Tag: quiet hero - The Terrier

Malcolm_induction_Geoff Barker — Rev Malcolm Frazer and Rev Geoff Barker from the Warrnambool Uniting Church.

[dropcap style=”font-size: 60px; color: #DDCE8D;”] E [/dropcap]ach week we like to celebrate a quiet hero in South-West Victoria – somebody or something that is making a difference, if only a small one.

This week, we have found Warrnambool’s answer to the Gosford Anglican Church, which has been lighting up Facebook with its witty church board postings that are, often, quite political (you can find them on Facebook here).

While not quite as public as Gosford Uniting Church, the Warrnambool Uniting Church, in Koroit St, has been making its views known about the treatment of asylum seekers who turn to Australia for refuge.

A window display at the front of the church chastises both major political parties for their lack of compassion on an issue that, because of the politics being played, deeply divides Australia.

For what it’s worth, we agree with them.

But there is more to the Warrnambool Uniting Church than making statements – they also act to help those in need, even if it is the need for company.

The church holds a Wednesday lunch for anyone to attend, creating a safe, non-judgmental space for people to gather and talk. It helps.

For these things, the Warrnambool Uniting Church and its leaders – Rev Geoff Barker, Rev Malcolm Frazer and Pastor Marjorie Crothers – are our quiet hero for the week.

[box] Our quiet hero will receive a voucher for coffee and cake from this week’s sponsor, Lozzar’s Lounge Cafe, Kepler St, Warrnambool – thankyou for your support, Lozzar’s.[/box]

Meet some of our other quiet heroes…

Gary Webb – Bidding for the arts

Kylie Thulborn – pushing boundaries

The Drylies and creating art with kids

Susie Alexander fights cancer…and aims for a fun run

Holden Club helps out

Caring for the environment

Embracing diversity

[dropcap style=”font-size: 60px; color: #A5CECD;”] T [/dropcap] his week’s quiet hero was summed up to us as being “a really incredible Mum”, but – being relatively new to Warrnambool – we had no idea just how incredible.

Kylie Thulborn has four children, but it is her youngest son, Harvey McCorkell, that has attracted national attention because of his Mum’s determination that he be able to participate fully in life despite being born with heart and lung disorders that deprived him of oxygen and caused multiple disabilities.

As he grew older, Harvey, like any kid, wanted to surf, swim, skate, cycle – and Kylie found ways for it to happen.

She tracked down specialised sports equipment and programs in Australia and overseas for children with disabilities. She also tapped into a supportive, global online community aimed at helping kids just like Harvey to live their dreams.

As a result, and through the use of adaptive sports equipment – including a Mike Box wheelchair designed specifically for wheelchair sports – Harvey, 12, has become a hard-core skater and year-round surfer. He has even cut a few waves off the coasts of California and Costa Rica.

His inspirational story and Kylie’s blogs about their journey were captured by ABC Open and went on to win a national media award.

Since then, Kylie has also recorded her story for the Surfworld Museum at Torquay.

She also continues to be involved in helping others with disabilities to “Share the Stoke” down at the Warrnambool foreshore.

Boy, Kylie deserves a coffee…and our admiration.

[box] Our quiet hero will receive a voucher for coffee and cake from this week’s sponsor, Rocksalt cafe, Port Fairy – thankyou for your support, Rocksalt.[/box]