Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
TUCKED away on Pall Mall, a volunteer-run organisation has quietly been providing support to Bendigo families during some of life’s most stressful times for the past 12 years.
Whether a person has gone through the loss of a loved one to suicide, they have carried through with an abortion or had a stillborn child, or have had a child pass away under any circumstances, support groups at the Gianna Centre are designed to provide a “soft landing”.
And it’s completely unique to Bendigo.
The organisation doesn’t seek plaudits for its work – in an extended statement to the Bendigo Advertiser, its committee explained its underlying purpose.
They also outlined the challenges that face young families in Bendigo.
Having worked with parents from a range of backgrounds, their experience has proved invaluable to all who have visited the centre.
n the end, setting boundaries was found to be the one of the best ways to gain some form of control for young people facing an unplanned pregnancy.
“In terms of young families and individuals, we find that poor relationships are a major issue for many of our mums and dads,” the statement read.
“Looking for love in all the wrong places – this often results in additional pregnancies where in some instances, dad is not on the scene.
“We encourage our families to consider the consequences of the behaviour they choose. It’s amazing when we can achieve the trust of mum or dad, how they respond to setting boundaries for themselves and establishing their own set of values.
“It’s often something they have never known or considered before.”
A sudden and unplanned pregnancy can be the most stressful time in a young person’s life.
Even with a falling teenage birthrate in Bendigo, its far more common for a teenager to become pregnant in Bendigo compared with Melbourne. It’s the case all over country Victoria, and even more so in the Indigenous community.
Statistics showed there were 13 births from people aged 15 to 19 in Bendigo per 1000 mums in 2015, compared with 5.9 in Melbourne.
The rate dropped across the board between 2014 and 2015, with Mildura and Shepparton recording the highest rates.
In Bendigo, women are more likely to give birth while aged between 15 and 19 than if they are between 40 and 44.
The Gianna Centre has seen it many times. And, usually, teenage mums are unaware of the support that is available to them.
“Many of our mums have not known a loving background and all that encompasses,” the statement read.
“It is a privilege for us to walk alongside these mums and ensure they are connected with all the services available to them.
“Sometimes mum simply wants someone to talk to.”
The centre does not provide referrals for abortion services, but it does have support groups for people have been through the experience.
The Catch a Swallow group is designed for people who “regret or are sad about their abortion decision”.
“If a mother of any age is facing an unplanned or difficult pregnancy, our role is to offer options and opportunities for mum to continue with her pregnancy if she so wishes,” the centre says.
“Should a mother decide to terminate her pregnancy, we totally respect the decision must be her’s to make – free of coercion or pressure from others.
“As one of our mums said, there are no winners in this life experience.”
Judgement is also something many in Bendigo are likely to feel at some stage or other during these stressful times.
“Some of our mums and dads don’t value themselves sufficiently – they have survived extremely difficult circumstances – they love their children dearly and many simply need a hand to get back on their feet,” the Gianna Centre believes.
“They know when they are being judged.
“One of Gianna’s core values identifies the need of every individual to love and be loved.
“It should be easy, but a lot of hurt, pain and anger can get in the way – consequently poor mental health, drugs and alcohol may result. There is much more work to be done.”
It’s not just young mums who seek support, either.
The Gianna Centre has partnerships with Sands Victoria, which provides support for people who have experienced a miscarriage or a stillborn birth, and with Compassionate Friends Victoria, which helps parents who have lost a child.
Their Life After Suicide support service is available to anyone who has had a loved one take their own life.
They receive many donations of baby clothing, baby blankets, nursery items, breast pumps and maternity clothing. As a volunteer-run organisation, the Gianna Centre is dependent on donations.
The centre believes this culture of donations and volunteerism helps to add to the supportive environment.
“There is so much kindness in our community – many want to contribute in some way,” the Gianna Centre’s statement reads.
“Bendigo is so fortunate to have an incredible array or services on offer for families – state of the art hospitals, health and social welfare organisations and government services.
“We are privileged to receive referrals from and work alongside these institutions.”