Charities battle through COVID crisis CHARITIES across Victoria, particularly those running on a small scale, have been doing it tough throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Many have lost the ability to raise funds, and have been made to scale back volunteers to meet the government’s COVID regulations. Frankston North based charity Local 2 Community opened its doors around a year ago, and got off to a successful start. “We just had such a great community space, and we had so many locals coming in and sitting and sharing their stories. There was a lot of connecting and support going on. It was marvelous,” Local 2 Community CEO Rebecca Olver said. The charity includes an op shop, material aid, foodbank, and a community
café where locals can come in, sit and connect with others. COVID-19 put much of this on hold. “It’s affected us dramatically because we are a start-up not for profit. So we’re very small,” Ms Olver said. Financially, the pandemic has hit the charity hard. However, it has been able to continue offering support to the community through the generosity of others. “A lady came in the other week and gave us $500. We were absolutely astounded. These phenomenal donations are what’s kept us going,” Ms Olver said. Despite the obstacles on their path, the charity has been able to expand its food bank services from one day a week to five days a week. In doing so, Ms Olver says that Local 2 Communi-
ty has been able to aid 195 adults and 63 children living in Frankston North throughout the stage four lockdown. “It’s pretty cool for a little charity. [And] now people are starting to get wind that we’ve opened five days a week, and are coming in with bags of groceries as well,” she said. The success of the foodbank program has Ms Olver looking forward to implementing the next stage of the charity, the Empower program. Involving the community café and a kitchen, the 12 month program focuses on life skills and training for disadvantaged young adults. To learn more about the charity or make a donation, search Local 2 Community on Facebook. Claudia Skubel LOCAL 2 Community team leader James receiving a donation from a member of the community. Picture: Supplied
Carrum a COVID risk THE Carrum foreshore area has been listed as a high risk COVID-19 location by the Department of Health and Human Services. Visitors to the foreshore’s surf life saving club on 18 September are being urged to monitor themselves for coronavirus symptoms. Anyone who comes down with symptoms should get tested immediately. There are two active cases of COVID-19 in the Kingston local government area as of 28 September. There have been 299 in the municipality since the pandemic began. A list of COVID-19 tests sites can be found at dhhs.vic.gov.au/whereget-tested-covid-19
Fire pit ban on agenda THE next Kingston Council is being asked to consider the local ban on fire pits. At the 21 September ordinary meeting, the last for the current term, councillors recognised the need to begin a “discourse” on the topic. They voted to begin community consultation about the current ban, but a vote to repeal the law will not be held until after council elections next month. Cr Steve Staikos said learning about the law was a “surprise” to many Kingston residents, who are
allowed to light barbecues with fuel such as charcoal, wood and briquettes, but are unable to light fire pits using any of these same materials. Cr Tamara Barth said the law “stems from the days when we would have had those cinder block incinerators in the backyard, I can remember my father would burn our rubbish and we have come a long way since. It’s one of those things that can easily be overlooked.” “We live in a metropolis and neighbours don’t want excess smoke coming across the back fence and tarnishing their fresh washing on the line, but in the same token people need to be free to enjoy the amenity of their backyard,” she said. Councillors also mentioned the increased need for residents to use their backyards for activity during winter, since various stages of COVID-19 restrictions have been in place since March and the public are stuck inside for most of the day. Cr Geoff Gledhill recognised people with respiratory illnesses could face problems if more people began lighting at-home fires, but acknowledged the risk was low because fire pits produce less smoke than the old incinerators previously found in many Melbourne residences. Kingston Council has entered caretaker mode before next month’s election, restricting any major changes to local operations or laws. Council returns to its normal duties following the elections, where the subject of fire pits can be raised again for further debate at a 30 November council meeting.
Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News
Laura Green
30 September 2020
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