2025 Christmas Closure Information

Gerald Ward House, 43 Prospect Street, Box Hill

• Closed from: Wednesday 24 December 2025, 2.00pm
  to Thursday 1 January 2026
• Reopens: Friday 2 January 2026, 9.00am

Should you need services during the Christmas/New Year period, these services online are available:

• Ask Izzy helps people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless to find the services they need, right now and nearby.
  More info: https://askizzy.org.au/ 
• Infoxchange – Service Seeker is Australia's most extensive directory of community support services providing access to health, welfare and community service records.Just enter in your postcode and the type of assistance you require and a list of services will be displayed. 
  More info: https://serviceseeker.com.au/

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Vinnies Shops (Victoria)

Material/Furniture Donations

We no longer provide furniture home collection.

Donations can be made at selected shops. Please call your local shop before dropping off your donation.

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Soup Vans (Meal Services)

The Vinnies Soup Vans will not be operating on the following days:

For updates regarding our soup van stops, check https://www.facebook.com/SoupVanUpdatesVinniesVictoria 

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Welfare Assistance Line (Box Hill Call Centre)

Closes: Friday 19 December 2025, 3.00pm 

Reopens: Monday 12 January 2026, 10.00am

If you require assistance during this period, please refer to other services via:

• AskIzzy www.askizzy.org.au  or
• Infoxchange's Service Seeker www.serviceseeker.com.au 

If you are experiencing a personal crisis, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14. If you are in immediate danger, please call TRIPLE ZERO 000 .

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Vinnies NILS

Closed: Monday 22 December 2025 to Tuesday 6 January 2026

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Home Visits (Conferences)

Metro Conferences and Regional Conferences will start to close from the second week of December 2025 with a staggered return in 2026.

Please check with your local conference for exact dates/times.

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VincentCare Victoria

Closed Public Holidays: 25 December 2025, 26 December 2025, 1 January 2026.

Inner Melbourne Community Hub:

• The Homeless Resource Centre (HRC) outside of Ozanam House will be closed on the public holidays only.
• Quin House is operational 24/7 including weekends and public holidays.

Hume Community Hub at Shepparton:

• HCH office is closed only on the public holidays.
• Financial Counselling & Capability team will not be available on the public holidays.
• Marian Community Specialist Family Violence teams are operational 24/7 including weekends and public holidays.

Northern Community Hub:

• Glenroy Access Point, Case Management Programs and Olive’s Place will be closed on the public holidays only and operating on all normal business days.

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Emergency Services

Crisis and emergency accommodation includes a range of specialist services for people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness or after an emergency.

If you need accommodation in these circumstances:

• Escaping family violence
• Homeless or at risk of homelessness
• Other emergency

Call the 24-hour state-wide toll-free number on 1800 825 955 to speak with a housing and support worker. The 1800-number will direct your call to a service closest to you, or if the call is outside business hours, it will be directed to Salvation Army Crisis Services.

More info: https://services.dhhs.vic.gov.au/crisis-accommodation 

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Domestic & Family Violence Assistance

1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)

A 24-hour, National Sexual Assault, Family & Domestic Violence Counselling Line for any Australian who has experienced, or is at risk of, family and domestic violence and/or sexual assault.

Safe Steps Family Violence Response Centre (1800 015 188)

A 24-hour, Family Violence Response counselling service.

Sexual Assault Crisis Line (1800 806 292) [Free call in Victoria]

A state-wide, after-hours, confidential, telephone crisis counselling service for victim/survivors of both past and recent sexual assault. Charges are applicable from mobile phones – ask the counsellor to return your call.

Men’s Referral Service (1300 766 491)

Anonymous and confidential telephone counselling, information and referrals to help men stop using violent and controlling behaviour.

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Personal Crisis Support

If you or someone you know is in immediate danger please call:

TRIPLE ZERO (000).

Lifeline (13 11 14)

For someone experiencing a personal crisis, this is a 24-hour crisis support and suicide prevention service.
More info at www.lifeline.org.au

Kids Helpline (1800 551 800)

Free, 24-hour telephone and online counselling service specifically for children and young people between five and 25 who are feeling depressed or lonely or need to discuss any issues.
More info at www.kidshelpline.com.au

MensLine Australia (1300 789 978)

A 24-hour national telephone and online support, information and referral service for men with family and relationship concerns.

Mental Health All-hours Support Line (1800 628 036)

The all-hours Support Line (ASL) is a confidential telephone service for ADF members and their families 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Services that you can access include psychology, medical, social work, and chaplain services.