Community helps stranded workers

THE Lorne and broader Surf Coast community have united to provide aid for a group of international workers stranded due to the effects of the coronavirus.

Early in the year, more than 90 people of various nationalities headed to Lorne for work they had lined up ahead of the busy Easter period. However, the spread of the pandemic and lockdown regulations meant the workers found themselves without jobs and unable to return to their home nations.

They are also ineligible for the different support packages released by state and federal governments.

Lorne Community Connect saw the workers’ plight and mobilised the community into providing aid. President Gary Allen said they initially helped the workers mainly by providing food.

“Initially we were providing them with food twice a week. So, local people were donating food at the FoodWorks.

“We had basically an appeal, individuals and organisations within the community donated money so that we could then supplement what we didn’t have in our food collection.”

The Surf Coast Shire council then put Lorne Community Connect in touch with Feed Me Surf Coast, who have since taken over providing meals for the workers along with parent group Feed Me Bellarine.

Feed Me Surf Coast’s Lana Purcell said her group was eager to provide all the help they could to make the workers’ situation less dire.

“They’re struggling quite hard. We’re doing two deliveries down there per week and giving them unlimited access to whatever fruit, veg, meat, and bread that we can.

“It’s becoming a lot more difficult now because they’re facing situations where they are facing large rental payments to make with no work.”

But the workers’ needs stretch beyond food. Mr Allen said supporters, more recently, had looked to provide other forms of aid.

“We had a massive donation of clothing from the Lorne Opportunity Shop and individuals who donated, particularly winter clothing because they (the workers) didn’t come prepared for winter.

“All of this was done with the approval of the shire, as we had to go through proper distancing and proper Occupational Health and Safety measures.

“We were also able to provide them with support in terms of visa information. So, if their visas were running out, which was happening, there was no one answer because all their situations were different. We could then refer them onto appropriate authorities to make inquiries.

“We were also able to provide emergency medical and dental assistance because they had to pay for everything. We’ve also organised for flu vaccinations for those who want it.”

Lorne Community Connect has also been helping the workers find new employment opportunities as restrictions ease.

Mr Allen said it had been important the workers were connected to the community through these acts of kindness.

“A couple of people came down the piano, played guitar; just socially they were able to connect.

“They had felt the community cared for them. It really has been wonderful.

“(We are) looking to keep that social connection going so we’re able to meet their specific needs.”