BizXpress Blog
Amazing Women Doing Amazing Things for Our Community
March 2023
I had the pleasure of spending some time this morning with two of the most beautiful and amazing women. Both are voluntarily taking care of our community with no government funding and a good dose of humility.
Thanks to the wonderful donors and attendees of the Discovery Coast International Women’s Day Event, hosted by BizXpress and The Jade Room, we had $1000 to donate to Yvonne and Margaret – each of them receiving $500.
Firstly, I spent over an hour with Yvonne Thompson, who takes care of wildlife that is injured or orphaned, not only in our area but sometimes driving for hours to collect an animal. Known as a bit of a kangaroo lady, she often has baby joeys requiring 5 feeds a day as well as slightly older joeys following her around the yard and needing a bottle or some reassurance throughout the day and night.
While I was there, we had young Emily hopping around following us as we inspected cages, equipment, pouches and humidicribs.
Yvonne’s love for all animals is very evident – even moving her bed to the Kangaroo Room for a little while so Emily had company during the night.
With over 30 years experience as a carer, Yvonne has mothered and helped a wide variety of animals – kookaburras, pelicans, rufous bettongs, possums, masked plovers, and wallabies, just t mention a few.
Yvonne’s husband, Mal, has been by her side helping too especially when there is a long drive, an animal that needs to be euthanised due to its injuries being too great or even sharing Yvonne and his bed with a variety of creatures!
Next, I visited Margaret.
Being a very private person, it was lovely to finally meet Margaret after many messages, texts and phone calls.
Margaret collects donations for The Little Free Pantry Agnes Water. The idea for The Little Free Pantry was seeded in 2017. It became apparent that there was a gap for people trying to access emergency food support. The initial intention was to start a soup kitchen, however insurance and other issues made that difficult. Margaret saw a community pantry for another location on Facebook and decided to give that idea a go here in Agnes Water.
The first drop off box was located at the skate park and then moved to the RSL cenotaph, however when the council requested that it be removed Margaret moved it to 56 Innamincka Way.
Margaret finds that keeping a low profile allows those in need to feel confident that they can approach her privately to ask for help. Without the help of the community, the service would not work. She generally puts the call out to the community on Facebook for the items that she needs for a particular family or person, collects all the donated goods and delivers them to where they are needed.
I felt so uplifted after visiting these two remarkable women and proud to be part of a community that takes care of its own. I have pledged ongoing assistance to them both and hope that others will too, in whatever way they can.
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