AS another cold front passed over on Thursday, blanketing much the state in cold, the plight of the estimated 200 people who sleep rough in the Shoalhaven every night could only be described as dire.
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Once more they faced a night in thin tents and swags as the mercury plummeted and refused to climb back up again.
There was a little warmth for a few, however, who became the beneficiaries of a spontaneous outpouring of generosity in the wake of one our stories in Wednesday’s paper.
We told of Michael, a recently released prisoner who had ended up camped at the Nowra Showground with nowhere else to go. Once the story circulated, blankets, sweaters and food were taken to the showground by locals appalled by what they had read and determined to do something about it. That kind and warm-hearted response should make all proud to be part of a community that rises to help out when the need is identified.
Such was the response to Michael’s plight, he was able to distribute the blankets he didn’t need to the other homeless people camped around him.
If only our politicians could show the same level of determination to help the poor souls adrift in this bitter winter.
Once again, we urge them in the strongest terms to reconsider using the Community Offenders Support Program building at the South Coast Correctional Centre in times of extreme weather. We urge other agencies to come forward with a roster of volunteers to supervise the centre in times of need to ensure safety and to help with getting people to the centre should it be made available.
We want suggestions as to how can be opened up and used rather than excuses about why it remained idle for the past five years, while people freeze out in the open.
If the community can rally so quickly and so effectively to try to address this problem, surely the politicians can too.
