Albury-Wodonga Diabetes Support Group votes to stay open

Up to 40 people attended a meeting called by the Albury-Wodonga Diabetes Support Group on Wednesday and unanimously voted the body should reform as an independent entity.

A decision by Diabetes NSW to end its support group network had led the Border group to consider its future.

Albury-Wodonga Diabetes Support Group newsletter editor Liz Hare said nobody spoke against the Border group remaining active.

“And we had a number of messages of support from people who couldn’t attend, all of whom wanted us to continue,” she said. “We formed a new committee with 10 enthusiastic people, which is terrific because we certainly needed to revitalise our group.”

Diabetes NSW chief executive Sturt Eastwood, in a letter to the group, said the number of support groups had declined and they were no longer the primary source of information.

“Privacy issues, brand compliance, insurance complications and fundraising constraints have also led to a situation where support groups feel neglected and underappreciated,” he said.

“We are so proud and grateful to our support groups for the work they have done over the decades and the vital funds they have raised for Diabetes NSW, however the current model simply can no longer provide what is required.”

The change takes effect from September 1, with all support group bank accounts to be closed and the funds retained by the state body.

Ms Hare, herself a Diabetes NSW board member, said the recommendation to end the network had come from the executive.

“I was disappointed but could see it was inevitable,” she said.

The Albury-Wodonga group’s new committee will meet next week.

“We really have to do some serious planning,” Ms Hare said. “We’re going to struggle for funds initially, so we have to look at how to minimise costs.

“The biggest problem is getting the message out that our support group exists.”