Community News
Connecting our community.
Norlane West Scout and Community Centre Open Day - You're Invited!
The wait is finally over!
Join us as we officially welcome the community into the brand-new Norlane West Scout and Community Centre and celebrate an exciting new chapter for Scouting and community connection in Geelong's northern suburbs.
Saturday 22nd August
84–86 Dunloe Avenue, Norlane
Open house 2-4pm
Come along and:
- Tour the new facility
- Meet local Scouts and volunteers
- Learn about Scouting programs for young people aged 5–25
- Discover how community groups can use the centre
- Enjoy family-friendly activities
- Connect with local community organisations
- Celebrate this exciting milestone with us
The new centre has been purpose-built as a welcoming, accessible space where young people can learn, grow and thrive, while also providing a valuable community resource for local groups and residents. The facility replaces the former Scout hall and has been designed to support adventure, learning, community connection and lifelong friendships for generations to come.
Whether you're interested in Scouting, looking for community opportunities, or simply curious to see the new building, everyone is welcome.
Come and help us celebrate Norlane's newest community hub!
Membership or venue hire enquiries: gl.norlanewest@scoutsvictoria.com.au
Sensory Kingdom has recently moved to a new location at 205 Shannon Avenue, Manifold heights. They're excited to continue supporting families and children in the community with a range of sensory products.
"At Sensory Kingdom, we specialise in products such as chew necklaces, weighted teddies, fidget tools, and other sensory supports that many students and families find beneficial."
They are offering our school families a 5% discount if you just show them this discount in the newsletter and can be used in-store.
Their current opening hours are Tuesday to Friday: 10:00am - 4:00pm & Saturdays: 10:00am -2:00pm.
Information for Students Using Public Transport
From 1 January 2026, public transport is now free for children aged between 5 and 17 years. To access free travel, all young people need to carry a Youth myki card and tap on and off each time they travel.
Youth myki can be purchased for $5 online via the Transport Victoria website or from a staffed station or from the PTV hub.
- Youth myki cards purchased online will be registered to the customer and will expire when they turn 18
- Youth myki cards purchased in person from a staffed station or the PTV hub aren't registered and will expire in 4 years. For a list of staffed stations and their operating hours, visit the Transport Victoria website.
Children under 18 travelling on ticketed V/Line services require a paper ticket or e-ticket and must present their Youth myki to obtain a $0 ticket. On booked V/Line services, the Youth myki card number can be used to access free travel.
For more information about Youth myki, please visit Youth myki.
HELP AND SUPPORT
https://www.health.vic.gov.au/mental-health-services/telephone-and-online-services
Telephone and online services
There are telephone and online support services for people affected by mental health issues, with targeted services on particular issues or for particular groups in the community.
| Service | Focus | Phone Number | Operating Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Emergency | Emergency assistance | 000 | 24 hours/7 days |
| NURSE-ON-CALL | Expert health advice from a nurse | 1300 60 60 24 | 24 hours/7 days |
| Area Mental Health Services Triage | Generally the first point of contact for people seeking a specialist mental health response that will identify the urgency and nature of response required | Phone numbers are available in each area | 24 hours/7 days |
| Beyondblue | Depression, anxiety and related disorders | 1300 22 4636 | 24 hours/7 days |
| Lifeline | Crisis support, suicide prevention and mental health support services | 13 11 14 | 24 hours/7 days |
| SANE | People affected by complex mental health issues | 1800 187 263 | 10am – 10pm weekdays |
| ARAFEMI Carer Helpline | People affected by mental illness | 1300 550 265 | 9am – 5pm weekdays |
For specific groups in the community
| Service | Focus | Phone Number | Operating Hours |
| Kids HelpLine | Telephone counselling service for people aged between 5 and 25 / 24-hour service | 1800 55 1800 | 24 hours/7days |
| headspace | Young people aged 12–25 | 1800 650 890 | Telephone: 10pm to 1am Online counselling: 1pm to 1am |
| Parentline | Parents and carers with children from birth to 18 years | 13 22 89 | 8 am–midnight/7 days |
| Safe Steps (Family Violence Response Centre) | Family violence support | 1800 015 188 | 24 hours/7 days |
| Gay and Lesbian Switchboard | Gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and intersex (GLBTI) communities. | 9663 2939 or 1800 184 527 | Mon–Thurs 6 pm–10 pm Fri–Sun 6pm–9pm |
| Sexual Assault Crisis Line Victoria | Victims/survivors of past and recent sexual assault | 1800 806 292 | 5 pm–9 am/7 days |
| Griefline | Support for experiencing loss and grief, Lines open from Midday to 3am 7 days per week | 1300 845 745 | 12 noon–3 am/7 days |
| DirectLine | People impacted by drug use | 1800 888 236 | 24 hours/7 days |
| Family Drug Help | People impacted by drug use | 1300 660 068 | 9am–9pm weekdays |
| SuicideLine VIC | People affected by suicide | 1300 651 251 | 24 hours/7 days |
| PANDA | Post or ante natal depression | 1300 726 306 | 9 am–7 pm weekdays |
| Gambling helpline | Gambling | 1800 858 858 | 24 hours/7 days |
| OCD and Anxiety helpline | Anxiety disorders and depression | 1300 269 438 or 9830 0533 | 10am–4pm weekdays |
| Mensline | Men dealing with relationship problems | 1300 78 99 78 | 24 hours/7 days |
| Bush support line | People in rural and remote areas | 1800 805 391 | 24 hours/7 days |
| Suicide call back | 24-hour crisis support and counselling | 1300 659 467 | 24 hours/7 days |