Generosity in the Nelson Community during COVID-19

COVID-19 has affected all of us. But for some, this pandemic has been particularly difficult.  

Alongside the challenges, it has been heartening to see that hard times can bring out the best in people.  

I have observed people in the Nelson community demonstrating incredible generosity, kindness and concern during this time of COVID-19, finding practical and creative ways to connect with each other and strengthen our community.

I would like to share some of those here today.

It was my great pleasure to film a short video promoting the Salvation Army’s 2020 Red Shield Appeal. 

Naturally, the appeal was a little different this year due to COVID-19 restrictions, and instead of a knock on the door, it has been conducted completely online.

Happily, Major Steve Miller from the Kingborough-Huon Corps says they are very close to achieving their fundraising goal in spite of the many challenges met along the way.

The funds raised are certainly required.

The Local Salvos, have been helping, supporting, and assisting people and families throughout the COVID-19 lockdown.

From a family of seven who’s only meat source was possum, to an elderly couple battling with significant health issues, right through to a young international student couple expecting the imminent birth of their first child.

Major Steve points to the generous support from local businesses and the Kingston Rotary Club that has assisted in providing food hampers and other support.

During the lockdown period, the local Salvos, supported by another excellent group, Kingborough Community Mission, have provided thousands of locally cooked, frozen meals to households in the community.

They’ve also run simple errands for the older people who can’t get out and about – picking up prescriptions, shopping, and posting letters. 

I thank Major Steve and the Salvos team, and Peter and Patricia Harvey from Kingborough Community Mission for their dedicated service to our community.

COVID-19 has also thrown a good few challenges at Kingston Neighbourhood House.

In normal circumstance, KNH provides community support, services, activities, events – and my favourite – a monthly Eating with Friends lunch.

But with their model of operating very much centred on face-to-face participation and support, David Morse, the Manager of KNH, says it’s been a real challenge not being able to welcome people through the door.

He noted that simply not being able to put your arms around someone and tell them you care was really hard.

However, they have risen to the challenge with creativity and commitment.

The KNH team have set up a community buddy program making regular phone calls, emails or texts to people in need.

Food relief provided through the House continues, but now instead of people helping themselves, volunteers pack food parcels for families and individuals to collect.

David and the team also support the local migrant community and Temporary Entry Permit visa holders with food and support and secured donations for an iPad to help a local student in need.

Finally, the House is conducting a COVID-19 Community Survey researching the issues faced by people in our community relating to the pandemic and how the community needs have changed as a result.

This research will guide the Neighbourhood House in its future planning.

I am deeply appreciative of the important work of the KNH strengthening our community.

It would be impossible to paint a picture of the generosity of the Nelson community without mentioning Edna Pennicott OAM, a cornerstone of the Kingborough community and a veritable force of nature.

I’m not going to read out a complete list of Edna’s awards and achievements – that would take us through to lunch time at least – but allow me to provide some highlights of her more than 45 years of dedicated and generous volunteering in the local community.

Edna is the founder and driving force behind the Kingborough Helping Hands group, which provides food, vouchers and household essentials to people experiencing hardship. 

Edna also operates the Kingston Loui’s Food Van, and through Kingborough Helping Hands she supports Annie Kenney Young Women Refuge, Jireh House women’s shelter, the Kingston Primary School Breakfast Club and the aforementioned Kingston Neighbourhood House.

Add to this her life memberships to the Kingborough Tigers Football Club and the District Cricket Club where she has volunteered in the canteen for many decades.

In a normal year, Edna and her team organise several sizeable fund-raising events including the mid-year Soup and Sandwich Fashion Show and the vast end-of-year Christmas Luncheon – truly something to behold.

All this is alongside the many food parcels and Christmas hampers she and her team of volunteers deliver throughout the community. 

In recognition of these tireless contributions Edna has previously received numerous accolades, including a Lifetime Achievement Award in the Tasmanian Volunteering Awards, a Kingborough Senior Citizen of the Year Award, and a Pride of Australia medal.

In the Queen’s Birthday Honours just this month, Edna Pennicott was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia for her service to the community of Kingborough. 

I think this is a fitting recognition, not least because Edna is generally regarded as the ‘Queen of Kingborough’.

I thank Edna for her steadfast service and the inspiration she provides to so many others in our community.

Finally, I would like to share an example of the small, creative and heartfelt ways people have reached out to connect with and support one another within the community.

I make a special mention here of a small gesture that touched my heart. Hananya, Celeste and Nicole Meijer sent me, and others, a small token of hope amidst the crisis.

The Meijer family had read about children in Italy drawing rainbow posters to share with the message “everything will be alright” on them and decided to do the same here.

I now have a beautiful hand-drawn rainbow on my fridge – a reminder from the Meijer’s that we are all in this together and we can rebuild with hope.

See other Special Interest Speeches by Hon Meg Webb MLC