Wednesday, 30th May 2017

Consultations for the Andrews Labor Government’s Carer Statement are underway, to outline how we can best support and recognise carers in our local community.

These consultations are happening across the state in coming weeks to gather the views of people responsible for providing valuable care, and to better understand the profound impacts and changes that a care relationship can have on their lives.

In Gippsland, a consultation will be happening on Thursday, 6th July from 10.00am – 12.00pm at Century Inn, 5 Airfield Road, Traralgon.

To attend, participants should register by Friday 30 June at traralgoncc.eventbrite.com.au

There are more than 773,000 Victorians who give their time, effort and love into caring for a family member or friend who needs them. They can be older and they can be very young – and many may not identify as a carer.

Carers make an enormous contribution to the lives of those they help and to their communities, with the OECD putting the cost of replacing carers in Victoria at more than $15 billion annually.

Parliamentary Secretary for Carers and Volunteers Gabrielle Williams said carers play a vital role in our community and it is important that their voice was heard.

Carers can also have their say by completing an online or paper survey.

Visit the Carers Victoria website at www.carersvictoria.org.au to complete the survey or find out more.

Quotes attributable to Parliamentary Secretary Health, Carers and Volunteers, Gabrielle Williams:

“We want to hear from carers of all kinds, whether they are caring for a person with a disability, mental illness or an older person. We want to capture as many views as we can.”

Quote attributable to Member for Eastern Victoria Region, Harriet Shing:

“It’s so important that we learn as much as we can about our carers in Gippsland – more information will help us to better support them into the future, and I would encourage people to provide their own views and feedback about what they need.”