If you’ve been lucky enough to meet members of the Keilor East-Airport West Uniting Church, you will know that most of them are unstoppable. Last year, a number of members attended the Mission Shaped Ministry course, completed through the Uniting Church’s Port Phillip West Presbytery. It inspired the church to look for inspirational ways to make a difference. So in March 2015 the church organised a ‘Say No to Domestic Violence’ forum which was applauded in Parliament by Ben Carroll, State Member for Niddrie. The forum attracted a large attendance in the local Melton/Keilor/Airport West area. In May this year, the church hopes to host Fiona Richardson, Minister for Women and Minister for the Prevention of Family Violence to deliver her report on the commission findings on domestic violence.
And now, two church members have cooked up another creative idea. Barbara Dorward and Carol Coon saw an opportunity to assist men who have never been near a frypan. This year, the Keilor East-Airport West Uniting Church will run Simple Meals for Mature-Age Men. It is a four week course of easy recipes, hints and ideas and already the first course is booked out.
Ms Dorward said the response has been exciting.
“We saw the need for older men to learn to cook,” Ms Dorward said.
“We have an innovative church and the cooking idea seemed an obvious one when we talked about the need for older men to learn to cook. Many come from a generation where the husband’s role was to go to work and tend the garden while the wife stayed at home to cook and care for children. When these men are widowed, it can be daunting if you have never picked up a frypan.”
The course is packed with delicious and simple ideas. The motto is that “if it looks attractive you enjoy it more” and the recipes taught include a Waldorf salad, a simple soup, a tinned ingredient casserole and a fruit salad. After the class the budding cooks share their meal together. There will also be tips on storing food in the refrigerator, setting the table, and (shoosh, don’t tell the attendees) how to wash up.
The local Leader newspaper has also got on board by helping to publicise the course. It featured 78-year-old Hedley Harris, who has signed up for the inaugural course.
If you would like to enquire about vacancies for the next course please contact Barbara on 9338 3074 or Carol on 9337 6643. The cost of the four-week course, including lunch, is $10.
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