HEATHCOTE Community Capacity Builders\u2019 lunches and dinners are all about sharing.<\/p>\n
Representatives from community organisations gather at Heathcote Bowling Club each month for a meal made by volunteers from locally grown produce.<\/p>\n
Participants also speak briefly about their recent activities, achievements and issues.<\/p>\n
Heathcote Community House executive officer Vicki Forde said the event started over six years ago.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis month\u2019s lunch showcased what HCCB is all about,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople that didn’t know each other got to meet, and people that did know each other got to catch up.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe provided people that do lots within their organisations, and the town, with an opportunity to sit down and be fed and not do anything except share their information.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ms Forde said there was a great mix of regulars, those who hadn\u2019t been for a while, and newcomers.<\/p>\n
\u201cI overheard a couple of conversations after lunch and it was fantastic to see the collaborations that were happening,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cEveryone is always so passionate about what they do.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ms Forde also highlighted the role of catering volunteers in making the event a success.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a vital part of the event and if anybody is looking for hospitality experience, or a chance to give back to the community, then we would love to hear from them,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Amanda Collins represents several organisations at the lunch, including the Heathcote Ukulele Group, and the Pizzabox Poets.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a lovely chance to get together and hear about the progress of all the different community groups in town,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re so lucky to have such a keen and friendly group of people who want to bring something special to Heathcote.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe lunches are such a great opportunity to stay on top of everything that\u2019s going on. I always come away surprised at how much is happening.\u201d<\/p>\n
Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the events continued via video link.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think we initially cancelled the first one or two,\u201d Ms Forde said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThen we did it on Zoom, people came and picked up meals, or provided their own meal, and we had around 15 to 20 people each time.\u201d<\/p>\n
The lunches still managed to be inclusive despite some regulars not having their own computers.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe actually had a couple of organisations where people came and picked up a computer that we had logged into Zoom for them.<\/p>\n
\u201cThen they put it on the front seat of their car, and they drove home with it and were able to participate in the meeting,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Community organisations wishing to send a representative to the event and anyone wanting to become a catering volunteer should contact Heathcote Community House on 5433 2820.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
HEATHCOTE Community Capacity Builders\u2019 lunches and dinners are all about sharing. Representatives from community organisations gather at Heathcote Bowling Club each month for a meal made by volunteers from locally grown produce. Participants also speak briefly about their recent activities, achievements and issues. Heathcote Community House executive officer Vicki Forde said the event started over […]<\/p>\n