Jodie Gorman-Robinson is heavily involved in the community and volunteers for multiple local organisations and initiatives, including organising the Keilor Night Market. She was recently recognised by Brimbank council for her volunteer efforts in organising care packages for families affected by the January bushfires. She spoke to Sam Porter about her work and her community.
What’s your connection to Brimbank?
In my 56 years on the planet, I have lived in Brimbank for 55 of them. Being connected to a community is important to me, so when my son started primary school at St Augustine’s, I knew I would be a volunteer at his school. I started my first year as a parent helper, then I was treasurer on the parents’ auxiliary. I was assistant in the canteen and there wasn’t much I wasn’t involved in. I play tennis at Keilor Tennis Club where I am a team manager and secretary. I volunteer my time as the Ladies Competition Delegate, supporting the men’s and mixed delegates. In December 2021, I started the Village Night Market. As Melbourne was the world record-holder for the strictest and longest lockdowns, I believed it was time to get people back in the community. Our local and small businesses that relied on markets were forced to close. Our stallholders rely on these markets for funds to contribute to their household. I believed that I could add another income for these people, whilst getting the community out and about.
What do you like about where you live?
I love where I live, and joke to my husband that he will have to door-knock to find a house in my street when it’s time to downsize. I believe that if you want to be part of a community, you can, you just have to add it into your lifestyle. The community feel is amazing especially in Keilor. If you plan on walking your dog, set aside an hour of the day because you will be stopped along the way chatting to people. As I have the market at the Keilor Bowls Club, I have gotten to know a few there, so I have started playing barefoot bowls for fun on a Wednesday night.
What, if anything, would you change about where you live?
We need more tennis courts. Trying to promote the sport is difficult because we don’t have the courts to accommodate it. Our ladies teams are now at capacity, and we now have a team at another venue
What is something people would be surprised to know about you?
Nothing really. What you see is what you get. I will talk to anyone and probably share too much. I am a mad North Melbourne supporter.
What drove you to support your community during the recent bushfires?
The Longwood fires broke my heart. My husband and I have an onsite caravan at Nagambie and see what country life is like. I won’t take credit for my recent toiletry care packages. I asked the community for help and they delivered; I was only the driver of it all. I did purchase products like combs, hair ties, face washers, toothbrushes and deodorant myself, but so did the community. I had support from the Keilor Tennis Club, giving me a drop-off space. They even purchased products for me. Lisa Mayoh, our president, would come everyday and meet me and we would transfer shampoo, conditioner and body lotion to small bottles so we could get more packages made up. We made over 300 care packages for fire victims, and volunteers. We dropped our first delivery to Seymour that went to the Highlands Hub Community and the following weekend we went to Longwood Football and Netball club where we were met with locals at a relief centre sorting out donated items.
