Bayside Community Emergency Relief

I commend the outstanding work of Bayside Community Emergency Relief, which was first formed as a Facebook group on 1 January this year to assist with bushfire recovery efforts. Now incorporated, with a local membership of some 6300, BCER has played an indispensable role in providing urgent support for our community affected by the first and then the second wave of COVID-19. This year BCER has coordinated the provision of $1 million worth of support to local charities and the distribution of over 2000 COVID comfort packs to children fleeing domestic violence, isolated older Victorians and other vulnerable groups, and aged-care facilities, and contributions to the work of COVID emergency committees at Bayside and Glen Eira councils as well. All this has been achieved despite the state government’s failure to grant BCER a Let’s Stay Connected grant. The great work of founder, Deb Brook, and her dedicated team of volunteers proves yet again that governments and their bureaucracies are no match for the powerful contributions made by the selfless individuals who help to shape the character of our communities.