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Melbourne Flamethrower Lights up
the Good Samaritan Inn
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Oct 26th A flame thrower welcomed two hundred and thirty-seven people at the L’Unica, Parkville in Melbourne on the 26th October 2008. They had gathered to support the wonderful work of providing accommodation for homeless women and children at the Good Samaritan Inn. This was the first network gathering for the Inn and one that will become an annual event.  The atmosphere in the foyer was electric as people from all around Melbourne came to support this vital group. Volunteers brought their friends who were strangers to the work of the Inn but have now committed to being future friends and supporters. Sister Kerin Caldwell, member of the Good Samaritan Congregation Council, together with many Good Samaritan Sisters and Associates attended the function. As people began to move into the reception centre they spotted some unexpected faces, some familiar friends from their past and of course many more they did not know. This was the aim of the evening, to network and celebrate one of the works of the Good Samaritan Sisters.

Who are we?

Sisters Anne Dixon and Helen Mills commenced the work of the Good Samaritan Inn in 1996.  They opened their home in Westgarth (Northern Suburbs of Melbourne) to the homeless. Later they moved to the convent in Preston where The Inn is today. This essential and important work has attracted as many as eighty volunteers, five part-time staff and a relatively new Board. The parish of Sacred Heart Preston, well known to the Good Samaritan Sisters is very supportive of the work. Students from Santa Maria Northcote and St. Monica’s Epping are involved in collecting essential items for The Inn. Staff volunteer as sleepovers at the Inn. This is a huge commitment when we all know the busy world of schools.

What do we do?

We provide accommodation for women and children who find themselves homeless. Many are escaping domestic violence and are traumatised by experiences that leave them vulnerable and in need of support. We provide that support twenty-four hours for five days. We give the women space where they can be safe, have someone they can talk to, and support them in the decisions they need to make about their future. For some this is the circuit breaker that allows them to stop and reassess their lives. But that is only part of the issue. Once the women have made the break they need to get to the next step which can be frustrating and difficult.

The housing market all over Australia is difficult and with the economic crisis that we are now facing it is only going to be harder for this particularly vulnerable group. Many have been on a waiting list for public housing for years. ‘It is estimated that 176,000 households were on waiting lists around Australia. Last year 28,300 applicants for housing were approved nationally.’ (‘Age ‘19th Nov, 2008). While some of the conditions facing single women are particularly acute, mothers face the added pressures of often removing children from schools, relatives, and their local environments. This isolates them even more and makes it difficult for the women to break the cycle of violence. We work with the agencies that refer the women to The Inn and it is the agencies who continue this support once they leave us.

How can you help?

If you are in Melbourne, you may like to volunteer your time and your talent. We have some great committees who are always looking for more members and ideas.  Attend functions and spread the word about The Inn. People are always looking to financially support good projects and this is a great one. Check out our Gift Pack ideas that are suitable all year round. If you belong to a corporate group, you may wish to sign up and become Friends of the Inn. A Gold Friend contributes $10 000 and a Silver Friend $5 000 for three, four or five years. This can go a long way to really making a difference to the lives of women and children who are homeless.
Let us be your face that tells these women and children that they are not forgotten by society. If you would like a copy of our Annual Report to read further about what is happening at The Inn and how other corporate groups are helping, contact us for further information. It is all about Networking. Those of you who know us have cause for spreading the good news and those who are yet to become friends we are only an email away!

Michelle Reid sgs

Michelle Reid sgs
Manager, Good Samaritan Inn, Melbourne.
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