Tearful for Kay, but such an honour, too

By Callan Date
NARRE Warren’s Kay Vrieze was reduced to tears last week as she was inducted on to the Victorian Honour Roll of Women.
The tireless community worker has been a pillar of support to many young families in the Casey area for the last 25 years and was recognised for her efforts as part of International Women’s Day.
Ms Vrieze works as the executive community development manager at Narre Community Learning Centre – an organisation that provides support and encouragement to about 2500 people who walk through its doors every week.
That centre has grown from Narre Neighbours – a small community based centre that opened in 1981 and was costing Ms Vrieze, and her husband Eddy, money to run.
Since then she has helped a countless number of people through difficult times and gone above and beyond her duty on most occasions.
Even after being recognised by the State Government as making “a lasting contribution to the lives of Victorians”, Ms Vrieze is full of modesty and prefers to talk about the wider community rather that her own achievements.
“It’s such an honour. But it’s also great for the community and for the recognition of neighbourhood houses,” Ms Vrieze said.
“I didn’t even know about the award. I thought there was only one inductee and I was just going along.”
Ms Vrieze regularly talks about “giving people a second chance” – a motto she has followed throughout her career.
“A lot of people are socially isolated and my work involves reconnecting them with the community.
“Some people, for whatever reason, need a second chance and that’s what I have based a lot of my work on,” she said.
Ms Vrieze became emotional at the induction ceremony when she met with Doctor Elfreda Gamble almost 30 years after they last saw each other.
“The Queen Victoria Hospital was recognised as one of the founding hospitals for women. That’s where we were sent with our first child because he was three months’ premature.
“Elfreda was there to receive the award on behalf of the hospital.
“We had lost touch over the years and it was great to see her again,” Ms Vrieze said.
After being inducted into the prestigious Honour Roll, the tireless worker hopes to continue to help those less fortunate for some time yet.
“I really hope something like this can inspire other women to get involved in the community,” she said.