By Alesha Capone
Lisa Field is the Community Engagement and Fundraising Manager at the Werribee Hospital Foundation. She is also passionate about the environment and started the Love Our Street 3030 clean-up group last year.
How long have you lived in Wyndham?
Since 2005. I live in Werribee, close to the Werribee River and only a 15-minute walk into the centre of Werribee. I appreciate my neighbours and friends in the area, people I have met through shared interests in growing foods, sharing goods, reducing waste and keeping our environment clean. I like the fact that when I run out of coffee, or need a drill, I can call on a neighbour.
Do you have a local spot which is your favourite place to visit?
The Werribee River is my favourite place. I used to walk my dog along the river every morning. I’d get to meet all the other walkers and dog owners. My dog has passed on, but I now pick up rubbish along the river, as well as just go and enjoy the serenity. If I’m really lucky, I’ll come across a platypus one day.
What do you enjoy about your role at the Werribee Hospital Foundation?
It is wonderful to support our local public hospital. I enjoy meeting such a diverse range of people in the community as I seek to create partnerships and opportunities to promote and fundraise for Werribee Mercy Hospital. The community are incredibly supportive of the expansion of services at Werribee Mercy Hospital.
What are some of the main projects you are working on for the foundation?
I’m recruiting people to become Hospital Hosts and to run fundraisers in their home, workplace, social or sporting club. I’m looking to recruit schools to create a Coin Chain, where students collect, count, measure and calculate the coins they collect. With a combined Wyndham-wide chain, we might just measure up to a world record! I’m also seeking to establish a Werribee Hospital Auxiliary, the traditional method to engage and promote the community fundraising aspects of the foundation.
You’re also passionate about the environment?
With the support of Werribee River Association and Beach Patrol Australia, I started a clean-up group called Love Our Street 3030 in May last year. We meet each month, and since we have started, we have collected over half a ton of litter. We also advocate for less single-use plastic and a deposit container scheme. When we cleaned up at Werribee train station, we collected approximately 6000 cigarette butts each time. This was absolutely shocking. So we let people know that we can do better and would like to help improve the site’s presentation, by planting a garden.
Are there any other ways in which you’re involved in the community?
A few years ago, I set up a Facebook group called Transition Wyndham that is all about supporting sustainable development, living local, growing your own food, building resilience and reducing our carbon footprint. It has led to lots of lovely activities and positive social connections. I’ve also helped submit a number of events in the council’s Green Living Series, including the Wyndham Food & Garden Trail on Sunday, February 3. I also do ceramics at Werribee Men’s Shed. We all need creative outlets.
