Forty years of making a difference

“I didn’t know where to go,” she said. “It just gave me a home, a purpose”.

Mrs Bradd is proud to be able to help the community through her role as a committee member and volunteer at the neighbourhood house, which marked its 40th birthday with a special celebration on Thursday, October 1.

The event was attended by several high-profile guests, including state Member For Shepparton Kim O’Keeffe and City of Greater Shepparton Mayor Geoff Akers.

Mrs Bradd first came to the centre nine years ago, homeless after a back injury forced her to give up her job.

She said the neighbourhood house played a significant role in improving her mental health.

For Mrs Bradd it was about “knowing I wasn’t the only one going through things”.

Having first attended the centre as a participant in its art class, she now describes herself as a “jack of all trades”. This includes helping out with the playgroup and iPad classes.

She’s proud of the role the centre plays in helping vulnerable people in the community.

Its food relief program gives out food to up to 900 people every week, while it has given out more than 30,000 items of clothing this year.

“You don’t know what people are going through,” Mrs Bradd said.

“You might be the only person that smiles at them that day, or talks to them.”

Melanie Domaschenz has been the manager of the centre for the past three years.

She believes the milestone is an opportunity to reflect on the contribution the facility has made to the community.

“It’s a celebration and acknowledgement of what the centre gives the community,” she said.

Ms Domanschenz said providing people with food and clothes “gives them the grace” to work on other areas of their life, including their mental health.

She’s also proud of the role the centre plays in improving people’s social lives.

“A lot of people are lonely,” she said.

“A lot of people need friends.”

For Mrs Bradd, this connection is especially important.

“It’s the community that makes me stay,” she said.