Just over a year since the death of St Kilda Football Club great, Danny Frawley, the Morrison Government is supporting his vision to deliver a world class community health and wellbeing hub at the club’s headquarters at Moorabbin.
The Morrison Government is committing $8.5 million towards the Danny Frawley Centre, which will promote mental and physical wellbeing in the community, as well as support people living with mental health conditions across Melbourne’s south east.
It builds on the unprecedented $5.7b investment by the Morrison Government in mental health initiatives in the 2020-21 Budget.
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said the centre would be a unique venue for sport, community, health and mental health organisations to engage the local community.
“Before his passing, Danny and the club had been working towards this project to give the local community somewhere their physical and mental health could be front and centre,” Mr Frydenberg said.
“The Morrison Government’s investment, along with support from the Victorian Government and philanthropic donations, is turning Danny’s vision into reality.
“The centre will include spaces for consulting suites, meeting rooms, shared work spaces and community classrooms as well as large multi-purpose areas that will be equipped to deliver programs to groups of up to 250 participants.
“Mental health and suicide prevention is one of the Government’s highest priorities, and in 2020-21 we are committing record funding of $5.7 billion in this space from the Health portfolio alone.”
Minister for Health Greg Hunt said The Danny Frawley Centre will offer free and paid programs with an aim of promoting physical and mental health as a shared responsibility between community, health and mental health organisations.
“The Danny Frawley Centre will be a welcoming space for people to connect, grow and be well – physically and mentally,” Minister Hunt said.
“Danny Frawley had a great passion for his footy and a great passion for his state. This was evident every time he pulled on a Saints jumper, and the big V.
“As a former St Kilda football club captain and Richmond football club coach, Danny was a shoulder to lean on for so many players playing beside him and under him.
“Danny’s legacy will now live on through the Danny Frawley Centre, in supporting the physical and mental health and wellbeing of locals in Melbourne’s south and the wider community.”
Work is ready to commence on the Danny Frawley Centre, which will be built, operated and managed by the St Kilda Football Club.
The Morrison Government’s contribution will be funded from the Community Development Grants Programme.
