Joining forces: Cobram Community House and Cobram Lions joined forces to provide free hot showers to disadvantaged members of the Cobram and Barooga communities. Pictured are (L-R) Agnews Cobram Plumbtec's Dean Harris, Cobram Lions secretary Janet Austin, Cobram Lions treasurer Ron Simon, Cobram Community House manager Christine Osborne and MVA Plumbing's Mark Anderson.
Cobram Community House and Cobram Lions have joined forces to develop a program that provides access to free showers for the disadvantaged within the Cobram and Barooga area.
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The showers are located at Killara House at Cobram Showgrounds and are open on Wednesday and Friday from 10am to noon, though hours may be adjusted according to demand.
Roughly three people a day use the facility, though Cobram Lions secretary Janet Austin predicts that numbers will increase once the recent flooding subsides and allows those displaced by the floods to return.
Though the showers are meant for the disadvantaged within Cobram and Barooga, Mrs Austin said they were open to anyone affected by the flooding.
Agnews Cobram Plumbtec owner Dean Harris organised the hot water service from Rheem Australia.
The installation of the gas tank and some of the plumbing materials was completed free of charge by David Walsh from Walsh Gas and the hot water service was connected by MVA Plumbing’s Mark Anderson.
Running hot: Installation of the gas tank and some of the plumbing materials was completed free of charge by David Walsh from Walsh Gas.
Electrical works were undertaken by Strathy Services’ Adrian Simon.
Reaction from those who have used the facilities has been positive.
“We have been open for just on three weeks and the difference in their lives (those who use it) has been amazing. Just the smile on their face when they come out is just fantastic,” Mrs Austin said.
Cobram Community House manager Christine Osborne has said that the showers were part of the community house’s mission to help the local community.
“We recognised a need in the community and are proud to set up a program that provides people with access to showers in a safe and supportive way. I am grateful to the wonderful volunteers in our community who are assisting with the program,” Mrs Osborne said.
Though Cobram Community House and Cobram Lions spearheaded the project, other community members were vital in ensuring its inception and ongoing operations.
Many of the disadvantaged in Cobram are located around the Murray River and have endured the full force of recent flooding.
