Goldies grant win

By Monique Ebrington
A YARRA Junction-based community group will benefit from the State Governments plan to dive in and support self help groups.
Members of Glen’s Goldies Self Help Support Group have helped residents with arthritis and related conditions through aquatic and gym exercise classes at the Yarra Recreation Centre.
Glen’s Goldies convener Glennice Mathers said the group would receive $2000 in funding.
“The funding is really good. It will enable us to buy our own equipment,” Mrs Mathers said.
“We have been using the centre equipment, like ‘noodles’ and flotation belts, and it will be great for clients to access the equipment they need when they come up here on their own watch.”
Mrs Mathers has volunteered her time towards the group, since she established the group in 2003.
“We just keep moving and have a good time,” she said.
“Everything is at a comfortable pace. If something’s hurting and you don’t want to do it, then you don’t do it.”
Gembrook MP Tammy Lobato said that Glen’s Goldies was one of more than 170 community, self-help, groups across Victoria that will benefit from the funding.
“Many of these groups involve people with a chronic health condition or mental illness and their families, and these one-off grants are recognition of the key volunteer role they played in helping others,” Ms Lobato said.
“People who are helping themselves and their families play an important role in the healthcare system, and often need a bit of support in their role.
“Here in the Upper Yarra, these self-help groups play a particularly vital role in enabling people within the region to maintain contact and friendships with others living nearby.”
For more information on Glen’s Goldies Self Help Support Group please phone 5967 1675.