MARONG families are pushing for the reinstatement of a maternal and child health centre in the town, which they say is a growing area for young families.
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Residents have begun a petition requesting the City of Greater Bendigo return routine maternal and child health nurse visits to the town.
It comes after councillors voted to return services to Elmore, in response to a community petition.
Councillors flagged on Tuesday that they were open to pushing for a return of MCH services to Elmore, but the community would need need to make the first move.
Maternal and child health services were not returned to either town after the COVID-19 crisis eased.
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Marong Community Action Group president, lead petitioner, Heather Wearne said maternal and child health care was an important service for the growing community, filled with young families.
Mrs Wearne said it was disappointing the maternal and child health service had been taken away from the community which was made up of mainly young families.
She has distributed hard copies of the petition everywhere from the general store, to the post office, medical centre and hairdresser, as well as uploading it online.
Mrs Wearne said the maternal child health service was an important part of social connectivity within the young community of Marong.
"It's really important that a community like Marong is establishing that infrastructure rather than taking away," she said.
"That social fabric of connectivity in a community like Marong is incredibly important. Council are promoting that 10 minute walkability, and yet you take away that integral point of [contact].
"Once a service is taken away it takes a very long time to get it back."
Bendigo's council voted on Monday to reinstate Elmore's maternal and child health centre, against staff recommendations.
The city did not resume its fortnightly face-to-face services at the centre after the COVID-19 crisis eased.
It sparked backlash from the community, which petitioned for their return.
The nearest MCH centre to Elmore was at Huntly, meaning young mums faced a nearly 60 kilometre round trip for their appointments.
Staff said any mothers unable to travel to Huntly would be offered a face-to-face visit.
Other news:
Marong's nearest MCH service is about 10 kilometres away at Maiden Gully, but there is no regular public transport linking the two localities.
The City of Greater Bendigo said in March it was moving to establish sites with more than one nurse present, for the health and safety of staff.
But Councillor David Fagg said in Monday's meeting the city had refused him access to this document.
Marong mum Belinda Young said it was silly to shut down the service, as young families were flowing into the area.
Miss Young's middle two children both went to appointments at the Marong centre.
For her youngest - just over three months old - Miss Young will have to travel to the Maiden Gully MCH centre.
Transport is not an issue, but she said local services were convenient for families.
"It's a really big support, as a mum, especially first time mums, and things like that," Miss Young said.
"We're far enough out of town that you'd be pretty isolated if you were unsure of something. You can call, but it's not the same as chatting to someone face to face."
The petition to reinstate Marong's MCH services is available online.
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