Dynamic new volunteers an answer to prayer

Asking if Loaves and Fishes volunteers Tamara and Elek Kulesza are good value, is a little like asking if the Pope is a Catholic!

The couple has had an immediate and profound impact since “wandering in the front door” seeking volunteer work at the end of June, with no idea what Loaves and Fishes did.

“Genuine, joyous, gracious, hard working, and committed” are some of the words people use to describe Tamara and Elek.

They were immediately put to work with a small team, members all aged over 50, to pick olives at a Forth grove donated to Loaves and Fishes to help fund the organisation’s emergency food relief work.

The Polish-born couple had sought political asylum in 1985 when they obtained a rare visa to see the Pope in Italy. As a Catholic country with a Polish Pope, the Kuleszas sought the visa as a ruse to flee communism. They didn’t even tell their families they were not intending to return from the holiday. 

Later that year, after a year in a detention centre, they migrated to Australia, primarily “because it was the furthest from Communist Poland and Europe”.

The couple settled in Western Australia before heading to Tasmania in 2013 as “climate change refugees” seeking four seasons and having sampled the state’s incredible beauty during several visits.

Tamara and Elek, who are in their sixties, reluctantly sought help from Centrelink when their savings were depleted. Because of their age, they could choose to do 15 hours of volunteer work a week instead of seeking paid employment.

Meals on Wheels’ loss

“We went to Meals and Meals in Devonport but they could not give us enough hours, and suggested Loaves and Fishes,” Elek said.

“We had driven by the place on so many occasions but had no idea what went on there.

“We wandered in the door and asked the man at the counter, who turned out to be the CEO Andrew, if they needed any volunteers. He replied: ‘When can you start?’.’’

The organisation was desperately seeking new volunteers to help harvest olives. The Kuleszas were an answer to prayer.

They have found friends, fitness and new meaning since joining Loaves and Fishes.

“We keep fit, but the olive picking was hard work and you are using different muscles,” Tamara said.

“The first two days were very hard, but gradually your body gets used to it.

‘We would come home exhausted’

“We would come home exhausted, our muscles aching, but feeling good that there is a good reason for our pain.

“We would much rather do physical work where you can see something tangible at the end of the day.

“We have enjoyed the social side of working together in a small team where everyone got on well and enjoyed the work.”

Having now completed the olive harvest, the Kuleszas have been reassigned to the Devonport kitchen where they will assist with food preparation, production and packaging.

“They will probably kick us out after two days for talking too much,” Tamara quipped.

Mentoring chaplain and volunteer support manager, Peter Smith, said Tamara and Elek would be a valuable addition to the kitchen crew.

“They will light up the place with their good humour,” he said.

“The younger staff will benefit from their experience, outlook on life and work ethic.”

By Paul O’Rourke