Hands That Help: Community Action at Western Emergency Relief Network (WERN)
Behind the Scenes of a Powerful Night of Giving
At the Western Emergency Relief Network (WERN), our mission is clear: to provide free essential household items to individuals and families in crisis across Melbourne’s west.
This mission came to life once again during our latest working bee, where Rotary Caroline Springs and the Phoenix Rover Crew teamed up at our WERN warehouse to roll up their sleeves and get stuck into some incredible work.
👏 What Was Achieved:
✅ 8+ Crockery Packs assembled with fragile tape
✅ Cutlery Sets made (we ran out of teaspoons—but we made it work!)
✅ Queen & Single Linen Packs created using sorted, donated stock
✅ Park Hyatt Melbourne Linen Donation expertly sorted
✅ King Doona Covers & Pillowcases folded, categorised, and stored
✅ Damaged Items responsibly bagged for recycling
✅ Labels, tubs and storage were organised for efficient access
The energy, organisation, and camaraderie in the warehouse were nothing short of inspiring. Whether it was folding sheets, labelling boxes, or sorting donations, every action contributed to making a real impact on someone’s life.
Photos from the night tell the story best—thank you to all who captured the moments. We're building a great collection for social media and community outreach.
🙌 What Is WERN?
The Western Emergency Relief Network (WERN) is a 100% volunteer-run charity based in Melbourne’s western suburbs. We collect and repurpose quality second-hand furniture, appliances, and household goods and distribute them—at no cost—to people in crisis, in partnership with vetted member agencies such as community services, local councils, and charities.
WERN supports people experiencing:
Financial hardship
Family violence
Homelessness
Sudden life upheaval or relocation
We believe that everyone deserves the dignity of a furnished home—and every couch, fridge, and doona we deliver is a step toward rebuilding someone’s life.
💡 Want to Get Involved?
🔹 Donate quality household goods
🔹 Volunteer at a working bee
🔹 Become a WERN member agency
🔹 Partner with us through your business, club, or council
🌐 Learn more: wern.org
Thank you Tony Ebjer posting on Linkedin
