Warrnambool’s breastfeeding centre has been without phone and internet since moving to its new store in Koroit Street in September.
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The centre’s president Barb Glare said the store was run by volunteers and the lack of NBN connection had been frustrating.
She said volunteers have had to put in extra hours at home to process online orders and other tasks that can’t be done while they are in the centre.
After three years at its Liebig Street location and struggling to meet the costs, the centre moved to the cheaper Koroit Street store on September 1 but because of the switch to NBN they haven’t been able to get a phone and internet connected.
They are hoping they will finally be connected on December 7. Until then, the centre was finally able to get a wireless connection for the internet just last week – but that took eight weeks.
“We’ve still got no phone,” she said.
Mrs Glare said everything sold at the centre’s shop went towards keeping the centre open and providing vital support services for mums and babies.
It is also a place people can come and breastfeed their babies or warm up a bottle.
“Anyone can come at any time – mums, dads, nanas. We’re as happy to warm a bottle of milk as we are to bring you a glass of water when you’re breastfeeding,” she said.
“Mothers do what they can do and we’re here to support them. No one’s checking your breastfeeding credentials. We just invite them to come in.”
Mrs Glare said the centre was well used by people from all across the region, as well as visitors from outside the area.
“The whole premises of the breastfeeding centre was we wanted to say ‘breastfeeding’ loudly and frequently in the main street,” she said.
The centre has just received a $2700 grant from Pacific Hydro to update the kitchen facilities.
It will also hold it’s annual general meeting at 1.30pm on Wendesday, November 29 and is hoping to recruit new volunteer members.