News

MDAS upgrade takes shape

Mon, 23 Mar 2015 13:10:00

Builders are making a big impact on a major upgrade of the original Mallee District Aboriginal Services building in Mildura.

The former MDAS Community Hall, reception and the original MDAS health centre in Madden Avenue are being redeveloped to provide expanded space for the organisation’s Family Services and Administrative staff.
The work, jointly funded by a $500,000 grant from Regional Development Victoria and MDAS, will provide a new purpose-built reception area in 10th Street, client intake and consultation rooms, a new community hall and training facilities and a community gathering place.  It also includes upgrades to the grassed area on Lower Murray Water land adjacent to the water tower for development of a welcoming, inclusive and culturally relevant community space with landscaping, seating, tables and pathways.
The Madden Avenue complex has been the base for MDAS services for more than 20 years and although there have been incremental refurbishments, MDAS CEO Rudolph Kirby said it had been recognised for some time there needed to be expansion to meet the organisation’s growth.
“It’s long overdue and will complement the new MDAS Aboriginal health clinic in Orange Avenue which was opened in 2013,” Mr Kirby said.
“Our new health clinic has proven itself as a key plank in our work on closing the gap for Koori people – more than 500 more new clients registered with our services in the Mallee last year,” he said.
“This latest redevelopment focuses on providing more space and a more appropriate environment for delivering MDAS Family Services, and is equally important in the work we do.”
The upgrade project will also allow administrative staff to be centralised into the one building, instead of occupying two separate offices on opposite sides of Madden Avenue.
Contractor King Constructions began work just before Christmas, and has removed the front walls of the former Community Hall to make way for the redevelopment.  Staff are expected to move into the new office spaces in the second half of this year.