Volunteers hit with fines while helping Geelong’s most vulnerable

The Lazarus Community Centre, which provides meals and support to hundreds of people in crisis each month, faces closure as volunteers quit due to parking fines from the City of Greater Geelong

Lazarus Community Centre volunteer Barbara Kosic, Centre manager Michael Kenneady, volunteer Matt Gaertner, student placement participant Reet Lakhani, duty officer Danae Paternoster and volunteer Ernie Kosic are fed up with the parking issues around the Myers St centre. Picture: Alison Wynd

A critical lifeline for Geelong’s most vulnerable residents is at risk of closure as volunteers abandon the vital charity service amid a parking dispute with the City of Greater Geelong.

Lazarus Community Centre, which provides essential food, clothing and support to people in crisis, warns its future hangs in the balance as fed-up volunteers quit.

Lazarus Community Centre manager Michael Kenneady said, “We have lost volunteers because they are getting parking fines – it’s just not worth it for them.”

Barbara Kosic and her husband Ernie – both aged in their 70s – have dedicated their time to the charity for more than three years.

In the past 12 months they have been fined $300 for overstaying parking bays.

“It puts a bitter taste. We want to be there, we enjoy what we do … it’s a feel-good thing.

“It’s like a little family … you know you are making a big difference in their lives. Having to move your car all the time is a real pain,” she said.

Many of the volunteers are retirees and having to park a distance from the centre, especially in winter, is taking its toll.

“Some of us volunteers are thinking about reducing the time we are there, maybe only doing the morning shift,” Mrs Kosic said.

“I take pride in my work, you get to know everyone’s names and their stories … One woman even calls me mum.”

Lazarus Community Centre manager Michael Kenneady with Barbara Kosic who was fined for parking in a nearby street while volunteering at the centre. Picture: Alison Wynd

In May alone Lazarus provided support to 224 people and provided 1356 meals.

Demand for the service is growing, “we have 61 volunteers currently – we are aiming for 120 by the end of the year,” Mr Kenneady said.

“We don’t get one dollar from the government for support, we rely on donations. We are working with people at their most crisis point, people out of jail, people with mental health, homelessness and drug addiction.”

The organisation says it’s hard enough to attract people to give up their time and has concerns their workforce will shrink further without council support in the form of parking permits for volunteers.

“We keep fighting for it, but we don’t get any support at all,” Mr Kenneady said.

Geelong Council’s executive director city life Anthony Basford said the City recognised and supported the great work the Lazarus Centre did.

“At the moment, we regret that we’re unable to provide permits that extend parking time in the health precinct where the centre is located, because of the significant demand on spaces,” he said.

“Our Community Safety & Regulation team will look into the issues raised by volunteers.

In the meantime, we encourage volunteers use the three- and four-hour parking spaces on Myers St and all-day parking in surrounding streets.”

The parking issues are being exacerbated by the nearby construction of the Barwon Women’s and Children's Hospital.

Lazarus Community Centre Chairperson Stephanie Davie said, “If we don’t have volunteers, the centre can’t open. A couple of simple ‘Lazarus Volunteer’ permits would alleviate the fear of fines.

“We run on the smell of an oily rag. We love our volunteers, they are our lifeblood. We need our volunteers now more than ever.”

Originally published as Volunteers hit with fines while helping Geelong’s most vulnerable