The organisation said the Southern NSW Region’s engagement approach was no longer sustainable.

Eurobodalla clients have used the services 

of outreach workers based in Bega, but those 

positions will now be based at the organisation’s Wollongong regional office.

Development manager Michael Cannon said the Bega office would remain open, but community engagement officers must reapply for their jobs, and outreach officers would travel from Wollongong.

“The recent changes are for a sustainable future,” Mr Cannon said.

“The job will have a huge amount of travel.”

Mr Cannon blamed tough competition for donations, a lack of volunteer support and the isolation of workers in Bega as the main reasons for the change.

However, advocates fear outreach work will suffer, with staff based at least four-and-a-half-hours’ drive from the current Bega office.

Btemans Bay cancer survivor Liz Rankin said the news was disappointing.

“This will make it difficult for people on the South Coast to get access and priority to services when they need it,” she said. 

“The coordination and level of care wont be the same, whether it is fundraising or cancer patients.”

Ms Rankin said patients needed personal contact.

“The local staff are extremely helpful,” she said. 

“They know what is going on. 

“You need people in the local area who know the services on the ground.”