Last Monday the Mirboo North CWA Night Owls hosted a lively home-cooked and free Community Lunch at the Baromi Centre thanks to a grant from the Mirboo North Community Recovery Fund. Taking the place of the usual monthly community lunch, run by the Friends of Aged Care, the Mirboo North Night Owls offered their well renowned cooking skills to support an opportunity for social connection.
A Grant That Brought the Community Together
We applied for a grant with the aim of offering a social occasion in the spirit of recovery and renewal,” explained Kerry Ives, Secretary of the Mirboo North CWA Nightowls, “as social connections are well known to be important to us all in times of stress and also during ongoing recovery.”
The lunch was cooked and served entirely by the Mirboo North CWA Night Owls, offering friendly faces and an opportunity for people to connect with no cost to attendees. Despite a comical assortment of obstacles greeting guests at the Baromi Centre —scaffolding, fencing, workmen, a truck delivering materials, and even a ladder propped over the kitchen doorway—locals arrived undeterred and in good spirits.
As Night Owls members delivered plates and cleared tables, they heard words of appreciation from diners who valued both the delicious food and the sense of community spirit in the room.
“We thank the volunteers in the Mirboo North CWA Night Owls for applying for funding and holding this lunch,” says Ruth Rogan of the Mirboo North & District Community Foundation. “The day was a reminder of what makes Mirboo North so special: resilience, good humour and the simple joy of coming together.”
“I would encourage anyone who hasn’t yet experienced a community lunch to join in next time. These monthly gatherings are a wonderful way to meet new people or catch up with old friends while sharing a lovely meal.”
Why Social Connection Matters During Recovery
The Mirboo North Community Recovery Fund, which supported this grant, is made up of donations from individuals, community organisations, business and government. Of the $95,000 raised, more than $75,000 has already gone back into recovery projects. The remaining funds will continue to support gatherings and events, projects to improve resilience, disaster preparedness and healing in our environment. If you have any ideas that you think would be a good fit, reach out to Ruth at: info@mirboodistrictfoundation.org.au.