Expressions of Interests are now being taken to form the new Social Inclusion Action Group (SIAG), a community-led initiative dedicated to improving social connection and wellbeing for the Ballarat community by addressing causes of loneliness and isolation.
The goal of the SIAG will be to ensure that everyone, regardless of their background or circumstances, feels valued, respected, and able to participate fully in the community.
The SIAG members will manage an investment fund which will be used to test, develop, and support a range of initiatives that aim to support community connection.
The establishment and operations of the group are funded by the Victorian Government and are being delivered and coordinated locally by the City of Ballarat.
Supports are available to assist group members to participate, such as costs that may include transport, childcare or other measures.
Everyone is welcome to apply to become a member, including community members with experience of loneliness and isolation, and individuals who care about creating a stronger, more inclusive Ballarat.
There will be eight community information sessions held at varying times and locations including Parent Place, Sebastopol Library, Ballarat Central Library, Wendouree Library, Djila-tjarriu Community Centre, and Lucas Community Hub. Dates and times are available on the SIAG MySay page.
City of Ballarat Mayor, Cr Tracey Hargreaves encouraged people from all walks of life to apply to join, specifically people who have experienced loneliness or feel excluded from the community in some way.
"We want Ballarat to be the most welcoming and connected it can possibly be, and this group will play a large role in that," she said.
"We believe that everyone has something valuable to offer and we look forward to the real differences this group will be able to make."
The Ballarat SIAG emerges under Recommendation 15 of the Royal Commission into Victoria's Mental Health System, which urges local community collectives to drive inclusion projects.
The Royal Commission recommended the Victorian Government establish and recurrently resource 'community collectives' (now known as Social Inclusion Action Groups) in each of Victoria's 79 local government areas.
Ballarat is one of five local government areas selected for this phase, alongside Brimbank, Greater Geelong, Whittlesea, and Mildura. SIAGs have already been established in Benalla, Frankston, Latrobe, Mansfield, and Wangaratta.
Community members interested in applying to join the inaugural Ballarat SIAG are encouraged to apply via the City of Ballarat SIAG MySay page, where people can also learn more about the group and discover information session information.
Hard copies will also be available by visiting City of Ballarat Customer Service at the Pheonix Building and at our Libraries, or by calling our Customer Service team on 5320 5500.
Applications close at 5pm Monday, August 25.
