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Which two countries share the longest international border (one point for each correct answer)?
Generous gesture provides support
Giving: Gippstown Cafe created 40 hampers over the Christmas period for TCB Living to Thrive to give to those in need. Pictured are Cheyanne, Imogan and Talia from Gippstown Cafe and Tracy Kippen from TCB Living to Thrive, Moe. photograph supplied
By ALYSSA FRITZLAFF
GIPPSTOWN Cafe has made a significant donation to a local family violence organisation. Located in Old Gippstown Moe, the cafe has been accumulating donations over the holiday period from their many supportive customers. Deb Skinner, café manager, wants to thank her “amazing customers” for their generosity and contributions. “The response has been great,” she said. “Many were giving every week when they came to the café.” Ms Skinner created the Share Pantry in early October this year to support local families through difficult times. In the lead up to Christmas, she decided to support TCB Living to Thrive, in their creation of Christmas hampers for local families experiencing domestic violence. TCB is a not-for-profit organisation, located in Moe, that helps domestic violence survivors and young people transitioning from home. Tracy Kippen from TCB came to collect the donations herself, and was astonished by the community’s and café staff’s generosity. Ms Kippen reported that an estimated more than $200 worth of food items were donated, and a total of 40 hampers were able to be assembled from the café donations alone. The donations included non-perishable items and some Christmas treats including plum puddings. Allowing vulnerable families to enjoy their Christmas and not have to worry about food. Earlier in the year, local families were invited to register for a hamper via TCB’s Facebook page. “It’s been a really hard time for families during COVID,” Ms Kippen said. “These donations mean that people are going to be able to eat for the next two weeks ... it really does make a big difference, we’ve been really lucky.” In total, TCB created 100 hampers for local families in need, many of which were delivered to peoples homes by TCB staff.
GIPPSLAND Multicultural Services’ (GMS) COVID Memory Museum launched on Friday, December 10. The event was the first opportunity participants had to see the important project they had contributed to. GMS, in partnership with Gippsland Women’s Health, began the project as a way to connect with multicultural women in the Latrobe Valley, helping them to share their experiences during the pandemic. The museum is part of the WoMHEn (Workforce of Multicultural Health Educators) Project, and had multicultural women from all over Latrobe Valley send in images of items or activities that helped them through the pandemic. GMS received a number of submissions, 33 of which were included in the exhibition. “The WoMHEn Project recognises the right of everyone to get accurate information and are informed in their own language to make health decisions,” said Melanie Brown, Gippsland Women’s Health manager for health promotion. “The project brings local multicultural women together, where they are supported to received vital health information and at the same time are sharing their own experiences and stories.” Many participants and their families attended the event, which provided an opportunity to develop connections with each other and connect through storytelling. Each image was accompanied by a description explaining the participant’s personal pandemic experiences and the meaning behind the photograph. GMS Chief Executive Officer Tania Ryan said the project has been welcomed by females across the community. “This opportunity to share stories and support one another has been welcomed by our local women. It is so important through these times for people to know that they are not alone,” Ms Ryan said. Arfa Khan, president of United Muslim Sisters of Latrobe Valley, participated in the photo collection with her two young daughters. “It was interesting to showcase how our emotions traveled through COVID and what kept us moving,” she said. “The girls’ drawings were a reflection of acknowledging that COVID has changed our life and we too were introduced to new norms to keep ourselves and our community safe.” The event was also attended by local Nurse Unit Manager Bosede Adetifa from Latrobe Regional Hospital who provided a mental health session for participants. The GMS COVID Memory Museum is set to appear across the Latrobe Valley in local libraries in 2022. Participants: Anna Fascio and Virginia Swan were among those whose images appeared in the Memory Museum. photograph contributed
