Local council honours Salvo volunteer
Local council honours Salvo volunteer
3 April 2018
Craigieburn corps officer Jo Brookshaw (left), with soldier Diana Morabito, Fe Palmieri and friend Sene (far right). Both Diana and Fe were awarded the Hume Resident of the Month award by Hume City Council last month.
Fe Palmieri is one of the quiet achievers of her community, working with a smile and busy hands to get things done at Salvos 3064 in Craigieburn, a suburb north of Melbourne.
For more than 10 years, her smile has welcomed children and their carers to the church’s weekly Mainly Music program while her practical work in the Doorways emergency relief program has supported families in need. 
Last Monday (26 March), Fe’s dedication was recognised by Hume City Council with a Hume Resident of the Month award. Her certificate was presented during the council meeting by Councillor Carly Moore (Pictured left, with Fe), who has seen Fe’s kindness in action herself as a Mainly Music mum.
“This certificate is awarded in recognition of your contribution to the community through your tireless efforts and commitment as a volunteer with The Salvation Army in Craigieburn,” Cr Moore said.
“Your generous help in the Mainly Music program has provided support to people in need, and because of your faithful service behind the scenes in the emergency relief support service, many people have unknowingly received the help that they have needed. You have been a great overall support to the work of The Salvation Army.
“Your self-effacing volunteering is the epitome of what it means to be an engaging contributor within the City of Hume. You are a valued member of the Hume community, and council honours and congratulates you for your dedication.”
Fe started volunteering with the church almost by accident about 14 years ago. Her husband, who used to walk around the area as part of his exercise routine, met then-Corps Officer Gary Grant doing the same.
“They started talking, and when my husband found out Gary was a minister, he told him that I wanted to do some volunteering,”she recalled. “Gary said, ‘Tell her to come to church’, and that was the start.”
Fe volunteers at the Doorways program every Monday, sorting and bagging groceries. At Mainly Music, she is the first point of contact for the children and their parents/carers, welcoming them with a huge smile as they arrive for the interactive music and movement program.
“Everybody knows me; I love the kids,”she smiled. “Volunteering is so good –I’ve made so many friends.”
Captain Jo Brookshaw, Corps Officer at Salvos 3064 (which is named after Craigieburn’s postcode), added her congratulations. “We are all so proud of Fe –what a beautiful example of humble, Christlike service.”
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