Ms Patten (Northern Metropolitan) — Recently I had the privilege of meeting two inspirational women who are the ingenious minds behind the Melbourne Period project, an incredible charity that assists women and transgender men experiencing homelessness in Melbourne and surrounding areas by providing them with menstruation products, help and support.
Natalie Cruz and Donna Lee Stolzenberg launched the Melbourne Period project only four months ago, and they are already supplying over 1300 packs via five distribution hubs — in Geelong, Echuca, Gippsland, Bendigo and Ballarat. What differentiates the Melbourne Period project from other organisations which simply supply menstruation products to their female clients are the volunteer-assembled packs. Each pack responds to a different need for use. As the women in chamber will understand, people need different products at different times, and the products are individually named to assist people to receive them without having to ask for the specific product they need.
The 2011 census found that approximately 9000 women were identified as being homeless in Victoria. I commend this fantastic project and the wonderful women who are managing it.