Milparinka: 23/03/2020 to 15/06/2020

Milparinka is a centre based in Brunswick that supports people who have a disability to pursue lifestyles that include the same opportunities that all members of the community expect and enjoy. As an organisation they push to find different ways to gain connection between the participants at the centre and the extended Moreland community. In doing so, Milparinka sees the centre more as a community space, rather than specifically a centre that only caters and supports people with a disability. 

There’s a community garden based at the centre. In this garden, prior to Covid-19, locals could utilise and share the experience of gardening with the people at the centre. Participants were also encouraged to explore the local community, in the efforts for them to familiarise and gain relationships with locals, businesses and community spaces. 

Many participants at Milparinka are within the high risk category of Covid. When Covid began to raise concern in Melbourne, it was a very quick and rational decision that Milparinka immediately closed all forms of public contact with the participants and imposed strict safety protocols. As the centre would sometimes hold 80 to 90 people per day, they had to also quickly reevaluate large groups. Frank Crupi, Executive Chief Officer explains, “We wanted to do everything possible to prevent the spread and also continue to support these families and communities. What we did is that we went out and rented satellite sites so we could separate people straight away”. The Satellite sites rented were from local and extended businesses that were circumstantially forced to close, as well as bungalows in residential houses where occupants needed extra financial support. This outcome immediately reduced the risk of spread, and was also highly beneficial for the participants as smaller groups created a much calmer environment.

Website: milparinka.org.au

Seeds Communal Garden instagram: seedscommunalgarden

Location: 331 Albert St, Brunswick, Vic, 3056