REBECCA Kelly didn't have much time to dwell on her national award celebrating her work supporting people with autism in Bendigo.
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Having flown up to Sydney on Thursday to accept the award, she was back in Bendigo the very next day continuing her work in trying to find a permanent location for the city's designated autism service.
The Bendigo Community Autism Research Centre will leave its temporary location in Strathfieldsaye next month, but has yet to find a new permanent centre to boost its range of courses offered.
Ms Kelly said they are working hard to secure a new space.
"We're going to need space for a high level computer program we're planning on introducing," she said.
"Unfortunately, we haven't been able to make where we are now accessible for all so we have to move.
"We also want to open a new centre in the middle of town to make it easier for people to access."
Ms Kelly's work over the last four years on the Real People Talk Autism radio program, and introducing programs for people with autism in Bendigo, earned her the Parent/Carer of the Year Award at the Aspect National Recognition Awards.
Her radio program was the first of its kind in Australia and details the experiences of people with autism in the Bendigo community, connecting them with health professionals.
The research centre in Bendigo has introduced a number of programs in the last few years, but Ms Kelly said a permanent location was their number one priority.
She said they were considering a lease at the old council chambers on View Street.
"I know it's a tough ask for us to afford it, but I don't give up on anything," Ms Kelly.