The late Mrs Jacquie Ivers was a remarkable volunteer. She worked numerous Monday evening shifts over many years, along with her (now late) husband, Dick.  

This special lady did some remarkable things in her life. She became a caring nurse while at the same time raising her five children, helping as well to raise four children who weren’t her own. For many years, she was also a volunteer for the victims' support group Broken Rites.  

On Monday nights, Jacquie was always ‘in charge’ of the bain-marie at Vinnies Kitchen, and should anyone try to take over – God help them!  

Thanks to one of Jacquie's sons, Richard ‘Trick’ Ivers, Vinnies Kitchen has received two substantial donations from Sargents Pies in Sydney. With the addition of a $15,000 ‘Stronger Communities Programme’ Federal Grant, received via our local Federal Member MP Greg Hunt, this has enabled us to purchase a new freezer for our hall as well as a sorely needed delivery van.  

Vinnies Kitchen has always relied on volunteers to use their own cars to collect and deliver donations, but not anymore. Now we have ‘Mrs Ivers’, our new VW Caddy van. Its fuel and insurance will be generously sponsored by one of our kind-hearted (but stridently private) benefactors. The van’s new livery was provided at cost by Westernport Signs. 

Vinnies Kitchen has many ongoing donations from the local community and even further afield, including the separate St Vincent de Paul Society, which generously donates items to our cause. Through our various donors’ benevolence, we have been able to continue operating throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, serving a three-course meal in takeaway containers to those in need from the Youth and Band Hall in Rosebud, six days a week – though sadly without Mrs Ivers helming the bain-marie.   

Rest In Peace, beautiful lady – you were one of a kind.