The Upper Yarra community gathered at All Saints Anglican, Yarra Junction on 26 August, to honour and celebrate Sue Ashby’s remarkable 12 years of service as she steps down from her leading role at All Saint’s Food Bank.
Described as a “legend in the community”, Ms Ashby tirelessly ran the ministry, serving people “fortnight in, fortnight out” with a small band of fellow helpers.
Upper Yarra Anglican vicar Luke Whiteside described the event to celebrate Ms Ashby’s last day as a “very small way to honour such significant service”.
Ms Ashby founded the ministry with her husband Alan, and support of her daughters.
With a team of volunteers and support from individuals like reverend Gail Pinchbeck and Julie O’Neill and organizations such as LinC, the Food Bank has served thousands of people every year.
Reflecting on her experience Ms Ashby said it’d been wonderful working with clients and volunteers.
“It’s been actually a pleasure to work with everybody… I’m going to miss everybody.”
While the exact duration of her broader volunteer work in the area sparked a friendly debate, with some suggesting 30-40 years, her impact on the Food Bank for over a decade is undeniable.
Her youngest daughter Chantel Ball echoed the community’s sentiment.
“She goes with it wholeheartedly. She puts all of herself into it.”
Long time clients also expressed their gratitude and one said it’d been a pleasure working with Ms Ashby.
“[It] really has on behalf of all the other oldies that can’t be here. Thank you very much.”
The Food Bank is continuing, but will now move to fortnightly on Wednesdays from 1pm to 4pm, with the next sessions scheduled for 10 and 24 September as part of the ministries of Zac’s Place and the Anglican Church.
In closing the celebration, Rev Whiteside noted Mother Theresa’s quote that “Not all of us can do great things, but we can do small things with great love.”
“In serving our community for such an extended period, Sue has indeed done a great thing.”
