for-profit organisation held its first dinner service on Sunday.

The charity remains Geelong’s only nightly non-referral homelessness service and will continue to serve meals to those in need and those experiencing the challenges of food insecurity 365 evenings a year, now with meals cooked in The Outpost’s own kitchen, a first for the organisation despite its 35-year history.

The new premise has a larger capacity than the charity’s former site on Brougham Street and features a community pantry, where guests can access everyday essentials, access to clothing and toiletries, and a gathering space for social connection.

The Outpost took over the Little Ryrie Street site late last year, initially with the aim of launching it to the public in mid-December, and has been slowly transforming the space into what they describe as a “welcoming café-style setting”.

In a statement, the organisation said the new space had been “designed with care” to ensure its new home is a “supportive community hub” that offers its guests “dignity, connection and community”.

“At The Outpost, we believe in empowering those we serve by offering vital resources, knowledge and support to access nutritious food relief services and essential necessities in an environment that is warm, welcoming and homely.

“This new space reflects that commitment.”