Town Talk

In the past, I have written about community and community spirit — and my plan, for this week, was to have a chat with Azem and Jeihan Elmaz. I wanted to understand their motivation for the astounding work they have done — and continue to do — for the people of Shepparton.

It seems they never tire of ‘paying forward’. However, it wasn’t that simple. I had a chat with Azem and he answered my questions about his pre-Shepp life very briefly; and it soon became apparent that he was reluctant, to say the least, to talk about himself.

I was getting nowhere fast and eventually had to call in the ‘big gun’.

Here’s what I did manage to learn.

Azem was born in Macedonia but wanted “a better life”. He relocated to Denmark where he lived for five years. Around this time, he decided to visit his brother in Melbourne and planned a three-week holiday.

He discovered that he loved Australia, particularly its people. He said, “I love Aussies.” So, he stayed and it was in Melbourne that he met his wife, Jeihan. In 1988 they moved to Shepparton. “Why?” I asked. “I wanted the country life,” he replied.

Azem and Jeihan have two daughters, who live in Shepparton, and two sons, one in Dubai and one in Melbourne.

Some time ago, Azem constructed a toilet block at the rear of his shop. However, the people for whom it is intended (the homeless) keep damaging it. He said, “It is not their fault. They are not well.” I asked how many times he was prepared to repair the construction. He said, “For as long as I’m alive.” I asked him if he was still providing Christmas dinner to anyone who was alone or hungry. He said he was happy to feed anyone who was hungry but he no longer had everyone together for a dinner — because they became boisterous when they were all together and difficult to control.

And that, my friends, is absolutely all I could get him to say.

‘Are they hungry, my dear?’

One night, several years ago, I drove to the park (at the lake) to see if People Supporting People needed a hand. On that occasion, there were plenty of people serving soup and a barbecue, and I wandered around to make sure that anyone who needed a meal knew where to find it. A little girl came over to me and asked if the food was free. I told her it was and she ran back to tell her mother. They were both well dressed and certainly didn’t appear to be homeless. I led them back to the stall and asked Azem if it was okay to feed them. (I didn’t know if there were guidelines I was overstepping). He asked, “Are they hungry, my dear?” I replied, “Apparently.” He grinned at me and said, “If they are hungry, we feed them.”

Some more informed insights

In order to be able to tell you more of Azem and Jeihan’s story, I reluctantly asked Kim O’Keeffe for help. I knew Kim had been working for People Supporting People for some years. She is a volunteer who looks after recruiting other volunteers and also takes care of public relations and most of the social media. However, I was also aware that Kim’s life and lifestyle was about to change quite dramatically. Parliament was calling.

Here is what Kim had to say.

“Like many, I knew of the work Azem was doing to support the homeless in our community,” she said.

“I was not aware of the depth of support that Azem and Jeihan do for our community until I became more involved and started volunteering with People Supporting People almost five years ago.

“They provide meals to the homeless, as well as support many in the community in their time of need.

“Azem also supports the CFA and the emergency services by providing meals when they need it. In recent times we provided meals for the flood relief team and at the Shepparton CFA headquarters. Azem and Jeihan provided three meals a day and started from 6am and often not finishing until 8pm.

“Many of the emergency workers came from long distances and they worked incredibly long and tireless hours. A cooked meal and a friendly face is really appreciated during those times.

“Azem was also providing meals to flood victims at that time. It was a hectic time and we needed extra volunteers. As soon as I reach out, I always get people putting their hand up to help. We needed over 30 volunteers during those three weeks.

“Azem is also known to shut the restaurant and pack up his truck and head to the bushfires, where he will go on-site and provide meals for the firefighters and their support team. He never knows how long he will be away, he just says ‘as long as they need me’. (The restaurant is Lutfiye’s Shish Kebab at 338 Wyndham St.)

“One of my most memorable times working with Azem and Jeihan was when we had over 20,000 people in isolation during the pandemic. The city literally shut down, with many not able to resource food and the essentials they needed.

“Azem went straight into emergency mode, providing thousands of meals and working up to 18 hours a day. We set up an incredible team of over 100 volunteers, which included drivers to deliver the meals, volunteers taking orders and volunteers assisting in the kitchen and packing the meals.

“We also had so many donate to help fund the meals. I was the mayor at the time and it is a time I will never forget, and a time I was most proud of our community as we rallied together to be there for those who needed us.

“I have seen first-hand the difference Azem has made and how he has changed many people’s lives.

“There are some you can’t help to the level they need as they may not want that; what you can do is provide food and someone to talk to, without judgment — and hope to help make their circumstances change. I have seen that happen.

“Azem has an OAM for his compassionate work in the community, but doesn’t like a lot of the fuss. He is very humble and is just who he is, doing what he loves. He is most happy cooking and providing the meals. He is the most compassionate and caring person, and we can all learn from him. He has a positive outlook and is so much fun to be around.

“I will continue to volunteer and support Azem and People Supporting People when I can so they can continue to do their great work. We have a few things coming up, with the Shepparton Club having a charity raffle on Friday, January 20, with all proceeds going to People Supporting People, and I am in the process of helping with a fundraiser to get Azem a new delivery van — his old one has just died.

“I love my time volunteering on the barbecue out the front of Kmart. I encourage others to look at volunteering in the community, it doesn’t take a lot of time to make a big difference.

“There is more that needs to be done to assist the homeless and the housing crisis and I will work hard to help that happen.”

Kim

A couple of important points

I asked Kim if she had details of the fundraiser for Azem’s new van. She said there would be an internal email for People Supporting People — Azem doesn’t want a fuss. Okay! I get it. Azem doesn’t want a fuss, but his old van is worn out from helping the people of Shepparton. If you can make even a small donation — please do so.

BSB: 033 254

Account number: 318 837

Also, the Shepp Club is having a charity day next Friday. The proceeds of the raffle will help support Azem’s work. If you are in town, why not buy a couple of tickets? Or you can purchase them from the Shepp Club’s Facebook page, if you are sufficiently IT literate.

Our city

Shepparton has had good times — and bad. In my opinion, this is not one of the good periods.

We have many people homeless, for a variety of reasons, and thousands hoping for affordable housing. We have insufficient available land and the home building companies are struggling with supply, which means homes are taking longer to build.

Finding a place to rent is almost impossible, and some have given up. We are treading water frantically.

All of this means that People Supporting People is finding more and more people who need a helping hand. Please help if you can!

Last week

Last week’s column included a print ad for Rockmans — in 1945. I came across it when I was looking through the News archives (now in the care of our museum, in Welsford St).

I ran it because I liked the sunray pleated frocks and the slouch hat. My mother fell in love with permanently pleated skirts around this time — and for the rest of her life, bought one whenever there was one to buy (I still have the last one she purchased).

The ad also brought back memories for Peggy, and her daughter Susan sent me a great, very romantic story, centred on Rockmans.

I wanted to share it with you this week but I haven’t the space to do it justice. There are some photos to go along with it, which you’ll also like.

Next week

In addition to Peggy’s story, I have a tale to tell about a tennis player; far from a ‘hit and giggle’ guy, but a gentleman who played in all the major tournaments and knew people you will remember as tennis stars. He is still a Murchison real estate agent at the age of 91.

Keep your cool in the heat, and may it be easy, my friends.

Marnie

Email: towntalk@sheppnews.com.au

Letter: Town Talk. Shepparton News. P.O. Box 204. Shepparton 3631.

Phone: Send a text on 0418 962 507. (Note: text only. I will call you back, if you wish.)