Regional Victoria entered its seventh lockdown on August 21, after cases emerged in outside of Melbourne, including Shepparton. The Australian Filipino Community Services (AFCS) swiftly organised groceries for dozens of Filipino-Australians living in Shepparton, in collaboration with Roxy Butra, President of the Shepparton Seniors Group, and Guilly Colonia, Owner of the AsianOz Groceries Shepparton.
One in three people in Shepparton are currently in isolation, and there are over 500 Filipino-Australians living in the town.
Filipino seniors in Gippsland, led by Thelma Davis have mobilised volunteers and seniors to pick up their free essential groceries provided by the Australian Filipino Community Services in collaboration with local business, Paraluman Trading.
Aileen Formaran, shop owner of Paraluman in Morwell, said that she welcomes this support and she will help seniors who cannot come to the shop with free home delivery of their goods.
This quick response was sparked by the recent news that one Traralgon male resident tested positive for COVID-19 after attending a funeral service in Melbourne.
AFCS has been funded by the Victorian and Commonwealth governments to support the vulnerable members in the regional Victoria. Chaplain Norminda Forteza reiterates, “Kailangan nating agapayan ang ating mga seniors nang sa gayun hindi sila magpapanic at available ang serbisyo sa kanila. Sa abot-kaya ng AFCS, tutugon kami sa humihingi ng tulong.”
For more information about Gippsland Seniors Support, or any support given to Filipinos in regional Victoria please ring AFCS 9701 3421.
