June 2004

CWA puts the bite on problem gambling

By MEX COOPER of the Geelong Advertiser

THE Country Women’s Association has tried to melt away the stigma of problem gambling with a chocolate challenge at the Boundary Road, East Geelong, branch hall.

With Bethany Community Support’s Gambler’s Help Service and under the Best Recipe for Responsible Gambling slogan, the CWA’s 14 Geelong group branches held a chocolate slice bake-off.

Culinary competition was fierce as the chocolate slice judging panel—radio Bay FM’s Laurie Atlas, South Barwon MP Michael Crutchfield, Geelong Football Club’s Barry Stoneham and Irrewarra Sourdough’s Bronwynne Calvert—ate their way through 11 slices of chocolate heaven.

Ms Calvert announced to a cheering crowd that all were delicious but it was a home-team win as Boundary Road branch’s Joy Piestch won a dinner for two for her chocolate caramel slice.

With the winner in, Boundary Road branch president Margaret Musgrove was left to explain why the issue of problem gambling was important.

‘It affects so many people,’Ms Musgrove said.

‘Our work involves women and children… and they’re the ones affected.’

Bethany Community Support took part in the launch last July of a partnership between the State Government and the CWA to tackle problem gambling in regional Victoria.

Community Services Minister Sherryl Garbutt said then country women were the glue that held regional and rural families together.

‘Through this partnership, the CWA will help raise awareness of problem gambling in country Victoria and assist problem gamblers to access support services.’

Ms Garbutt said the partnership was a key part of the Government's strategy to work with local organisations to provide community education to at risk groups.

‘The CWA is ideally placed to destigmatise problem gambling and play a lead role in supporting problem gamblers living in remote and rural communities to overcome their problems,’ Ms Garbutt said.

‘Government research shows that 64.7 per cent of people attending Gambler’s Help financial counselling services in the Barwon-South West region are women.

‘The CWA will reach out to female problem gamblers to help them repair their lives and relationships with loved ones.’

• Geelong residents who are experiencing problems with gambling should call 5278 8122 during office hours or 1800 156 789.