Meet the unsung community and volunteer groups across the lower North Shore spreading Christmas cheer and helping those who find themselves struggling during the festive season.
The lower North Shore has thousands of volunteers helping those doing it tough this Christmas, including volunteers helping with the emergency services, pensioners and those suffering with homelessness, mental health, and domestic violence.
According to the latest Census data:
- 20 per cent of Mosman residents volunteer
- In North Sydney, 17 per cent of residents volunteer
- In the Willoughby area, 16.3 per cent do some form of voluntary work
North Shore Living explores how our unsung heroes are helping the community.
THE RURAL FIRE SERVICE (RFS)
Things can get heated over the festive season as family tensions run high, but RFS volunteer, Claire Watson, literally spends the summer months putting out fires.
The North Shore resident works full-time in events but spends most weekends and some evenings volunteering with the Tumbledown Dick RFS Brigade – which mainly covers the Ku-ring-gai area, but can be called anywhere in NSW.
“Calls for help spiral in December and January, when we are called out to assist with anything from car accidents to bush fires, hazard reduction and automatic fire alarms,” says deputy captain, Claire.
The 25-year-old is following in the footsteps of her dad, John, who was a captain with the RFS.
“We’ve covered some interesting Christmas and New Year calls outs. They’re usually in the early hours of the morning when suspicious fires have been lit, or random boats appearing in the road that weren’t there before…
Clare, who runs weekend and overnight shifts with the brigade and also trains cadets, aged 12 – 18 years, says:
“When the fire season is in full swing, it’s very busy. We have a district truck, called the Flyer, that operates 24/7 and each brigade pitches in to man its shifts on a rotating roster.”
COMMUNITY CARE
The North Sydney Community Centre (NSCC) currently has 31 volunteers assisting a wide range of people, including locals recovering from strokes, high school students doing their Duke of Edinburgh Award, those doing community service and retired community members.
Jim, a retired handyman, is volunteering for the NSCC over Christmas and jokes:
“I visited the centre to see what courses I could do, and I left with my hands full and happily involved!”
Michelle Worthley, director of NSCC, says the centre staff ‘love to see the different they make in people’s lives’.
“With the shrinking pool of volunteers as people work full time and retire later, we are really appreciative of our volunteers.”
The Crows Nest Centre also has an army of volunteers and collects items for 250 Christmas hampers, with its volunteers donating them to Meals on Wheels clients.
“For some people, Christmas can be a lonely time and our idea of the hampers bring a bit of Christmas spirit,” says the centre’s executive officer, Denise Ward.
“Our volunteers also make up 140 beds each night for those that need help.
“Year 6 students from Cammeray Public School are singing at our Christmas carols, and it’s a really nice intergenerational activity. The school participates in the Christmas collections and the students hand out the first hamper. Our clients and the kids love it.”
FOOD FOR ALL
Demand for Mosman Council’s Meals on Wheels service, Mosman Meals, increases in the weeks before Christmas, with around 150 individual frozen roast turkey Christmas dinners and puddings sold in addition to regular meals.
Mosman Community Care’s Christmas lunch with Christmas Carols in the Mosman Square Seniors Centre also sells out each year.
According to a Council spokesperson, nearly 25,000 meals were delivered by Mosman Meals in 2021/22.
“Mosman Council has been delivering meals to older residents for more than 25 years with our 70 active volunteers currently delivering around 350 meals to our community each week,” the spokesperson says.
“We roster on more of our regular volunteers for the busy week leading up to Christmas.”
Meanwhile, North Sydney Council also organises a Food Grants Program, which offers financial assistance to local not-for-profit organisations that provide food assistance and meals to those in need at this time of year.
“This can be meals for homeless people, people needing emergency assistance, or people who are financially in need. Special emphasis is given to food activities which help address problems of social inequity,” says a spokesperson.
THOSE NEEDING SUPPORT THIS CHRISTMAS CAN CONTACT:
Crows Nest Centre – 9439 5122
Provides a free meal, a shower and a towel for people who are homeless.
North Sydney Community Centre – 9922 2299
Offers programs and services to foster social connection and wellbeing, including providing Christmas donations to those in need.
Lifeline – 13 11 14
Crisis support workers available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to provide mental health support.
Mary’s House – 8937 4929
Crisis accommodation and support for women and children escaping domestic violence.
The Northern Centre – 9334 0111
Assists individuals and families to stay in their current accommodation or find a suitable option to avoid homelessness.
St Vincent De Paul – 9436 0725
Practical assistance, budget advice, information, and referral to those in need.
Mosman Meals – 9978 4130
High-quality refrigerated and frozen meals for seniors delivered directly to the home.
A CHRISTMAS BONUS
Each year, North Sydney Council also provides a Pensioner Christmas Bonus of around $12,800 which is equally divided between the number of individuals who apply.
Funding amounts to successful applicants are generally in the range of $500 – $2,000.
By Ana Foxcroft