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WITH a book nook, a rainbow brightening up the wall, and bright green balloons stretching for the ceiling, it was difficult not to smile upon entering Kidzspace on Friday.
A three-hour ‘kidz party’ helped mark the official opening of the $2.9 million building, as did some wise words from some of the people at the project’s core.
Among them were three students from Strathfieldsaye Primary School, who had suggested ideas to help children feel safe and comfortable in the space.
The opportunity to get involved in the project initially seemed too good to be true to Jake Maney.
But he said it was a proud moment for he and his peers to see their ideas come to fruition.
“I would have found a place like this really helpful,” Bella Egan, a fellow Strathfieldsaye student, said.
Kidzspace is intended to ensure all children in Bendigo have an equal start in life.
Under its roof, in Kangaroo Flat, families will find a range of paediatric and family-focused specialists.
Bendigo Community Health Services will share the space with a wide range of organisations and providers working in the community.
MacKillop Family Services chief executive officer Dr Robyn Miller said it took a community to raise a child.
“You grow them strong in Bendigo,” she said.
MacKillop Family Services and Bendigo Community Health Services will be working together on a program called Cradle to Kinder, to provide intensive support during a child’s early years.
She said the first three years of a child’s life were crucial to their development.
“The earlier we can intervene when things aren’t going well, the better the outcomes,” Dr Miller said.
“All parents want to be good parents, but we know sometimes love isn’t enough.”
All parents need a little help occasionally, Dr Miller said, and she welcomed the assistance kidzspace would be able to offer.
“We’re not just opening a building today,” BCHS board chair Geoff Bowyer said.
“What we’re really excited about is the services we’re going to provide and the accessible way we’re going to provide them.”
BCHS chief executive officer Kim Sykes said a number of the organisation’s clients were the grandchildren and children of previous clients.
While she said she was glad they sought the service’s help, she said BCHS was actively trying to end entrenched disadvantage in those families.
“If we want a different future for these children, we need different approaches,” she said.
Ms Sykes said the Kidzspace building was symbolic of a promise:
“Never accept enduring disadvantage as inevitable,” she said.
The majority of the project’s funding – $2.6 million – was provided by the state government, with a $300,000 contribution from BCHS.
Member for Bendigo East Jacinta Allan, a former BCHS board member, officially opened the building.
She said the community would benefit from strengthened partnerships between the co-located services.
“Kidzspace will benefit hard-working staff and help them to work together with other local healthcare services to provide the very best care and support, as quickly as possible,” Ms Allan said.
“It will deliver better health outcomes and quicker treatment for children with complex needs who often face significant challenges.”
Kidzspace is located at 13 Helm Street, Kangaroo Flat.