MUCH of the working class in Cootamundra will tell you that once the bills and the groceries are paid for there’s not a lot of cash left in the kitty at the end of the week.
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We are all familiar with the feeling of being stretched financially.
In the lead up to the Salvation Army Red Shield appeal in May we spoke with a local welfare officer who said there are around 10 people approaching the local Salvos each week as a last resort for desperately-needed financial assistance. Heartbreaking.
In some cases, the people in need are welfare recipients who have missed their appointment with Centrelink and been cut off temporarily.
It’s very easy to understand why people are missing their appointments; there is no Centrelink office in Cootamundra and so they travel to Young each fortnight just to hand over a form. We live in the days of Facetime and Skype; it’s a wonder the government hasn’t updated this draconian system to combat the tyranny of distance.
The reality is, our welfare system does not support all who are in need and all we can say is, thank God for the Salvos and for Vinnies, who recognise the need for that extra safety net.
On this Good Friday we thank God for the good Samaritans in Cootamundra, the voluntary welfare officers who have willingly driven complete strangers to Young and back to ensure they make it to Centrelink on time for their appointment.
