Spirit of giving continues

Organisers of Horsham’s Carols by Candlelight continue to spread the joy of Christmas.

Simon Dandy and Raelene Johnston presented Horsham’s Christian Emergency Food Centre with a $5000 donation this week – gained from donations collected during the December event.

It had been a long time coming, with organisers indicating the food centre was the next charitable organisation to receive a donation from its event – then the COVID-19 pandemic struck and took the event to an online format.

Mr Dandy said the committee was proud to support an important community service.

“Christmas is such a good family time, but it’s not always that way for everyone,” he said.

“The food centre is a great community organisation that fits in with our values and we thought it was also a good way to support the community.”

The food centre’s client assessment manager Bev Miatke said the donation would help to ensure shelves and fridges remained stocked with fruit and vegetables, meat, and pantry and household staples.

“It’s just so needed. We have so many people coming to us who are finding it harder and harder to pay their bills and pay their mortgage or rent,” she said. “The more we have to offer, the more we can give out.

“What we don’t get from Foodbank Victoria, which is either free or cheaper than normal, we need to buy using funds that are donated. We buy items locally – which is supporting all of our local small and large businesses.

“All the people who come to us are people who live in Horsham and surrounding districts and across the Wimmera and southern Mallee.”

Planning for the 2023 carols event has already begun.

Mrs Johnston said the quality of Wimmera performers continued to dazzle attendees.

COMMUNITY: Ballarat Community Health International Women’s Day event attendees, from back, left, Josie Ponseca, Gwen Agustin, Pam Labordo, Rubylyn Mackley, May Rosello, Lyn Aneban, Maria Fitzpatrick and Clariza Pepito, and front, Cherry Latorza and Sam Howard.

Fostering connection

Ballarat Community Health is fostering connection to community for Wimmera refugee and migrant women through its Safer Pathways program.

Program co-ordinator Rubylyn Mackley hosted an event for refugee and migrant women to mark International Women’s Day and build networks earlier this month.

Wimmera women showcased their businesses, services or achievements through stalls, while guest speakers and performers entertained attendees at St Paul VI Parish Hall, Horsham.

Mrs Mackley said community connection was a vital part of settling in regional Victoria.

“Creating strong social ties and building on other social determinants of health affects the lives of our community members positively,” she said.

“This International Women’s Day in Horsham, we brought women from all walks of life together to celebrate each other and their contributions to our community.”

Mrs Mackley said it was also an opportunity to showcase services available in the Wimmera.

“Getting support beyond a person’s own household provides a sense of security for people,” she said.

“Ballarat Community Health works hard to ensure that people across all of western Victoria have access to social outlets, medical care and well-being programs to improve their health status.

“This event showcased the incredible skills and talents of the local refugee and migrant community and brought people together in a celebration of individuality and diversity.”