A group of Horsham residents hope "love and kindness" can combat the "fear and uncertainty" created by coronavirus by organising support for those in need.
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Horsham Church of Christ ministry team leader Simon Risson said he created the public Facebook group - which collects offers to help, requests for help and questions -using the template of Love Your Neighbour initiatives in Melbourne and South Australia.
"It is a simple idea and is getting its own traction," he said. "I have read the news stories about self isolation and seen lots of people are staying away from our church services.
"Our members, especially the elderly are quite vulnerable but they really appreciate things like the early supermarket shopping so we want to support that group in whatever way they need."
Mr Risson said he had heard of positive stories like people posting little cards in their neighbours letterboxes with their phone number to let them know they are available to help if needed.
"There's lots of stories out there but people are quite humble about it," he said.
Some of the offers for help in the group so far include dog walking, grocery shopping and running errands.
Mr Risson said there has been a different community response to the bushfires than to Covid-19 because it was "so unknown".
"If you have a fire you can (eventually) control it but the virus has created a certain level of fear," he said. "It's gone from a news story to affecting us and that's what is scary.
"All the unknown. That is causing us the biggest angst.
Mr Risson said people could join the public Facebook group Love Your Neighbour Horsham (VIC) COVID-19 inspired local connection but if they didn't use a computer they could still be involved.
"It could be as simple as buying a coffee voucher for someone and dropping it at their front door," he said.
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Eliza Berlage
Eliza Berlage made the move to Horsham to report for the Wimmera Mail-Times in October 2019. Originally from Sydney, she has a sociology background and spent two years working in the press gallery in Canberra.
Eliza Berlage made the move to Horsham to report for the Wimmera Mail-Times in October 2019. Originally from Sydney, she has a sociology background and spent two years working in the press gallery in Canberra.
