By Liam McNally
When tragedy occurs, people absorbing the events through their television screens often have an instinctual desire to help, and perhaps a frustration at their inability to do so.
This feeling is why Kath Cooney said she has felt incredibly privileged to be an Australian Red Cross volunteer.
“With Red Cross it means you can do something to help,” she said.
Ms Cooney has been a Red Cross volunteer based in Footscray since 2006.
On top of helping people, she said that her most memorable moments were times in which she connected with people at their most vulnerable, such as helping in the aftermath of the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires, then returning for the 10-year anniversary and witnessing the resilience of the people.
Ms Cooney also spoke about a woman who approached her in the aftermath of the 2017 Bourke Street Mall incident, who told her she did not know anyone affected but felt compelled to come and deliver roses from her garden to the site.
She said she felt like she had done a good day’s work after the woman told her it was nice to speak with her, because she normally spoke to her daughter when she was feeling sad about these types of events, but she had recently passed.
“People recognise the Red Cross emblem, and they start talking to you as if you’re a well known friend,” Ms Cooney said.
“You see their humor, and their resilience, and because you’re wearing the Red Cross uniform, you are welcomed into their lives in a way that doesn’t happen in other places.”
Red Cross have put a callout for more volunteers across Victoria to help support people and communities before, during, and after emergencies.
Australia Red Cross Victorian director Lisa Devlin said volunteering with Red Cross was an opportunity to support people and communities during times of hardship.
Details: www.redcross.org.au/volunteer
