Iain Ritchie was the steady rock and guiding hand for so much good stuff that happened in our community.
By Pat Atkinson
IAIN Ritchie had been manager of Mitchell House for four years when he died suddenly last week at the age of 61. Friends and colleagues are mourning a man who helped some of the most vulnerable people in our community, and did it with a rare grace, humility and humour.
So what is there to say about Iain? He was at the helm of our Wonthaggi Neighbourhood Centre, which covers Mitchell House and the Harvest Centre, for over four years. The over-arching theme was that he was a kind, considerate and compassionate person, dedicated to the whole precept of what community centres are all about.
“Iain lived and breathed his passion for social justice,” Bass Coast Deputy Mayor Leticia Laing said at this week’s council meeting. “Whether someone was new to the country, needed support to get the next meal, or just to fill out a form, Iain was on the front line of supporting the most vulnerable members of our community.”
IAIN Ritchie had been manager of Mitchell House for four years when he died suddenly last week at the age of 61. Friends and colleagues are mourning a man who helped some of the most vulnerable people in our community, and did it with a rare grace, humility and humour.
So what is there to say about Iain? He was at the helm of our Wonthaggi Neighbourhood Centre, which covers Mitchell House and the Harvest Centre, for over four years. The over-arching theme was that he was a kind, considerate and compassionate person, dedicated to the whole precept of what community centres are all about.
“Iain lived and breathed his passion for social justice,” Bass Coast Deputy Mayor Leticia Laing said at this week’s council meeting. “Whether someone was new to the country, needed support to get the next meal, or just to fill out a form, Iain was on the front line of supporting the most vulnerable members of our community.”
Mitchell House (AKA Wonthaggi Neighbourhood House) “If someone came in he would find a way to help them,” said Sylvia Davey, president of Mitchell House. “No one went away empty handed. Sometimes people came in with nowhere to stay. Iain always made sure they at least went into the kitchen and had a bowl of soup or cup of tea or coffee.”
She said some regulars came in to Mitchell House every day because it was such a welcoming place where they felt comfortable. Despite the pressures of his job, Iain never lost his cool and seemed to be able to do five things at once. “Iain was the most calm and patient person. You never felt he was hurrying you off.”
Iain was heavily involved with several of the groups operating from Mitchell House, including a multicultural women’s group. “He helped them apply for houses, directed them to English lessons, among other things,” Sylvia says. “They are devastated at the loss.”
Chris, a volunteer at Mitchell House, remembers “a good boss, a good listener, sympathetic and supportive. He led by example in relating to the people who came through our doors.”
Jessica Harrison, a co-ordinator of the Harvest Centre community garden, was involved with several projects at Mitchell House, including Cosy Homes and Housing Matters. She said Iain encouraged any ideas that would assist the community, and then provided the practical assistance to get them off the ground, assisting with grant applications, IT skills and public liability cover.
On a personal level, said Jessica, he was also supportive. “When I’ve had a few upsets, he’s been there to let me wind down.”
She said some regulars came in to Mitchell House every day because it was such a welcoming place where they felt comfortable. Despite the pressures of his job, Iain never lost his cool and seemed to be able to do five things at once. “Iain was the most calm and patient person. You never felt he was hurrying you off.”
Iain was heavily involved with several of the groups operating from Mitchell House, including a multicultural women’s group. “He helped them apply for houses, directed them to English lessons, among other things,” Sylvia says. “They are devastated at the loss.”
Chris, a volunteer at Mitchell House, remembers “a good boss, a good listener, sympathetic and supportive. He led by example in relating to the people who came through our doors.”
Jessica Harrison, a co-ordinator of the Harvest Centre community garden, was involved with several projects at Mitchell House, including Cosy Homes and Housing Matters. She said Iain encouraged any ideas that would assist the community, and then provided the practical assistance to get them off the ground, assisting with grant applications, IT skills and public liability cover.
On a personal level, said Jessica, he was also supportive. “When I’ve had a few upsets, he’s been there to let me wind down.”
The Fixit Cafe at the Harvest Centre Hilary Stuchbery said Iain was indispensable in getting the Fixit Café it off the ground. ”He steered the project until it was established, ensuring that people and resources were in place to make it the success that it is today.”
Never quite stepping back, he could often be seen at the Harvest Centre on the third Sunday of the month, helping to set up for the Fixit Cafe and making coffees for visitors. Nothing was too much trouble.
Felicia Di Stefano, co-ordinator of South Gippsland Rural Australians for Refugees, said Iain never said no when her group asked to hold events at Mitchell House. “We needed to borrow some chairs. ‘Certainly, you’re welcome.’ We wanted to hold a lunch for our refugee friends at Wonthaggi Neighbourhood Centre. ‘Certainly, you’re welcome.’ Iain was always there to listen and help if help was needed and the answer was always YES.”
Iain was a gracious man, a quiet man. When accolades were given, he was not there to gather them, preferring to be the steady rock to support burgeoning schemes or projects.
He had a wicked sense of humour and fabulous cooking skills. Who can deny that his scones were terrific as were his other dishes which were lauded and consumed at our free community lunches and other functions. He loved music and welcomed it in various forms at The House over the years. Perhaps this permeated the success of our ukulele group. (You never know.)
Vale Iain. We will miss you at the helm of Mitchell House. Through your humility and care, you were the wind beneath the wings of so many people and so many projects.
Iain’s funeral service will be held at Handley & Anderson Chapel, 3085 Loch-Wonthaggi Road, Wonthaggi on Friday, July 22, at 1pm. A private cremation will follow. Iain’s service will be live-streamed via Zoom. Meeting ID: 870 7918 0791. Passcode: 2022
Never quite stepping back, he could often be seen at the Harvest Centre on the third Sunday of the month, helping to set up for the Fixit Cafe and making coffees for visitors. Nothing was too much trouble.
Felicia Di Stefano, co-ordinator of South Gippsland Rural Australians for Refugees, said Iain never said no when her group asked to hold events at Mitchell House. “We needed to borrow some chairs. ‘Certainly, you’re welcome.’ We wanted to hold a lunch for our refugee friends at Wonthaggi Neighbourhood Centre. ‘Certainly, you’re welcome.’ Iain was always there to listen and help if help was needed and the answer was always YES.”
Iain was a gracious man, a quiet man. When accolades were given, he was not there to gather them, preferring to be the steady rock to support burgeoning schemes or projects.
He had a wicked sense of humour and fabulous cooking skills. Who can deny that his scones were terrific as were his other dishes which were lauded and consumed at our free community lunches and other functions. He loved music and welcomed it in various forms at The House over the years. Perhaps this permeated the success of our ukulele group. (You never know.)
Vale Iain. We will miss you at the helm of Mitchell House. Through your humility and care, you were the wind beneath the wings of so many people and so many projects.
Iain’s funeral service will be held at Handley & Anderson Chapel, 3085 Loch-Wonthaggi Road, Wonthaggi on Friday, July 22, at 1pm. A private cremation will follow. Iain’s service will be live-streamed via Zoom. Meeting ID: 870 7918 0791. Passcode: 2022