Project 614 breaking down barriers with a single document
- 3 hours ago
- 5 min read
BY LERISSE SMITH
A single piece of paper is set to transform lives at The Salvation Army’s Melbourne Project 614.
For the first time, the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages Victoria has stepped beyond the confines of government offices and into the community, launching a monthly, face-to-face service at the Salvos’ Bourke St premises designed to reach those who need it most – those who don’t have identification documents.
For many people doing it tough, a missing birth certificate or lost ID isn’t a minor inconvenience – it’s a locked door. Without identification, everyday essentials fall out of reach: housing, healthcare, financial support and even the chance to apply for a job.
That reality was brought into sharp focus at the official launch of the new partnership at Project on 24 June.
“It is obviously a very exciting day for Project 614 and a long time coming – about five years in the making,” remarked Major Brendan Nottle, Project 614 Team Leader, at the launch.
“Walking through the café today and sensing the excitement of having Births, Deaths and Marriages here, there’s vindication of all the work that’s gone into making this happen. I think people recognise how important it is to have ID, and when people don’t have ID, they’re literally locked out of life.
“So, for them to be able to access income support now that they have ID, health support, mental health support, are all really critical things that people need and deserve, because no matter what our circumstances, we’re still human beings.”
The Victorian Minister for Government Services, Ingrid Stitt, launched the new partnership with The Salvation Army and praised the initiative, thanking the Salvos for the extraordinary work they do every day to support vulnerable Victorians.
“For most of us, a birth certificate is something tucked away in a drawer that we rarely think about,” she said.
“But for those facing disadvantage, not having one can stop life in its tracks. It can mean missing out on housing, employment, government services and other opportunities many of us take for granted.
“That’s why I was proud to join The Salvation Army to launch a new partnership with the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages (BDM). Every month, BDM staff will be at Project 614 helping vulnerable Victorians apply for birth certificates and get the proof of identity they need to access the services and supports they deserve. A simple idea, but one that could make a real difference for the people it helps.”
Jessica Mucilli, Manager of Operations at the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages, said the launch was an exciting and emotional day.
Within just a few hours on the morning of the launch, 10 people had already sought help to obtain their birth certificates, with many more stopping by to share their stories.
“They have been telling us their story, and how much this means, so we can already see that this is making a difference in their lives,” Jessica said. “They will get their certificates in about two weeks’ time, and then that will open doors to whatever they need to do.”
The reasons some people are unable to access their identification documents are often complex.
“It goes back to that compounding vulnerability,” she explained.
“One lady that we spoke to was telling us about wanting to change her name, and if we could assist with that, and we were able to do that. We’re actually able to facilitate the whole process, which is quite a lengthy process, but we were able to get it done downstairs. They had all the documents that they needed, and just hearing from her why she needed to do it, and how changing her identity would assist her and protect her – that was a key call out for us, that protection, changing her identity because of the vulnerability that she has experienced.
“I spoke to another lady up here just after the launch, and she was saying that she needed photo ID, so the birth certificate unlocks that barrier to getting that photo ID.”
To access a birth certificate, applicants must meet proof-of-identity requirements, such as a Medicare card, to confirm both identity and eligibility. While this can create barriers for people experiencing disadvantage, staff work closely with Services Australia representatives at Project 614 to verify identity documents and support applications.
In many cases, fees can be waived for eligible applicants, and alternative confirmations, such as Medicare records, help bridge gaps where traditional ID is missing.
Brendan said Jessica had been exceptional in pushing the new initiative through, and it was great to have Ingrid’s support as well.
“I think it’s a very powerful reminder that the Government and Births, Deaths and Marriages, as a government department, are actually looking at very vulnerable people and saying, ‘You’re not invisible to us, we see you, and we want to support you, get back on your feet’ – and that’s fantastic,” he said.
“We see this not only ongoing in the structure that’s been set up, which is once a month, but we actually want to see it become more frequent.”
Being seen and heard
Major Kate Baudinette, Assistant Divisional Commander, said the partnership was about restoring identity and dignity.
“It helps ensure that people are not overlooked, but recognised, acknowledged, and able to access the opportunities and support they deserve,” she remarked.
“This project reminds me of this simple truth: every person matters to God. We are grateful to work alongside Births, Deaths and Marriages Victoria, Minister Stitt, and all those whose commitment and collaboration have made this possible. We look forward to seeing the difference this service will make in the lives of the people who are part of this community.”
And for Project 614 community members, being seen and heard remains central.
“I think a lot of people complain to us about the aggression of people that are vulnerable,” Brendan said.
“But when you actually sit down with a vulnerable person, you hear their story, and you start to understand very quickly why they are angry, and often that anger stems from them having a deep sense of being locked out, locked out of society, and so basically they adopt an attitude that says, ‘I just don’t care anymore’.
“And so, I think organisations like The Salvation Army have an absolute responsibility to lock in people that are vulnerable, and lock them into meaningful community, and lock them into all of the supports that they need and deserve. That’s really the driver for us here is to lock people into everything they need and serve, because in our eyes, they’re human beings.”
(Left) The Victorian Minister for Government Services, Ingrid Stitt, chats with local community members and visitors who attended the special launch at Project 614’s premises in Bourke St, Melbourne. (Right) People gathered in the Magpie Nest Café after the launch.
