This is the first post of a weekly blog, looking at the stories of various people involved with Busk For A Cure in different ways. I hope that it will help you to see the bigger picture of what happens with Busk For A Cure, the greater context it works within, and the impact that it has. These posts will come in the form of interviews, which I'll re-format a little to create what you read below.
To kick us off, we have Jacqui, who works at the Newtown Neighbourhood Centre; one of the partners of our event, who also worked with us last year. One of our stages is also outside the Centre, as part of the Newtown Markets that runs every Saturday. But I'll let Jacqui talk more about that.
What is the purpose of the Newtown Neighbourhood Centre (NNC)?
NNC provides services to the community to help with issues such as homelessness, ageing, mental health, boarding projects; at the moment, we're especially raising awareness about affordable housing in the area, that's a big issue. I think it’s quite sad that property has become what it is — and all of us here who work are finding it really hard to live and work in the Inner West. And I think we should all be looked after; it’s sad that we might have to leave this area just because of affordability. We also rely purely on donations, and our business development strategy, to implement projects.
We also have the front counter information and referral service. We work with drug and alcohol issues, domestic violence, etc. We have a really good knowledge of services in the area, that we can then refer people on to. There are also different activities we run at the centre — there's the one-stop shop on Thursday afternoon, where we work with Centrelink, there are homeless services, food, places people can do their washing, computers available. There are also knitting groups, art classes. It's about serving the disadvantaged.
What do you do here?
I work in business development, and raise funds through various projects — particularly the markets and the festival. The markets are a fundraiser for the NNC.
What is the importance of the Newtown Markets in the community?
It's about keeping it real, keeping it diverse, accepting everybody. Community engagement is also really important; including stakeholders, businesses, and again, working with the disadvantaged.
Why do you do what you do?
Community. I really like cottage industries — at the market, you’re helping artists, or makers, who survive off what they do on a non-corporate level, you help them achieve. And it's not just financial security through the market, but also a healthy livelihood. It’s also a gathering element — a sense of belonging and of gathering.
How does Busk For A Cure fit in with this community and your work here?
Breast cancer is out there — it happens, it’s real, and it’s great to support Helmut in getting the word out there; working together, and supporting each other.
What effect does it have on the community?
The energy from last year's event was brilliant; particularly the musical side, and how it was presented. The fact that Helmut has pulled in so many different people, from so many different areas is really what made the event. And by using NNC as a partner, because the values and ethics are quite similar.
What are you hoping may result from this year’s event?
Awareness, compassion. Also supporting local musicians. But it also works in well with what we do — and keeping the Newtown vibe.
Do you have a cancer story?
I had a friend with breast cancer not long ago — it’s a dark place to be in, the unknown. Help and support from friends and family are really important.
Do you have a story about what you do here?
I grew up here. This place is very community-based, particularly with the migrant population. I’m a migrant as well; and we still have the former Yugoslav group, and the Greek too. It’s very special to me, cause I can sense and feel that community, even though that’s dying out — and that’s really good to see. I'm glad to see that it’s had the longevity that it has, that we can still provide valuable service to the disadvantaged — the building hasn’t been turned into a casino, or something like that.
Thanks so much to both Jacqui and the Newtown Neighbourhood Centre for giving me the opportunity for this interview. You can learn more about their work over here.
As Jacqui said, we pull in a lot of different people to make this event happen; it's not a one-man show! As such, if you'd like to get involved, with anything from music, to helping out on the day, to helping organise bits and pieces — please visit our website here, or get in touch with us here.
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