When family support worker Emma Gauci first approached the Launceston Benevolent Society, it was for help.
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Now she is the one providing the support.
“They helped and supported me when I needed help, so I wanted to volunteer to give back,” Ms Gauci said.
The society is one of four charities involved in The Examiner’s 59th Winter Relief Appeal to raise much needed funds as the cold seeps into Northern Tasmania.
Ms Gauci said “we all have problems at times, sometimes things are out of your control”.
She had been volunteering every week since February until she was offered a part-time job at the organisation about a month ago.
“It feels like a safe place … I don’t feel belittled, I feel like I’m comfortable to ring up and have that conversation if I’m struggling.”
Food vouchers and power bills assistance had made a big difference when she needed support and she was pleased she could now help the organisation which helped her, she said.
“It doesn’t matter what sort of background you come from. People can have illnesses and find themselves in hardship … there are a lot of reasons why people could lose their employment,” Ms Gauci said.
“It’s just a domino effect , it doesn’t discriminate. It can happen to anybody.”
Her background is in charity work, after receiving a TAFE diploma in community services.
Launceston Benevolent Society chief executive John Stuart said his organisation had probably helped close to 45,000 people during his nine years with the society.
The organisation, which formed in 1834, provided free help to people by giving them food and power bill assistance, he said.
“We wouldn’t survive if it wasn’t for the generous support of the Launceston community,” Mr Stuart said.
HOW YOU CAN GET INVOLVED THIS YEAR
- IN PERSON: Donations can be made at the newspaper’s Launceston, Hobart or Devonport offices and at businesses displaying an appeal tin.
- SNAIL MAIL: You can also get in touch by putting something in the post and sending it to The Examiner, 113 Cimitiere Street, Launceston, 7250.
The appeal will run from June 18 until August 31.
Tess Brunton
I recently returned from across the ditch where I worked at New Zealand Fairfax paper The Timaru Herald and developed a love of mountains. Originally I'm a mainlander from an area known for cheese, the Bega Valley, who also dabbled in radio at ABC RCAFF before finding a place in newspapers. I can often be found hiking, caving or climbing when I'm not cursing at my work computer or technology in general.
I recently returned from across the ditch where I worked at New Zealand Fairfax paper The Timaru Herald and developed a love of mountains. Originally I'm a mainlander from an area known for cheese, the Bega Valley, who also dabbled in radio at ABC RCAFF before finding a place in newspapers. I can often be found hiking, caving or climbing when I'm not cursing at my work computer or technology in general.
