An article from Judy Kidman, Rotary Club of Kangaroo Flat
Nine years ago, Kangaroo Flat Rotary began a project which provides not just a good meal and good company, but also participation for many who may be isolated in the local Bendigo community. Titled Community Meals Program (COM) this important project is held at Gateway Park, 50 weeks each year. In the beginning, serving twenty-five meals was a big night. Seven years ago, we needed to source a new caterer. That was the beginning of our association with Kangaroo Flat Sports Club (KFSC). Prior to Covid, we regularly served 50 meals, and this grew each year, until now we are capped at 80 guests.
There are opportunities for gambling at KFSC, so they are required to make community grants, which they do, to many local organisations. The value of their contribution to us, based on the cost of a Seniors meal in their Bistro, is $120 000.00 each year. We use the profits from two Bunnings Sausage Sizzles to supply the expendables, eg. milk, tea, coffee, serviettes.
Our program relies on at least ten Volunteers each night. The room has to be set up, tables set, food served, lots of dishes, packing up. Many of our volunteers were guests and are now, for the first time ever, volunteering.
DG Peter fulfilling the very responsible role of “Ball Boy”
Our guests are a microcosm of all communities. Single, lonely, financially, physically and mentally challenged, homeless, rough sleepers, women and their children in protective accommodation, young adults brought by their Carers.
We introduced the Ball Girl/Boy method of determining the table serving order, after some unpleasantness by a couple of guests trying to “steal” a low number. Our Ball People may be celebrating a birthday, we had an 80th recently, another was a regular guest who was thrilled to have a turn, to celebrate that he had survived the Harcourt bushfires, unscathed. Another was the Veteran who had asked me to watch him marching at the most recent ANZAC DAY service. DG Pete was honoured to be Ball Boy, when he visited. He also passed his apprenticeship by helping to collect the donated bakery items from Bridgewater Bakery, which are distributed to guests each week and then assisted with the food pickup from our caterers.
My teaching career of 50+ years taught me the value of recognising achievements, not just the 10/10 efforts. So, lots of gold stars. Many of our guests have not had many, if any, gold star moments. We started awarding a certificate thanking them for their help at Community Meals. The carers have told me, without exception their clients now have two certificates, on permanent display.
Last year’s Certificates were presented at our special Christmas Community Meals. I had been asked by the editor of “Flat Matters” (Community Enterprise Newsletter) for a report for their next edition. We never publish photos or names of guests, but I asked for their permission to send a photo to be published. Only two chose to not be photographed.
Guests are guaranteed a beautiful meal each week. The social interactions and making friends, has been a very special aspect of our program for so many who are/were socially isolated. We are very proud of our program.
DG Peter with Rotarians and volunteers - Judy peeking in from the back row
Proud recipients of Certificates at the Community Meals Christmas Party