Hoppers Crossing resident Liane Joyce talks to Rebecca Miller about her role as a volunteer for Whitelion, a non-profit community organisation which provides services for less-fortunate young people across Wyndham.
What’s your connection to the local community?
In December, I started volunteering for Whitelion’s NOSH (Nutrition Outreach Support and Health) program.
It’s a mobile outreach service running Tuesdays-Fridays. We drive around Wyndham to places where young people hang out, such as train stations, skate parks and bridges. We stop at these places and provide 12 to 25-year-olds with nutritious food, material aid, advice and support.
We can also refer them to other services if they want. It’s really exciting when we turn up to a place and young people come running up to the NOSH van.
I get a good feeling knowing we’re helping them, as some young people have indicated they’ve been at that venue all day and the food we provided them was all they’d had.
Whitelion started an evening outreach service with the NOSH van once a week, which is proving successful.
They’re also involved in visiting after-school programs within Wyndham to make young people aware of the van and I have participated in that.
I have teenage kids and I hear how many other kids are homeless and couch-surfing because they’re having troubles at home, which is why I want to work in the youth sector to help them.
What do you like about your neighbourhood?
I’ve lived in Hoppers Crossing for the past 10 years and its handy being close to the city.
I also like to walk my dog along the beach at Werribee South.
Whitelion is great as they really connect with their client base and provide a great service to young people.
What would you change in your neighbourhood?
There needs to be more opportunities for young people, such as free activities in school holidays. There isn’t a lot for them to do if they don’t have money.
Our roads need to be repaired and we need more frequent bus services, especially for young people.
More rubbish bins around skate parks would also be beneficial.
Where’s your favourite eatery and place to get coffee?
Chatterbox Café in Werribee makes a good coffee and you can’t go past a chicken parmigiana from the Hoppers Club.
