By Casey Neill
A typo led Nooroa Andrew to her new role as the Dandenong Benevolent Society co-ordinator.
The Cook Islands-born, New Zealand-raised mother of five took on the role on 23 January this year after Margaret Ladner finished her 30-plus year stint managing the Thomas Street charity.
Ms Andrew will finish a dual diploma in community development and case management with Springvale Learning and Activities Centre (SLAC) in April.
“I found SLAC by accident. SLAC was a misprint I put into Google,” she said.
She said the centre offered the course she was after at an affordable price.
“And they are part of the community,” she said.
In November the Journal revealed that SLAC would take over the Dandenong Benevolent Society op shop and give it a fresh look.
“I was really shocked that they offered me this position so early into completing my diploma,” Ms Andrew said.
“I’m still trying to figure it out what it is they’re seeing.”
But SLAC manager Elena Sheldon said Ms Andrew “was volunteering there one full day every week, never missing one and juggling studies and family” when the takeover was first suggested.
“It was then that we could see not only her attitude but the enormous creative talent she has,” she said.
“She could easily dress a classy table with bric-a-brac in the shop, she has great taste and sense of fashion.
“Nooroa has the most important combination of skills for community work – empathy, energy and vision when dealing with people from all walks of life, and getting the things done.
“I also believe she is a great role model for the community.”
Ms Andrew fell pregnant with her first child at age 15, and gave up the daughter.
“My elder sister and her husband loved her like she was their own,” she said.
“It was at the cost of me not having any contact with her.”
She left New Zealand for Australia when she fell pregnant with her son the following year.
“I still stick to that decision,” she said.
“I wouldn’t change it because it wouldn’t be the mother I am today.”
Ms Andrew’s first job in Australia was at Dandenong South glass factory Pilkington.
“Working with 775 men taught me a lot about how to deal with men,” she said.
At her job interview she was asked if she could handle working in the male-dominated environment.
“I married one and I gave birth to one, what more do you want?” was her response.
She started at 9am the next day and worked there for just over six years.
Ms Andrew took short courses, volunteered, worked part-time and had three more daughters, now aged 7, 8 and 9.
“I decided to go back to school,” she said.
“I couldn’t imagine myself doing anything but factory work.
“I’ve grown up in factory work and it’s always been my comfort zone, my genre, how to survive.”
In the six weeks since she took on the Benevolent Society role she’s helped 52 clients with material aid.
Thirty-eight were aged between 40 and 50 years, and 28 were first-time clients.
Ms Sheldon said the op shop could help people in need to maintain dignity and was a great training ground for students and jobseekers.
