Melbourne, Victoria – In a bid to provide essential support to families, particularly those facing adversity, the Andrews Labor Government has announced a $100,000 grant to the Melbourne-based charity, the Nappy Collective. Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas made the announcement, emphasizing the government’s commitment to assisting parents across Victoria in ensuring their babies have access to necessary supplies.
This grant, in alignment with the government’s promises to the people of Victoria, will empower the Nappy Collective to continue its vital mission of aiding vulnerable families throughout the state. It is part of a comprehensive $86 million budget allocation in the Victorian Budget 2023/24 dedicated to enhancing support for parents and infants.
The Nappy Collective specializes in gathering donations of new nappies and subsequently distributing them through community partners dedicated to aiding families in need. Their collaborative efforts extend across Australia, helping bridge the gap for families facing financial difficulties or obstacles in obtaining essential baby products.
Research conducted by the Nappy Collective reveals that one in ten Australian families encounter difficulties in obtaining nappies due to circumstances beyond their control, such as homelessness, escaping domestic violence, extreme weather events, or other emergencies.
Since its inception in 2013, the Nappy Collective has distributed over 2.6 million nappies and established more than 150 collection points across Victoria. These initiatives are vital, as early parenthood can be a challenging period for new parents. In addition to the Nappy Collective’s efforts, the Labor Government is intensifying its support for maternal and child health while expanding early parenting centers across the state.
Alongside the continuation of the Victorian Baby Bundle program for first-time parents, the government is increasing universal maternal and child health services, allocating $4 million to enhance breastfeeding support by providing greater access to lactation consultants and appointments for mothers.
Furthermore, the Labor Government is reinforcing local community groups and support networks for families through new grant programs for dads’ groups, multicultural story-time initiatives, and funding for local volunteer-run groups like Olivia’s Place.
Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas expressed her admiration for the Nappy Collective’s commendable work, stating, “The Nappy Collective does incredible work helping parents who are doing it tough and ensures more children can grow up happy and healthy.” She added, “Caring for young children is challenging enough without having to worry about nappies – we’re proud to support a Melbourne charity that’s making a huge impact in our community.”
Member for Albert Park, Nina Taylor, also commended the grant, recognizing the substantial boost it provides to The Nappy Collective, particularly in the Albert Park community, where families benefit from essential baby supplies.
This investment underscores the Victorian Government’s unwavering commitment to assisting families during pivotal phases of parenthood, ensuring that every child has the resources necessary for a healthy and happy upbringing.
