From the Minister for Community Services

The Hon Mary Wooldridge MLA

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Innovative respite support and school holiday respite providers announced

Monday, 21 May 2012

Better access, greater flexibility, and more choice in respite support services will now be available for people with a disability, their families and carers, Minister for Community Services Mary Wooldridge announced today.

Victorians urged to give generously to the Red Shield Appeal

Friday, 18 May 2012

Minister for Community Services Mary Wooldridge is urging Victorians to give generously this weekend to The Salvation Army's annual fundraising drive, the Red Shield Appeal.

Funds available to strengthen Men's Sheds

Thursday, 17 May 2012

Grants of up to $30,000 are now available to support the redevelopment of men's sheds across Victoria, Minister for Community Services Mary Wooldridge said today.

Key reforms support Victoria's vulnerable children

Tuesday, 01 May 2012

More frontline workers, greater help for families, improved intervention and diversion programs, expansion of places in therapeutic out-of-home care and innovative reform of the Children's Court are just some of the 2012-13 Budget measures to...

Budget helps Victoria prepare for NDIS

Tuesday, 01 May 2012

Additional funding for people with a disability in the 2012-13 Victorian Budget will ensure Victoria is well-placed for the introduction of a National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), Community Services Minister Mary Wooldridge said today.

Coalition provides more Victorians with concessions

Tuesday, 01 May 2012

The Victorian Coalition Government is making a record investment in concessions in the 2012-13 State Budget to help ease cost of living pressures, Community Services Minister Mary Wooldridge announced today.

Youth justice back on track under Coalition

Tuesday, 01 May 2012

The Victorian Coalition Government will continue its improvements to the state's youth justice system, with a new $54.5 million infrastructure commitment announced today by Community Services Minister Mary Wooldridge.

Victorian Disability Sector Awards recognise excellence

Friday, 27 Apr 2012

A diverse and impressive range of individuals and organisations have been recognised for their efforts at a presentation today of the 2012 Victorian Disability Sector Awards by Minister for Community Services Mary Wooldridge.

Good Money hub to provide access to affordable financial services

Friday, 27 Apr 2012

The first 'one-stop shop' providing financial services to disadvantaged Victorians was opened in Geelong today by Minister for Community Services Mary Wooldridge.

Youth justice back on track under Coalition

Thursday, 26 Apr 2012

The Victorian Coalition Government will continue its improvements to the state's youth justice system, with a new $54.5 million infrastructure commitment announced today by Community Services Minister Mary Wooldridge.

School's in at 'Parkville College'

Monday, 23 Apr 2012

Young people detained in Victoria's youth justice system are finally receiving a real education with the establishment of a new school within the Parkville facility, Community Services Minister Mary Wooldridge and Education Minister Martin Dixon...

Victoria secures new disability accommodation

Wednesday, 04 Apr 2012

More than 50 new accommodation places for people with disabilities have been secured through a funding commitment of more than $30 million from the Victorian Coalition and Commonwealth governments, Community Services Minister Mary Wooldridge said...

New family-centered approach to managing autism

Sunday, 01 Apr 2012

Families and carers of young people living with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) will be better able to respond to concerning behaviours thanks to a new $2.5 million, three-year behaviour support program from the Victorian Coalition Government.

Victoria's vulnerable children to get better protection through workforce reform

Thursday, 29 Mar 2012

Historic workforce reform of Victoria's child protection system will help better protect and improve the lives of vulnerable children, Community Services Minister Mary Wooldridge said today.

Coalition responds to Community Visitors Annual Report 2010-11

Wednesday, 28 Mar 2012

The important role of Community Visitors in the Victorian community was acknowledged today with the first-ever tabling in Parliament of a government response to a Community Visitors annual report.

Vital role of carers recognised in law

Thursday, 15 Mar 2012

Community Services Minister Mary Wooldridge today welcomed the passage through the Victorian Parliament of legislation recognising and valuing the role of carers and care relationships.

Better deal for people with a disability

Friday, 02 Mar 2012

Amendments to the Disability Act 2006 will help protect the rights of Victorians with a disability while cutting red tape for service providers, Community Services Minister Mary Wooldridge said today.

Coalition Government takes immediate action to protect Victoria's vulnerable children

Tuesday, 28 Feb 2012

The Victorian Coalition Government is taking immediate action to improve the state's child protection system based on recommendations of the Protecting Victoria's Vulnerable Children Inquiry, Premier Ted Baillieu announced today.

Improving health and education of vulnerable young Victorians

Sunday, 26 Feb 2012

Children and young people entering residential out-of-home care will now receive comprehensive individual assessments of their health and education needs leading to better, more targeted support, Community Services Minister Mary Wooldridge...

Nominations for disability awards close soon

Tuesday, 21 Feb 2012

Community Services Minister Mary Wooldridge has reminded Victorians they have until 7 March to nominate those who demonstrate excellence, passion, vision and commitment to the development of people with a disability for the Victorian Disability...