Less connection and more pressure on PICAL

The popular Women Connect program at PICAL is one of the services which will relocate to Warley Avenue when PICAL moves later this year.

The program was established in 2017, and in the past has received funding from a range of sources, including the Adult Community and Further Education board, Australia Post and Bass Coast Shire Council.

In 2021, it was nominated for a Victorian Learn Local Award.

Despite its success, it appears the move to the new premises may be a bumpy one.

This month, PICAL President Jeff Floyd confirmed one-off grant funding covering the wages of a dedicated coordinator was not ongoing and a new model was being considered to run the program.

He posted an update on Facebook to clarify the situation.

“We recognise the strong community support for Women Connect and the valuable role that it plays,” Jeff stated.

“We continue to run and support Women Connect as a free service. We offer free room access, computer/wi-fi access; on-hand assistance with career counselling and resumes; free work-wardrobe service; employability skills-training, coffee/tea.”

However, he said PICAL was appealing to the community to provide additional financial support and a volunteer committee to help keep the program operating.

“PICAL is committed to Women Connect and will continue to support it and our other key services.

“We are also continuing to apply for grants to strengthen Women Connect but it is tough winning grant funding.

“If an organisation or members of the community wish to donate or raise funds for PICAL, on condition that these funds are dedicated to Women Connect, then we would be pleased to do this,” Mr Floyd said.

“We have a wonderful and active Community Garden volunteer committee, and it is our wish to see a similar committee established for Women Connect.

“If you are not currently involved and would like to register as a volunteer with PICAL for Women Connect, please email Greg Thompson at manager@pical.org.au. We would love to have you involved.”

Mr Floyd said the Women Connect Committee will be formed later this year when PICAL's move to Warley Avenue is finalised.

Women Connect operates two days each week: Mondays and Wednesdays 10am – 2pm.

Service review

Mr Floyd said the Committee of PICAL undertook a review of its priority services last year, during what he described as “a very challenging financial period for all community groups”.

“We recognised that we were not in a position to expand our services further but needed to focus on our priorities.

“These priorities were agreed to include our core government funded services (Centrelink, Adult Education), our Foodbank services. Women Connect and the Community Garden.

“We also agreed to continue to support and host Boomerang Bags – an independent organisation that does wonderful work for the community. We also provide accommodation for a wide range of other community activities run by local voluntary groups.”

He said PICAL planned to relocate Centrelink, Adult Education, Women Connect, Foodbank and other community services to the new Warley Avenue location.

The Community Garden and Boomerang Bags would relocate to Blue Gum Reserve.

“PICAL is a charity, not a state government agency, and we greatly depend upon community support.”

Outside its core government funded services, and specific programs with dedicated government funding, its support for other key services is focussed on providing space, insurance, equipment, administrative support, coordination and advice, Mr Floyd said.