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June 16, 2023
Tartan-riffic time at Celtic fest
(Ivan Kemp) 341011_15
Huge numbers flocked to Portarlington for the National Celtic Folk Festival over the long weekend. About 15,000 festival-goers were treated to music, dancing, food and entertainment including some star-studded international acts. Festival director Una McAlindan said organisers were nervous about the turnout considering the economic downturn and coming back after COVID, but those fears were put to rest early as thousands ventured to the seaside Bellarine Peninsula town. Sophie Stringer, Rorie Lamaro and Stephanie Scott (pictured) got into the spirit of the festival as punters dressed up in their best Celtic gear and enjoyed the four days of fun. ■ Story: Page 5.
Homeless crisis worsens By Jena Carr South Barwon homelessness rates have soared by 465 per cent, according to data from The Council to Homeless Persons. The analysis compares Census data from 2016 to 2021 and identified that the South Barwon electorate near Geelong recorded the state’s worst homelessness increase by close to 148 people. Meli Youth, Housing and South West Services director Josephine Taylor said the homelessness support organisation for young people aged 15 to 25 had seen demand for its
services grow. “There are currently around 8500 people on the priority waitlist for social housing in the Barwon region,” she said. “These are people on the top priority for reasons like rough sleeping, family violence, severe over-crowding and threats of danger.” Ms Taylor said the statistics were concerning but not surprising as the region was one of the fastest growing areas in Victoria as “affordable housing remains static” and private rental costs rise. “Often the only alternative is motel accommodation, which is not always
guaranteed, not fit for purpose and expensive,” she said. “Young people are also increasingly presenting with more complex needs, which creates even more barriers for support in terms of safe accommodation.” The Outpost vice president Amy Flint said there had been a 50 per cent increase in people using The Outpost’s services over the past 12 months, which is currently at a five-year high. “The Outpost has served over 10,000 meals this year. That’s between 20 and 50 hot healthy meals each and every day,” she said. “Currently we are seeing an upward trend in young people who are sleeping in their cars
with no other alternative.” Ms Flint said along with the organisation’s primary service of “feeding those in need”, more people were requesting warmer clothing, and the items were leaving faster than they were being donated. “There has been a much higher demand as we lead into the coldest months of the year for blankets, sleeping bags, and beanies,” she said. “It’s a stressful situation for many in our community who are already doing it tough.” Help is available by calling Barwon Community Youth Foundation on 1800 825 955 or The Outpost on 03 5223 1201.
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