As another year draws to a close, I am so very proud to be able to reflect back on all that has been achieved this year with the support of an incredible group of volunteers. Our pop-up desexing clinics have been in demand and we are forging valuable relationships with groups outside of our shire to bring affordable desexing service to their vulnerable communities.
All that we do is only possible with the support of our wonderful volunteers who are always generous with their time, also the support from Vets for Compassion, vets who volunteer their time to assist at our desexing clinics. We are privileged that our volunteers are such kind and compassionate people and have chosen to join RCVC in its mission.
As an organisation, we have finally overcome the dilemma of finding a permanent home, having purchased 4 Midland Highway Castlemaine, the builders will start in the new year on the first stage of renovations to create the clinic, we have lots of ideas about what the space can deliver to our community in the short and long term, and we are looking forward to being able to show it off to everyone in the first half 2025.
2025 promises to be a significant year for all those involved with RCVC and I look forward to seeing it unfold. Thank you all for your support in the past 12 months and our warmest wishes to everyone for 2025.
– Dr Yvette Berkeley
Co-Founder & Chair of Regional Community Vet Clinic
We are delighted to announce that we have finally signed a building contract with Edifice Construction, a local Castlemaine builder, Dugald and his team will be starting on the renovations of the property after they return from their Christmas break.
If all goes to plan, we will have the clinic operational in the first half 2025, it’s been a long road to reach this point, and perseverance has finally paid off for the RCVC team.
This year has been another rewarding one for the outreach volunteers, we have had the privilege of assisting our community and their pets, with anything from regular walks and grooming to driving pets to veterinary appointments and assisting with ensuring regular medication is administered, we have also facilitated financial assistance for 8 pets requiring surgery and medications that their owners couldn’t possibly afford. We have continued to distribute donated pet food from Animal Relief Cooperative to Castlemaine Community House and Maldon Community Pantry, delivering over 1500kg of wet and dried food to our community.
Regrettably we have had to say goodbye to several beloved pets in the program, no matter how long they live it’s not quite long enough, so to Spot, Smooch, Duke and Jemma we know you had wonderful lives, and you are remembered.
RCVC has offered friendship and support when several of our clients have had to make the difficult transition into aged care and assisted with finding suitable homes for their companion animals. RCVC has also said a final goodbye to two clients this year, lovely ladies, who’s loved companions have now found other homes, thanks to our amazing network.
Our pop-up clinics for 2024 have been busy with cat desexing and our first overnight road trip when we went to Horsham and spent two days desexing cats. We had our first dog de-sexing day in Castlemaine and finished the year with having de-sexed 185 cats and 6 dogs.
We already have pop-up de-sexing clinics booked for 2025 and although we will also be de-sexing at our permanent clinic, these pop-up clinics will continue to give access to this vital service to areas outside of our immediate catchment.
As a Not-For-Profit, the need to continually fundraise is essential, we do this in many ways allowing everyone in the community to be able to contribute in whatever way they can, the donation boxes at local businesses, including Caboose and Feve, Mutz Cuts, The Daily Express, Bubble and Squeak and the dog treat boxes at Coffee Cube and Castlemaine Vet Clinic. You can also donate via the Container Deposit Scheme when you return eligible bottles and cans, please quote C2000019668.
With our resources stretched conducting clinics, the building process, the outreach program and the grant writing we are so very grateful when the community approaches us with their fundraising ideas, this year we have been grateful to receive donations from the open garden of Catherine and Neil Tait, and members of or community who have donated in memory of their recently departed companion animals, also people who have nominated us to receive a donation in lieu of birthday gifts, we thank you all, your generous kindness highlights the good in our community.
To finish the year on a high note, we are delighted to announce that we have been successful with a grant application from the Jack Brockhoff Foundation for $30k, which will contribute towards the internal renovations, we are always humbled when these prestigious philanthropic organisations recognise the importance of the work we are doing and the value it adds to an equitable community.