By CASEY NEILL
GOLF will help Greater Dandenong businesses to clothe students in need.
SEBN’s annual charity golf day will next year be held at Sandhurst Club on 23 February.
Manager Sandra George said the “little old golf day” had raised nearly $200,000 over the past five years.
State Schools Relief (SSR) will receive next year’s funds to buy uniforms for students in Greater Dandenong, Cardinia and Casey.
SSR chief executive Stephen Iles said students without the right uniform were often a target for bullies and this could be a trigger for kids to disengage.
He said the fund spent $91,500 dressing 1100 students in the three municipalities last year.
But the Education Maintenance Allowance will no longer be available to parents next year and Mr Iles expects this to increase demand on their services 10-fold, to just over 10,000 children.
“We need to raise a lot more money to dress these children,” he said.
Hanover Welfare Services used the cash from last year’s event to install laundry facilities in family rooms.
Michelle Kiernan told the breakfast that parents previously had to bring their children with them into a small communal laundry area to wash their clothes.
“They couldn’t leave the kids alone in the unit,” she said.
“It’s a little thing but it makes a huge difference for families.”
Ms Kiernan said people sleeping rough or in rooming houses without laundries could now use the communal facilities.
“That’s been an unexpected benefit,” she said.
The cash has also helped to upgrade the centre’s outdoor space.
“Even in its half-finished state it’s beginning to be used,” Ms Kiernan said.
Call SEBN on 8571 5196 to get involved in the golf day as a player or sponsor.
