Shining stars

By Lisa Chesters, Federal Member for Bendigo - Photograph by AJ Taylor

The coronavirus pandemic has affected and continues to affect many of us in Bendigo. The health impacts are far reaching but for many in our community, one of the most difficult aspects of the lockdowns we experienced was the breakdown of community connections and increased social isolation associated with the necessary public health measures introduced to reduce the spread of the virus. In a year when so many were faced with a withdrawal from community life and social isolation, Bendigo’s community houses stood up and provided a shining light in an otherwise dark time. Community or neighbourhood houses embody the sense of belonging and inclusion that make our community so vibrant and strong. We are lucky to have 10 community houses in the greater Bendigo area, from Marong to Woodend and Heathcote to Maldon. Not every community house is the same. But their difference is their strength, tailoring their services to the unique diversity and needs of the community. They bring people together to connect, learn and contribute to their local community through social, educational, recreational and support activities. Community houses are so important, not only because they build social connectedness, but because they also create opportunities for people that help reduce inequality. I have been buoyed by some of the stories of goodwill and generosity to come from our community houses during the coronavirus pandemic. When so many felt disconnected and distant from others, our community houses kept people together. Tracey Clarke, coordinator of the Eaglehawk Community House, told me that when lockdowns were first brought in last year, closing their door was never an option. Over the nine months from March through December last year, Tracey and her team of over 80 volunteers provided more than 17,000 meals to seniors, workers forced into isolation, and other vulnerable citizens in their community. When you speak to volunteers, their enthusiasm for what they do is infectious. Mel, who worked the phones during the Eaglehawk Community House’s COVID operations, can now be found greeting visitors with a smile at reception. She works at the community house one day and volunteers three days a week. She loves the variety of people she meets, which has greatly increased since the easing of restrictions.

Kristi, who runs the community house’s art class and maintains the garden on another, loves the connection to community she gets from volunteering. She spent most days in the community house’s kitchen preparing meals for delivery alongside her mother last year. Her daughter, who is two, plays with Popcorn (the resident dog) and Oscar (the resident cat), and runs freely around the gardens. Kristi says when she is there, she feels comfortable knowing her daughter will be looked after by the community of visitors and volunteers that are there, too. But it is not just the invaluable support our community houses provided during the pandemic response that makes them vital to social connectedness. They are already at the frontline in helping bring people back together and strengthen our sense of community again. At the Marong Neighbourhood House, Kylie Rowe and coordinator Janine Cornish worked to ensure programs were able to continue over lockdowns to keep community members together. Front of mind was the welfare of volunteers and participants. As a result of isolation, they had noticed a rapid decline in the mental health of people in their community. Keeping the programs running was their focus, resulting in many of their offerings transitioning online. Now that restrictions have eased, the community has shown an eagerness to return in person to the community house. Volunteer Judith, who runs the Marong Story Time program for children in the area and recently started an embroidery group, says the neighbourhood house has been her saviour. Having moved to Marong in 2019 with few connections to the local community, she initially struggled. After finding the neighbourhood house, she has also found a sense of belonging in her local community. Now, she spends three to four days a week participating and volunteering her time. I want to give a heartfelt thank you to community houses and their volunteers in our region. When I speak to community house coordinators and volunteers, I am filled with pride and hope for our community. They do not just care about what their community houses do, they care about what they represent. A space that fosters community, where you can feel safe and where you can grow. To find your closest community centre or to learn how you can get involved, go to www.nhvic.org.au/find-a-neighbourhood-house