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Her work heading the popular community space has earned her a chance at the Leadership and Innovation Award alongside the City of Greater Bendigo, nominated for their work to support multiculturalism in the region.<\/p>\n
Bendigo Baptist Community Care is also in the running for the Community Group Award for their MADCOW program, which supports people experiencing homelessness.<\/p>\n
Ms Vincent said while establishing the Old Church was never in her plan, it\u2019s been supported by a strong network of people as passionate as her to see it thrive.<\/p>\n
\u201cI feel like, really, our whole community should be nominated because I\u2019m very much a team player,\u201d she said. \u201cIt\u2019s been a real collaboration right from the beginning and continues to be.<\/p>\n
\u201cEverybody has a gift to bring to community work or initiatives.<\/p>\n
\u201cWalking around here I see people who are giving so much in their particular areas.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt means that there\u2019s an inclusive, community and strength-centred feel around the place where you can meet the other, people who might think very differently to you, look very different to you, in a different age category or cultural background.\u201d<\/p>\n
She believes spaces like the Old Church will play an important part in helping people recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on their social lives.<\/p>\n
\u201cI know, personally, people who are in their homes too scared to come out at the moment. It\u2019s going to take relationship, genuine friendship, gentleness and I think here at the Old Church we will be playing a role for more vulnerable people like that,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Award winners are set to be announced on 26 February.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
BENDIGO is well represented in this year\u2019s Community Achievement Awards for Regional Victoria, with four individuals and groups nominated for their hard work. CEO of the Bendigo and District Aboriginal Co-operative, Raylene Harradine, is a finalist for the Community Hero Award, recognising her years of work making positive differences for Australia\u2019s First Nations people. The […]<\/p>\n