Community Information & Support Victoria - CISVic

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

29/05/2026

Today was a powerful reminder of what connection can make possible.

CISVic had the privilege of attending The Torch's National Reconciliation Week event at the Glen Eira City Council— including their annual exhibition, documentary screening and Meet the Artists gathering.

What stayed with us most was hearing how connection to culture, art and community is creating meaning for incarcerated Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

One conversation was with Narnz (pictured with our CEO Kate Wheller), a mum of six, about what it means to have your children be proud of you.

Not just proud of what you have made.

Proud of your journey, your strength, your culture, your art.

That kind of pride is something very special.

National Reconciliation Week asks all of us to reflect, listen and act. Truth-telling and Treaty are critical to reconciliation. So is connection.

Listening to the artists tell their stories, seeing their art and recognising the strength, culture and humanity that can too often be overlooked.

Thank you to The Torch, City of Glen Eira, the artists and everyone who shared their stories so generously today.

26/05/2026

Today is National Sorry Day.

We honour the strength, truth and lived experiences of Stolen Generations survivors, their families and communities.

Saying sorry matters.
But sorry, without action is not enough.

Nearly three decades after the Bringing Them Home report, too many commitments remain unfinished. Survivors and families are still waiting for justice, healing and meaningful change.

This year’s call is clear: From Sorry to Action.

Today, and every day, we acknowledge the truth of forced removals, the ongoing impacts of trauma and disconnection, and the responsibility we all share in building a fairer future.

Listening matters.
Truth matters.
Action matters.

22/05/2026

Today, our volunteer Board has been meeting to look ahead — working through the CISVic Strategic Plan and the role CISVic can play in supporting a strong and effective Community Information and Support Sector.

It is important work.

The decisions and conversations that happen in these spaces help shape how we advocate, support our members, and respond to the needs of communities across Victoria.

As we mark National Volunteer Week, we want to acknowledge the generous contribution of our Board members. They give their time, skills and experience to help guide CISVic’s work and strengthen the sector we are proud to represent.

Thank you to our Board for your leadership, care and commitment.

Your contribution helps keep community support connected, practical and focused on the people who need it most. 💙



BayCISS Mornington Community Support Centre Bendigo Family & Financial Services Inc. Luba Grigorovitch MP

21/05/2026

Volunteers help hold our communities together.

Yesterday, CISVic CEO Kate Wheller attended a special event at Parliament House with Rose, CISVic Board member and CEO of BayCISS, to mark National Volunteer Week and recognise the incredible contribution of volunteers and carers across Victoria.

They joined The Minister for Volunteering Luba Grigorovitch MP , who spoke about the “army of people” who show up every day across our state.

Often quietly.
Often without fanfare.
But always making a difference.

Her message to volunteers and carers was simple:

“I see you. I hear you. I respect you. Not just this week. Every week.”

It was a meaningful reminder that volunteers and carers are not just supporting individuals. They are strengthening communities.

We are grateful to have a Minister who understands the value of this work and continues to advocate for volunteers, carers and community organisations.

To every person who gives their time, energy and care to support others — thank you.

Not just this week. Every week. 💛

18/05/2026

National Volunteer Week - Your Year to Volunteer

11/05/2026

It was fantastic to see CISVic member agencies at last week’s Victorian Council of Social Service Treasurer’s Lunch.

The event provided an important opportunity to hear directly from the Treasurer, reflect on the panel discussion, and connect with organisations from right across Victoria committed to supporting stronger communities.

Community Information and Support agencies play a unique role in the broader community sector. As trusted, place-based organisations, they work closely with local people while partnering across the sector to respond to emerging needs, cost-of-living pressures, and community challenges.

It was great to see those connections and shared commitment on display throughout the event.

Thank you to VCOSS for bringing the sector together, and to our member agencies for the vital work you continue to do every day in local communities across the state.

Council of Single Mothers and their Children Inc. - CSMC Knox Infolink Albury Wodonga FoodShare South East Community Links

11/05/2026

It was great to spend time with Andrew and the team at State Schools’ Relief last month, and encouraging to hear last week that they will receive additional support through the 2026/27 Victorian State Budget.

With cost-of-living pressures continuing to impact families across Victoria, organisations like State Schools Relief are seeing demand grow at an extraordinary rate. Their busiest quarter on record is a reminder of the very real challenges many parents and young people are facing.

Across our sector, community organisations have been working alongside families for decades — helping people stay connected to education, community, and opportunity during difficult times.

At CISVic, we know that access to education should never depend on a family’s financial circumstances. Having the right uniform, shoes, books, or essential supplies can make a huge difference to a young person’s confidence, participation, and well-being at school.

We thank State Schools Relief for the important work they do every day, and the Victorian Government for continuing to invest in support that helps young people and families thrive.

Ben Carroll MP Jacinta Allan

11/05/2026

We warmly congratulate the new democratically elected Co-chairs of the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria, Meriki Onus and Djaran Murray-Jackson.

This is an important moment in Victoria’s Treaty era.

Gellung Warl is the new body created through Australia’s first Treaty. It will support decisions about First Peoples, continue truth-telling and healing, and help hold Government to account.

At CISVic, we are proud supporters of Treaty and Gellung Warl.

In our sector, we see every day that people thrive when they can make choices about what works best for them, their families and their communities.

When it comes to Aboriginal communities, cultures and Country, the experts are Aboriginal people.

We look forward to walking alongside this work and continuing to support a future where decisions about Aboriginal communities are led by Aboriginal people.

Congratulations to Meriki, Djaran and all Members of the Assembly.

First Peoples' Assembly of Victoria

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