Welfare bodies in merger plan

JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
GEELONG’S largest not-for-profit organisation, Karingal, is set to merge with northern suburbs support agency CREATE .
Karingal chief Daryl Starkey said the CREATE board initiated merger discussions with his organisation.
“It’s been a challenge for CREATE to maintain a sustainable future,” he said.
“The CREATE board felt it was better for staff and clients to be with a larger organisation so services could continue.”
Mr Starkey said the organisations were going through a due diligence stage.
They hoped to finalise arrangements early next year, he said.
“We’re in serious discussions and its early days but, unless something untoward appears, it should go through.”
Mr Starkey said staffing would remain unchanged.
“All staff will be re-employed. We’ll take a couple of months to discuss how services can be integrated.”
Mr Starkey said CREATE programs and services would also “remain in place”.
“For all clients of CREATE it will be business as usual.”
CREATE was established in 1986 at Norlane as a federally funded community youth support scheme.
The organisation provides youth, disability, welfare, training, personal support and housing services in Geelong. CREATE also offers youth and disability services in Werribee.
Chairman Barry Pearce said CREATE would retain its name.
“Karingal has a number of entities, so there will be a place for CREATE to remain as such.”
Mr Pearce said the organisation was a victim of the global financial crisis and economic climate.
“It’s difficult to grow and if we’re not growing we’ll shrink, so we decided to find someone we could partner with.”
Karingal offers a range of residential, respite, home-based and day services to people with disabilities, employment services, community aged care and mental health services. The registered training organisation has 1300 staff and almost 16,000 clients.