Earlier this year the Orbost branch of the Country Women’s Association (CWA) was made aware of heart-breaking facts from Lea Thomas, Orbost Regional Health’s (ORH) wellbeing team leader.
“We didn’t know there are more than 7000 applications for public housing in Gippsland, nor did we know that East Gippsland has the highest rate of domestic violence in Victoria,” CWA secretary, Rosemary Redden said.
“The ORH Housing Support program engages daily with homeless women, children and families.
“Often the worst affected by homelessness are the youngest children.
“We decided to help by providing ORH with emergency backpacks for kids (0-6 years old).
“It’s been a huge effort by our members and volunteers from the local community.
“Each pack provides basic needs like clothes and toiletries, plus we included story and colouring books, crayons and pencils, teddies and handmade quilts and blankets.
“Kids need the basics but they also need something from the heart – our hearts.
“The first 20 backpacks were delivered to Lea on Wednesday, May 5 and this will be an ongoing project for our branch.
“So, when you see us selling scones, preserves and crafts, it’s projects like this where our fundraising efforts are used.”
CWA Orbost meets on the first Wednesday of each month at St James Hall, Browning Street, Orbost, at 10am.
Contact the group via email.
