Federal Member for Murray Damian Drum announced the grant at The Cottage’s St Andrews Rd site before a crowd of about 50 staff, supporters and client.
‘‘I’m delighted today to be here at The Cottage — here in Shepparton — to announce that the Federal Government, after protracted conversations and advocacy from The Cottage itself, we’re going to announce $100000 per annum to enable The Cottage to continue the work that it’s doing,’’ Mr Drum said.
The Cottage’s company secretary Rob Bryant thanked Mr Drum.
‘‘As a result of this funding The Cottage is now sustainable, with residents contributing half their admission fee and government funding the other half.
‘‘This contribution will see a substantial increase in those people who are wanting to break the cycle of addiction,’’ he said.
‘‘For the Shepparton regional community who have wanted some form of treatment for addiction — a chronic health challenge Australia wide — this announcement is great news.
‘‘The low-cost Cottage model could become a template for other regional communities desperate for a sustainable solution.’’
The Cottage has previously been funded by philanthropic donations from individuals such as Mr Bryant, along with a $2000 entry fee for clients.
Clients also contribute about 75 per cent of their government benefits.
Programs run from two to 16 weeks, but can be extended up to 12 months depending on the needs of clients.
More than 100 clients have successfully undertaken the recovery program, according to Mr Bryant, with about 20 moving through at any one time.
Cottage client Jamara has been attending the facility since January.
The mother of four and self-confessed methamphetamine addict left Melbourne, fleeing family violence and drug abuse.
Jamara said accessing the facility had been life changing.
‘‘Yes, it’s been amazing, but it’s not easy — what I’m experiencing is not easy,’’ she said.
‘‘I guess for me removing myself from Melbourne has been the best thing. I feel very safe here and very relaxed.’’
Jamara has recently enrolled in a Diploma of Nursing at Shepparton’s GOTAFE and hopes to start a new life and a new career.
While still in Melbourne and contemplating breaking her addiction, Jamara followed the plight of The Cottage last year when it was almost closed down following a narrow vote by Greater Shepparton councillors to refuse it a planning permit.
‘‘I was worried, thinking, ‘Oh my god are they closing down?’ That would have been such a loss,’’ she said.
A subsequent VCAT hearing saw the councillors’ vote overturned and a planning permit granted in January this year.
Mr Drum acknowledged the public debate surrounding the facility.
‘‘Whether or not this is popular, or whether or not this is unpopular to me is totally irrelevant — it’s the right thing to do. That we fund this in a way that the business case is solid and is put on a very solid grounding for the next three years,’’ he said.
‘‘As we all know, addiction is very non-discriminatory. It will go after anybody. It doesn’t just go after the lower socio-economic families. It doesn’t just go after indigenous families. It doesn’t just go after the wealthy. Addiction can hit anyone at any time in any way.’’
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