With so much of our world turned upside down by the Covid-19 pandemic over the last two years, one thing in particular has come sharply into focus: the day-to-day work that keeps our communities running, and the workers who make it all possible, are the everyday champions who make our lives and neighbourhoods the places we love to live and work.
And that’s what makes them our Local Heroes.
The people who keep our world running – childcare workers, community support workers, workers in waste management, road repair, administration, and so many others – have always been the folks who are ready to get up and give their all for the community. In the last few years, the world has come to understand how essential these workers are.
Vision Super was founded in 1947 for workers in these industries, so it’s a story that goes straight to our heart. The ongoing pandemic has proved just how critical workers in Local Government are to the everyday services we all rely on, so Vision Super wants to recognise these essential workers for what they are – Local Heroes going above and beyond to make the lives of friends, neighbours, and our local worlds that little bit better each and every day.
Robert Monohan
Robert Monohan is a proud Taungurung Aboriginal man, volunteering many hours of his own time to forming a working group to support the running of the new Aboriginal centre, the Wunggurrwil Dhunrrung Centre in Wyndham. Thanks to Rob’s hard work and dedication, Wyndham now has an active kindergarten for Aboriginal children and a place where families can meet and unite in sharing their unique culture.
Rob has also played a key role in bringing together the three local Aboriginal tribes. As a working group, these proud Aboriginal people can share and educate other community members on the history of the land and its First Peoples, creating a richer community for all.
Stories like Rob’s not only put the efforts of the last two years into context, but also prove why the work of Local Heroes like them are so important at every level of our communities.
Recognising these contributions, celebrating the workers who make them, and ensuring that the example they set is acknowledged for the difference it makes is what the Vision Super Local Heroes awards are all about.
Rosalie Rogers
Rosalie Rogers from Mount Alexander Shire is another of these Local Heroes. Rosalie was nominated for this year’s awards for going above and beyond to look after vulnerable elderly members of our community and their carers during the pandemic, despite the incredible stress on support workers like her. Rosalie has helped these concerned community members by talking them through the My Aged Care process, explaining the system and allaying their fears. Rosalie’s cheerful and calm demeanour, her wealth of knowledge and her compassionate response to crisis led directly to her ‘outstanding’ example. Through thick and thin, Rosalie has assisted vulnerable and elderly community members in feeling that they are not alone, and that the Mount Alexander Shire can help guide them through a stressful and cumbersome system, even at the weekend.
At Vision Super, working hard and going above and beyond for our members is what we’re all about, and we think it’s time to acknowledge and say thanks for the work you do and the difference you make.
So, whether you’re in community care, maintenance and waste management, childcare, or running a library; if you’re working in Local Government and giving your all – you’re a Local Hero too.
If you’d like to see who won the Vision Super Local Heroes Awards, head to https://www.visionsuper.com.au/local-heroes/
