By Casey Neill
Melba Support Services has officially opened its doors in Dandenong.
“I reckon there’s a really positive energy to Dandenong,” general manager David Glazebrook said.
“We’re loving being back in Dandenong.
“I reckon it’s a lovely area.
“It’s got this beautiful diversity.”
The celebration at the Walker Street shopfront took place on Friday 19 May.
“Five people who we support in the region were there,” Mr Glazebrook said.
“A couple of them I hadn’t seen for 12 months so it was delightful to see them again and to chat and talk to them.
“We just want people to know that we’re open, we’ve got an office there.”
He’s no stranger to Dandenong.
Mr Glazebrook managed the Visy Cares Centre for young people in Clow Street, now home to the Greater Dandenong Council’s youth services team.
“An office is important,” he said.
“A lot of the stuff you can do via phone and email and stuff, but we work with people.
“I reckon they want to meet who’s potentially going to offer that support.
“Nothing beats face-to-face.”
The not-for-profit had to close its office in Oakleigh when a new owner bought the business and moved in there.
“We knew we wanted to reopen in the region,” Mr Glazebrook said.
“Our hearts always said Dandenong.
“We just needed to wait for the NDIS (National Disability Insurance Scheme) to announce all their rollouts and stuff.
“We did the numbers as well as the emotional side of things.”
Melba was one of five businesses to receive a Greater Dandenong Business Grant at Dandenong Civic Centre in December last year.
The grant included up to $8000 plus business mentoring and marketing valued at about $2000.
