Agencies merger

Geelong’s two largest human services organisations have agreed to merge.
Karingal and St Laurence Community Services said their boards had unanimously supported the merger and signed a memorandum of understanding.
The agencies could reach more clients and offer greater support to disabled people as a single entity, they said.
Karingal chairman Rod Payne and St Laurence chair Dr Patrick Lockie said the combined operational experiences and public policy expertise would result in a stronger voice to advocate on behalf of the disabled.
“Our merger would significantly build on the strengths of both organisations, potentially bringing increased prosperity to the Barwon region and to Geelong in particular.
“A merged entity would add a further dimension to Geelong being regarded as a centre of excellence for disability, alongside other key Geelong-based organisations such as Deakin University, the National Disability Insurance Agency, the Transport Accident Commission and WorkSafe Victoria.
“We expect a recommendation about this potential merger would be put before the members of both organisations for their consideration by mid-2016.”