Against all odds, the Latrobe Health Assembly will continue!

Earlier this year, the Victorian Government announced that the Assembly would be defunded in the 2025 State Budget, a decision that marked what many thought would be the end of one of the most innovative, community-driven health initiatives in Victoria.

But the Latrobe Valley community had other ideas.

Through powerful advocacy, passionate support, and a collective belief that our region deserves better health and wellbeing outcomes, the community has ensured that the Assembly will live on, albeit in a leaner, fully community-owned and led form, continuing its important work well into 2026.

While the new structure will be much leaner in scale and budget, its purpose and heart remain unchanged: to tackle the big issues affecting the health and wellbeing of the Latrobe Valley, together.

Over recent years, the Assembly has worked alongside thousands of residents, local organisations, and health partners to address the challenges facing our region, but the statistics show there is still a long way to go.

• Early Childhood Development: 17.5% of children in the Latrobe Valley are considered developmentally vulnerable in two or more domains (compared to 10.2% across Victoria).
• Mental Health: 37% of Gippsland adults have been diagnosed with anxiety or depression (significantly higher than the state average of 32%).
• Chronic Disease: 33.5% of people in Latrobe are living with two or more chronic diseases
• Food Insecurity: 11.3% of the Latrobe Valley population experiences food insecurity with hunger, which is significantly higher than the Victorian state average of 6.6%.
• Social Isolation: Connection and belonging remain critical challenges, particularly for older residents and young people.

These figures tell a clear story: the need for local, community-designed solutions has never been greater.

'We began the difficult process of ending a suite of powerful community-designed projects and preparing for a November closure. But because of the passion and persistence of our community, we now have a lifeline, a chance to keep going, to evolve, and to continue doing what we do best: bringing people together to make positive change.'

'The loss of previous projects will leave a lasting-impact on our community however the new Assembly will work tirelessly to maintain the same impact it has for the past eight-years. We’ll keep co-designing, collaborating and creating real, local solutions, and we’ll keep fighting for the health and wellbeing of every person in the Latrobe Valley.'

The Department of Health has now advised that a modest portion of the Assembly’s remaining budget is now permitted to be retained. This will assist the organisation in its transition toward an independent, community-owned model which will continue to drive local projects designed to make a real difference.

This next chapter will see the Assembly:

• Continue its long-standing work in mental health, chronic disease prevention, early childhood development, food security, and social connection
• Explore new funding opportunities, including philanthropy, grants, and partnerships with local councils and community organisations
• Remain a strong, local voice advocating for place-based, people-driven solutions that improve life for everyone in the Valley

The Assembly is now inviting community members, organisations, and local partners to get involved; whether through collaboration, volunteering, funding support, or simply sharing ideas about what’s next.