Save The Outpost
FOR 22 years The Outpost has been a place of hope, warmth and connection for those doing it tough.
Tucked away in a quiet corner of the CBD, it is Geelong’s only non-referral “noquestions-asked” service providing hot meals and help to anyone who needs it.
In a time when homelessness is climbing, the cost of living has surged and housing and rental affordability have never been worse, The Outpost’s work is more crucial than ever.
But its days may be numbered, with the City of Greater Geelong earmarking the building it operates from as a
“surplus asset” to be sold off to help balance council’s books and finance major projects, such as its sparkling new $102m city offices.
The service is now looking for $40,000 to help it secure a lease to keep its good work going.
Today the Addy joins the fight to secure those funds, calling on either major political party to make what is a tiny pledge that will make a huge difference. With election vows worth millions flowing from both sides, surely they can find the money to save this special service.
As Justice Party MP Stuart Grimley says in this paper, $40,000 is “pocket change” for them.
When it comes to the value of The Outpost, don’t just take our word for it, listen to what volunteer Jean Young – who has been at the not-for-profit since the start – had to say.
“They know when they come around the corner that there’s a light on, and there’s someone here for them. That’s what’s meant a lot for them, too, to have it here in the town,” Ms Young said.
“I’ve been told by people, ‘if it hadn’t have been for you people I wouldn’t have made it’. “
1035
King Canute, ruler of Denmark, England and Norway, dies.
1787
The First Fleet sails from the Cape of Good Hope.
1833
The great Leonid meteor shower, when hundreds of thousands of meteors appear in one night, is seen across North America. 1840
British naval officer James Ross leaves Hobart with two ships, Erebus and Terror, and then discovers much of Antarctica.
1859
The first flying trapeze act is performed by Jules Leotard, 21, without a net, in Paris.
Britain and Afghanistan sign an agreement marking the boundary between Afghan tribal lands and British territory. 1894
Lawrence Hargrave rises nearly 5m into the air at Stanwell Park, NSW, hanging from four box kites. 1912
The frozen bodies of British explorer Robert Scott and two of his team are found on the Ross Ice Shelf in Antarctica. They had reached the South Pole but found Norwegian Roald Amundsen beat them.
1919
Australian Captain Ross Smith and his brother, Lieutenant Keith
Smith, leave Hounslow to become the first to fly from Britain to Australia.
1920
Federal parliament expels Hugh Mahon, Labor Member for Kalgoorlie, for ”seditious’’ statements about British rule in Ireland. 1979
Raymond “Chuck’’ Bennett (above), 31, who masterminded the Great Bookie Robbery of 1976 that relieved Melbourne bookmakers of millions of dollars, is shot in the chest while at Melbourne City Court to appear for a separate armed robbery. He dies in hospital less than an hour later.
2004
Supreme Court judge Jeff Shaw resigns a month after crashing his car, while drunk. The former Labor state Attorney-General admits he is not well enough for the Bench.
1893
1979