Community Information & Support Victoria - CISVic

20/08/2026

Every community is different, and so is every Community Information & Support service.

From food and material aid to information, referrals, advocacy, volunteer support and community connection, CIS agencies respond to the unique and changing needs of the people and places they serve. As trusted, place-based organisations, they are often the first point of contact when people need help navigating life's challenges.

What makes the Community Information & Support sector so effective is its generalist approach. By listening, understanding a person's circumstances, and working alongside local partners, agencies can provide practical support while helping community members access the specialist services they need.

Local. Responsive. Connected. Supporting communities to navigate hardship and find pathways forward. 💙

Southern Peninsula Community Support

Southern Peninsula Community Support supports vulnerable individual...

10/08/2026

We were pleased to welcome Luba Grigorovitch MP, Minister for Youth and Minister for Carers and Volunteers, to our member agency Laverton Community Integrated Services Inc..

As a service the Minister knows well, Laverton was a fitting place to talk about the important role Community Information and Support services play in local communities.

These services help people find practical support, make sense of complex systems and connect with the help they need — close to home.

We also had the opportunity to share CISVic’s plan to strengthen existing services and address geographical gaps across Victoria, so more communities can access trusted, place-based support when they need it.

Thank you to Minister Grigorovitch for taking the time to visit and hear more about the work of our sector.

To find out more about the work of the Community Information and Support sector, see the link in the comments.

05/08/2026

This video offers a snapshot of the Community Information and Support sector from almost 12 years ago.

A lot has changed since then. But one thing hasn't.

People still need practical, local support when life takes an unexpected turn.

In fact, that need has grown.

Today, more than 122,440 people across Australia are experiencing homelessness or insecure housing. And 44% of Australian households are struggling to put food on the table.

Behind every number is a person, a family, a neighbour.

Every day, Community Information and Support agencies are there to provide practical help, trusted information and a pathway forward.

The challenges may be bigger than they were 12 years ago, but so too is the importance of strong, place-based community support.

Just as importantly, our sector helps people navigate increasingly complex service systems, connecting them with the right support at the right time. When life becomes overwhelming, having someone who knows where to turn can make all the difference.

Emergency relief is the provision of financial or material assistan...

04/08/2026

Food insecurity rarely happens on its own.

It can be tied to housing stress, rising bills, health concerns, family pressures or an unexpected change in circumstances.

That’s why place-based services like Geelong Foodshare matter.

Geelong Foodshare understands its local community. It works alongside a network of agencies so food can be a starting point for broader support, connection and longer-term stability.

Through its Social Supermarkets, food education programs and local partnerships, people can access nutritious food with dignity and choice. They can also connect with services that understand the other challenges they may be facing.

This is more than food relief. It is practical, local support built around the needs of the Greater Geelong community.

Watch the video to learn more about Geelong Foodshare’s impact.

Thank you to the staff, volunteers and community partners helping make sure local people do not have to face hardship alone.


Luba Grigorovitch MP

22/07/2026

Celebrating First Nations people AND standing against racism should never be limited to days and weeks of significance.
It is something we all have a responsibility to do, every day.
That means listening. Believing people’s experiences. Speaking up when racism happens. Challenging unfair systems. And continuing to learn, even when it feels uncomfortable.

For First Nations peoples, racism is inseparable from the ongoing denial of sovereignty and self-determination. Centring First Nations voices, truth-telling and leadership is essential to meaningful and lasting change.

Our workplaces, community organisations and governments all have a role to play.

Watch Sharna’s story from Still Becoming: Our Anti-Racist Future:
https://youtu.be/LOcDmJBWcMU


Australian Human Rights Commission

The second story in the series of 4 animated stories created by GAR...

21/07/2026

It’s with gratitude for an incredible contribution that we announce our Chief Executive Officer, Kate Wheller will be leaving CISVic in October.

Kate has been with CISVic for sixteen years, and played a significant role in the transformation of the organisation over that time.
Most recently, Kate led the CISVic team this year to develop a new 3-year strategy for the organisation, and a compelling advocacy platform to represent the interests of the Community Information and Support Services sector in the lead-up to November’s state election.

With this solid foundation, CISVic is well placed to continue operations uninterrupted while the CISVic Board undertakes a recruitment process to hire the organisation’s next CEO.

That process will commence immediately, and we look forward to our next CEO being able to join us early enough to overlap with Kate in the role, ensuring a smooth transition.

CISVic gives its deepest thanks to Kate for her years of service, and wishes her the best for her next chapter.

The CISVic Board

29/06/2026

CISVic is proud to recognise Keith McLean as an inductee to the CISVic Honour Roll.
Keith’s contribution to Maroondah Community Assist and the wider Maroondah community is a powerful example of what dedicated local leadership can make possible.
Since joining Maroondah Community Assist in 2017, Keith has played a critical role in ensuring the people in the City of Maroondah who are doing it tough get the help that they need. Keith has done this by volunteering countless hours as a Community Support Worker, Treasurer, Acting President and President.
What stands out most is Keith’s deep respect for people. His client-centred, non-judgemental approach has reflected the very best of community support: listening carefully, welcoming people from all backgrounds, and walking alongside them with dignity and care.
Through his leadership, persistence and compassion, Keith has helped build a stronger, more connected Maroondah community.
CISVic proudly celebrates Keith’s service, generosity and lasting contribution to Maroondah Community Assist. His impact will continue to be felt by the organisation and the many people it supports.

MCA was so thrilled to learn this week that CISVic have inducted our former president Keith McLean to the Community Information and Support Honour Roll, recognising Keith for the amazing contribution he’s made to MCA and the Maroondah community.

Here’s a snippet of what CISVic had to say about Keith…

“Keith’s passion, integrity and unwavering belief in MCA have left a lasting legacy. His leadership has strengthened the agency, expanded its reach, and helped ensure more people in the Maroondah community can access support when they need it most.
CISVic proudly acknowledged Keith’s service, compassion and commitment, and thanks his for the profound difference he has made.”

Here is Keith holding his award, with his son and daughter-in-law

Congratulations Keith!

24/06/2026

A big thank you to Nick Staikos MP and the Glen Eira community for this generous food donation to our CIS Glen Eira service.

Following a call-out in Nick’s community newsletter, local residents stepped up to support people in their community who are doing it tough.

We’re seeing increasing demand from people experiencing financial stress and needing help with essentials like food. Donations like this make a real difference.

Community Information & Support services provide a vital connection point — helping people understand their options and connect with the support they need.

Thank you to everyone who contributed.

17/06/2026

Our Diversity is Our Strength

This Refugee Week, we reflect on a milestone.
Since World War II, Australia has welcomed one million refugees. One million people. One million journeys. One million stories of family, culture, work, learning, care, loss, hope and contribution.
And here in the community information and support sector, we see those contributions every day.
Refugees and people seeking asylum have not only rebuilt their own lives here. Many have stepped forward to support others too — as volunteers, workers, interpreters, advocates, neighbours and community leaders.
They have helped people find food, housing support, emergency relief, financial counselling and a safe place to be heard.
As the world gets swept up in World Cup fever, the Socceroos have offered a message worth holding onto: our diversity is our strength.
That is true far beyond the football field.
This Refugee Week, we honour the million stories that have shaped Australia — and the many people with refugee and asylum seeker backgrounds who continue to strengthen our communities every day.
Because belonging is not just something we talk about.
It is something we build, together.

04/06/2026

Access to trusted, local support can make a real difference when life becomes difficult.

In this interview with ABC Melbourne Raf Epstein, CISVic CEO Kate Wheller talks about what people can expect when they contact a community information and support agency.

That might include practical assistance, referrals, or simply a welcoming conversation with someone who understands local services.

For many Victorians facing financial hardship, housing stress, family issues or other complex challenges, these agencies are an important first step towards the right support.

Community information and support agencies are a vital part of Victoria’s social infrastructure — helping people find help close to home, when they need it most.

Thank you to ABC Melbourne for highlighting this important work.

Listen to the interview below