New parents in Eurobodalla and surrounding communities will have access to increased support with the opening of the Tresillian Moruya Family Care Centre, and the Tresillian 2U Eurobodalla Early Parenting Van.
Minister for Women, Regional Health and Mental Health Bronnie Taylor officially opened the services on Tuesday (October 4), which will provide more support for new parents on the South Coast.
“I’m so excited to welcome Tresillian to the Eurobodalla community, where I know their services will support families in providing a nurturing, safe and calm environment for their baby,” Mrs Taylor said.
The new Family Care Centre and Early Parenting Van will provide families with access to specialist support on early parenting issues including breastfeeding and bottle-feeding, infant settling, toddler behaviour and perinatal anxiety and depression.
“I know how difficult it can be adjusting to life with a new baby and having support services available close to home can make all the difference.”
Tresillian is a not-for-profit parenting service supporting families in the early stages of a child’s life.
Member for Bega, Dr Michael Holland and Federal Member for Gilmore, Fiona Phillips were at the launch.
Dr Holland told East Coast Radio although the new Tresillian mobile van will be supporting families from Batemans bay to Bermagui, he wants a co-located service in the New Eurobodalla hospital.
“The Mobile van will travel up and down the coast and it’s a model that has been tried elsewhere including the north coast,” Dr Holland said.
“What I would really like to see when the new Eurobodalla Regional Hospital is built, to have a co-located Tresillian service with Gidget Foundation present, and the need that we have for in-patient beds at the Tresillian unit.”
Tresillian CEO Rob Mills said that since opening in March this year, the team at Tresillian Moruya have delivered more than 300 occasions of service to local families.
“Tresillian’s services have transformed the lives of thousands of Australian families. We’re thrilled to be working in partnership with the NSW Government, Southern NSW Local Health District and Gidget Foundation Australia to ensure every child in the Eurobodalla region has the best start in life,” Mr Mills said.
“Our aim is to support parents to build confidence and enjoy the critical early years of their child’s life.”
The Moruya Family Care Centre is located at 5 River Street Moruya. The Tresillian 2U Van travels to towns across the region including Batemans Bay, Mogo, Narooma, Wallaga Lake and Bermagui. Both services operate Monday to Friday.
The new Tresillian service includes a regional social worker providing face-to-face counselling in the Centre and telehealth for families in other parts of Southern and Western NSW. Gidget House perinatal mental health services are also available.
Families can book online HERE or ask their local GP or Child and Family Health Nurse for a referral.
Images: Bronnie Taylor, Fiona Phillips
