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From the outside everything seems rosy at Thirroul Neighbourhood Centre.
It is not hard to jump to that conclusion considering the centre operates out of a beautiful new building nestled alongside the escarpment and near the ocean.
But appearances can be deceptive, and the centre that does such a good job serving others now needs help to survive.
Centre co-ordinator Emily Messieh said the centre faced an uncertain future due to rising costs.
‘‘We are sending out an SOS to the community asking if there are people out there who would be prepared to help us in some way,’’ she said.
‘‘Donations of money would be welcome, however, if you have a skill or something else that you could help us with, we would be grateful.’’
Miss Messieh said the centre was funded through Community Builders and FaHCSIA (Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs) but didn’t expect any extra funding in the upcoming federal budget.
‘‘There is no extra money coming into community services, we are all facing cuts,’’ she said.
‘‘The recent good news when they increased the award which pays community services workers was offset by the fact they haven’t given us extra money to pay that award so we are now left in a situation where we have to cut workers’ hours to be able to pay them the correct amount.’’
Miss Messieh said this situation and the rising costs had left the centre struggling to pay its rent.
‘‘We’re in negotiations with [Wollongong] council, who have been really good, and we are trying to think about a more long-term sustainable future.
Miss Messieh said they were thinking of different business models and more fund-raising.
‘‘But when your manager is only employed 20 hours a week and you run so much already, it is hard to keep that up.’’
She hoped residents and the business community would see the centre was struggling and take a proactive approach to help it survive.
‘‘We are at the point now where we need to do this together.
‘‘Even though we look like we are going well, if people want this place to be here even in two or three years’ time, then we need to hear from them,’’ Miss Messieh said.
‘‘We rely heavily on donations as it is and we have a lot of volunteers.
‘‘There are a lot of people in the northern suburbs with good hearts. They have suggested a lot of initiatives on social media which have been huge.
‘‘But we are at the stage where we need financial backing. If some people committed to giving like $100 a year to the centre that would make a huge difference.’’