The Victorian Pride Centre Board has today welcomed the announcement by Thorne Harbour Health to set up northside and southside operations. The announcement was made at the Thorne Harbour Health AGM last Sunday where they launched their 2017/2018 Annual Report The Future and included a commitment to delivering services from the Victorian Pride Centre.
Chad Hughes, President, Thorne Harbour Health, said today, “We are committed to being one of the founding LGBTIQ tenants in the Victorian Pride Centre. At this stage we are intending to provide our full range of services including the Centre Clinic, PRONTO!, the award-winning trans and gender diverse health clinic – Equinox, plus our counselling services addressing Family Violence and Alcohol and Other Drug use.”
Jude Munro AO, VPC Board Chair said, “We are delighted that the outstanding services offered by Thorne Harbour Health, will be accessible to LGBTIQ communities at the new Victorian Pride Centre in St Kilda. Thorne Harbour Health will be based on the third floor of the Victorian Pride Centre building.”
“Thorne Harbour Health will not be an equity partner in the Victorian Pride Centre, but we’re excited the growth in LGBTIQ health will see services delivering localised options for our community.”
“There is a silver lining for us in that Thorne Harbour Health’s decision will free-up additional space for other LGBTIQ community organisations and ventures.”
Ms Munro went on to say, “This decision provides certainty as we proceed to build the VPC. Our long term, low cost loan facilities with Treasury Corporation Victoria and Bank Australia will be underpinned by lease arrangements with THH, and commercial tenancies, including some LGBTIQ businesses.”
The Victorian Pride Centre also welcomed the recent announcement by the Andrews Government to provide $800,000 over four years in operational funding to JOY 94.9FM. This is in addition to recent announcements made during the State election about funding provided to Switchboard, Midsumma and other LGBTIQ organisations.