The Victorians proving kindness can triumph over fear
In a time where greed and selfishness has dominated much of the headlines, acts of kindness have seemed rare. But whether it’s helping those with bare cupboards or looking after the vulnerable, the generosity of these Victorians is proving compassion is still alive.
VIC News
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It’s a disease which demands isolation, but in the leafy streets of Melbourne’s Ormond, COVID-19 has brought the community together.
When mum of three Samantha Bihary decided to pop a note in the letterboxes of her neighbours – offering her help to anyone in need and setting up a ‘neighbourhood phone list’ – she was nervous.
Now she’s glad she took the initiative, with the neighbourhood more connected than it has possibly ever been.
“I felt really exposed initially, going out and putting the note into people’s letterboxes … with everyone having ‘no junk mail’ signs up,” Ms Bihary said.
“Very timidly, I started going out and putting them into the boxes in my street, and then in other streets which were connecting off mine. But, the whole time, I was really aware of not wanting to impose on people or not presuming anything.
“It was just about offering my phone number to people, because I knew I had time, I had energy and I wasn’t sick, so if anyone needed a hand, I was in a position to help.
“I figured to myself, if there’s just one person out there who is by themselves or old or feeling sick or scared, and this will be of some benefit, that’ll be fine, it’ll be worthwhile.”
But it wasn’t long before people started responding to the note, and numbers exchanged.
Now the group – in which people can ask for help or offer it – is taking on a life of its own, with more than 50 neighbours reaching out to each other.
“More importantly, it means that for the few hundred other residents of the 15 streets which have been letterbox-dropped so far, should they need any help or advice, they can call my number and there’s now an army of neighbours ready to respond,” Ms Bihary said.
SURFCOAST ANGELS DELIVER HELP AND HOPE TO NEEDY
It took just two days for Surfcoast Angels to recruit nearly a dozen ‘frontline’ volunteers to reach out, and provide help, to those who need it in their coastal community.
Scores more have volunteered to help with sourcing and sorting of supplies and services behind the scenes, amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
What started with an idea to help the needy on Victoria’s Surf Coast has quickly taken off, as embattled members of the community accept the kindness of strangers.
They include the elderly, people with cancer having chemotherapy and others with pre-existing health conditions and suppressed immune systems.
Even before pamphlets had been printed and distributed last week, word-of-mouth had seen calls for help come in steadily.
Doctors also established early contact with the coronavirus volunteer army.
“The frontline volunteers will go and do anything that a person needs doing – whether it’s a trip to the chemist, completing a shopping list, delivering meals, anything really,” group organiser Nicole Dickmann said.
“It could just be sitting outside the door or window of someone’s house and having a chat, or calling regularly on the phone … just trying to make sure people stay connected.”
The mum of a 16 month-old baby, Ms Dickmann, 40, acknowledged her own life was extremely busy as it was, but said she felt it was important to make time to help others in times of crisis.
“I think we all just have to help each other through this,” she said.
LOUISE WANTS US ALL TO #DROPABOX OF CHOCCIES
It was the look of the fear in the eyes of a young Coles worker manning the toilet paper cage at her local supermarket which inspired Richmond’s Louise Falkiner to hand out chocolates.
The appreciation from store workers for her small gesture was so great, she wanted to share the love across Victorian supermarkets and #dropabox was born.
“I’m sick of seeing people tearing each other apart at supermarkets and in particular seeing these poor kids and checkout staff with a look of panic on their faces. I challenge those who can afford to … to buy a box of chocolates and give them to the store manager for the staff to enjoy in the quiet of their staffroom while on their break. If we all did this every now and then at any supermarket in any suburb, it might just show these poor kids that we’re not all brutes,” Ms Falkiner posted on social media.
How many boxes of chocolates have been handed out to supermarket staff as a result, she’s not sure, but she’d like to see the idea take off across the state, if not country.
Working in sales and marketing herself, Ms Falkiner said she knew what it was like to be at the coalface of customer service.
“Sometimes it’s just nice to know that you’re appreciated and that there are kind people out there who are grateful for the job you’re doing and know that you’re doing your best.”
COOKING UP SOME KINDNESS
Not sure how to whip up dinner without regular fridge and pantry staples like minced meat, vegies, rice and pasta?
Big-hearted and resourceful Elwood resident Josh Munro is coming to the rescue of Victorians with bare cupboards and limited culinary skills – virtually, of course.
The trained chef, who has worked in hospitality sales and the Melbourne food industry for many years, has invited people to show him the contents of their pantries, so he can help them put together a tasty meal, with whatever food they have on hand.
“I’m pretty sure there’s people out there who don’t feel confident cooking outside their ‘norm’ of something from a packet or a jar, or with a piece of meat and vegetables. That’s all stuff that’s really quite hard to get now,” he said.
“I thought they might need some advice and help to work with what they had.”
Mr Munro, 34, said photos of fridge and pantry contents – sent through to him via social media or other means – was all that was needed for him to come up with tasty recipes.
“I’m quite good with flavours and have an idea of what goes well with what. Often they’re things that people probably think wouldn’t work together, but actually do,” he said.
“I figured we should all band together and support one another where and how we can, because it’s not an easy time, and this is just my little bit to help.”
WALLAN FAMILY OFFERS FREE FOOD FOR ELDERLY
Shocked at seeing the bare supermarket shelves in their local area and hearing about elderly residents going hungry, a Wallan family has made it their mission to make free meals for senior citizens.
Despite doing it tough financially themselves, the owners of the Ohh Melbourne Indian restaurant in High St Wallan are sharing what they have.
“We have seen how people in Wallan are panicking, shelves are empty and the older people are worried and scared, so we decided to do this, so that the old people don’t have to worry that they’re going to go hungry,” mum of two, Chaman Preet said.
Free meals are available for pick up by senior citizens in the Wallan, Beveridge, Kilmore and Donnybrook, Mickleham, Kalkallo and Craigieburn areas from 5 to 7pm nightly.
And for the sick or frail who are unable to travel, volunteers will home deliver.
“In India, if you have just one serve of rice left, you share that serve rather than keep it to yourself,” she said.
“And the elderly are the most respected in society. That’s a part of our culture and it is ingrained in us that when times are tough, we do as much as we can to help others, especially for the older people.
“As we all become very ambitious in life and goal-orientated, we can forget that we have a responsibility to others as well.”
The free meals would be as generous and “lovely” as the restaurant could afford to provide, she said.
And despite her husband Amar Tiwari, and herself, being busy with the restaurant, other jobs and two children aged four and eight, there would always be time enough to help others, Ms Preet said.
KIND KIDS MAKE GLORIA’S DAY
Kindness has triumphed over fear in suburban Cranbourne.
When the Samoan Sasa family came to the aid of an elderly and ill Gloria Lee-Steere as she struggled at a shopping centre, an extraordinary friendship was born.
On a walking frame and oxygen – and battling to breathe because her oxygen tank had run out – 76-year-old Ms Lee-Steere was helped by security guard and father of four, Paul Sasa.
Mr Sasa not only arranged for oxygen to be delivered to Ms Lee-Steere’s home, when she was reluctant to take a cab, he called his wife, Miriama, and asked her to come and drive her home.
Mrs Sasa, who works, studies and looks after her young children, arrived in the family car with three of her four kids in tow, as Mr Sasa left to go to his second job.
“Yes, our hands are pretty full, but of course we still had time to help her,” Mrs Sasa said.
Realising Ms Lee-Steere was “exhausted and overwhelmed” by her day at the shops, had not eaten and was using disinfectant floor wash as sanitiser for her hands, Mrs Sasa said she knew the elderly lady needed support.
It was before strict COVID-19 social distancing rules were introduced, so the family stayed and kept her company.
“Gloria said she was lonely and wanted us to stay until the (oxygen) gas man came … we stayed another two hours to keep her happy,” Mrs Sasa said.
“We exchanged numbers and we have been keeping her company when she’s feeling alone as she lives by herself. She has Facetimed me, crying and upset, when she’s been home all day to avoid going in public with the whole coronavirus (pandemic).
“So my sister, our babies and I bought dinner and took it over … our kids even sang for her, in our language, a song which means ‘be strong, keep the faith’.”
It was the same song, Mrs Sasa said, that her children had sung for her mother before she succumbed to cancer in January this year.
And the relationship the family had since forged with Ms Lee-Steere had helped fill the void of their much-loved and missed mother and grandmother.
“We came into each others lives when we needed each other most.”
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