“I know of a man in another shed who joined after losing his wife and it saved him. The guys here sometimes don’t realise it, but what they’re doing is supporting each other. Some of the guys here will never talk, but you put a tool in their hand and suddenly they won’t stop.” Brad Battin MP on the Berwick Men’s Shed.
“This brings us great joy, we ask for nothing in return, we’re just happy to do it. This is for God’s glory, we are not doing it to get thanks, we are not doing it for them to think that we are really good people, we are doing it to spread the love and light at Christmas.” Elizabeth Stephens, founder of the Sunbeam Foundation on their Christmas Day meals.
“Maybe if they could relate to us, see that what we’re building is actually something worth supporting, while we engage with them and stay connected, then a bridge could be formed.” Prez, a South East Sudanese independent musical artist from Cranbourne.
“I like to draw things that are important to me but I also want for other people to speak the same language, to understand them, so with all those little instances of positivity, it reinforces my decision of art being my career.” Janet Matthews, renowned wildlife botanical artist on her inspiration.
“I was taught as a young person that if my neighbour is not free, I cannot claim to be free. It’s great that the women who contribute should be acknowledged somehow and such work should grow. We should start to really look into the unsung heroes in the community who’re less likely to get nominated for (honours) because the people they work with are powerless.” Mmaskepe Sejoe, a member of Wellsprings for Women, who were in charge of a documentary that celebrated 10 extraordinary migrant women.
“It’s like a hurricane. It’s just a roar of trains or trucks coming towards you, then it’s the sudden silence.” Peter Lynch, member of the Narre Warren CFA brigade on bushfires.
“I think the most important thing to remember is not to treat them differently because they are dying. They are still alive and they need to be respected. I’m not afraid of death as I’ve travelled this road before. The first time was the fear of the unknown, the second time was the fear of the known.” Gwen Clough, Palliative Care South East volunteer on elderly people with illnesses.
“I am always creating new ideas to help people, it’s a good feeling. In the face of adversity, I turn challenges into opportunities to assist others.” Carla Johnson, was nominated for the Southside Plumbing, Heating and Cooling Community Hero Award in the 2023 Victorian Community Achievement Awards.
“I believe it’s great for mental and physical health, getting outside, testing the body and the eyes, meeting like-minded people and opening your eyes to what is actually out there. I think being aware of your surroundings helps you grow and appreciate what we have right in front of us, best of all, it’s free.” Brad White, a Cranbourne North birdwatcher and its benefits.
“All of these mental health issues have come about because we’ve put things on our feet. We’ve lifted ourselves up off of the ground, we’re sitting on chairs and blankets, our body isn’t literally connected to the earth. In the modern era, we’ve lifted ourselves away from the environment, so the environment is out there and we’re in here, so we’re two different things as opposed to being one. But we are the environment, and the environment is us.” Karan Kent, a Bidjara woman who led Wayapa Wuurrk meditative sessions, which means to connect to the Earth.
“The kit sends a message that there are people that understand and that there are people that care. It also sends a message that life isn’t over, however much it feels it is, that it is possible to live meaningfully after such a tragedy.” Louise Flynn, a Jesuit Social Services general manager speaking on the Growing Around Grief kit which helps with suicide prevention and coping.
“Some people snap, especially if they’ve got a mental illness, and they’re getting sick of asking for help. Sometimes jail is just better, it’s three meals a day instead of sitting there with a hat asking for people to help.” Scott and Razor, a homeless man and his pet dog, who had been gifted a dog bed and a security vest; Scott spoke on the difficulties of homelessness, and the stigma that came with it.
“Everyone has what it takes. I’m an everyday person with no formal qualifications and that’s an inspiration to say to everyday people, you can do what you set out to achieve. It takes resilience and hard work but it is doable with the right people.” Julie Cini, a Clyde North local, mentor, advocate, consultant and author who had been awarded an OAM for her community contributions.
“I feel confused where I am – same as in the detention centre. It doesn’t matter if it’s ‘blue’ or ‘red’ in Government, the policy is the same. Everyone kicks you like a political football. Australia is a democratic country. I don’t know why they treat us like this. We are human.” Sathees is a Tamil asylum seeker who has been in Australia for more than a decade but with unsettled visa applications.
“We gather always, not to glorify war, but to remind ourselves that we value who we are, the freedoms which we possess and to acknowledge the courage and sacrifice of those who contributed to shaping the identity of our nation.” Commander Luke Weston RAN, deputy director of the Mariner Skills Centre at HMAS Cerberus delivered a speech at the 108th anniversary of the Gallipoli landing.
“Today is an opportunity to reflect but never forget and learn the lessons of the past.” CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan on the Ash Wednesday bushfires.
