A second state government grant has been awarded to the Regional Community Vet Clinic to help the organisation work towards its goal of constructing a portable veterinary clinic.
On Monday, RCVC founders, volunteers, representatives from Campbells Creek Community Centre and Mount Alexander Shire Council met at the proposed construction site of the not-for-profit veterinary clinic, to welcome Bendigo West MP Maree Edwards as she announced the $50,000 grant.
The proposed portable building will be housed on vacant council land at the rear of Campbells Creek Community Centre. The not-for-profit vet clinic will provide services to pet owners across the region who desperately want to keep and care for a companion animal, but are struggling due to financial or physical disadvantages.
RCVC founder and treasurer Robyn Slattery said the group was delighted to see the social welfare issues it was trying to address recognised by the state government.
“This is the first initiative like this in regional Victoria. It’s a model that supports those in direst need,” Ms Slattery said.
“We try to provide services that people can afford and provide at-cost services for those that can pay.”
In addition to the $50,000 grant announcement, Ms Edwards also announced that, if re-elected, there would be a further investment of $100,000 towards the construction of the clinic building – bringing total funding to $350,000, just $50,000 away from the organisation’s goal of $400,000.
While the long-term goal of RCVC is to establish its own dedicated facility, the organisation is committed to helping those in need in the community today through pop-up clinics, social outreach and donating food and medication sourced through partner organisations into the community.
With funding goals looking close to being reached, RCVC is hopeful of meeting its original goal of opening a dedicated clinic by the end of 2023, with all further funding to be used to cover operational expenses and grow its social outreach program.
Anyone interested in contributing to the fundraising campaign can do so at www.mycause.com.au/rcvc-clinic or through the RCVC homepage at rcvc.org.au/donate.