Author: Sandra Cavallo

WHEN Gladys Lim first arrived in Australia from Singapore almost four decades ago she had never felt more alone.

 “I didn’t know anybody,” Ms Lim said. “There was not a single person in my life who I could call a friend.”

Aged just 33, the Chinese-born Singaporean found herself in an unhappy relationship and was unable to work or socialise. 

“I remember my son told me one day I hadn’t spoken to anybody for over a year,” Ms Lim said.  

“I think I was trying to protect myself. “When you are unhappy and you don’t know anybody or where to turn, I guess that is what can happen.” 

In more recent years, Ms Lim said she had discovered how maintaining a small network of friends was key to ensuring her life had purpose. 

Ms Lim is a regular at the free weekly meals offered through community program Matt’s Place at the Melbourne bayside suburbs of Cheltenham and Chelsea.  

The initiative was first established by the Kingston Interchurch Council after a local need was identified.    It is now managed by Bayside Community Care, the benevolent arm of Melbourne’s Bayside Church. 

General manager Sandra Cavallo said the service provided an opportunity for people to come together.  

“I think we can sometimes underestimate the value of social connection,” she said.  

“Matt’s Place is more than somewhere to come for a free meal.  

“It’s a welcoming environment where people of all circumstances can meet and mingle. 

“At a time when social isolation is a real issue across our communities, granting people a chance to come together has never been more important.” 

Last year Matt’s Place volunteers served up 17,000 meals to more than 6200 people in need. 

A food bank also provides weekly staples so clients never leave empty-handed. 

Ms Lim said the service had been a tangible support for her when she needed it most. 

“I speak up more these days,” Ms Lim said. 

“I have learned that people are not mind readers and you have to verbalise the things you need. 

“Of course, that can take time. 

“But services like Matt’s Place provide a space where you know somebody will be there to listen. 

“If I feel bad, I will tell people. If I need support, I will ask for it. 

“That’s something I have finally learned to do. 

“I come here for the free meal which is fabulous but then I like talking with my friends.”

Ms Lim said she always reserved at least two seats at a table each week for the people whose friendships she valued most.  

“Every week, I find another reason to smile,” she said. 

“I didn’t come here expecting to make such fabulous friendships – but it is something for which I am deeply grateful.” 

Demand for a twice-weekly free community meal program has almost doubled in a year as residents across Melbourne’s bayside suburbs feel the pinch.

An initiative of Bayside Community Care, Matt’s Place, has been providing food relief  to anyone facing difficulty since it was established 16 years ago.

General manager Sandra Cavallo said demand had increased a staggering 91 per cent in January and February with expectations winter would only compound the 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 cannot make ends meet, while families are going without the essentials needed to stay happy and healthy.

At Matt’s Place we are seeing this impact more than ever.”

In all, there has been a 39 per cent increase in attendance across both sites at Cheltenham and Chelsea in January and February.

Matt’s Place Cheltenham has seen an 84 per cent increase in attendance in the March quarter compared to the same time last year.

Demand for food hampers also spiked by 91 per cent for the same period, steadying at 60 per cent for the March quarter.

First established by the Kingston Interchurch Council, Matt’s Place is now managed by the benevolent arm of Melbourne’s Bayside Church.

While funding is sourced through local government grants, church donations and fundraising activities, Bayside Community Care is now appealing to the private sector to ensure Matt’s Place continues to have an impact.

Ms Cavallo said the team’s tireless volunteers remained the engine room and heart of the important service.

“Matt’s Place remains an outlet for those who may never have imagined they might need a helping hand,” she said.

Volunteer John Tetteroo said the increase in patronage at the two services in Cheltenham and Chelsea, illustrated the ongoing need.

“It’s more than just food,” he said. “People come for the social interaction and connection. We are helping predominantly single people but occasionally young families who might be struggling financially, could even be homeless or just in need of a boost.”

To find out more about Matt’s Place see Bayside Community Care.

GEOFF Thomson doesn’t care much for contemporary music. He reckons the lyrics are no good. Give him songs from The Beatles or The Rolling Stones any day.

So don’t be surprised if you find him humming one of their famous tunes while he’s sorting bread donations during his weekly stint as a volunteer for food charity Matt’s Place.

“This sounds like an old bloke talking, but the music then had greater structure,” he said. “It told stories that you could see in your mind’s eye. A lot of that, I think we’ve lost.”

At almost 80, Mr Thomson hopes he might be forgiven for being a little cynical – but he knows he can count on his weekly stint volunteering to grant him a far deeper perspective.

He is among a dedicated team of volunteers who give their time at Matt’s Place to ensure the free weekly community meal program in Cheltenham and Chelsea continues to support those in need.

Mr Thomson said it was a role he cherished.

“There is a real purpose to the work we are doing,” he said.

“Knowing you are helping people who are less fortunate. There are people out there who are hungry and down on their luck, and they are deeply appreciative of any help they can get, so we do our level best to provide that as much as we can.

“Almost without exception the people really appreciate what we do.”

Matt’s Place was first established by the Kingston Interchurch Council after a local need was identified.

It is now managed by Bayside Community Care, the benevolent arm of Melbourne’s Bayside Church.

General manager Sandra Cavallo said it was the dedication from volunteers like Geoff and his wife Louise which helped ensure the service continued.

“Each and every week we have so many staff who chip in and make a real difference,” Ms Cavallo said.

On any given Tuesday, you’ll find Mr Thomson sorting loaves while Mrs Thomson helps set the pace in the kitchen.  Team leader Jaqueline Hendrey leads a crew including cook Jo Robertson, Cameron Galland on wash up and set up duty, Ken Elvey on coffees and teas while Barb Cook and Nola Simpson wait on tables.

Last year Matt’s Place volunteers served up 17,000 meals to more than 6200 people in need. A food bank also provides weekly staples so clients never leave empty-handed.

Mr Thomson said it wasn’t just about providing food.

“Every now and again you speak to somebody and their story could almost make you weep,” Mr Thomson said.

“They have gone through hard and sometimes very cruel times.

“It offers real perspective for anybody having a bad day and it’s meaningful to know we are all playing a part in helping people forge a better path.”

Some days, Mr Thomson even ponders the words of one of his preferred music greats.

“It was John Lennon who said `Life is what happens while you’re busy making other plans’,” Mr Thomson said.

“I think that rings true whether you’re a volunteer or somebody who needs a helping hand.

“So I go around each table every week and have a chat while clients are enjoying their meals. Some have become good friends and we are always happy to see each other.  That in itself is a really fulfilling role to have.”

To find out more about volunteering at Matt’s Place see baysidecommunitycare.com.au or call 03 9585 2455

 

To help those with little or sleeping rough this year, Bayside Community Care is collecting scarves and beanies for our Winter Warmer Appeal. The Appeal collects brand-new or near-new beanies and scarves during the months of April and May.

Items can be dropped off Tuesday – Thursday at our centre – 99-101 Argus St, Cheltenham, between 9.30 am-4.30 pm.

Items that are soiled or dirty will not be accepted.

JOHN Tetteroo could have opted for plenty of other hobbies in retirement. Golf was certainly on the cards. But he says not even a satisfying drive straight down a sunny fairway is quite as rewarding as his voluntary work at Matt’s Place.

For more than 16 years, he’s been numbered among the dedicated crew who help prepare and plate up meals as part of the vital bayside Melbourne community meal program.

Each week he witnesses the difference it’s making in people’s lives.

“We try to do something different every week,” Mr Tettero said. “Sometimes it’s roast chicken or casseroles. If we get a supply of mince then we will do a bolognese with spaghetti – that’s always a favourite.”

Mr Tetteroo said the steady increase in patronage since the height of the pandemic illustrated the ongoing need in the community.

“It’s more than just food,” he said. “People come for the social interaction and connection. We are helping predominantly single people but occasionally young families who might be struggling financially, could even be homeless or just in need of a boost.

“It’s humbling as a
volunteer to see how something as simple as a decent meal and a chat can build positivity into somebody’s life.

Matt’s Place was first established by the Kingston Interchurch Council after a local need was identified.  It is now managed by Bayside Community Care, the benevolent arm of Melbourne’s Bayside Church.

General manager Sandra Cavallo said the service had never been more important.

Last year Matt’s Place volunteers served up 17,000 meals to more than 6200 people in need.

“For many families and individuals, accessing healthy and nutritious food is a constant challenge – this is more evident as we grapple with the rising cost of living,” Ms Cavallo said.

“Matt’s Place remains an outlet for those people who may never have imagined they might need a helping hand. Our doors are always open.”

Mr Tetteroo said the service was just as important to the many volunteers who chipped in week after week.

“The way I see it, if you want something to do you might as well do something that helps people – if you see a need, you can hop in and do it.”

Matt’s Place opens at St Chad’s Anglican Church at Chelsea every Tuesday and St Matthew’s Anglican Church at Cheltenham every Thursday.

For more information about the support available or how to volunteer, phone 03 9585 2455 or click here.

Bayside Community Care celebrated International Women’s Day with an incredible panel of women from diverse areas of the not-for-profit sector. Close to 100 women heard from panellists, including Glenys Reid (Chatty Cafe Scheme), Amelia Pickering (Prison Network), Stacey Aslangul (St Kilda Gatehouse) and Elisa Iurato (World Vision Australia).

The night explored what gender equity looks like in the most vulnerable parts of our community.