Olivia’s Place throws new doors open

Parenting support centre Olivia’s Place held an open day at its new location in Queen St, Warragul last week.

There were numerous activities for children including Kebab the Clown with balloon twisting entertainment and face painting.

Olivia’s Place provides a dedicated play space for the children of their team members, enabling a family friendly working environment for staff and volunteers alike. The play room styling and decorations were donated by

Significant visitors on the day included Member for Narracan Gary Blackwood, who has been a long-time advocate for the service. Member for Eastern Victoria Melina Bath also visited the centre and had a long discussion with centre manager Kirsten Finger about the way the service runs, the positive impact to families in the area, and the needs for the future.

Both Melina and Gary were particularly interested in discussions around availability of and pursuing funding at both a local and state government level, with Olivia’s Place providing services and support that research has identified as having an impact on issues around finances, domestic violence, perinatal depression and social isolation.

Present also were Baw Baw Shire councillors Joe Gauci and Jessica O’Donnell along with Peter Kostos who were provided with a tour and information about the support provided and opportunities for collaboration with council and council services.

Ms Finger thanked the community for its support of the service through financial and material donations both in the past and into the future.

“We continue to be in need of ongoing support in these areas, as well as those able to give of their time through volunteering,” she said.

From May 1 our opening hours will be increasing from the current two days per week to four days per week – Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday each day from 10am-1pm.