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Community and welfare relief service providers

The service providers listed below can provide support and relief services including food relief, financial support and housing support.

About this list

This information is accurate at the date of publishing but may change without notice. If any information needs to be updated or removed, call us on 9298 8000.

Download list of COVID-19 relief service providers

We strongly recommend you call service providers directly for information on available services.

myGov

myGov is a simple and secure way for you to access Australian Government services online. You can access 13 government services online including:

  • Medicare
  • Centrelink
  • Child Support
  • the Australian Taxation Office.

To get started, you need to create a myGov account. Visit the myGov website.

COVID-19 screening clinics

Please visit the DHHS website for up to date information on the location of COVID-19 testing sites.

COVID-19 vaccinations

Vaccinations are important for reducing the risks of COVID-19.  Find more information on eligibility and vaccination centres.

Reporting racism

At Knox, we welcome and celebrate our diversity and are against any form of discrimination or racism.

If you have experienced racism or witnessed other unfair treatment during COVID-19, report it via a Community Reporting Tool – it's quick, easy and you can report anonymously if you wish to.

Translations

General advice and information about Coronavirus (Covid-19) is available from Government in a range of languages.

Service providers

Food relief
Organisation Service provided
Emergency relief packages

Victorians in mandatory self-isolation due to coronavirus with no access to food and essential supplies can apply to receive emergency relief packages. Please call Victoria’s dedicated coronavirus hotline on 1800 675 398.

Food packages include:

  • long-life milk
  • pasta
  • cereal
  • canned vegetables
  • sugar

Personal care packages will also be distributed to eligible households and include soap, toothpaste and deodorant.

Extra items may also be provided depending on the needs of the household, such as nappies or baby formula.

You can also contact your local supermarkets and chemist to see if you are eligible for home delivery.

Knox Infolink, Boronia

Provides emergency relief such as:

  • food parcels
  • meat 
  • bread
  • fruit and vegetables
  • toiletries
  • homelessness packs
  • referrals to other support agencies
  • other material aid.

They also have various resources tailored for clients who are homeless.

Phone interviews are available for those that are in isolation or unwell.

Limited home delivery may be available.

A Breakfast Program is available from the Boronia Progress Hall (next door to Infolink), Monday to Friday, 8-10 am

Contact Infolink by: 

Operating hours are Monday to Thursday, between 10 am to 3 pm.

Adventist Development & Relief Agency (ADRA)
  • ADRA Op Shop Boronia
    Activity Telephone No - 0421 391 367
    Activity Email - adraboronia@adra.org.au
    Address: 145 Boronia Rd, Boronia VIC 3155
    Operating Hours - 10am - 4pm, Mon-Fri
    Description of service: Sells second-hand clothes. Food items also available.
  • ADRA Community Care - Ferntree Gully
    Activity Telephone No - 0490 404 110
    Activity Email - adraftg@adra.org.au
    Address: 3-5 Railway Parade, Upper Ferntree Gully, VIC 3156
    Operating Hours - Monday @ 12:30-3pm
    Description of service: Pantry bags available with fresh fruit & veg, bread, and frozen meals. Clothing & bedding also available (in Op Shop).
  • ADRA Community Care - Rowville Lysterfield
    Activity Telephone No – 0407 578 738
    Activity Email – adrarowville@adra.org.au
    Address: 82 Bellfield Drive, Lysterfield, VIC 3156
    Operating Hours – Tuesdays 12-2pm
    Description of service: Food hampers available - fresh fruit & vegetables, pantry items, and frozen meals.
  • ADRA Community Care – Wantirna
    Activity Telephone No - 0468 824 834
    Activity Email - adrawantirna@adra.org.au
    Address: 119 Mountain Hwy, Wantirna, VIC 3152
    Operating Hours - Tues to Thurs 10am-5pm (delivery on Thursdays)
    Description of service: Delivering food parcels to people in need.
Aussie Veterans Op Shop

Frozen meals available, no need to make an appointment. 

Call Dave on 0439 382 346.

Shop 10, Boronia Mall, Boronia.

Boronia Community Church of Christ, Boronia

Takeaway meals.

First and third Monday of the month.

Pick up 12:00 pm to 12:30 pm. 

Call 9762 1277 for more details.

Boronia Road Uniting Church

Provides emergency food relief on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Friday mornings between 10:00 am and 12:00 pm.

A health care card is no longer required however you do need to be a resident of Knox.

Call 0408 596 814 for more details.

One Hope Community Church (Community@Cavell), Scoresby

Provides help in Scoresby and Knoxfield with:

  • community meals (Tuesdays 6 pm to 7 pm)
  • money mentoring (by appointment)
  • job search assistance (by appointment)
  • advocacy support (by appointment)

Please call or email first to confirm location and time.

CHAMPION (Temple Society Australia), Bayswater

Temple Society provides emergency relief such as: 

  • food 
  • meat
  • bread
  • fruit and vegetables
  • toiletries
  • clothing
  • budgeting assistance
  • referrals to other support agencies

Temple Society also provides:

  • advocacy
  • book swap
  • market days
  • events. 

Appointments are preferred but not essential.

Contact CHAMPION by:

Operating hours are:

  • Monday 10 am to 12:30 pm
  • Wednesday 12:30 pm to 3:00 pm
  • Closed on public holidays.

Please note that they are closed from 22/12/22 and reopen on 9/1/23.

City Life Community Care, Wantirna South

Provides:

  • food parcels (pick up)
  • fresh produce
  • meat
  • bread
  • personal and household items
  • food vouchers (as available)
  • Myki cards
  • counselling and psychology services
  • financial assistance (by application).

Training and mentoring programs as well as community meals will resume in 2022.

For more information or to make an appointment call 9871 8900 or contact us via the City Life website.

Foothills Community Care, Ferntree Gully

On Wednesday evenings, Foothills Community Care provides:

  • takeaway community meals
  • fresh food parcels
  • basic toiletries

Can also home deliver meals to isolated and vulnerable people in Knox through the Community Casseroles program. Please book online

Call 8711 8677.

Glen Park Community Centre, Bayswater North
  • Community pantry – fortnightly for residents of Boronia, Bayswater or Bayswater North. To be eligible you must be a holder of a health care or concession card. You also need to complete a registration form.
  • Community meals – monthly on the third Wednesday of the month at 6 pm. Open to everyone but we are limited to 30 places. You will need to complete a registration form.
  • Uniform and school supplies – by appointment. To be eligible you must be a holder of a health care or concession card. You also need to complete a registration form.
  • Bread and egg collection – to be eligible you must be a holder of a health care or concession card. You also need to complete a registration form.  

For more information, email office@glenparkcc.com.au

HOPE City Mission Inc, Croydon

Provides:

  • quality food (fruit, vegetables, pantry and perishable, bread)
  • hygiene and material aid (seasonal)
  • advocacy and financial literacy workshops for those experiencing financial hardship

Assessments are conducted online or over the phone. Food is distributed through a drive through service. 

Call 1800 865 299.

Restore Community Care, Rowville

Short-term emergency food relief.

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursdays, 11:00 am to 2:30 pm by appointment only.  Closed on Fridays.

Call 8736 7053.

Salvation Army, Boronia

Provides emergency relief. 

Call 9762 7604.

Salvation Army, Ferntree Gully

Providing a drive-through style food parcel program on Wednesday mornings between 9:30 am and 10:45 am. No appointment is required. 

Call 9752 2682 for more details.

Scoresby Uniting Church

Drop-In @ Scoresby, Scoresby Uniting Church.

  • Provides emergency food relief on Monday and Thursday mornings between 10:00am and 12:00pm. 
  • You need to be a resident of Knox.
  • Call 0488 999 623 for more details.
Shree Swaminarayan Temple

Vegetarian and vegan meals only. Gluten free available. Takeaway meals and food parcels.

Pick-up and home delivery available between 7 am to 8 pm at 69 Wadhurst Drive, Boronia. 

Call 0421 506 666.

St Paul’s Anglican, Boronia

Provides sit down/dine in community meals on Thursday evenings at 6.30 pm. 

Call 9761 1797.

St Vincent De Paul

Food parcels can be delivered.

Monday to Friday between 10 am and 3 pm. 

Call 1800 305 330.

The call centre will be closed from December 20th 2022 to January 16th 2023.

Wellington Care Centre, Rowville

Emergency food relief on Tuesdays, from 10:30 am to 12 pm.

Coats and blankets available during winter.

Counselling services also available. 

Call 9764 3738.

Financial support
Organisation Service provided
EACH – financial counselling

Financial counselling for people affected by financial hardship living in Knox, Maroondah and Yarra Ranges.  

Call 1300 003 224.

Centrelink
  • Boronia Service Centre, 3 William Street, Boronia
  • Rowville Service Centre, 5 Fulham Road, Rowville
Gamblers Help Eastern

Provides phone support for anyone with concerns about gambling harm.

All assistance is free, confidential and unlimited. 

Contact by:

Housing support
Organisation Service provided
Uniting Harrison – Open Door Program

An entry point for homelessness support programs in Knox that supports:

young people

  • adults
  • families
  • couples

This program helps people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness to access, establish and maintain long-term housing.

Call 9051 3000 or 1800 825 955 for an over-the-phone assessment.

Knox City Council – housing support

Helps eligible Knox residents aged 55 years or older who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.

Provides:

  • support
  • advice
  • advocacy
  • referrals
  • assistance for public housing

Call 9298 8303 or 0478 317 910 for an over-the-phone assessment.

Family violence support

If you are in immediate danger call 000.

Organisation Service provided
EFVREE (previously known as EDVOS - Eastern Domestic Violence Services 

Specialist service for women, their children and pets living in the Eastern Metropolitan Region of Melbourne who are currently experiencing family violence.

Contact:

Operating hours:

  • Monday to Friday, 9 am to 8 pm
  • Saturday, 9 am to 5 pm. 
Safe Steps Family Violence Response Centre

A state-wide, 24/7 crisis family violence support for emergency accommodation and information. 

Call 1800 015 188 (24 hours).

1800 Respect

Confidential information, counselling and support service.

Open 24 hours to support people impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence. 

Call 1800 737 732.

EACH Family Violence Counselling for Women

Counselling for anyone with a history of/or experiencing family violence and would like to seek support through counselling

Monday to Friday 8:30 am to 5:30 pm.

Call 1300 003 224.

Men’s Referral Service (No to Violence)

Support for men who use violence against family members. 

Call 1300 766 491.

Seniors Rights Victoria

A state-wide service to help prevent elder abuse and safeguard the rights, dignity and independence of older people. The service provides:

  • information
  • support
  • advice
  • education

Call 1300 368 821.

InTouch

A state-wide specialist family violence service that works with women from migrant and refugee backgrounds. 

Call 1800 015 188.

W/Respect A state-wide specialist LGBTIQ family violence service. Call 1800 542 847 (1800 LGBTIQ)
Legal Support For legal help for family violence or family law matters, please see Legal Support Services section.
Mental health support

If you are in immediate danger call 000.

For 24-hour crisis support and suicide prevention, call Lifeline on 13 11 14.

 

Organisation Service provided
Beyond Blue

Provides information and support to help people achieve their best possible mental health, whatever their age and wherever they live. 

Call 1300 224 636.

EACH – generalist counselling

Prompt counselling, support and advocacy for Knox residents.

Call 1300 003 224.

Headspace Knox

Confidential and free mental health support, health advice, and general information for young people aged 12 to 25. 

Call 9801 6088.

Outer East Phone Chat

Due to COVID-19, you might be at home by yourself or with a house full of people. It can be nice to have someone else to have a chat with.

Operating hours:

  • Monday to Friday, 10 am to 1 pm
  • Monday to Thursday, 5 pm to 9 pm

Call (toll-free) 1800 984 825.

MensLine Australia

Phone and online counselling for men. 

Call 1300 789 978 (24 hours).

Kids Helpline

Private and confidential 24/7 phone and online counselling service for young people aged 5 to 25. 

Call 1800 551 800.

Relationships Australia A range of services to support children, young people and families. Call 1300 364 277.
Red Cross – COVID CONNECT

A new national telephone service for the COVID-19 pandemic. Our goal is to:

  • help build social connections
  • help you learn ways to better connect with your community

Call 1800 733 276.

Support for older people
Organisation Service provided
Older person’s COVID-19 Support Line

During lockdowns and restrictions this service provides:

  • information
  • support
  • checks on older Australians

Free call 1800 171 866.

Bright Ideas Network

A voice for over 55s in Knox. Support for older people made up of:

  • residents
  • community groups
  • local businesses

They work on events, projects and issues that are important.

Receive their monthly newsletter and find out What’s On in Knox. 

Call 9298 8828.

Talking Café

A regular weekly chat session with community connector volunteers for people aged 65+ in the Knox area. 

Make yourself a cuppa, grab a snack and join us via:

  • Zoom online meeting (Wednesdays 10 am to 11 am)
  • telephone conference call (Wednesday 2 pm to 3 pm)

Contact us by:

Operating hours are Monday to Thursday, 10 am to 1 pm and 5 pm to 9 pm.

Dementia Australia

Specific advice and support for people living with dementia.

Can also post out hard copies of fact sheets to community members. 

National Dementia Helpline 1800 100 500.

Drug and alcohol support
Organisation Service provided
EACH - Drug and Alcohol Counselling

Provides:

  • individual counselling for alcohol and drug dependence
  • education and secondary consultation

 Call 1300 00 3224.

Legal support
Organisation Service provided
Eastern Community Legal Centre

Free legal advice and support.

Assistance with legal matters including:

  • family violence
  • family law
  • elder abuse
  • debt matters
  • criminal matters
  • fines and infringements

Call 1300 32 52 00.

Victorian Legal Aid

Free information and help about the law. 

Call 1300 792 387.

Transport services
Organisation Service provided

Knox City Council – Community Transport

The Community Transport Bus Service provides transport support for  Knox residents who are:
  • over 65 years old
  • mobility impaired
  •  transport disadvantaged
  • socially isolated
Eligible independent residents can be picked up from home and transported to Knox Westfield shopping centre for 2.0 - 2.5 hours, then returned home.
  • a return trip costs $6
  • the program runs Mondays to Thursdays
  • pick up times are 9.30am or 10.30am depending on location and availability
 
Community Transport also run day outings for independent over 65 Knox residents.
 
Call 9298 8518 for more information or registration.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander support
Organisation Service provided
Mullum Mullum Indigenous Gathering Place

A range of programs and services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members living in the Eastern Metropolitan Region of Melbourne. 

Call 9725 2166.

Boorndawan Willam Aboriginal Healing Service

A range of services and programs for Aboriginal individuals and families who are experiencing, or at risk of experiencing family violence or use violence. 

Call 9212 0200.

Ngwala Willumbong Aboriginal Corporation

A range of programs for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. 

Call 9876 9642.

Library services

Eastern Regional Libraries – Knox Libraries

Get library materials delivered to your door, or access free resources online using your library card.

Visit yourlibrary.com.au or call for more information Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5 pm.

Bayswater – 9800 6498
Boronia – 9800 6488
Ferntree Gully – 9800 6455
Knox (Wantirna) – 9800 6470
Rowville – 9800 6443

Need help?

Contact us and we will get back to you.

Or call our Customer Service team on 9298 8000.

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