Member for Mallee Andrew Broad said Home and Community Care funding from the state and federal governments would be distributed among 36 services in the electorate.

In the Wimmera, health services include Dunmunkle Health Services, Edenhope and District Memorial Hospital, East Wimmera Health Service, Grampians Community Health, Harrow Bush Nursing Centre, Rural Northwest Health, Stawell Regional Health, West Wimmera Health Service and Wimmera Health Care Group.

Councils include Hindmarsh, Horsham Rural City, Northern Grampians, West Wimmera and Yarriambiack.

Other organisations include Stawell Neighbourhood House, Goolum-Goolum Aboriginal Co-operative and Wimmera Uniting Care.

Mr Broad said the money would help expand existing services or create new ones.

“Services include nursing and allied health care, personal care, domestic assistance, meals and social support, along with respite services for carers – without which many people would not be able to remain living independently,” he said.

“This extra funding will support Victorians who need assistance to continue to live at home. 

“It will also enable people to remain active and involved in their communities.” 

Mr Broad said the Home and Community Care program helped older people and people with a disability stay independent for longer.

Assistant Social Services Minister Mitch Fifield said the funding was part of a $668-million investment. 

“The Federal Government believes older Australians deserve to have the support they need to live active and healthy lives, and to continue to live at home when possible,” he said.