‘Devastating’: Uniting’s Emergency Relief Centre in Norlane to close

An emergency relief centre in Geelong’s north will be closed in a matter of weeks, volunteers who are left “devastated” have revealed.

Uniting's Norlane Emergency Relief Centre in Wendover Avenue is facing closure. Picture: Alan Barber

A “CRITICAL” emergency relief centre in Geelong’s north is headed for closure, with volunteers at the site shocked by the news.

Uniting’s Barwon Emergency Relief Centre on Wendover Ave, Norlane is slated to close by the end of March as the organisation seeks to sell the site, volunteers said.

A volunteer of 18 months, who wished to remain anonymous, said the team were “absolutely devastated”.

She said the centre helped domestic violence survivors, refugees and asylum seekers, those affected by homelessness, people in rental arrears, and “anyone else who needs us”.

“Our aim is to help as many people as we possibly can, regardless of their situation,” she said.

Uniting's Norlane Emergency Relief Centre welcomes anyone who needs assistance, without judgment, volunteers at the centre say. Picture: Alan Barber

Uniting have two Barwon centres – the Norlane location and another in Grovedale.

However, the volunteer said clients of the Norlane site most likely wouldn’t be able to attend the Grovedale location, as it was not walking distance or easily accessible on public transport.

The volunteer said while there were other food relief centres around, including in North Geelong and Lara, there wasn’t a service nearby that offered support to the extent the Norlane centre did.

On the level of need in the community for the service, the volunteer said it was a “critical, horrible situation”.

She said the centre was crucial to giving people in tough situations hope.

“We just open our arms to them and ask ‘what do you need?’,” she said.

“(The closure) is just going to be devastating.

“People don’t know where else to go.

“It’s just awful.

“I’m concerned, fearful for what’s going to happen to some of these people.”

Volunteers said the emergency relief centre is expected to be closed to the community from March 24, with the adjoining op shop to follow on March 25.

“Basically, this means that in nine weeks’ time there will no longer be a safe and inclusive place where people … can come to be welcomed and offered food parcels, food bank vouchers, clothing, furniture, referrals to other services and in some instances simply someone to sit and talk to,” the volunteer said.

“We just feel let down.

“We held faith in the board that they would relocate.

“(The clients) are going to be frustrated, and let down, and hurt.”

Uniting Homelessness and community support group manager Jerry Ham said the service had been advised the church intended to sell the Norlane property.

“We have been unable to find a suitable alternative site to deliver these services despite an ongoing search,” he said.

“Our delivery of emergency relief services at the Wendover Ave site is dependent on the timing of the sale of the property. In the meantime, we are exploring options with our community partners for ongoing service delivery of emergency relief to the Norlane community. We are open to creative partnership opportunities.”

Mr Ham also confirmed the decision to permanently close the Wendover Ave Uniting Op-Shop on March 25.

“Vinnies is opening a large store in the Norlane area and we are chatting with them about how their store could meet and expand on the community needs we are currently serving through our store,” he said.

Originally published as ‘Devastating’: Uniting’s Emergency Relief Centre in Norlane to close