Public support the key

By Lilly O’Gorman and Melissa Meehan
THE community has always supported Outlook, formerly known as Minibah.
From the beginning, people got behind the service to help those with mental disabilities.
In 1970 locals donated more than $9000 for a building fund, before a fund was even set up.
Again in 2010, this support came to the fore when Outlook hosted a rally to garner government support for a new centre to replace its ageing venue.
Their persistence paid off, and both federal Labor and Liberal Coalition governments committed $3.2 million funding for a new centre in Pakenham.
About 400 people gathered at the Rally for Outlook, in support of the community centre’s campaign for federal funding.
But the green and blue balloons they clutched were soon released to cheering and celebration, after the federal Labor MP for La Trobe, Laura Smyth, committed $3.2 million on behalf of the Gillard Government.
That same afternoon, bipartisan support was secured when La Trobe Liberal MP Jason Wood phoned Outlook chief executive Tony Fitzgerald to pledge $3.2 million in the event a coalition government was elected.
Outlook could not lose.
Mr Fitzgerald expressed his relief after the rally.
“I am filled with euphoria and relief. We are all so happy – the committee and staff members are all over the moon,” he said.
“The (condition of) the building went downhill really quickly this winter.
“We have 100 per cent commitment to quality. We have a real pride in what we do and who we are.
“We haven’t sat on our hands prior to this, we have spent a fortune replacing all of the wiring and replacing the roof. We have spent thousand of dollars removing surface asbestos and replacing the plumbing.”
Ms Smyth also highlighted Outlook’s self-sustaining reputation.
“There have been very few occasions that Outlook has asked for funding, so we recognise now that you really need it,” she said.
She was delighted, she said, to commit the funds.
But it was the messages from the mothers of two men who use the Outlook Facility every day that resonated strongest.
Maria Cutts spoke alongside her son Eric, who has been using Outlook service for 10 years.
“If Eric didn’t have Outlook to go to everyday, he would have no reason to get out of bed,” Maria said.
“I have never come across an Outlook staff member who doesn’t have a smile. They work through morning tea, lunch and breaks and they put up with old buildings, rotten timber and asbestos. The work environment is not acceptable in this day and age,” she said.
Mary Kooloos, speaking on behalf of her son Greg, also an Outlook client, reiterated the importance of the funding.
“As client numbers grow, Outlook is limited with the services it can provide,” Ms Kooloos said.
“Pakenham is the fastest growing area in Victoria. This alone should be enough reason to rebuild Outlook. Greg and others like him deserve a place to grow.
“The building is in dire need of repair, no person should be working in an environment that is hazardous to their health. It must be redeveloped and improved for future generations.”
Mr Fitzgerald has the plans for the new centre ready and estimates that it will take 12 to 18 months to complete.
“Everything will be torn down and we will start again. The men’s shed will be doubled,” he said.
“Our aim is to get moving straight away, we have the plans and we are ready to rock and roll.”
Despite the recent win for Outlook, Mr Fitzgerald said he would meet the Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Children’s Services to discuss further issues.
“There are bigger fish to fry,” he said.