Ministerial BakeIn
More than 100 meals have been distributed to the needy following the volunteer efforts of two NSW State Ministers and their staff.
Victor Dominello (lt) and Patrick Lee (Rt) run the kitchen
Minister for Citizenship and Communities, and Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Victor Dominello and Minister for Resources and Energy, Chris Hartcher joined other volunteers chopping vegetables and packaging meals for others.
According to Our Big Kitchen’s director, Rabbi Dovid Slavin, this is not the first time the ministers have come in to volunteer and it was great that this time they were accompanied by their staff.
Mr. Dominello returned to Our Big Kitchen as part of Volunteer Week. Had having the minister with the volunteering portfolio is a big honour
“We are always thrilled to have the ministers join us and we are particularly honoured that Our Big Kitchen was a focal point for the Minister for Volunteer Week. In fact, in addition to his formal position, Mr. Dominello has been bestowed the title ‘Minister for Our Big Kitchen’ Rabbi Slavin said.
“It is refreshing to see government leaders doing more than stage-managed announcements. Last night the ministers worked shoulder to shoulder with people from all walks of life. The ministers worked with our regular volunteers who include members of the community, school children working towards their Duke of Edinburgh award as well as inmates on works release and community service orders. At the end of the day, our aim is to be there for others whose needs are greater than our own” Rabbi Slavin said.
This week, Minister Dominello announced a new scheme called ‘time-bank’ which aims to provide greater recognition for NSW volunteers and encourage more people to come forward to help. According to Rabbi Slavin, this is a wonderful initiative which he has offered to fully support.
“I have long held the view that there should be real recognition for volunteers. The community work at Our Big Kitchen, which supports thousands of people each year, would simply not be possible without volunteers. Large numbers of paid staff is simply not an option for organisations like ours” Rabbi Slavin said.
“We will work with the government to link into their scheme” Rabbi said.
They were joined by our local member Gabrielle Upton MP
