THROUGHOUT the pandemic, one of Australia\u2019s most trusted organisations has been working behind the scenes looking after vulnerable people.<\/p>\n
Local Red Cross volunteers have ensured emergency food supplies have reached people in need as well as those forced to quarantine.<\/p>\n
Tonie Duffin is the Divisional Operations Officer for Red Cross Emergency Services (Grampians Region) and said the organisation has been working with Ararat Rural City Council to ensure no one falls through the cracks.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve been working really closely with Robyn, Joel and Jenny from the Ararat Rural City Relief Fund, we\u2019ve been providing the food and they\u2019ve been delivering locally and we\u2019ve been delivering as far up as Rainbow, Dimboola, Edenhope and a few other places,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
When COVID cases re-emerged in Ararat two weeks ago, the Red Cross sprung into action.<\/p>\n
\u201cLast week, every day we were out dropping off stuff. It seems to have slowed down a bit for now but it hasn\u2019t slowed down in the region,\u201d Ms Duffin said.<\/p>\n
\u201cTechnically the food deliveries are for people quarantining in isolation but the Red Cross will help anyone in need. It\u2019s not up to us to question why people need it,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Ms Duffin said the pandemic has greatly increased her work load.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe could have gone six months without anything (pre pandemic), but I haven\u2019t had a day where I haven\u2019t had a meeting or been called out to do something. It\u2019s been flat out and it has been like that for 18 months,\u201d Ms Duffin said.<\/p>\n
\u201cA lot of our members are older and we really need some younger members,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
As well as food deliveries, Ms Duffin and her husband Ron spent four weeks doing outreach in Trentham after the storm, and another week delivering food in both Shepparton and Ballarat during lockdowns.<\/p>\n
The local Red Cross has also been conducting regular welfare calls to people alone to ensure they are coping through the isolation of the pandemic.<\/p>\n
Ms Duffin said she thoroughly enjoys her role and the ability to help others.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou feel like you are giving something back and making a difference, people are genuinely appreciative,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cSometimes people just need someone to talk to,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Mr Duffin agrees that working with the organisation improves people\u2019s lives.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen you go to a person who is genuinely in distress and you can help them, when you drive away you think, I\u2019ve done some good here,\u201d Mr Duffin said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen we do outreach it\u2019s interesting, a lot of people just don\u2019t know where to get help, what to do, because they\u2019ve never needed to in the past. One of the services we provide is that sort of information as well as someone to talk to,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The local Red Cross Emergency Services team has about ten active volunteers, but Ms Duffin said new members are always welcome.<\/p>\n
People interested in joining Ararat Red Cross should call 1800 232 969.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe definitely need some more people,\u201d Ms Duffin said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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