Bev’s for Bob

Beverley Pinder-Mortimer is back as a councillor and is this time donating her allowance to Father Bob Maguire.

Cr Pinder-Mortimer said: “Essentially it will be my earned wage from now to the end of financial year 2017-18 as a kick-start for the Community Hub Campaign.”

Father Bob wants to establish a community to bring much-needed additional services to the homeless.

Services envisaged range from education to a community pantry; a commercial kitchen to a community garden; renewables to a homeless drop-in service.

Cr Pinder-Mortimer said the hub would be a sanctuary providing a space for living, learning and education.

She was restored to the council following a count-back conducted by the Victorian Electoral Commission on January 15.  The vacancy was caused by the resignation in December of fellow Team Doyle councillor Tessa Sullivan.

Cr Pinder-Mortimer said: “Homelessness and loneliness are inter-related. Father Bob’s concept of a hub delivers to Melbourne a place where people can meet to feel connected and part of a wider social group.”

“The opportunity to become engaged in the community through recreation, the arts or even training and IT literacy enables people to become inspired and adds meaning to their lives.”

“Whether garden or cooking meals together or perhaps even learning something new – a hub would enable those afflicted by homelessness or living on the fringe to become involved and explore their talents and acquire some skills.”

“I am currently going through all of this with my stepson and my focus is on connectedness. The services offered by councils is terrific support but these services groups need boosting and Father Bob’s community hub concept is a small step towards this.”

The Father Bob Maguire Foundation can be reached at 9681 3255.