By KATRINA BRANDON
BREWING up a storm in the kitchen, Rosedale resident Ally Son has taken to gifting free meals to neighbours in need.
Coming from a nursing background, Ally has dedicated her life to helping people.
With all expenses paid out of pocket, the former nurse has created a community corner in her own home.
“I used to be a nurse in mental health, worked in really high needs,” Ally told the Express.
“I loved my job. I moved into teaching nursing. I’m not part of anything. It’s not a movement, a charity, or a pay-it-forward initiative.
“It’s a nursing thing, but I can’t nurse anymore. I withdrew my registration after I fell quite sick. I know I can’t look after everybody, but all you can do is look to your left. It’s just finding a purpose.
“Having done nursing for 17 years, it devastated me to walk away. For the work I do now with people in the community, it’s me doing something valuable and the table is constantly rotating because people appreciate the chat.”
Stopping at the corner of her home, visitors sit down at the ’round table’, where people can share with Ally things they need to say in a safe place. Not only are people allowed at the round table, but Ally enjoys the occasional visits from the local pets, ranging from magpies to local pups.
Local pups are also not spared when it comes to free meals, as Ally aims to turn food waste into a meal option for the local four-legged friends in the area.
Ally is unable to work as a nurse due to medical reasons; however her passion for helping people has enabled her to build a growing community around her.
A barter system has been established around town, with Ally getting her eggs and food containers all the while having conversations all whipped into the community’s circulation.
“We trade in time, not money,” she said of the barter system.
