Cash lifeline for centre

By Shaun Inguanzo
A NOBLE Park family drug counselling organisation has received a $20,000 blessing from the City of Greater Dandenong after it was first denied funding at the previous council meeting.
The Cyrene Centre, which counsels family members of drug addicts, is set to receive $20,000 after the council passed a notice of motion at Monday night’s meeting.
The original amount on the notice of motion, filed by Keysborough Ward councillor Roz Blades, was $40,000.
But Noble Park Ward councillor Pinar Yesil amended the amount to $20,000 after a meeting with the Cyrene Centre revealed it had recently received emergency funds from elsewhere and required only $20,000 from the council to stay afloat for another year.
Cr Blades, a supporter of the service, told the Star that the Cyrene Centre would now focus on sourcing grants and other funding to ensure its survival.
“I’m pleased with the outcome and pleased the council has a closer relationship with (the centre),” she said.
“(The $20,000) means in the next 12 months the Cyrene Centre can work their hearts out to find more funding.”