NEW HOME FOR BRAVEHEARTS

October 16, 2007

Premier Anna Bligh has authorised a one-off $68,000 payment that means child protection group Bravehearts next month will move into a $1 million headquarters built entirely by donations.

Ms Bligh said today the grant provided the "last piece of the jigsaw" that would enable Bravehearts to move from its cramped Springwood base to a new headquarters on the Gold Coast without having to spend a cent.

"Over the past 10 years, Bravehearts has grown from virtually a one-woman campaign into an organisation that helps people across Australia as it fulfils an unfortunate need in our society," Ms Bligh said today.

"Bravehearts offers hope and comfort to the most vulnerable members of our communities, each year counselling hundreds of children who have been the victim of sexual assault.

"As the organisation's role and breadth of services it provides has grown, so too has Bravehearts outgrown its original home at Springwood, w hich is bursting at the seams."

Ms Bligh said Bravehearts has harnessed the tremendous goodwill it inspires in the community to build a new $1 million headquarters at Arundel with every single component - right down to the lightbulbs - donated by companies and individuals from the Gold Coast community.

The 480 square metre building will provide a modern national base for expanded counselling, support and advocacy services while allowing the Springwood centre to be used solely for counselling. As founder Hetty Johnson puts it: "We will finally be able to make a dint in our growing waiting list."

"The generosity of Bravehearts band of benefactors doesn't end there - they have already pledged to build a national distribution/storage warehouse on the site next year and to add a storey on the original building in 2009," Ms Bligh said.

"Every cent of the money saved by these generous donations of goods, services and labour now can be channelled into helping the victims of child sexual abuse and their families."

She said all levels of Government have a role to play in supporting the essential work performed by organisations such as Bravehearts.

"The Queensland Government recognises this and will provide $620,000 this financial year through the departments of Child Safety and Communites.

"The Gold Coast City Council has showed its support by donating the land on which the national headquarters is being built.

"Now there is a need to provide the last piece of the jigsaw that will mean the headquarters will open next month without diverting one dollar away from Bravehearts' service delivery program.

"I have today approved a one-off payment of $68,000 to cover council infrastructure charges and ensure Bravehearts can open a new headquarters built entirely by donations. I wish them all the best and commend them for the work they do. "


See also Parkwood Rotary Club Service in 2006/7