Anyone with any doubt about the impact of the rising cost of living needs only to look at the dramatic increase in demand for relief services at Knox Infolink in Boronia.
During 2024-2025, Knox Infolink experienced a 25 per cent increase in demand for food relief compared to the previous year.
This translated to an additional 60 people each week seeking assistance. The agency conducted interviews with an extra 500 individuals requesting support, with a total of 2000 people being interviewed throughout the year.
Material aid distribution increased by 50 per cent.
Material aid included essential items such as tents, swags and cooking equipment for those sleeping rough, prescription medicine assistance, help with utility bills, clothing, mobile phone top-ups, MYKI card top-ups, petrol vouchers and toiletry packs.
Service Delivery Statistics
In total, Knox Infolink provided nearly 35,000 points of service over the 12-month period.
A single point of service might include a toiletry pack, with some individuals receiving multiple points of service.
On average, the agency served around 300 community members each week. Of these, about 165 accessed emergency relief services, while 145 received a nutritious, free meal through the community breakfast program.
Client Demographics
Of those served in 2024-2025, 54 per cent were first-time clients. The majority, 67 per cent, resided in Boronia, Ferntree Gully, or Bayswater.
Housing situations varied among clients: 31 per cent lived in private rentals, 20 per cent in public rentals, 22 per cent were homeless, 10 per cent were mortgagors or dwelling owners and seven per cent were in supported accommodation.
Changing Community Needs
A closer examination of the agency’s statistics reveals a 58 per cent increase in employed community members seeking support and there was an 81 per cent rise in requests for assistance from individuals with no income.
Housing affordability became a more acute issue, with a 72 per cent increase in community members experiencing mortgage stress and a 25 per cent increase in those in private rentals seeking support.
Organisational Challenges and Achievements
Addressing the agency’s recent Annual General Meeting, Knox Infolink board chair Denise Budge described the year as one of challenges, with ongoing uncertainty around funding security, but also one of achievements.
She said the board committed considerable effort to fundraising to address shortfalls in funding.
Following a community-wide lobbying campaign, the agency secured $150,000 from the state government, with assistance from State Bayswater MP Jackson Taylor.
This funding will support the continuation of the much-needed community breakfast program for another 12 months, but support from other government sources for other Knox Infolink services has been reduced.
Community Breakfast Program
Throughout 2024-2025, the community breakfast program served over 10,000 meals to 545 individuals.
The breakfast program, which operates out of the Boronia Progress Hall in Boronia Rd, provides not only a hot meal but also a welcoming and supportive environment.
Survey results indicated that 90 per cent of breakfast guests experienced an increased sense of community connection after participating.
The breakfast program serves as a “soft entry” point, where disadvantaged community members can access further support with assistance from Knox Infolink staff, trained volunteers and representatives from other support agencies.
Volunteers and Partnerships
The agency’s extensive range of support is made possible by more than 130 volunteers, over 80 local businesses and community organisations and several partner organisations.
These partners include Knox City Council, state and federal governments, the Knox Opportunity Shop, Boronia Rotary Club and other community groups, local churches and Cummins Inc.
A full-time equivalent of 3.2 paid staff members and a dedicated eight-member volunteer community board help bring it all together.
New Initiatives
Despite facing funding challenges, Knox Infolink launched several new initiatives in 2024-2025. These included an out-of-hours food pantry outside its Boronia Road office, offering free food and information outside regular office hours.
The agency also established pin-code accessible lockers to support the growing number of working poor.
This initiative gives people who are unable to visit during office hours because they are working to get support after a phone interview.
Based on the phone interview, non-perishable food, material aid and referral information are placed in the lockers for callers to collect using a pin-code given to them.
How to Support Knox Infolink
Knox Infolink welcomes new volunteers as well as donations of non-perishable food, toiletries and other material aid items.
Financial donations can be made via Knox Infolink’s website at knoxinfolink.org.au All donations over $2 are tax deductible.
Contact Information
For further enquiries about Knox Infolink and its services, please contact Penny Robinson, Knox Infolink manager. Phone: 9761 1325; Email: pennyr@knoxinfolink.org.au
