Broken Hill has beaten 13 strong contenders to be awarded a significant amount of funding from the NSW Government’s Resources for Regions program.
Today, Member for Barwon Kevin Humphries on behalf of the NSW Government announced that $3.905 million is to be given to YMCA Broken Hill to modernise the existing centre and assist in creating a Community Health and Wellness Hub.
The new facility will include spaces for holisitic health services including mental health support, culturally appropriate fitness programs, mine-worker wellbeing programs, inclusive programs for people with disabilities and more.
YMCA NSW CEO Leisa Hart said it was a huge moment for Broken Hill and for the YMCA, which has been involved in the local community for 100 years.
“Broken Hill is a unique community, but like many other rural centres has a range of acute needs. Obesity is a problem, there is a lack of mental health services and there’s a need for more culturally-accessible health programs for the Aboriginal community as well as rehab programs for mine workers who have been injured on the job.
“It is for all these reasons and many more that the creation of a holistic health and wellbeing centre that meets the broad needs of the Broken Hill community is so necessary. We’d like to thank the NSW Government for their foresight and support of our work in Broken Hill.
“The YMCA NSW is committed to rural and regional communities as we believe everyone deserves the same access to quality health, wellbeing and fitness services, no matter where they live.”
Shane Simmons, Centre Manager of YMCA Broken Hill, said the new Hub will make a real difference to people’s lives.
“At YMCA Broken Hill we’ve always delivered fitness services, but to now be looking at providing mental health support, preventative health and disease education and culturally sensitive wellbeing classes, it truly is ground-breaking and will make a real difference to people’s lives.
“The funding from the NSW Government along with grants and donations from YMCA NSW and our partners Broken Hill Council and Maari Ma Aboriginal Health, take the total value of this project to over $4.6 million – this kind of money will be transformational for the Broken Hill community.”
YMCA Broken Hill currently provides services to over 2,500 local residents, runs swimming lessons for over 450 children and employs around 50 staff. The proposed new Health and Wellness Hub will also create at least 15 new jobs.
Ms Hart said: “YMCA NSW is excited for the community of Broken Hill and we look forward to consulting with you during this planning phase to ensure that Broken Hill becomes a more sustainable, healthy, vibrant and liveable city for all.”
YMCA will be working with their local partners, including, Broken Hill Council, the Far West Local Health District, Maari Ma Aboriginal Health, Perilya and Lifeline.
More than half of the not for profit’s 100 locations are in rural and regional areas. For more information on YMCA locations and programs, visit www.ymcansw.org.au
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