More than 60 community members, partners and supporters gathered today to officially open the new purpose-designed home of The Bridge Youth + Family Services at 25 St Georges Road, Shepparton — a major milestone in the organisation’s 30-year commitment to supporting young people and families across the region.

The event included a ribbon-cutting ceremony, speeches, guided tours, and morning tea, with attendees given the opportunity to explore the trauma-responsive, youth-friendly and fully accessible building for the first time.

Board President Nathan Quinlan said the opening marked a significant step forward in strengthening The Bridge’s long-term capacity to deliver high-quality support.

“This building represents a major step forward for The Bridge Youth + Family Services — not only in terms of space and functionality, but in strengthening our ability to support young people and families across Greater Shepparton, Mitchell, Murrindindi, Moira and Strathbogie,” Mr Quinlan said.

He acknowledged the organisation’s five-year infrastructure strategy and thanked those who helped bring the project to life.

“This project is part of our Board’s long-term investment strategy — ensuring our organisation has the infrastructure, stability and capacity to deliver the best possible support well into the future,” he said.

He also extended thanks to Bruce Mactier Building Designers, Moretto Building, Spiire, Foundation Board member Jim Andreadis, and outgoing and current Board members for their leadership.

Chief Executive Officer Melinda Lawley highlighted that the entire redevelopment was self-funded — a rare achievement in the community sector.

“This entire project has been fully funded by The Bridge — without any government infrastructure grants,” Ms Lawley said.

“Income generated through our Op Shop Revamp enabled us to purchase our Welsford St property 16 years ago. This reduced our outgoings and allowed us to build a corpus of cash, which we accessed to complete the refurbishment of this new site.”

Ms Lawley said the building was designed to be light-filled, inclusive and welcoming — capturing the industrial character of the former tile warehouse while ensuring modern, accessible and youth-first spaces.

The new premises include:
• a large community activity room and adjoining garden;
• a teaching kitchen;
• accessible bathrooms and parent change facilities;
• two intake rooms;
• a boardroom;
• custom-designed offices and staff workspaces; and
• improved vehicle access for outreach teams.

Staff have already expressed how the new environment is improving wellbeing, connection and collaboration.

“This building changes everything. It gives us room to innovate, collaborate and deliver new services our way: trauma-responsive, youth-friendly and future-focused,” Ms Lawley said.
“It has strengthened our culture — and that matters deeply to me.”

Today’s celebration also acknowledged the organisation’s recent name change from The Bridge Youth Service to The Bridge Youth + Family Services — a move that reflects the breadth of support provided for nearly three decades.

“We remain a youth-specialist organisation, but our name now reflects the work we have always done in supporting whole families alongside young people,” Ms Lawley said.

Mr Quinlan said the new facility was a milestone the whole region could be proud of.

“This building is more than bricks and mortar — it is a statement of who we are, who we serve, and where we are going,” he said.

Ms Lawley closed by thanking staff, partners and the community for their ongoing commitment.

“This building represents the next chapter for The Bridge Youth + Family Services — a chapter built on care, connection and community,” she said.
“Thank you for joining us to celebrate it.”