Residents have right recipe for life, but can’t do it alone

EVERY Monday the aroma of rich, hearty food wafts from the Norlane Baptist Church.

Preparation for this dinner starts in the early afternoon when locals gather for a shopping trip.

Then others come into the kitchen and begin preparing delicious and nutritious meals.

Norlane Community Initiative chief executive officer Simon Reeves says the tradition has run every week for the past 15 years.

“We are trying to create a sense of community and people get to know each other socially,” Mr Reeves said. “Everybody is pitching in.” This is one of the many community-based programs that operate in Geelong’s most disadvantaged suburbs.

Since the Norlane Community Initiative took over what was known as Urban Seed about 18 months ago, the demand for services has continued to grow.

Mr Reeves said unemployment and underemployment meant people did have time on their hands and needed opportunities to learn how to cook healthily and survive on their household budget.

“Food security is a hot issue in the neighbourhood and we have a program of community meals which are all neighbourhood run,” Mr Reeves said.

The group runs food banks, lunches, a breakfast for men and even a community veggie patch called The Farm Next Door.

Other volunteers learn skills at community-run cafes, like The Little Birdie Pop-up Cafe, that charges affordable prices.

“We think one of the answers to some problems is developing friendships and connections,” Mr Reeves said.

But the community worker said funding and lack of resources stunted the work of grassroots groups.

Mr Reeves said Norlane’s dilapidated public spaces revealed the lack of government investment. He said it was time for government to give Norlane residents the infrastructure they deserve.

“They love participating. They are sick of getting handouts, they are sick of not having a job and they want a purpose,” Mr Reeves said.

He challenged politicians to give North Geelong residents a town they can be proud of.

“People are proud of their community and their facilities,” Mr Reeves said.

“When residents see other parts of Geelong looking great and shiny, they don’t lose heart but it becomes a little bit hard.”

Picture: MIKE DUGDALE GET WITH IT: Youth project coordinator Makot Wol, pictured inset with project worker Shiva Shamsi and program participant Mustafa Niamatullah, says there is a lack of programs to support adolescent migrant children.