The goal of the new legislation, Aged Care Act 2024- came into effect on 1 November 2025, is to make the system fairer and sustainable. This law aims to ensure that those who can afford to pay for daily living comforts do so and protect those with limited means. It introduces new funding and contribution structure for aged care in Australia.
The new aged care law, replacing the previous laws, is a “rights-based” legislation. It has a “Statement of Rights” including a right to receive a culturally safe care. This law represents a major shift in how aged care providers in Australia must recognise, respect, and respond to each person’s cultural identity, background, and beliefs.
Culturally safe care
The Act defines the term culturally safe care as “Older people receive care and support in a way that respects, protects and values their cultural identity, beliefs, language, spirituality and community connections.” It ensures that the aged care providers ensure that they (1) understand each care receiver’s cultural background, (2) consult with people and communities when designing care plans, (3) deliver services that reflect the person’s culture such as religious or cultural dietary needs, communication in a person’s first language (or through interpreters), culturally appropriate celebrations, spiritual practices and prayers, (4) train staff in cultural safety, awareness, and sensitivity and, (5) create environments free from racism, bias, or cultural ignorance.
Grandfathering provisions
All existing arrangements are
A FAIRER AND SUSTAINABLE AGED CARE, PROTECTING CULTURAL AND RELIGIOUS RIGHTS OF OLDER AUSTRALIANS
grandfathered. If you are already in an aged care by 31 October 2025, your current arrangements stay in place, and you will not be adversely affected by the new rules.
Types of aged care
Broadly, Australian federal government provides two main types of aged care: Residential Care and Home care, plus a few specialised options for particular needs.
The care itself is of two types: clinical care (defined as healthrelated and medically supervised services) and non- clinical care (supports that maintain daily living, independence, comfort, and wellbeing). The government pays in full for clinical care for all while non-clinical care is means tested.
Means testing of aged care services
From 1 November 2025, nonclinical living costs are meanstested. They include amenity/ extra-comfort charges such as meals, cleaning, laundry, transport to appointments, mobility chairs and lifestyle amenities.
The means test works as follows:
The government will assess a resident’s income and assets. Based on that assessment, (a) Low-means persons (assets <$60,000) will have most or all costs subsidised by the government, (b) Middle-income persons (assets $300,000 to $500,000) will pay a partial contribution and (c) Highermeans persons (assets >$500,000) will pay the full cost of amenities.
There is a lifetime cap on total personal contributions (across all aged-care types), estimated around $130,000, after which
all persons including the ultrarich will pay no cost of care, everything will be borne by the government.
Residential aged care
When a person moves into residential aged care, they must pay for their accommodation. There are 3 options for residential accommodation payment: Refundable Accommodation Deposit (RAD), Daily Accommodation Payment (DAP) and Combination (RAD plus DAP).
The average current market rate (2025) for RAD varies from $450,000 to $550,000, depending on the area of the aged care service. Providers are allowed to retain up to 2% per year (called retention amount) from the RAD for up to five years, a total of 10% in that period. The remaining 90% must be refunded within 14 days after the person dies or leaves the care. Under DAP, a daily fee for accommodation is paid, calculated on the RAD equivalent using the government-set maximum permissible charge which is currently (2025) 8.38%.
Home care
No RAD or DAP apply to Home Care since there is no accommodation component involved.
The Home care package works as follows:
Government-subsidised Home Care Packages are tailored to each person’s needs and level of support. Home care services may include personal care (showering, dressing), domestic assistance (cleaning, laundry), transport to appointments, nursing and allied health (physiotherapy, podiatry), meal preparation and home and garden maintenance.
Business models of aged care entities
Aged care providers will receive government subsidies, linked directly to the person’s approved care needs. They also receive means tested co-contributions, if applicable. RAD/DAP payments are available to residential carers. No exit fees are allowed, and all unspent funds must be returned to the Commonwealth or transferred to the new provider when a person changes care services.
Providers use those funds to pay for various operating expenses such as care workers’ wages and travel, allied health or nursing services, consumables and equipment, food, laundry, and maintenance, accommodation, rostering, IT, compliance and, overheads (rent, utilities, insurance) as well as depreciation and interest on capital.
A provider’s profit is effectively their margin or net operating result after all service costs are paid.
Concluding remarks
There are things to check before entering either a home care or residential care. For Home Care, when does your service move to the new Support at Home program and will your service agreement change? For Residential Care, what are the accommodation payment options and how will the 2% retention work? Will the DAP be subject to CPI indexation? If you are means-tested: What will your non-clinical care contribution be under the new rules? For existing residents, are your arrangements grandfathered? Will your contract change?
Gift of Kindness
LESSONS FROM THE STEPPE
By Jamilah Samian www.coolmumsuperdad.com
When I visited Mongolia to judge a speech competition recently, I discovered the amazing way Nomadic families raised their young. Nomadic Mongolian families live in the vast open steppe where nature teaches, the community raises, and
Nature as the first classroom
Mongolian babies grow up in gers (yurts), where life moves with the seasons and nature is not a place to visit. It is home. From infancy, they observe wind, clouds, animals, and terrain. This builds not just strength and awareness but a quiet respect for Allah’s creation and the delicate balance of life. Nature humbles them, and humility is the soil in which kindness grows.
Responsibility that instills empathy
Young children help with small chores. By age five or six, children walk with goats or sheep. By ten, they can identify each animal, care for the sick, and assist in birthing season. Responsibility here is shared. Children feel trusted, useful, and needed. And when you feel needed, you learn to care, not because someone tells you to, but because your heart is involved. Caring for a newborn lamb freezing in the night or helping an exhausted mother goat teaches empathy no textbook can.
Courage with compassion
Horse riding begins young. Children fall, get up, and learn balance not only on horses but in life. Archery teaches focus, patience, and emotional control. One father tells his son, “When you are angry, you miss the mark. Calm your heart first.” Hidden in that lesson is a kindness principle we often forget: Master yourself before you face the world. A calm heart leads to gentle hands and wise speech.
children learn responsibility and courage early. Yet beneath the toughness of their environment lies something softer and just as powerful: a culture of kindness rooted in contribution, care for animals, and respect for elders and nature.
Harsh weather, soft hearts
Mongolian winters are unforgiving. Families prepare together. Children help store hay, reinforce the ger, and watch for storms. They learn that survival depends on cooperation, not competition, on working together, not alone. Difficult environments can harden people; here, they deepen compassion. Hardship is faced as a family, strengthening bonds and gratitude.
Play with purpose
Games involve animals, ropes, stones, and open fields, not screens. They teach precision, imagination, and teamwork. Children learn to negotiate, be patient, and take turns. In wide open spaces, their hearts stay wide open too.
Community raises the child
Even far apart, nomadic families support each other. Older children care for younger ones in communal settings. Elders are respected, stories are shared, meals are simple but shared generously. Kindness here is not scheduled. It is woven into ordinary living.
Tradition meets modern life
Many city based Mongolian families send children to horse camps and archery clubs to stay grounded in heritage, discipline, and humility. Urbanisation may change lifestyle, but values still matter: resilience, contribution, community, and kindness through service.
What can we learn?
You don’t need a herd of horses or a yurt to adopt these lessons. You can bring the spirit of the steppe into your home. Give children real responsibilities, not to burden them but to help them feel trusted. Let nature teach through weekend walks, gardening, feeding birds, or simply watching clouds. Teach emotional calmness before correction by saying, “Let us breathe, then talk.” Model care for animals, neighbours, elders, and siblings. Invite children to help, not only in chores but in acts of kindness. Kindness grows where contribution lives. Let your child contribute meaningfully, and you will witness a natural rise in empathy, humility, and care. When children help, they do not just build skills. They build hearts.
[Read full article at https:// coolmumsuperdad.com/raised-by-thesteppe-how-mongolian-nomadic-childrenare-trained-outdoors-from-early-childhood/]
Jamilah Samian is the author of “Cool Mum Super Dad”, “Cool Boys Super Sons”, “Leadership In Parenting”, “Parenting Generation Y & Z”, “The Kindness Miracle”, “Raise Me Right” and “77 Power Parent Tips”. For more resources, visit www. coolmumsuperdad.com
INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS TO TAKE OFF AGAIN FROM AVALON
The Allan Labor Government is backing Victoria’s second international airport and bringing international Jetstar flights back to Avalon.
Premier Jacinta Allan, Minister for Industry and Advanced Manufacturing Colin Brooks and Minister for Public Transport Gabrielle Williams joined Melbourne Avalon Airport CEO Ari Suss and Jetstar to announce that the airline will run international flights from Avalon to Bali from March.
Jetstar will also restart their domestic route to Adelaide and increase flights to Brisbane –bringing even more visitors from across Australia to Geelong and visitor hotspots like the Great Ocean Road.
In total, the expansion will add up to 320,000 new lowfare seats annually in and out of Melbourne’s second airport gateway, with 120,000 seats alone on the new Avalon to Bali service operating five return flights a week.
The airport will also receive major upgrades to prepare for the influx of flights, including 1,000 new seats across the international and domestic terminals, upgrades to runway lighting, security equipment, CCTV cameras, new water connections to the control tower and an additional 500 car parking spaces.
The upgrades alone will create more than 80 new jobs, on top of the boost to the visitor economy that the new flights will deliver.
Deloitte Access Economics has estimated that a typical daily international airline service contributes $160.8 million in value and over 1,000 FTE jobs to the Victorian economy.
The Labor Government will also deliver a new bus route between Lara Station and the airport in the coming months, providing a vital public transport connection for passengers and workers.
The new Route 18 will be the first public bus service for Avalon, connecting the airport to Lara Station seven days a
week and making it easier for passengers and workers to get to and from the airport, complementing the uplift to services on the Geelong line delivered last year.
Victoria has proudly been the home of Jetstar since it was established in 2004 and is the airline’s largest base, which employs more than 3,000 people across the state.
This announcement builds on the recent opening of a new freight processing facility at the precinct, supporting hundreds of jobs across cargo handling, warehousing and distribution.
As Victoria’s second international airport, Avalon plays a vital role in maintaining a competitive, diversified aviation network that supports key sectors, including tourism, freight, logistics, international education and trade.
Victoria’s aviation sector contributed $23 billion in valueadded economic activity to the State in 2022-2023, supporting over 138,000 FTE jobs.
Premier Jacinta Allan said “Now arriving: more flights for Avalon and more jobs for Geelong.”
Jetstar Chief Executive Officer
Stephanie Tully said “This investment will see thousands more customers fly through Melbourne’s second airport gateway, supporting the economic growth of Melbourne, Geelong, the Surf Coast and the Bellarine Peninsula.”
Member for Lara Ella George siad “The new daily bus route from Lara to Avalon is a major boost for public transport in Geelong’s North and will help workers and travellers get to Avalon Airport and the employment precinct.”
Member for Geelong Christine Couzens said “This means more jobs, more flights, more people and more money in the local economy.”
THE POWER PLAYERS: VANGUARD, BLACKROCK, AND STATE STREET
By: Shams Alam
In the world of finance, three giants stand out: Vanguard, BlackRock, and State Street. Collectively known as the “Big Three,” these asset management firms wield enormous influence over global markets, corporate governance, and even public opinion. This article delves into their total assets under management, investment strategies, and the implications of their dominance across various sectors, including military hardware, media, and consumer goods.
As of 2024, the total assets under management (AUM) for these firms are staggering and estimated around 22 trillion.
Individual Breakdown:
BlackRock is the largest asset manager globally, BlackRock has a diversified portfolio that spans equities, fixed income, alternatives, and multi-asset solutions. Vanguard is known for its index fund offerings, Vanguard manages a significant portion of global equities and bonds. While State Street with a strong focus on institutional investors, State Street is a major player in ETFs and index funds. Global Investment Reach- In United States alone, The Big Three collectively invest in thousands of companies, with their stakes in major corporations often exceeding 5%. They are significant shareholders in companies like Apple, Microsoft, and Amazon.
Their investment footprint extends globally, covering thousands of companies across various sectors.
Military Hardware Investments- The Big Three have substantial investments in the defense sector, which includes companies like:Lockheed Martin, Raytheon
Technologies, Northrop Grumman.While exact figures for total investments in military hardware are not publicly disclosed, estimates suggest that their combined holdings in defense contractors could be in the hundreds of billions of dollars.
Influence on Daily Life-The impact of the Big Three extends far beyond financial markets:
Consumer Goods: Their investments in major consumer brands shape product availability and pricing strategies.
Media: Significant stakes in media outlets allow these firms to influence public narratives. For instance, they have invested in companies like Comcast and Disney, which play crucial roles in shaping public opinion.
Technology and Software:
Investments in tech giants like Google and Facebook facilitate the proliferation of technology that enhances daily life while also raising concerns about data privacy and monopolistic practices.
The Interconnectedness of InfluenceThe interconnectedness of these firms is evident in their ownership structures and investment strategies. They often hold overlapping stakes in the same companies,
leading to a concentration of influence. This interconnectedness can create a feedback loop where their interests align, particularly in sectors like finance, technology, and media.
U.S. Influence and Global Dynamics-The United States plays a pivotal role in shaping global markets, often to the advantage of these firms:
Military Conflicts: Increased military spending during conflicts can lead to higher profits for defense contractors, benefiting the investment portfolios of the Big Three.
Media Narratives: By owning stakes in major media outlets, they can influence public sentiment regarding military actions, foreign policy, and economic strategies.
The dominance of Vanguard, BlackRock, and State Street in global finance has farreaching implications. Their investments in various sectors, including military hardware and media, shape not only corporate governance but also public opinion and consumer behavior. As they continue to grow, understanding their influence becomes increasingly vital for individuals navigating a complex financial landscape.
ICOM MARKS ANNUAL HIJAB DAY WITH REFLECTION AND APPRECIATION
This month, the Islamic College of Melbourne celebrated its annual Hijab Day across the college, bringing together students and staff to recognise and honour the significance of the hijab. The day’s activities encouraged meaningful conversations about the purpose and beauty of this important act of worship. For younger students, these teachings were connected to their journey toward coming of age, gently introducing them to
the traditions of hijab and the values it represents. Through age-appropriate discussions and activities, they learned why the hijab remains a cornerstone of the Muslim faith — symbolising modesty, responsibility and a sincere connection to Allah. These early conversations help ICOM students appreciate the spiritual meaning behind the practice and understand how it supports self-respect and a strong sense of identity throughout their educational journey and beyond
YEAR 6 CANBERRA CAMP: A WEEK OF LEARNING, DISCOVERY AND NATIONAL IDENTITY
The year 6 cohort’s Canberra Camp took place last week and proved to be an unforgettable, enriching experience—bringing Australia’s capital to life for students in meaningful and memorable ways. Throughout the week-long camp, students explored the centre of the nation’s democracy, linking recent classroom learning to real-world environments. Their visits to Parliament House, the Museum of Australian Democracy and the National Electoral Education Centre offered firsthand insight into how government operates and highlighted the importance of civic engagement. A tour of the Australian War Memorial encouraged reflection on Australia’s military history and its ongoing significance. The experience extended beyond
politics and history. Students enjoyed interactive learning at Questacon and the Australian Institute of Sport, where hands-on exhibits and physical challenges fostered curiosity, teamwork and problem-solving. The itinerary also included the National Capital Exhibition Centre, the Film and Sound Archive, and scenic outdoor sites such as Commonwealth Park and Anzac Parade. With a strong focus on both education and personal development, the camp allowed students not only to deepen their understanding of Australia’s democracy, governance and national heritage, but also to learn more about themselves. They returned with greater independence, confidence and resilience—skills strengthened by navigating new experiences alongside their peers
ICCV ISLAMIC CO-ORDINATING COUNCIL OF VICTORIA
Helping
Australian businesses export
halal products to over 140 countries
ICCV is the largest Halal certification organisation in Australia servicing clients locally and internationally.
ICCV is responsible for the certification, monitoring, and supervision of Halal food for the domestic market as well as the export market.
Clients cover a range of sectors including abattoirs, food processing businesses, transportation and cold storage operators.
We are the largest halal certification body in Australia. Professional, experienced and trusted.
We monitor the certified businesses for compliance of halal requirements.
We provide a means for direct supervision in house for quality assurance.
We work with abattoirs to get and keep their halal certification.
ACCREDITED MARKETS
ICCV is specifically accredited within these Muslim majority countries.
Our certification is approved for all halal importing countries.
We provide full turnkey solution for FGMs to get halal.
Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Brunei, Oman, Kingdom of Bahrain,Tunisia,Yemen, Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, Kuwait, Libya, Qatar, Afghanistan, Albania, Bangladesh, Bosnia, Iran, Kosova, Morocco, Maldives.
We provide logistics companies for cold room and transport to get halal.
Our certificate is approved in countries that now require halal certificate if goods have halal stamps:
Canada, South Korea, China, European Union (EU), New Zealand, Russia Federation, Sri Lanka, United Kingdom, United States of America (USA).
By Shazma Gaffoor
“Cancer picked the wrong opponent, and that was my mantra throughout my whole journey,” two-time boxing champion Bilal “Billy” Dib told Al Wasat.
In 2015, Dib met the love of his life but never expected to lose her to cancer six months after they married.
“I learnt many valuable lessons from Sara’s journey, and I’m just grateful for the time we had together,” Dib said.
Then seven years later, he was diagnosed with cancer and given just six months to live.
Unyielding, Dib went through grueling rounds of chemotherapy solely focusing on his faith and son, Laith.
“I’ve been through the thick and thin of my boxing career and faced some serious opposition,” he said.
“It all prepared me for what was going to be the fight of my
life, which was the fight against cancer.”
The Sydney born Lebanese boxer is the fifth in a family of seven. He found it fun and interesting growing up in a large family surrounded by plenty of cousins.
Dib started boxing at age 11, in response to being bullied at school nearly every day.
“It was a way to protect myself...boxing gave me purpose, and an identity. It played a big part in my life,” he said.
Dib faced his share of racism and discrimination when he
made it onto the professional ring, which was a common occurrence for non-White Australians.
He pressed on and with the support of his team, started winning matches to the point where he “couldn’t be kept down”.
“As an amateur there was a lot of racism involved. In the professional ranks however, you can’t be denied.”
He holds two world boxing championships, with a professional boxing record of 49 wins and seven losses.
An impressive career spanning
over 20 years where he earned the nicknames “Guru of Greenacre” and “Lightning of Liverpool” among many others.
It was at the peak of his career that he was given the devastating news of being diagnosed with a rare form of non-Hodgkins’s stomach cancer.
“I remember telling the doctor I couldn’t die...I had to walk my kid to school in a couple of years’ time,” he said.
Not wanting to leave his now wife, Berry, and their son behind is what kept him going.
“I knew Allah (SWT)* was going to take me on this journey, but
“THE FIGHT OF MY LIFE, THE FIGHT AGAINST CANCER”
“She then turned off her phone so I couldn’t reach her. I was so infuriated that it kept me alive,” Dib said.
“I woke up the next day and pinched myself saying ‘Alhamdulillah’ (praise be to God), I’m here to tell the story.”
Looking back, the most important lesson he learnt from his cancer journey is the value of time.
feelings and being vulnerable, which isn’t often addressed among men primarily from ethnic communities.
This led him to write a children’s book called ‘Boys Do Cry, and Billy Dib does too’ which talks about expressing feelings and normalising conversations around emotions.
I knew deep in my heart that I could fight it.”
There were several dark moments during Dib’s cancer journey.
A distinct memory he recalls was when he urinated and defecated himself after 23 hours of chemo, unsure if he was going to make it through.
“I rang my wife and told her, ‘I don’t know if I’ll see you guys tomorrow’ and asked to speak to Laith,” he told Al Wasat. His wife refused to let him speak to his son and asked him to call in the morning because they also “had visitors over”.
He now only gives his time to those he values, like his son, wife, parents and those closest to him.
“Prior to being diagnosed with cancer, I was neglectful of my own family, and chasing things that were no longer there,” he said.
“Cancer definitely taught me the value of appreciating those around you.”
After six months of intense chemo, Dib was cleared from cancer.
He made a conscientious decision to speak out about
“It’s about empowering young kids, adults or teens, and that it’s okay to express your feelings. It’s okay to cry,” Dib said.
“It’s okay to ask for help, it’s okay to cry out for God; you’re not weak when you do that.”
He addressed the importance of health checks rather than being dismissive at the first sign of illness.
“Our communities need to take things seriously; they need to get screened. Talking about your issues is a sign of strength, not weakness,” he said.
“I truly believe that I’m a servant to the people because Allah (SWT)* has preserved me from cancer, preserved me from
dying, in order to spread the message to help people.”
His message to the youth of today is to start anything with a clear vision. To find something that they love, be consistent in their approach, which will forge their way to success.
“My advice to the world is: believe in yourself. Because Billy Dib had to believe in himself before anybody else would believe him.”
*SWT - Subhanahu wa ta’ala: The most Glorified, the Most High
KEEP YOURSELF SAFE AROUND WATER THIS SUMMER
With the weather heating up, lifesavers and lifeguards are once again patrolling Victoria’s beaches to help keep swimmers safe in the water.
Minister for Emergency Services Vicki Ward joined Life Saving Victoria members at the Williamstown Life Saving Club to officially launch the patrol season and to remind Victorians to brush up on their water safety skills this summer.
From 15 November 2025 to 19 April 2026, more than 45,000 lifesavers and lifeguards will be safeguarding the community and patrolling beaches across Victoria. Millions of people visited Victorian beaches last year and this coming summer is expected to be another busy patrol season for our dedicated lifesavers.
As well as swimming between the flags, beachgoers can keep themselves safe by never swimming alone, assessing the risks before entering the water and wearing a lifejacket when boating or fishing.
Last summer, LSV lifesavers and lifeguards performed more than 1,000 rescues, attended nearly 1,600 major first aid interventions, and undertook almost 356,000 preventative actions to help people avoid danger in the water.
Despite these efforts, 52 people tragically lost their lives to drowning in Victorian waterways during the 2024–25 patrol season.
To support lifesaving efforts, the Labor Government has invested more than $9 million for public water safety interventions – this includes funding for paid lifeguard services, rescue watercraft, aerial surveillance via helicopters and drones and public safety messaging.
This builds on an additional $12 million which supported extended patrol seasons, equipment maintenance, and upgrades to lifesaving facilities across the state.
Victorians can find their nearest patrolled beach and learn more about water safety by visiting beachsafe. org.au.
Minister for Emergency Services Vicki Ward said:
“Our lifesavers do an incredible job to keep Victorians safe around water – but we need everyone to do their part.”
“It’s vital that Victorians take water safety seriously –swim between the flags, never swim alone and always wear a lifejacket when boating or fishing.”
Member for Williamstown Melissa Horne said:
“Our community is incredibly lucky to have such beautiful beaches right on our doorstep and thanks to our dedicated lifesavers, we can enjoy them safely all summer long.”
GRANTS FOR GROUPS SUPPORTING VICTORIANS WITH DISABILITY
More Victorians living with disability will have access to peer support, with the Allan Labor Government opening a new round of Self-Help Grants.
Minister for Disability Lizzie Blandthorn today announced that applications are now open for the program which recognises the vital role self-help groups play in strengthening the lives of people living with disability, their families and carers across Victoria.
Self-help groups create welcoming spaces where people can connect with others who share similar experiences, offering practical advice, emotional support and friendship.
Through grants of up to $14,000 over two years, the program helps community groups continue their important work – building social connections, promoting mental health and wellbeing and fostering inclusion.
Funding can be used to assist with everyday operating costs, equipment, minor works and activities that bring people together to share experiences, strengthen community connections, promote positive attitudes and build disability pride.
The last round’s recipients included Sunspec
Support Group for Families and Carers of People with Disabilities in Sunbury, which was supported to deliver a series of workshops about mental health for carers.
The Stroke a Chord Choir received a grant to help cover costs for public performances and support participation for community members who have experienced stroke.
Groups representing diverse communities and those in regional areas are encouraged to apply.
Applications for the 2026-28 round are open for 10 weeks, closing at 4pm on Tuesday, 27 January 2026.
To find out more visit: providers.dffh.vic.gov.au/ disability-self-help-grantsprogram.
Minister for Disability Lizzie Blandthorn said:
“This investment will help Victorians living with disability, their families and carers access self-help groups for support and information.”
“This is one of the many ways we are helping make Victoria a more inclusive state.”
FROM EMPTY CONTAINERS TO FULL PLATES – HOW CANS AND BOTTLES ARE HELPING FEED FAMILIES IN NEED
For one Melbourne man, donating his refunds from the cans and bottles he returns through Victoria’s Container Deposit Scheme (CDS Vic) is helping to fuel global impact.
What started as an exercise in sustainability for Craigieburn’s Mohammed and his family has grown into a humanitarian mission. He collects discarded cans and bottles from his community and turns them into aid for families in Gaza.
“I believe that if you have the means to help others, you also have a responsibility. I first heard about the scheme from a family friend and thought I’d give it a try. I never guessed it could be something we used to support people in Gaza – that something as basic as a few empty cans or bottles can mean survival for someone else.”
While Mohammed has always been aware of the need to recycle and its importance,
over the past two years, the scheme has facilitated a unique fundraising opportunity. In the early days, he was getting container refunds of around $30 to $40 per week. Since bringing more people on board with his fundraising efforts, Mohammed says they are now collectively raising up to $500 each month, enough to provide life-saving meals to dozens of people.
“It’s gotten more and more popular, with people now contributing to our fundraising by giving me their containers. I’ve got family members who help me collect, and my nextdoor neighbour as well; we all pull our cans and bottles together. I’ve even set up a spot at work, and at the end of the week, I’ll take them to the refund point.”
Mohammed and his family then donate the container refunds to global aid charity, Muslims Around the World.
“The work they do is close to my heart and has been something I’ve supported for years to get aid directly to people who need it most.”
The charity organisation provides essential aid in over 30 countries, including food, water and medical supplies.
“There’s no shortage of people who need help. Part of Islam is the idea of giving back to those in need and helping people to get back on their feet. It’s such an important thing, we are pretty fortunate here in Australia, but for people in Palestine, Lebanon or Syria, they need our support.”
For Mohammed, CDS Vic has
been the perfect avenue for a consistent effort that delivers both local and international benefits.
“If we all put our hands together, we can do something to make a better community, and we can have a lasting impact. I encourage it so much. It helps the environment, keeps your community clean, and keeps your recycling bin empty. At the same time, the money we raise goes to a very important cause.”
To find your nearest CDS Vic Refund point, visit cdsvic.org.au
