Rev Tracey Wolsley, Director, 'Our Place' Community Assistance Centre & Kath Tointon - CEO, Bendigo UnitingCare Outreach

It is a wonderful to watch how ‘Our Place’ has settled into the Eaglehawk community in Bendigo and been owned and nurtured by so many from here and the wider community.

Statistics tell some of the story- there is an average of 500 visitors per week, 50 volunteers, and 4 paid staff (locals who are being trained as well). There is a continuous emphasis on those affected by the bushfires in every activity, people pushing forward to ‘normalise’ and get on with their lives. One great gatherer of people is the free weekly community breakfast held behind the shop in the car park. Every Friday morning about 60 people come along, from the mayor to the bloke who’s got nowhere to stay this week. A full breakfast is served and there is singing from local artists, a trivia competition, speeches and lots of laughs and sharing.

On Christmas Eve a Community Christmas Celebration was held in a local park. Approximately 400 people gathered together to join in the spirit of Christmas – there were lots of smiles as children who lost their homes in the fires were presented with a gift from a ‘naughty elf’. Photos with Santa and reminding him of their new address helped alleviate some anxiety that he might not know where they were to deliver their Christmas presents. Fairy floss, all day Bbq and the animal farm were great hits and much appreciated.

On March 26th we will be launching a book called ‘Raining Embers-Bendigo’s Black Saturday Experience’,a project that has taken months and involved freelance writer Mr John Holton, City of Greater Bendigo, Graphic artist Jacqui Lynch and Arts Co-ordinator Maree Tonkin. This project has taken months to collate and has been a very sensitive and valuable journey. Stories and pictures have been gathered from those who lived through the horror of Feb 7th 2009 and those who have lost so much.

'Our Place' is where the rollout of the Asset Recovery Program is taking place ($300,000). These funds are for the purpose of helping residents with items such as fencing, water tanks, sheds and garden restoration. Because of the close connection to the core of those who are re-building, Our Place is the perfect place to administer this grant from Bendigo Bank and the Lions Club. People are able to receive help as they journey through the process to recovery and the plethora of paperwork that often accompanies that.

At present 'Our Place' staff and volunteers are preparing for their First Anniversary Dinner to be held on March 5th. The Director, Rev. Tracey Wolsley will lead 200 guests through a time of reflection, remembrance and signs of renewal.

With much excitement ‘Our Place’ is also expanding and developing ‘Our Shed’ a place that engages men, provides a space for people to do some practical hands on work, participate in a different range of community projects, exchange skills and mentor one another.