Volunteers, staff and supporters cheer the opening of the laundry pod in Wonthaggi.
BEING homeless is a succession of hardships and indignities. One of them is not being able to wash and dry your clothes.
Wonthaggi now has a free laundry service, courtesy of Orange Sky, the Salvos and a heap of volunteers.
The laundry pod at the Salvo’s Wonthaggi headquarters in McKenzie Street was officially launched on Monday by Bass Coast Mayor Rochelle Halstead.
BEING homeless is a succession of hardships and indignities. One of them is not being able to wash and dry your clothes.
Wonthaggi now has a free laundry service, courtesy of Orange Sky, the Salvos and a heap of volunteers.
The laundry pod at the Salvo’s Wonthaggi headquarters in McKenzie Street was officially launched on Monday by Bass Coast Mayor Rochelle Halstead.
Orange Sky’s Emma Anderson and Hector Richalot Local Rotary Clubs, Bass Coast Shire Council and community organisations flagged the need in Wonthaggi, and it's been over 18 months in the making.
This is Orange Sky's 50th service across the country, and it will run a little differently from their usual mobile laundry vans - this is a static laundry pod which is permanent in the Wonthaggi community.
The free laundry service will be available at the laundry pod every Monday and Thursday 10-2pm, run by a generous team of Wonthaggi volunteers.
Orange Sky CEO Mr Lucas Patchett says e latest ABS Census data illustrates the need for support services in the Wonthaggi region is increasing with the rise in cost of living and the housing crisis.
"It’s not just about the free laundry but about the genuine connection and community that tends to form while the machines churn in the background," he said.
Captain Amanda Hart from the Salvation Army Wonthaggi describes it as “a simple service that can have a big impact”.
“Access to free laundry and a friendly conversation can make a real difference for people doing it tough.”
This is Orange Sky's 50th service across the country, and it will run a little differently from their usual mobile laundry vans - this is a static laundry pod which is permanent in the Wonthaggi community.
The free laundry service will be available at the laundry pod every Monday and Thursday 10-2pm, run by a generous team of Wonthaggi volunteers.
Orange Sky CEO Mr Lucas Patchett says e latest ABS Census data illustrates the need for support services in the Wonthaggi region is increasing with the rise in cost of living and the housing crisis.
"It’s not just about the free laundry but about the genuine connection and community that tends to form while the machines churn in the background," he said.
Captain Amanda Hart from the Salvation Army Wonthaggi describes it as “a simple service that can have a big impact”.
“Access to free laundry and a friendly conversation can make a real difference for people doing it tough.”