Contact: Keith Smith, 9213 2033
Wednesday, August 5 1998.
CROWNING ACHIEVEMENT FOR QUEEN ELIZABETH CENTRE - NAPTHINE
The new Queen Elizabeth Centre in Noble Park will play a major role in providing services for mothers and families in Victoria, the Youth & Community Services Minister, Dr Denis Napthine said today.
Officially opening the new facility, Dr Napthine said the Queen Elizabeth Centre was one of three Early Parenting Centres in Victoria, providing a range of services to families in need of extra help.
The Queen Elizabeth Centre relocated to the rapidly-growing south-east metropolitan corridor after a proud 70-year history in Carlton.
“The relocation to Noble Park will bring the services of the Queen Elizabeth Centre much closer to our rapidly expanding growth corridor in the south-east, and is in line with the Government’s commitment to locating services close to the population centres they serve,” Dr Napthine said.
The modern purpose-built facility has residential accommodation for 16 families, day-stay accommodation for six families, an education/conference wing, a phone advisory and bookings service, office space for researchers, a consulting suite and an administrative base for a home visiting program.
In 1996/97, the Queen Elizabeth Centre provided services to 5461 clients. Of these, 1776 were admitted to residential programs, 2550 attended day programs, 276 families received home visits and 859 received telephone information and advice.
Dr Napthine said the Queen Elizabeth Centre and its services were part of a wide range of Government-funded services for families, which include the recently-launched Parentline.
“Parentline is a 24-hour Statewide professional telephone service providing information, advice and referral for parents of children aged up to 18,” he said.
“It is a key initiative in the Government’s range of services to families, and has already had referrals to the Queen Elizabeth Centre.”
The Victorian Government provides annual funding of more than $2 million to run the centre, Dr Napthine said. It also provided the $3.5 million to transfer the Queen Elizabeth Centre from its Carlton site, which was in poor condition.
Dr Napthine said the opening of the Queen Elizabeth Centre ensured that services were readily available to families with high needs.
He said the early parenting centre has provided an invaluable service over the years to parents of thousands of children aged up to three years.
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“Parenting is a new and exciting experience, but can be fraught with many difficulties,” Dr Napthine said.
“Early parenting services are provided to families experiencing difficulties in the early years of their family to assist with and enhance their competency, confidence and independence.
“The day-stay program is an intensive one-day support and education program for parents who are experiencing difficulties with issues such as breast feeding, sleeping, child behaviour, post-natal depression or dealing with the stress and expectations of caring for a new baby.
“The residential service allows mothers or parents and their families to address parenting issues by focusing on them over several days.
“Sometimes parents do not have a family-friend network to provide additional support and knowledge. Families from all walks of life have sought the assistance of the Queen Elizabeth Centre as they meet the joys and challenges of parenthood.
“Parenting can be a confusing and anxious experience and services such as Queen Elizabeth Centre are integral in supporting families,” Dr Napthine said.
Dr Napthine said early parenting services were part of the range of services and initiatives which the State Government funded for Victorian families.
Government policies and reforms over the past six years have benefited Victoria's 1.2 million families in the areas of maternal and child health, family support, parenting help, child care and more flexible preschool services, he said.
“The Victorian Government is committed to maintaining and strengthening families,” Dr Napthine said.
NOTE:Time & venue of Dr Napthine’s launch: - 10.45am today (Wednesday), Queen Elizabeth Centre, 53 Thomas St. Noble Park.
Media inquiries:
Graeme Walker, Department of Human Services, Media Unit (03) 9616 7296.
Anne Stanford, Press Secretary (03) 9651 5799.
Internet:
(F:press/QueenElizabeth/gw/3.8.98)