Premier plea

A COMMUNITY-DRIVEN service, which has provided free counselling and other complementary health services to more than 500 bushfire survivors, says it will have to close unless the Premier steps in to provide funding.
Through the Yarra Valley Practitioners Project, 55 professionals have donated their services providing counselling, positive psychology, kinesiology and business coaching.
YVPP secretary David Richards said last week the service, which is supported by 70 volunteers, has provided more than 3000 clinical services free of charge to bushfire survivors and that requests for its services are increasing.
The YVPP runs its service from clinics in Yarra Glen and Healesville as well as running a schools outreach program.
“Our clients continue to suffer the trauma and are likely to need support for up to five years,’ Mr Richards said.
Originally funded by Rotary Australia to the tune of $200,000, the project is now looking to the Victorian Bushfire Reconstruction and Recovery Authority to provide ongoing funding.
Mr Richards said, however, that it has had no response to submissions to date and that time is running out.
Mr Richards said the YVPP wants Victorian Premier John Brumby to help.
“We are calling on the Premier to step in as a priority to ensure there is sufficient funding from the tens of millions donated by the public made immediately available so that we can continue to support those most affected by the trauma sustained from the bushfires,” he said.