Opportunity knocks for volunteers

They hope to raise $340,000 over February to fund a range of Vinnies services from emergency accommodation to a young carers program.

The charity needs 1000 volunteers to help it reach the target.

Already signed up is Sam Palma, pictured, of Calwell, who has been volunteering for the doorknock for 27 years.

He was in the air force and encouraged to sign up for the door knock by his then boss, Group Captain Tom Clark.

Palma, who turns 72 next month, said most people responded very well to a visit from a doorknocking volunteer. And he had seen first-hand the difference the Vinnies programs had made, as a conference worker visiting people in their homes to offer support.

“There’s a lot of people out there hurting and people seem to think Canberra is a very affluent place but that’s not always the case,” he said. “There are a lot of homeless people in Canberra and they need our help.”

And when people choose to doorknock is flexible, so Palma likes to head out in the relative cool of the early evening.

Liberal MLA Andrew Wall is another long-time doorknocker for Vinnies.

“Doorknocking is a great way to give back to the less fortunate in our communities and one of the simplest ways to become involved in the work conducted by Vinnies,” he said.

Anyone wishing to volunteer can register by visiting www.vinniesdoorknock.org.au or phoning 6234 7347.

Well, well. As we reported last month, a small slice of the south coast will feature in the Angelina Jolie-directed World War Two epic Unbroken.

Screen NSW, who told us then that wasn’t the case, has issued a mea culpa of sorts, saying they didn’t have confirmation at the time.

Bega Valley Shire Council approved an application by Universal Pictures to film on the historic Wallaga Bridge near Bermagui between 6am and 5pm on February 11 for Unbroken.

But we’re told (by Screen NSW so, you know) that Jolie won’t be present for the filming which will be done by a second unit. It’s expected the bridge will be used for a shot of Japanese soldiers transporting prisoners of war by truck.

Unbroken is the epic life story of American WWII hero Louis “Louie” Zamperini.

A Screen NSW spokesperson told us: “The production company advises that it is currently intending to conduct a half day shoot at the bridge, involving between 15 and 20 people, in mid-February. The second unit shoot would not include Angelina Jolie on site.”

In response to her government’s plea for residents to water young street trees suffering in the heat, Chief Minister Katy Gallagher has revealed she and her children have made a new friend.

Gallagher’s family have nicknamed a small tree outside their home “Jessie” and are ensuring it gets plenty of water, she told Chief Minister Talkback on 666 ABC on Friday.

Residents are being urged to throw the occasional bucket of even bathwater over young street trees to ensure they survive these unrelenting heatwaves. Her young son Charlie chose the name because it was friendly-sounding.

NSW Minister for Primary Industries and Member for Burrinjuck Katrina Hodgkinson revealed in a Sydney newspaper on Friday the suicide of her father David in 2005 at the age of 66.

He was a farmer and took his own life in the midst of a drought.

She is also expected to speak about the tragedy when the news feature program Sunday Night returns soon to Prime7.

Hodgkinson said she was reluctant to speak further about it, but did speak to us on Friday about her desire to remove the stigma surrounding depression.

‘‘There are far too many people out there suffering in silence and think that it’s something to be ashamed of. It’s really nothing to be ashamed of,’’ she said.

‘‘I think depression is going to be a part of a lot of people’s lives at some stage. Some people go through teenage depression, some people go through depression later in life, women suffer post-natal blues. It’s really important to speak out and talk about how you’re feeling. Nobody is going to laugh at you for having depression. It’s not a crime.’’

Her own father was a leader in his community and she lived with his loss every day.

‘‘Yeah, you do,’’ she said.

The lines were long and it seems people were pretty generous.

The Great Aussie Day Breakfast, held last Sunday, Australia Day, in Commonwealth Park, raised $5229 for the Snowy Hydro SouthCare Helicopter Service.

Presented by ActewAGL, Canberra Milk and the Fyshwick Fresh Food Markets, the breakfast is free but people are asked to make a gold coin donation.

All up, 5000 sausages, 75 kilograms of onions, 270 loaves of bread, 6000 pieces of fruit and lots of milk and yoghurt was served.

Helping to dish up the breakfast were local identities including Canberra Capitals coach Carrie Graf and ACT Australia Day ambassador Caroline Buchanan.

ActewAGL marketing and corporate affairs director Paul Walshe said the crowd showed some Aussie spirit with its donations.

“It was a fun and entertaining morning and ActewAGL was proud to be part of it again,” he said.