A network established to provide Canberrans in need with basic food and essential items during the COVID-19 pandemic was honoured at the 2021 Resilient Australia Awards for the ACT this week.
The Canberra Relief Network won the Government Award for its innovation and collaboration in the face of last year’s public emergency. More than 2,800 Canberra households received 14,000 food hampers and 7,500 packages of essential items.
The Community Resilience and Crisis Response Team was highly commended.
ACT Rural Fire Service volunteer firefighter and photographer Gary Hooker received the Photography Award for his moving image of the Orroral Valley bushfire last January.
The ACT Property Group Rent Relief and Screwdriver Initiatives secured the Local Government Award.
Mick Gentleman, ACT Minister for Police and Emergency Services, congratulated the Canberra Relief Network for its “vital role helping those in need”.
“Thousands of food hampers, and basic hygiene and baby items were delivered to Canberrans, providing much-needed resources,” he said.
The Community Services Directorate coordinated the Canberra Relief Network. Volunteering ACT’s Connect Centre took calls from Canberrans seeking support. SES Volunteers managed deliveries in the initial stage of lockdown. Disaster Relief Australia were the delivery partner for much of the lockdown. Woolworths, the grocery partner, provided food for those in need.
A network of community partners made sure Canberrans’ needs were met. These included Canberra City Care; Canberra Region Community Service; Communities@Work; Community Services #1; Companion House; the GIVIT Foundation; Gordon Community Centre; Gugan Gulwan Youth Aboriginal Corporation; Holy Cross Tuckerbox; MARSS Australia; Mustard Seed Uniting Food Pantry; Red Cross; St James Uniting Church; St John’s Care; St Paul’s Ginninderra Anglican Church – Helping Hand Food Pantry; St Vincent de Paul Society (Dickson, Mitchell, Phillip, Weston Creek); The Panty @ Watson (YWAM); Tuggeranong Uniting Church; UnitingCare Kippax; University of Canberra Food Pantry; Wesley Uniting Church; and Woden Community Service.
“This is an amazing achievement and a testament to all the hard hours our public service, NGOs and business partners have put in to ensure that all Canberrans have access to food and essential items,” said Emma Davidson, ACT Minister responsible for Emergency Relief.
“I am immensely proud of what has been achieved by this incredible effort. Thank you to everyone who played a role in delivering food security for Canberrans in need throughout lockdown and beyond the pandemic.
“This is more than just food relief, it’s a testament to the importance of cross-government, sector, and community collaboration to deliver better outcomes for all.”
The ACT Emergency Services Agency (ACTESA) helped to establish warehouse operations and supported the Network for the first six-months of operations and again during the ACT lockdown this year.
“Our ACTESA volunteers have given their time to support Canberrans in need and deserve to be recognised for their incredible work supporting our community during the COVID-19 pandemic,” Mr Gentleman said.
Mr Gentleman also congratulated Gary Hooker on his award.
“Gary Hooker has given almost two decades of service to the ACT as a dedicated volunteer firefighter, and is again serving our community by documenting a moment in our history we will never forget,” he said.
The Resilient Australia Awards are an Australian Government initiative in partnership with states and territories, and managed by the Australian Institute for Disaster Resilience.
