RIKKIE-LEE Tyrrell, Member for Northern Victoria Region, has championed the expansion of the Education First Youth Foyer program into more areas of regional Victoria. This comes after a recent visit to the Shepparton Education First Youth Foyer, where she witnessed first-hand the transformative work of the facility’s staff in aiding residents who were previously homeless or sleeping rough.
In a question to Housing Minister Harriet Shing in State Parliament, Tyrrell recognised the funding allocation for two new Youth Foyers in Wodonga and Wangaratta, but sought clarity on when additional support funding would be announced.
Tyrrell drew attention to Infrastructure Victoria’s Strategy 2021-2051 document, which recommended the establishment of additional Youth Foyers in regional Victoria, including Bendigo, Mildura, Morwell and Geelong. She requested a meeting with Ms Shing to discuss the program’s future expansion.
“The current Youth Foyers in Broadmeadows, Glen Waverley and Shepparton have changed the lives of many vulnerable young Victorians for the better,” Tyrrell stated. “With the current housing crisis, it’s time this wonderful program is expanded to other regional centres. I look forward to working constructively with Minister Shing to expand this life-changing program.”
