COVID-19 cases have started spiking again in Victoria, leading to a series of wild allegations of poor quarantine practices, people refusing to get tested, and ultimately culminating in the controversial lockdown of several Melbourne public housing towers in Flemington (totalling about 3,000 residents), as well as the closure of the state’s borders to the rest of Australia.
The GOAT team talk about what life will be like after lockdown ends on ‘It’s Been A Big Day For…’ below:
The lockdown of several Flemington public housing towers in Melbourne has been controversial. Despite the relief payments offered from the government, the harsh rules implemented – significant police presence, cops every floor, no warning was given, everyone can’t leave their home for at least five days – were Orwellian-sounding in nature and prompted feelings of oppression.
Throw in the hypocrisy of implementing such harsh lockdown rules in a lower socioeconomic suburb like Flemington while more affluent Melbourne suburbs, such as the Morning Peninsula, were not met with the same level of restrictions has resulted in allegations of racism and classism against the government.
But rather than dwell on how unfair and hypocritical this lockdown of Melbourne’s public housing towers are, not to mention the mental health implications, let’s focus on what we can do and how we can help all those people living in Flemington who are stuck inside.
The swift lockdown of those 3,000 residents under lockdown in the Flemington towers meant no one was afford enough time to stock up on supplies. Luckily, there are a number of charities, groups, and fundraisers that are pooling their resources to help those under lockdown who really need it.
So if you were wondering how to help those people in lockdown in Melbourne, you can play a part by donating to one or more of the groups listed below.
Asylum Seeker Resource Centre
This group has teamed up with the Victorian Trades Hall Council to help deliver meals to those in lockdown in the Flemington towers. Donations can be made right here.
Solidarity for Melbourne Public Housing Residents in Lockdown
This is a fundraiser started by Ahmed Dini of the Ubuntu Project and aims to supply those Melbourne residents under lockdown with culturally appropriate food, hygiene supplies, baby products, petrol and mental health services. You can donate to the fundraiser right here.
AMSSA (Australian Muslim Social Services Agency)
This North Melbourne-based agency is asking for donations of PPE equipment, food, baby products, medication, sanitary pads, and toilet paper. Info can be found on their Facebook and Instagram pages.
Sikh Volunteers Australia
Sikh Volunteers Australia were some of the first people on the ground delivering free hot meals to the residents of these Melbourne towers when the lockdown was implemented. Donations can be made here.
Victorian Trades Hall Council Fundraiser
This is a fundraiser set up by the Victorian Trades Hall Council and all the funds donated will be going towards the residents. Donations can be made here.
Foodbank Victoria
This organisation has been delivering food and personal care hampers to residents under lockdown in the Flemington towers, and has delivered well over 1,000 hampers to families at the time of writing. You can donate to Foodbank Victoria right here.
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