Food, essential supplies, masks for Colac Otway’s vulnerable residents
Published on 10 August 2020
Colac Otway Shire Council has delivered more than 280 hampers of food and essential supplies in the last fortnight, helping more than 400 people as they self-isolate or quarantine.
However, there may be people in the community that continue to struggle and Council is asking residents to pass on the Colac Otway COVID19 Support Hotline number to neighbours or anyone they know who might need food or other supplies through the shire.
Colac Otway Shire Chief Executive Peter Brown said the hotline had received about 350 calls last week and the number had been shared across local media and community networks.
“We want to make sure that we don’t have any residents in our community, who are doing the right thing and staying home but have no access to food, medication or other essentials.
“It’s a challenging time for everyone and looking after our elderly and vulnerable community is the priority of our support hotline.
“This service is in place to keep our older people and residents struggling financially and unable to access essentials, whatever they need to stay safe and stay home.
“We have large shire and there could be people in our rural or coastal communities who need food and can’t leave their house because they have symptoms, have been tested for COVID19 and are waiting for results.
“Anyone who can’t afford to buy face masks can also call the hotline and we can arrange delivery or a collection point at GORVIC or community facilities in Apollo Bay as well as other smaller communities through the shire.
“The doors are closed at GORVIC in response to the COVID19 situation however customer service staff are still answering calls and emails, and can arrange an appointment for urgent matters which need to be handled in person.”
The Colac Otway COVID19 Support Hotline – 5232 9440 – operates from 8.30 to 5pm and is staffed seven days a week.
Any residents requiring home care or Meal on Wheels through Council’s OPASS program can learn more online at www.colacotway.vic.gov.au or by calling 5232 9420.