Lending a hand with life’s woes

By Bridget Cook
WHILE she may not live in Greater Dandenong, Barbara Siddall’s commitment to the area has helped ease the lives of many in the community.
For more than 20 years, Ms Siddall has committed her life to easing the load of struggling families in the city through her work with Cornerstone.
That is why the Narre Warren resident was named this year’s Non-Resident of the Year at yesterday’s Greater Dandenong Australia Day awards ceremony.
“I feel this is not just my award, it is the Cornerstone teams as well,” she said. “Cornerstone is a team effort and everyone contributes.”
Ms Siddall started out with a simple vision to help get kids off the streets. Her idea, with the help of her church, has turned into a soup kitchen, which provides thousands of free meals a year to the needy, a drop-in centre and one which runs community outreach programs.
Ms Siddall is now the treasurer of Cornerstone and takes absolute pleasure in doing work for the good of others.
“I’ve found with volunteering, you get so much out of helping someone else,” she said. “It’s very rewarding and a great feeling to know what you are doing is making someone else happy.”
Ms Sidall said Cornerstone was a great organisation to be involved in.
“It’s a very funny and happy place,” she said. “People who come and visit are very impressed by the atmosphere here.”