Keeping bills in check

Good Shepherd's Jessica Smart encourages struggling residents to bring in their bills. 102233 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

DANDENONG residents can get on top of their bills with a helping hand on Friday 30 August.
The Dandenong Bring Your Bills Day will run at Trinity Uniting Church, corner Scott and Robinson streets, from 10am to 2pm.
Representatives from energy, telecommunications and water Ombudsman, Centrelink, financial counsellors, community lawyers and more will review bills and contracts and provide advice.
The free event’s aim is to empower low-income, disadvantaged customers to address debts, and is a Footscray Community Legal Centre concept.
Dandenong Community Advisory Bureau manager Jinny McGrath instigated bringing it to Dandenong a few months ago because many clients presenting for emergency relief were struggling with bills.
“We had heard of the concept of the Bring Your Bills Day organised in the Western Suburbs and thought it would provide a great opportunity for people to more fully understand how to read their bills and what resources are available to help when they get into difficulties,” she said.
Ms McGrath then connected with Good Shepherd Youth and Family Services, which received South East Water funding to run Bring Your Bills days in the South East.
Call Good Shepherd on 9270 9300 for more information.