Author: Sandra Cavallo

Student Grace O’Shea interviews three Matt’s Place Guests and discovers how they found a nurturing friendship and support.

Community member Jill and her companions, Caroline and Chris, greatly appreciate the support of thoughtful volunteers at Matt’s Place community meals program. According to them, the best part about Matt’s Place is “seeing and communicating with the volunteers.” Today, I interviewed these three ladies with the intention of gathering their experience at Matt’s Place and hearing from them the significance it holds in their hearts.

At Matt’s Place, guests can enjoy a delicious two-course meal and meaningful social interaction with other community members.

For dessert today, lemon drizzle cake, pavlova, and chocolate ganache with cream are on the menu —a difficult choice to make.

When asked about the benefits of attending, the women explained that the program “gives you company and conversation” and is “a place to look forward to.” Jill notes that the volunteers “really put themselves out so we enjoy ourselves,” and on special occasions, she says there’s “always a little extra something on the table, like a rose or flower.”

As a vegetarian, Jill feels at ease knowing there will be something she can enjoy. Volunteers are “very accommodating” and keen to offer you a hot drink or one of the many sweet treats from the morning tea baskets they carry around.

Jill fondly recalls a St. Patrick’s Day celebration, when green serviettes were placed on the tables to mark the event. Her face warms at the memory. These are just a couple of the little things that, combined, have an enormous impact on the guests.

Across from Jill and to my left, Caroline adds, “The volunteers here have incredible memories.”

“They remember I have a weak black tea with sugar.” She chuckles, and there is a collective nod around the table.

Of the three, Chris has been attending Matt’s Place the longest. She’s been coming for three years, and in the last two, she’s met Jill and Caroline.

There’s support for everyone in the lovely communal atmosphere of Matt’s Place. Inside, you’ll find people from all walks of life and vital companionship in times of need.

Providing a welcoming, supportive environment where attendees feel cared for and worthy is the outcome Matt’s Place strives for.

“Matt’s Place strives to provide a place that is welcoming and has the comforts of home,” remarks the General Manager of Bayside Community Care, Sandra Cavallo.  “When times are tough or perhaps we are feeling lonely, we want to know someone cares, that is the feeling we aim to create at Matt’s Place.”

Matt’s Place community meals program operates every Tuesday at Chelsea from 10.45am-1pm and every Thursday at Cheltenham from 10.30am-1pm.

FIFTEEN years after opening its doors, a vital Bayside community program at Chelsea continues to meet demand, with volunteers dishing up almost 11,000 free meals last year alone.

Managed by Bayside Community Care, Matt’s Place Chelsea was established in 2009—two years after the program successfully launched at Cheltenham.

Bayside Community Care general manager, Sandra Cavallo, said a dedicated team of volunteers across both locations was helping to support anyone facing increasing cost-of-living pressures.

“Fifteen years ago, we recognised there was a demand to reach more people in need in Bayside Melbourne and I’m grateful to say, thanks to the enormous contribution of our volunteer workforce and our corporate donors, we continue to help make a difference in the lives of people who need a hand,” Ms Cavallo said.

She said the anniversary of the Chelsea location offered an important opportunity to reflect on everything that has been achieved.

In 2023, Matt’s Place Chelsea attendance increased by 22 per cent from the previous year.

An average of 90 guests are served weekly, with over 10,700 meals provided in 2023.

In 2024, attendance spiked again with a 17 per cent increase in the March quarter

compared to the previous year.

In total, more than 21,000 meals have been prepared across both locations in the last 12 months.

“Melbourne’s bayside suburbs are often regarded as affluent, but I think we often forget that beneath that veneer, there are thousands of battlers who really struggle to make ends meet,” Ms Cavallo said.

Additional services include free haircuts, flu vaccinations, hearing and eye checks and dental screenings.

“We have consistently provided a service that not only ensures participants receive a hearty meal – but we can also connect them to services which can help prevent the social or financial spiral,” Ms Cavallo said.

She said Matt’s Place is open to everyone but primarily serves individuals experiencing loneliness or social and economic vulnerability.

Guests include the homeless, new migrants, adults experiencing loneliness and individuals affected by mental health issues.

“As living costs continue to pressure household budgets, spaces like Matt’s Place are more vital than ever – not only for food but, most importantly, for the connections and relationships,” Ms Cavallo said.

“Our aim is to continue to increase our engagement for the most vulnerable in our

community, supporting their social, mental, and physical wellbeing.”

Matt’s Place also hosts the Chatty Café Scheme, which opens ahead of the lunchtime service allowing guests to enjoy a coffee and a sweet treat before the main meal, providing more time to chat and form friendships.

Matt’s Place Chelsea celebrated 15 years at a special luncheon on Tuesday 30 July.

In celebration of Matt’s Place Chelsea’s 15th birthday, we got chatting to guest Angelo.

How long have you been coming to Matt’s Place Chelsea?  On and off for about 12-18 months.

Why did you start coming to Matt’s Place? I was looking for a sense of community. I connected with Bruce at St Chad’s Church at the market.

How has Matt’s Place made a difference in your life? Matt’s Place has the recipe right – good food, people and essence.  Getting out of the house makes a difference. We don’t see our neighbours anymore. We’re all looking at our phones. We don’t talk to each other now.  When I come to Matt’s Place I get to talk to people. It’s like the way we used to see our neighbours. When people have a meal together we don’t see our differences.

At this year’s International Women’s Day event, we enjoyed a fantastic celebration of women’s achievements and delved into strategies for fostering greater inclusion.

Federal Member for Goldstein, Zoe Daniels, joined an inspiring panel of speakers, including Microsoft’s Bev Simpson, Dr. Julie McClellan from the Happy Baby Clinic and Kate Reeves from Impact for Women.

Each of these dynamic speakers offered unique insights and experiences aimed at female empowerment.

As the cost-of-living crisis continues, bad news can dominate the news.

But even when times are tough, there are still good stories worth celebrating.

Matt’s Place community meals program is ensuring those in the community who are struggling, don’t have to do it alone.

In 2023, we served nearly 21,500 meals at Chelsea and Cheltenham and attendance jumped by 35 per cent from the previous year.

We handed out 756 hampers – a 25 per cent spike.

But what the statistics don’t show are the countless hours of conversations, points of connection, friendships forged, and tears shed by participants who finally feel listened to and supported.

All this is possible thanks to the incredible team of volunteers who contributed over 14,000 hours of their time – an increase of 42 per cent.

This year, we are open to new collaborations and possibilities to strengthen community connections and ensure these good news stories continue.

 

Former Masterchef judge, George Calombaris, has thrown his support behind the vital work of Matt’s Place community meals program. The celebrity chef delighted patrons during a visit to the Cheltenham venue last month.

“I’m blown away – the camaraderie, the support, the care, the love that is in this place … it’s insanely amazing and everyone at Matt’s Place should be so proud,” Calombaris said.

And with his two-tier restaurant – The Hellenic House Project – just around the corner, Calombaris has generously promised to return in 2024 to cook guests a delicious meal.

Bayside Community Care general manager, Sandra Cavallo, has received a top gong for her service to the community.

Sandra was awarded The Paul Harris Fellow award by Rotary International, in recognition of  “tangible and significant assistance” to the local community through the work of Bayside Community Care.

The Paul Harris Fellowship Award was established by Rotary International to acknowledge individuals who exemplify exceptional service in the spirit of the organisation’s founder.

“This award reflects not just my efforts but all those who have contributed to the work of Bayside Community Care,” Sandra said.

“We have had a tremendous impact on the community over three decades, and our deep desire is to continue to make a difference in the lives of those who need it most.”

Find out more about the Paul Harris Fellow Award, here.

It was great to launch Hair Aid haircuts at Matt’s Place, Chelsea in August.

Thanks to the extraordinary work of the HAIR AID International Project volunteer professionals, patrons enjoyed a fresh cut and five-star service.

A new haircut provides dignity and respect for those in need, empowering them to take positive steps forward.

Hair Aid Community Cuts coordinates hairdressers to volunteer in their local communities.

DEMAND for a thriving Bayside community meals program will continue to be met after a Melbourne public transport operator signed up to support Matt’s Place.

Kinetic, which operates a third of Melbourne’s bus network, is now a major sponsor of Bayside Community Care’s twice-weekly meal program.

General manager Sandra Cavallo said the support from Kinetic is a key step to ensuring Matt’s Place continues to help those in need.

“We are seeing the impact of rising housing costs, rental shortages and increasing financial pressures,” Ms Cavallo said.

“Homelessness is becoming a reality for some individuals who are unable to make ends meet, while families are going without the essentials needed to stay happy and healthy.

“Partnering with Kinetic will ensure we continue to meet these needs.”

Matt’s Place has seen a 51 percent increase in attendance in the June quarter compared to the same time last year.

Demand for food relief hampers also spiked at 60 percent for the March quarter.

Kinetic is the first private sector partner for Matt’s Place.

Kinetic regional manager VIC/TAS/NSW Graham Smith said supporting the program was an important way to help make a difference.

“We are here to improve the livelihoods of the communities we serve and that goes beyond just delivering bus services. It also extends to supporting programs like Matt’s Place that are creating a real and positive impact in local communities.

“Through the partnership, we’ll support people who may be doing it tough and the incredible work of an army of volunteers who are making a difference one meal at a time.”

Kinetic is Australasia’s largest bus operator with a network of 5000 buses and a team of more than 7,300 people operating urban, regional, and school, charter and corporate and aviation services including SkyBus.

Bayside Community Care relies on government grants, church donations, and community group support to continue.  Find out more here.

In 2022, the Bayside Forever in Johannesburg, South Africa welcomed six infants. The children have adjusted and are doing well despite the country’s challenges.

As the impact of load shedding makes international headlines, the challenge does not escape the Bayside Forever Home.

South Africa is currently in an electric grid crisis compounded by years of corruption and maladministration by the state-owned utility provider. South Africans are often at Stage 6 load shedding, which can mean up to 12 hours a day without power.

This makes running a household more complex as parents use single propane burners to prepare nutritious meals for the children and manage refrigeration wisely. The team has purchased special medical equipment for the most vulnerable children to ensure their needs can be met regardless of whether the power is on at home.

Load shedding has a wide-ranging influence, including impacting water treatment plants. Families are now endeavouring to provide filtered water for baby bottles and clean drinking water for the family.

The Bayside Forever Home team is working strategically with Acres of Love (overseers of the Forever Homes) to ensure all Forever families can still thrive during a country-wide crisis.

For more information, click here.