The A Good Kitchen service has a new coordinator, with founder Goodie Hiensch handing over the keys to volunteer Mully Pearse.
A Good Kitchen has been providing meals for people in need on Tuesday nights at the Catholic Parish Function Centre in Splatt Street for six years.
Mr Pearse formerly took over from Ms Hiensch at a testimonial night held in her honour at the Swan Hill Club on Wednesday night.
Mr Pearse said that although a relative new comer to the team of volunteers he was pleased to be able to play his part in keeping the service operating.
“I certainly cannot take over everything that Goodie was doing completely, that would be impossible,” Mr Pearse said.
“She has been such an inspiration, she is so organised, has everything down pat and nothing misses a beat.
“I can’t get over how an organisation with different groups of people coming together over four hours on a Tuesday night has no problems.”
The initiative of the St Vincent de Paul Society, A Good Kitchen, was started after it was discovered that food relief recipients often did not have kitchen facilities for cooking a hot meal.
On the night the Good Kitchen launched, they had only one guest, now they have about 50 guests each Tuesday night. Visitors come to enjoy not only a good meal but also a feeling of companionship.
Parish Priest, Father James Kerr, said that although the service is independent of the parish they are glad to be able to provide a home, as well as support what it does.
“If they weren’t doing it, then nobody else would in town,” Fr Kerr said.
“It is not just about filling bellies but providing a space of welcome and having the opportunity for friendship and for people to be known. It’s so important.”
Ms Hiensch is not retiring, and said she has a few irons in the fire, and a few more things she would like to achieve.
“The things I am hoping to achieve are to also complement A Good Kitchen, and hopefully that will happen in the next two years,” Ms Hiensch said.
“I have just been offered a two year stint with the Council of Homeless Persons in Melbourne, so I am pretty happy about that.”
