A HALLS Gap medical clinic has plans to upgrade its services after receiving a $1 million boost.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Budja Budja medical clinic is the only primary health care, general practitioner and community health service for Halls Gap residents and neighbouring towns.
Aboriginal Affairs minister Natalie Hutchins announced the grant of $1 million for the Budja Budja Aboriginal Cooperative on Friday.
The state government funding would assist the 80-year-old clinic building service’s extension.
The upgrade would include improvements to the clinic’s layout, services and facilities available to patients. It would also allow the organisation to expand its operating hours.
Currently, the medical clinic operates four days a week – from Tuesday to Friday. However, there are plans to expand operating hours to offer its services five days a week.
Ms Hutchins said the state government’s contribution would help the Budja Budja Aboriginal Cooperative’s efforts to provide valued services to the Halls Gap community and surrounding towns.
“Aboriginal organisations are doing a great job delivering front line services,” she said.
“The Aboriginal Community Infrastructure Program will support these organisations to grow and flourish.”
Ms Hutchins said the investment was fundamental to the pursuit of self-determination and social and economic development for Aboriginal Victorians.
“Giving Aboriginal organisations funding to improve their facilities gives them the ability to control and plan for their own future. This goes to the heart of self-determination,” she said.
Member for Western Victoria Gayle Tierney said supporting Aboriginal organisations in their efforts to provide much-needed services and programs was important.
“We are supporting local Aboriginal organisations to continue rolling out the programs and services they deliver so well to the Halls Gap community,” she said.