About WERN
Western Emergency Relief Network makes a difference to people in our community who are in need, by providing emergency relief through our member welfare agencies.
What WERN does
WERN is a non-profit incorporated association, registered as a charity with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission, holding Deductible Gift Recipient status with the Australian Taxation Office.
We supply good quality second-hand furniture, electrical goods and whitegoods to people in need, without charge. The warehouse is at 23 Westwood Drive, Ravenhall.
The people we assist have an urgent need following trauma or loss such as long-term illness, unemployment, loss of a home through fire, family violence, lack of family support, homelessness, or refugee status. Many are moving into an empty property with nothing.
How it works
Our volunteers collect, assess, repair and clean donated goods. Electrical items are checked and tagged by qualified testers before they go out.
Clients are referred by accredited case managers at our 52 member welfare agencies. There are 466 accredited case managers currently working with WERN. The case manager and client attend a selection appointment together and choose what is needed from the warehouse floor.
Where we operate
The municipal councils in the WERN area of operation are:
Brimbank · Hobsons Bay · Hume · Maribyrnong · Melton · Merri-bek · Moonee Valley · Moorabool · Wyndham
Clients outside this area may be considered for limited support at WERN’s discretion.
Demand is rising
More families are coming to WERN each year, and the warehouse floor has stayed the same size.
Families assisted
445
480
558
2023-24
$347,210 of goods
2024-25
$393,144 of goods
2025-26
$467,210 of goods
part year only
- Up 25%
- more families assisted than in 2023-24, and the current year is only part way through.
- 11,254
- volunteer hours in the most recent year, more than double the average of the decade before it.
- 81%
- of orders were filled in full, up from 75% the year before. The warehouse met more of what agencies asked for, even as demand grew.
- 1 truck
- collects everything WERN receives, across nine council areas. It is fifteen years old.
- 53%
- of client visits come from Wyndham and Melton alone, the two largest municipalities WERN serves.
- 466
- accredited case managers, at 52 partner agencies, can book a family in.
Figures from The Story to Date, June 2026.
Rotary
WERN is an endorsed Rotary District 9800 Community Service Project. Rotary Clubs from Bacchus Marsh, Melton Valley, Wyndham and Sunshine took the lead in establishing it, and membership now extends to 14 clubs across Melbourne’s north and west.
- Bacchus Marsh
- Caroline Springs
- East Keilor
- Essendon
- Essendon North
- Eynesbury
- Hoppers Crossing
- Melton Valley
- Pt. Gellibrand
- Werribee
- West Footscray
- Williamstown
- Wyndham
- Yarraville
Member Clubs nominate two representatives to the WERN Committee of Management, from which the Board is elected. Club representatives also act as WERN Community Support Representatives, able to access the warehouse for community needs identified in their own area.
Run by volunteers
WERN is run and staffed almost entirely by volunteers, and depends on the generosity of individuals, businesses, community organisations and local government to fund its operations.
Volunteering with WERN
The organisations that support us
Get in touch
Phone 03 8372 4110
administration@wern.org
23 Westwood Drive, Ravenhall VIC 3023
ABN 14 996 811 021 · Registered association A0062464M