Super Mums able to do more

PARENTAL support organisation Eureka Mums officially cut the ribbon on their improved home in Sebastopol last week.

The ceremony to celebrate the expanded site came after the group was able to move into the front of the warehouse they’d been using on Gray Street.

Operations manager Trinsa Lewis said when the previous tenants moved out, her team took the opportunity to expand their operations.

“We have been in Ballarat for over seven years now,” she said. “We started out small in a single car park garage and moved to this location six years ago. We have grown so much in the last seven years and the number of people we’re helping has increased.”

When COVID hit in 2020, the team at Eureka Mums experienced multiple challenges.

Demand increased, incoming stock when down, and volunteers and staff couldn’t get into the building to process what had been received.

“We had to close in 2020 at least four times due to not having enough room for donations,” Ms Lewis said.

“We kept having to close down donations and slowed down last year due to social distancing measures, due to not being able to have as many volunteers in.

“Having this extra space means that even if lockdowns happen again, we won’t need to close down operations, we can continue to help those families in need.”

About 50 people were at the official launch of the space on Friday, 23 April, with support coming from across the community.

There was even a bit of star power with Dannii Minogue and Gorgi Coghlan on hand to celebrate the occasion.

Last year, Eureka Mums helped just under 2000 children and their parents, including some at the nearby Sebastopol Primary.

Principal Michelle Wilson praised the work the organisation does and the support they have given to the school’s pupils.

“Eureka Mums supply back to school back packs and essential items to start at a new school,” she said.