In September this year, Ben Smith was announced as the YMCA Victorian Father of the Year. The award recognises an outstanding community leader making a profound and positive impact on the lives of young people. “It seems the organisation was keen to explore local people in the community doing good things.” says Ben. “For me, this award provides an opportunity to shine a light on the work we do. I particularly enjoy working with the volunteers who give of their time and themselves so selflessly at a grassroots level. Helping others and working together day to day, that’s who I am.”

As the CEO of the Mornington Community Support Centre, Ben heads up the provision of emergency relief and crisis support for those in need in Mt Eliza, Mt Martha, Mornington and Moorooduc. “Broadly, anyone that needs any kind of assistance, be it food relief, utilities relief, general support through family violence or homelessness or any personal crisis, can find assistance. They can present themselves here at the Centre and we will help them the best we can.”

MCSC is a registered charity dedicated to the ethos of community supporting community, providing material aid and support services to people experiencing personal and financial difficulties. The organisation is partly funded by local government, with the Mornington Peninsula Shire Council providing us with a generous grant each year. Says Ben, “Beyond that we receive a small amount of emergency relief funds from the Federal Government and State Government, however around 60% of our funds are raised from the local community via fundraisers, donations and grants.”

Garnering support via fundraising can be challenging, it’s a competitive market on the Mornington Peninsula with many and varied groups striving to support those in need. “It can be very difficult to create fundraising opportunities that cut through, but we have been really successful with our Appeals at Easter and Christmas and special events throughout the year. We are fortunate to have regular support with recurring monthly donations which is what we try and encourage. Our message is about supporting our neighbours. Those who are interested in can sign up via our website, and donations are tax deductible like any other charity. It really helps us with cashflow, and is low mileage in terms of management.”

Other than that, funds are garnered through grants and the philanthropy of families and companies, and it’s a constant push to find the support they need to do this vital community work. “We are fortunate to collaborate with other local groups, particularly with the service delivery side of what we do,” says Ben. “We simply can’t do everything ourselves in-house, so we do rely upon other community groups and agencies to assist us across the board with support services. Organisations like Second Bite, Oz Harvest and Food Bank are fantastic from a food perspective, and we have relationships with all the local supermarkets, growers, markets and farm gates. And we partner with the likes of Mornington Peninsula Legal Centre, the Salvos and various local groups like Mums Supporting Families in Need who assist us with the heavy lifting and ease our burden of care. These collaborations are so important.”

If you are keen to help, Ben explains that it’s so important for people to feel connected to their community. “Our tag line and whole culture is about ‘community supporting community. Volunteering is vital to what we do - it powers all of our programs. They are grass roots people seeking to be of assistance, and to contribute to something bigger. Their value comes not from wealth or position, but from knowing that making a difference and connecting with others holds benefits beyond measure. The provision of services on a pro bono basis is also greatly appreciated. Ultimately the biggest need we have is dollars so we can provide the much-needed support we offer to those in need.”

In 2022, MCSC and Peninsula Films recognised there were stories that needed to be listened to. Those in our community who are experiencing homelessness. Those experiencing hardship. Local people. Explains Ben, “We began piecing some of those stories together to hear first-hand of their experience.”

These stories have formed this documentary. MCSC, with our partners Southern Peninsula Community Support, have operated The Ranch crisis accommodation since 2021, and does so with no Government funding. Local community banded together and made it happen. It continues without certainty, and with the constant threat of closure.

The Ranch is a 35-minute film which speaks honestly and authentically. Their hope is that it will help inform conversations locally, and provide a sense of urgency to policy makers, to create change. The film premiered on August 5th this year at Peninsula Cinema Rosebud to a sellout crowd across two cinemas.

Click the link below to see a preview:

www.theranchdocumentary.com.au

“I’ve learned that being there for my family, being actively involved in their lives, is incredibly important,” says Ben. “In family we rely on each other, and I believe that community is no different. That’s the same approach I bring to my work at the Mornington Community Support Centre. To be involved and create spaces where people feel supported and valued. When we invest in each other, when we take the time to connect and build relationships, we all benefit.”

If you are in need, MCSC can help with emergency and general needs from their facility in Mornington. In some cases, they will refer you to the group who can best help you.

https://www.mcsc.au/