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7 JULY, 2021
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Project will rock you Encompass Community Services has launched an initiative to rock your world. The not-for-profit organisation last month started the Encompass Rocks project, dropping more than 500 painted rocks across parks and open spaces in the Wyndham and Greater Geelong municipalities. The rocks have all been painted by community members, including the Woodville Residents group of Hoppers Crossing, Wyndham Park Community Centre in Werribee and Wunggurrwil Dhurrung Centre in Wyndham Vale. Each rock has directions to the Encompass Rocks Facebook page written on them. People who find the rocks are encouraged to take a photo and post it to the page, then leave the painted pebbles behind for someone else to discover. Community members are also being urged to paint rocks with nature themes or inspirational words, to hide outdoors for others to find. Encompass Community Services, which has offices in Werribee and Geelong, supports people with disabilities, disengaged youth, the long-term unemployed and those facing financial, social or learning barriers. Details: https://www.facebook.com/ EncompassRocks/ or https://www. encompass-cs.org.au/
Project participant Peter Lawlor and some Encompass Rocks. (Joe Mastroianni)242648_04
Demand for help surges By Alesha Capone Uniting Wyndham has issued an urgent call for donations from the public as increasing numbers of people turn to charities and community services for help. Almost a third of people requesting emergency relief from Uniting’s Werribee office during the latest Victorian COVID-19 lockdown were new clients. Across the fortnight, from May 25 to June 8, 140 people sought help, including an increase in people who had lost employment or been
stood down. Demand for food parcels and help paying bills increased and there was a rise in the number of people needing pharmacy assistance and in rental arrears. Uniting Vic.Tas general manager – north and west Victoria – Annette Kelly-Egerton, said some people were “being forced to choose between purchasing food or paying for electricity”. “It’s the most disadvantaged people in our community who are always hardest hit in the colder months,” she said. “This is a time of great uncertainty and we
know there are many people in our community who are really struggling.” The Uniting Vic.Tas office in Werribee, Uniting Wyndham, is seeking donations of new and good-quality used blankets, sheet sets, doonas, swags, jackets and other winter woollies as part of its annual winter appeal. The organisation is also calling for financial donations to support those doing it tough. Ms Kelly-Egerton said a $29 donation was enough to buy a new blanket or doona for someone in need. “We’re asking people to contribute what they
can,” she said. “All donations are welcomed and will be appreciated this winter.” Donations can be made in person at Uniting Wyndham, 19 Duncans Road Werribee between 9am and 2.30pm on weekdays; Ray White Werribee; Penrose Promenade Community Centre; Tarneit library and Featherbrook Youth Resource Centre. Financial donations can be made online at https://unitingblanketwyndham.gofundraise. com.au. Details: www.unitingvictas.org.au or 9051 2000.
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