Sunbury’s Garnet Jacob is a social worker with non-for-profit organisation Give Until it Hurts (GUIH) and is passionate about social work. Oscar Parry spoke with Garnet about his connection to Sunbury and his role.
What is your connection to Sunbury?
I am an Anglo-Indian who migrated from India. I arrived in Sydney in November 1999, lived in Sydney for two years, and moved to Sunbury in 2002. I am married to a beautiful lady Lorna who has mothered my two girls Jessica and Serena – who studied in St Annes, Salesian and now one is in university.
What do you like about where you live?
I love the greenery, mountains, valleys, creeks, scenic views, township, and the country feeling that attracts thousands of people to Sunbury. Most of all, the warm connections from the locals have helped me to develop an attitude of sharing, growing, and living a harmonious life loving one another.
What, if anything, would you change about where you live?
It would be great if the cost of living does not rise and everyone has a permanent roof over their head, and we support each other to ensure no one is left alone – as loneliness is a big killer.
Tell us a bit about Give Until it Hurts and its objectives.
We are a registered public benevolent institute with DGR endorsed by ATO. We have … social workers, disability support volunteers, and other experts in providing mentorship to people who need buddy support. We assist with general counselling, welfare assistance, and referrals. We receive referrals from local community agencies, the public, Centrelink, and self-referrals to assist vulnerable people who are distressed and in need of support for their day-to-day existence. Our volunteers assess people’s needs, and strengths, identify resources, and connect them with services. GUIH conducts community events (like the soup kitchen in Winter and Father’s Day gatherings recently this year) regularly to engage with people who feel lonely to ensure that no one is left alone. As there is a demand for more help needed by our community members our new projects are in need of more volunteers to conduct weekly activities, and engage with vulnerable people through small support groups for women, men, families and young people. We rely on sponsors and grants to continue our work in making a difference to one person, one family, and one project at a time.
What do you enjoy most about your work?
As a social worker with GUIH, I meet fellow human beings who have talents and skills. Some find the time to share it and others are too busy. Listening to vulnerable people’s challenges and needs daily does not allow me to go to bed without taking the smallest action to make a difference and lessen the stress or challenges that a fellow human being is going through. At this time of engagement with any vulnerable people, I may be only listening and not have a solution but I give them some hope that they are not alone and we are on this journey together. This is what all our volunteers are striving to achieve. Our theme song goes like this: ”It’s not about me. It’s not about you. But it’s for us and the goodness of all”.
