By PEACE IJIYERA

 

Please note: this story makes mention of suicide.

WILLOW House Community Support, based in Newborough, is a not-for-profit group on a mission to help and support the community.

They do this by providing free fresh produce, pantry items, children’s clothing, kitchen appliances and sanitary products. They also provide free mental health support before referring clients on to the appropriate service.

Willow House has been in operation since October 2023 and has since helped more than 10,000 people in need.

In the last 12 months alone, Willow House delivered more than 20,000 kilos worth of food to the community.

During the Australia Day awards held at the Gippsland Performing Arts Centre (GPAC), Willow House was the recipient of the Community Service of the Year award.

Willow House Chief Executive, Enzo Cecere said they were “shocked” to receive the award.

“I didn’t think that we were going to win on the day, so it was definitely a big shock …(it) felt like a testament that the organisation was definitely moving in the right direction in helping the people we intend to help,” he said.

During his acceptance speech, Mr Cecere was clearly moved with emotion. Emotionally on behalf of the organisation, but also on a personal level, as he reflected on the impacts suicide has had on both him and Willow House board members, which led to the birth of the organisation.

Mr Cecere encourages people who have experienced loss that has “personally driven them to make changes or see change in the community and in society” to remember that they carry their loved one with them and they are not alone.

Touching on all the negativity in the world, Mr Cecere’s call to action, simple yet seemingly difficult in this world, is to spread kindness, saying individuals really underestimate how far being kind can go.

“Even if we don’t like what somebody has to say, we can disagree, but we can do it in a nice way,” he said.

“We need to start to learn to be respectful of our differences. We can have differences and just be respectful. That difference does not have to become hate or develop into hate.”

Mr Cecere believes that the kindness people want to see in the world begins in the classrooms.

Willow House is looking to partner with other groups, schools and organisations that want to be a part of the change in seeing bullying eradicated in schools.

“If there’s organisations or people out there that have that desire to create change, we definitely want to hear from them and (we’re) happy to create programs going forward,” he said.

Though appreciative of the recognition given, Mr Cecere says it’s still all gas, no brakes for Willow House.

“We’re incredibly grateful. (We) feel that gratefulness that the organisation is being acknowledged and at the same time … it still doesn’t feel like enough for us. The award will hold meaning … it doesn’t change how we feel at the end of the day, that we still have so many more people to help.

“We understand that people are still hurting, and it doesn’t change the cost of living for people. It doesn’t change that people are feeling suicidal at the moment and they don’t have anywhere to turn to.

“We need to address people not being able to afford to buy meals, healthy meals for their children. Not being able to pay for their rent, their mortgages, their car payments, and (those that)

don’t know where their next meal is coming from.

“Our community hub here in Newborough is still not enough for what we need nationwide.”

Willow House is hoping to expand more into other regions and communities.

However, being a charity with no ongoing government funding, Willow House relies on the generosity and involvement of the community.

Mr Cecere is calling on local MPs, Latrobe City Council and individuals to get involved in the work Willow House is doing.

“There’s definitely a lot that we aspire to. The deciding factor on that (expanding services) is how willing the community, the local MPs, the council are to actually get involved and get right behind the organisation in supporting in any way that they can,” Mr Cecere said.

“We’re not limited to any program that we can offer as well going forward, whether that is low-income housing, other social supports, domestic violence, a range of topics and real systemic issues.”

Mr Cecere sends out a reminder to the community to purchase tickets for the ‘Forever 80s’ event that is happening on February 21 at GPAC.

“Without the government funding, these events are exactly what we need to keep moving forward. So hopefully people get on board and say, ‘we want to come for a great night and have fun’ with us”.

For more information on the Forever 80s night, visit the GPAC website:

If you, or anyone you know needs help, reach out to Lifeline: 13 11 14