MY VOICE: A moment with Marg Stork
I was saddened to hear of the death of one of Dandenong drop-in centre Cornerstone’s most dedicated workers David Munroe who passed away suddenly on 26 February aged 53.
Cornerstone co-ordinator Pastor Don Cameron said that David first started attending Cornerstone around the turn of the century.
He had been misbehaving and a court had ordered him to complete hours of community service.
He quickly worked off all his hours but stayed on to help out as a volunteer and quickly proved himself to be very capable and extremely reliable.
Pastor Cameron said David was a large and powerful man but he was also kind and caring and people felt safe being around him.
David was given the responsibility of looking after the corrections program at Cornerstone and under his leadership the organisation gained some good volunteers when people had completed their court mandated hours.
Around three years ago David had a serious heart operation and was no longer able to attend Cornerstone each day but stayed on helping out the Jaegan’s Warriors Aboriginal men’s group that met at Cornerstone each week.
David passed away suddenly after struggling for breath minutes after dropping a trailer to a friend.
In the days following David’s passing, Pastor Cameron received many phone calls and messages from people relating stories of how he had helped them.
“Ladies told me they always got a phone call or message from David on their birthdays which they appreciated.
“Some volunteers told me David was very good to them while they were carrying out their community service hours and he was a big factor in their decision to stay on at Cornerstone after finishing their hours.”
People came from all over Australia to attend David’s funeral on Tuesday 11 March at Bunurong Memorial Park.
Most made their way to Cornerstone for a fantastic afternoon tea/hot meal that went into the early evening.
Former Cornerstone co-ordinator Pastor Max Walker and his wife Alison atteneded the funeral as did Pastor David Grice who still volunteers at Cornerstone.
The regular Tuesday meal program was replaced with Cornerstone volunteers and David’s partner, Kathleen, working in the kitchen.
Staff from the taxation office who usually help out at the Tuesday evening program volunteered to bring in cold drinks and ice and help serve and then clean up the building afterwards which was a huge blessing.
David’s family has given Cornerstone a framed photo of David, which will take pride of place on a wall at the centre.
Cornerstone meets in the old Church of Christ building on the corner of Mason and Walker streets and combines welfare assistance with a drop-in centre.
FREE SHUTTLE BUS
The City of Greater Dandenong’s free City Shuttle bus service has received an upgrade.
A new bus shelter has been installed outside Dandenong Hospital on David Street to shelter commuters.
The City Shuttle is a free service provided by the City of Greater Dandenong.
It takes residents and visitors to the main shopping areas of central Dandenong, allowing them to enjoy everything the city has to offer.
The service commences at the Dandenong railway station and operates between 9.15am and 5.15pm Monday to Saturday.
There are seven designated stops before the bus returns to the station (approximate 30 minute round trip).
The bus seats 32 passengers and has two doors and a low lying floor allowing easy access for prams and shopping jeeps.
