“Put it this way; on the first night we had five people and now we’re up to around 160 in nine hours on a Saturday, so it’s fair to say there’s been a slight increase!”
“Put it this way; on the first night we had five people and now we’re up to around 160 in nine hours on a Saturday, so it’s fair to say there’s been a slight increase!”
That was the response of co-ordinator Nikki Wise when asked to assess how much of an impact the Reach Out Drop-In Centre she runs in Mandurah has had upon the local community.
Opened in January 2012, the centre has played a key role in providing for the city’s less fortunate residents and made a powerful impression upon Glory Head Coach Alistair Edwards and players Riley Woodcock and Jack Duncan when they made a visit ahead of Saturday’s clash with Melbourne Heart.
“Nikki and the rest of the staff here at the centre are doing a fantastic job,” he said.
“We’ve seen everyone from young families through to pensioners here today and it’s great that they have somewhere so friendly and welcoming like this to come to and have a bite to eat and so on.
“Hopefully our visit will raise public awareness of the work that’s going on here and people will make donations to keep this hugely-important project up and running.”
Wise, meanwhile, was delighted by the visit from the Glory trio who, along with local councillor Dave Schumacher, spent an hour chatting to the centre clients before inviting them to attend the Heart game as guests of the club.
“These kinds of visits always give the clients a boost,” she said.
“Danny Green came down a while ago and if we can bring a smile to their faces when they meet someone famous, it’s all worthwhile.
“We try to make the centre a personal experience for everyone we see.
“I make a mental note of remembering their names when they come in so they are not just a number coming through.
“No-one was doing evening or weekend meals for people in this area before we started up.
“The council kindly lets us use this place free of charge, we started one night a week and now it’s three plus a Saturday.
“All of the donations we receive are spent on running costs and if Glory fans out there would like to help us out, details of the centre and how to donate can be found at www.reachoutdropincentre.org.”
Gareth Morgan
