Community rallies to support youth homelessness on the Peninsula
Published on 26 June 2024
The Mayoral Charity Event, held from 21 to 23 June, saw the community come together to support Fusion Mornington Peninsula.
Over the course of a three-day working bee, over 70 volunteers joined Mayor Councillor Simon Brooks to make a significant impact on the lives of young people experiencing homelessness in our region.
Volunteers tackled tasks both indoors and outdoors at the old army barracks in Mount Martha – where Fusion Mornington Peninsula is located.
Key accomplishments included the removal of an old playground and brick BBQ, installation of bedroom heaters, as well as building six large planter boxes filled with soil for vegetables.
Around 1,000 donated plants from The Briars were added to the garden, and five truckloads of mulch were spread over the area. Existing garden beds were weeded, trimmed, and mulched, and three garden bench seats were installed.
Volunteers also carried out a significant amount of painting indoors, freshening up the bedrooms before the next intake of young people.
To ensure all jobs from the working bee are finished, the Mayor and Shire staff will be completing the remaining tasks over the coming weeks. These tasks include fitting new gates to secure the property, installing a new fire hydrant and hose cover, and more.
These essential and much-needed improvements enhance the living conditions for the young families supported by Fusion.
The facility provides eight on-site beds with live-in support and care, enabling vulnerable young families to live in a safe and therapeutic home. Live-in staff provide round the clock support, role modelling healthy family dynamics and building relationships.
The event saw a significant outpouring of financial support, totalling $11,000 in donations from various contributors, including Smart Business Solutions.
In addition to this, several material donations were made: Hillview Quarries donated crushed rock, Bowens Hastings provided funds towards materials, DA Christies contributed an electric BBQ and cabinet, Inspirations Paint Dromana supplied paint, Vins Bins offered a skip, Ventia donated mulch, and The Briars provided plants.
We are so grateful and thankful to everyone who donated funds, materials or services to support this effort – it is instrumental in ensuring Fusion Mornington Peninsula can continue providing essential services, programs, and accommodation.
For more information on how you can continue to support Fusion, please visit: morningtonpeninsula.fusion.org.au
Quotes attributable to Mayor Councillor Simon Brooks:
“A heartfelt thank you to the incredible volunteers who dedicated their time and energy to this worthy cause. Also, to Councillor Celi and Councillor O’Connor who joined me over the weekend. Plus, a big shout out to the Shire staff who also took part and helped out.
“Youth homelessness is a pressing issue that demands our collective attention. By supporting Fusion, we're investing in the future of our community and ensuring those facing adversity have access to the resources they need to thrive.
“I am so proud of our community for coming together to make a tangible difference. The funds raised, materials donated and the work completed during the working bee will help create a community where every young person has a place to call home. I’m hopeful we can more regularly help Fusion who do so much to help others.”
Watch highlights from the Mayoral Charity Event, featuring the Mayor and locals in action: