#50 - The Community Hub That Nearly Didn’t Survive: The Survivor's R Us Story

A charity can do everything right and still find itself fighting for survival.

For our 50th episode of Engaging Conversations, it felt only fitting to return to where it all began with Maria Martin, Founder and CEO of Survivors R Us, joined by General Manager Scott Martin.

When Maria first appeared on the program, Survivors R Us was already making a difference in the lives of people facing domestic violence, homelessness, financial hardship and crisis. What few people saw were the challenges happening behind the scenes. Rising costs and increasing demand had pushed the organisation to the point where closing its doors was becoming a very real possibility.

Today, the story looks very different.

In this conversation, Maria and Scott share how community support, determination and long-term thinking helped Survivors R Us secure a permanent home, continue expanding its services, and play a role in securing a $2.8 million federal government grant to support those who need it most.

We also discuss some of the realities they’re seeing on the ground right now, including food insecurity, mental health challenges, housing stress, social isolation, and the growing number of people quietly struggling behind closed doors.

Most importantly, this episode is a reminder that local organisations can have an extraordinary impact when communities get behind them.

One of the immediate challenges facing Survivors R Us is reducing the cost of running their community hub. Solar panels would significantly reduce electricity costs and allow more funding to be redirected towards food relief, counselling, emergency assistance and practical support. If you or your organisation can assist through funding, equipment, installation or partnerships, we encourage you to reach out.

Thank you for being part of the first 50 episodes of Engaging Conversations.

If you enjoyed this conversation, please follow the podcast, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who believes in the power of community, connection and positive change.

Connect with Survivors R Us at:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Survivorsrusincorporated

Website: https://sru.org.au/

Phone: (02) 4953 7108

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Emergency and Support Contacts

If this episode raises difficult issues or safety concerns, support is available.

🚨 Emergency (Police, Fire or Ambulance): 000

📞 1800RESPECT – 1800 737 732
National domestic, family and sexual violence counselling service (24/7)
https://www.1800respect.org.au

📞 Lifeline – 13 11 14
24/7 crisis support and suicide prevention
https://www.lifeline.org.au

📞 MensLine Australia – 1300 78 99 78
Support and counselling for men
https://mensline.org.au

📞 Kids Helpline – 1800 55 1800
Support for children and young people aged 5–25
https://kidshelpline.com.au

📞 NSW State Emergency Service – 132 500
Storm and flood emergency assistance in NSW

📞 Police Assistance Line – 131 444
For non-urgent police assistance

📞 National Relay Service
https://www.accesshub.gov.au/nrs-helpdesk

📞 Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National) – 131 450
For interpreting services and language assistance.

Transcript

Celebrating 50 Episodes And Purpose

Leon Goltsman 0:00

Hello and welcome back to Engaging Conversations. I'm your host, Leon Goltsman, and before we begin, a sincere thank you to all our sponsors and supporters, particularly Nepeani Advanced Rehab and Allied Health Centre, Bondi & District's Chamber of Commerce, and Lake Mac Business in Focus for helping make conversations like this possible. As we celebrate this 50th episode, I also want to extend a heartfelt thank you to our team, our guests, our supporters, and the many people from communities across Australia who continue to back this program. Whether you've listened to one episode or all 50, shared an episode, appeared as a guest, sponsored the program, or simply encouraged us along the way. Thank you. This milestone belongs to all of us. When my team and I launched Engaging Conversations, we wanted to create a platform where real people could share real stories in their own voice. A place where important conversations could be had, everyday heroes could be recognised, and communities could learn from one another. Over the past 50 episodes, I've had the privilege of meeting some of the most truly remarkable people, and every now and then you get to see the ripple effect of these conversations. One of those organizations is Survivors Are Us. Since we first sat together, they have continued to grow their impact, securing a $2.8 million federal government grant and establishing a permanent community hub to support people facing domestic violence, homelessness, financial hardship, and crisis. Which brings us to today. For our 50th episode, it felt only fitting to return to where it all began. Our very first guest was Maria Martin, founder and CEO of Survivors R Us. At the time, some people suggested that domestic violence was too confronting a topic to launch a new podcast with. But it just felt right because it was exactly the conversation we needed to have. 50 episodes later, and I'm honored to be joined once again by Maria, along with her general manager, Scott Martin. This podcast has always been about people, community, and the power of connection. And I can't think of a more fitting way to celebrate our 50th episode than by returning to where it all began. So without further ado, let's get into it.

Maria And Scott Return

Maria Martin 2:23

Hi, I'm Maria from Survivors R Us. I'm the founder and the CEO, and we run our domestic violence and homelessness centre here.

Scott Martin 2:32

Hi, I'm Scott. I'm the general manager of Survivors R Us. I've been here for now four years.

Leon Goltsman 2:37

And it's been quite a while since we um last caught up, and it's great to be here again, Maria. We've come a long way, haven't we?

Maria Martin 2:43

Oh, we have certainly, Leon.

Leon Goltsman 2:45

By the way, you were my first um person I had on the programme.

Maria Martin 2:48

I know, and now it's been the 50th episode, so that's so exciting. Yeah, no, it's really, really wonderful what we're doing here.

Leon Goltsman 2:55

Well, we've all come a long way, but today it's not about us, it's about you. So when you reflect on where things were back then compared to where survivors are us are today, what emotions or thoughts come to mind?

Maria Martin 3:07

Yeah, um, Leon, I never thought we'd get as big as what we are today. You know, I started it out really, really tiny and never thought that it'd ever get as big as what it is, and the amount of people that we're helping and saving. So, yeah, uh a big difference.

Scott Martin 3:21

Yeah, no, congratulations on your 50th episode. Um, we've grown immensely in the last nine years since we started. It's unfortunate we do have to exist, but yeah, no, we are big enough now. We're helping lots more people every year and every day.

From Rent Crisis To Stability

Leon Goltsman 3:34

So yeah. Well, to do what you're doing does take a lot of courage, especially because there's a lot of uncertainty in the beginning. And uh and there were times that survivors are us needed to address ways how they're gonna survive. I mean, do you want to just tell us briefly uh like even the past 12 months?

Maria Martin 3:53

Yeah, so Leon, uh with Survivors are us, we got to a point where we were ready to close down last year because our rent kept going up 50,000 a year, and because we're a non-for-profit not funded, uh, it was killing us. So, you know, there was a few weeks there where we were ready to shut those doors down, but we were lucky, you know, we did get a grant to help us purchase the new building which we're in now, and it's made it better for us and sustained us, yeah.

Scott Martin 4:20

Yeah, I'd also like to thank the community too, because they really did get behind us and helped us purchase this new premises. And yeah, we do have a lot of goodwill in the community, so uh it's appreciated.

Leon Goltsman 4:30

I mean,

Why Hard Conversations Save Lives

Leon Goltsman 4:31

one of the reasons why we started engaging conversations is to talk about the very things some people uh prefer not to talk about. I mean, coincidentally, Survivors Are Us was the first episode for a reason because it was deemed the hardest conversations to have. And I thought if we're gonna have conversations, let's go with the hard stuff because when you start off with something that's challenging, it often leads to something that becomes a little bit easier later on down the track. Whereas too many people tend to be going more for the easy options, yeah, and then they realize that it's not as easy as it seems. What do you think conversations like this remain so important, even when they may feel uncomfortable or confronting for some people?

Maria Martin 5:15

Oh Leon, we really have to uh talk about this subject because the domestic violence in the in the area and in Australia is getting worse. So if we don't have these conversations, it's nobody's gonna do anything about it, and it's just gonna be like in the olden days, it was hidden behind closed doors. So we really need to be activists for on this subject and get it out there and get onto government and really promote it and get the help that these people do need.

Leon Goltsman 5:42

And it's great because there are a lot of good people out there, really good people. You don't realise how many until they come forward and we can do a whole episode on just the amazing people that have come. Well, we saw them at the grand opening.

Maria Martin 5:56

Yes, definitely. The grand opening was fantastic, so much support in the community, um from the government and just other organizations because we're all supporting each other out there because we're all doing the same job, just trying to help the amount of people that we're seeing come through the doors.

Leon Goltsman 6:12

And it's not just Lake Macquarie. We know that this affects everybody. It doesn't discriminate, domestic violence, and people who are falling through the cracks. It's happening everywhere.

Food Insecurity And Mental Health Reality

Leon Goltsman 6:26

And many people may only see the public facing side of the organizations like Survivors or Us. But behind the scenes, you're dealing with people facing housing stress, financial hardship, mental health challenges, and isolation every day. What are some of the realities you're seeing on the ground right now that perhaps many people in the broader community don't fully realise?

Scott Martin 6:48

One thing that is surprising is we have families with two incomes and the young kids, they're struggling to meet day-to-day needs like that. But food insecurity is massive. Also, mental health issues are rampant at the moment. I'm not sure. Well, it's a result of funding not going the right direction or all the psychologists quitting recently. But yeah, we're seeing a lot of mental health people on the ground coming in and seeing us with issues whether not in the right medication or whether mental health is a result of everything they're going through and then just finally it gets too hard for them. Unfortunately, suicide's a big issue too. I know a lot of these things are hard to talk about, but especially out west, men, young men, trade is yeah, something really doesn't need to be done. Um we need to start encouraging people to talk about these things a bit more openly. Every day, we're the numbers are getting crazy, um, what we're seeing. We can only do so much in the short term, which is what we do here at Survivors R Us, but yeah, long term, something really needs to be done.

Leon Goltsman 7:48

Well, the problem that we all see, people tend to talk about things that seem sexy. They like to put photos of themselves going to the gym or taking nice photos of food. But talking about the stuff that really drives home, it's almost like an escape. I mean, 20 years ago, 30 years ago, people used to watch television or comedy to escape from that. Today, they're using social media, the platforms. And also, social media tends to be very divisive in in many cases. So these conversations are really important. And a lot has happened since our first conversation. I mean, look, it's only been 18 months or so. To record 50 episodes, it's huge because I get to meet a lot of incredible people. And it's it's great to be able to make a full circle and come back to where it all started. Because when we first recorded together, Survivors R Us were still renting premises, as you mentioned, and carrying significant operational pressures, particularly around rent and electricity costs. But if we fast forward to today, they're a result of your hard work and continuous dedication. But Survivors R Us now has its own community hub. And that's something that was only a dream. So, Maria, I'm gonna ask you this question. What does it mean to be finally in a position where Survivors R Us can start thinking longer term rather than simply trying to survive day-to-day?

Maria Martin 9:12

Yeah, it's really made a big difference because every day, you know, we were really struggling behind the scenes to keep it all going. But to now have the building, we've taken that financial stress off us, which is a huge thing because we're trying to help people get rid of their financial stress, but we were struggling, so yeah, very hard. So, um Leon, now having the purchase of the building, we can think forward on where we're going to go. Where before we were in fight and flight mode, well, now we're not. We're actually going ahead and we can do more for the community because we want to give them their dignity back. You know, they're all struggling out there, and it's so hard for them. So if if we can help them get their lives back on track and help them so they don't have to struggle every day, that's going to be a win-win for the community and everybody.

Leon Goltsman 10:03

Well, it is a win-win, and and I also see stability because it's really hard. I mean, we can put on a brave face every day, yeah. But if you feel like there's uncertainty, it's it's very challenging to have that sense of security and stability ourselves.

Maria Martin 10:20

Yeah.

Op Shop As A Safe First Step

Leon Goltsman 10:21

Yeah. So, what do you think makes survivors of us different from what people may traditionally expect?

Scott Martin 10:27

Yeah, so we're unique because we do a lot of things under the one roof. We provide support, counselling. We're also an op shop, and that's what helps us pay the bills. A lot of food support, uh, a lot of support groups. Every day's different here. Um, we do free breakfasts, free lunches. We work with a lot of great organizations in the community as well, from hearing a Australian gambler where chemists come and help us. Um, Beyond Banks been a good partner with us, food banks help uh the food poverty industry. The accessibility to our place is awesome as well. So, because we're a shop as well, that helps people come in who are a little bit scared to put their hand up and say, I need help. They'll make a step to come into our op shop. And our great staff will just notice, they'll sense that they seem a bit unsure. They say, How are you going? And they'll finally ask for help. And they said, Come follow me, and we'll come into the office and we'll give them some support. So it's hard to ask for help. So we do get a lot of people who sort of make the first step into our shop, ask how it all works here, and then before you know it, they're getting support and they're going home with food and a better direction, better sense of self, and how they can get help in the future.

Leon Goltsman 11:36

What's interesting, Scott, is that people are are good and kind by nature. But very few people actually do take the time to stop and talk to others. What we're finding here is compassion all under one roof. All those things that you mentioned, but including compassion under one roof. So you mentioned the dignity, the practical help that you provide, the accessibility, the compassion, uh, but also it's the long-term empowerment.

Scott Martin 12:05

Yeah, no, that's right. Um, a lot of people we have here have gone through tough times in the past. Now they're back on their feet and they just want to give back. And so it's amazing the butterfly effect of helping people does have on the community. So once someone gets a leg up, they feel obliged to give someone else a leg up because they got one in the past. So we do see that a lot here, and it's just here tightwarming.

Leon Goltsman 12:26

You mentioned the butterfly effect. Well, we're actually conveniently sitting in a new room, the butterfly room. I think that's where we are. Yep, that's it. That's it's actually really cozy. I should take some photos and put them up on yeah, we'll we'll do that. We'll put that in the show notes. Uh, but Scott, you mentioned the ripple effect of helping people. Often the real impact of helping one person does extend far beyond just that one individual. It affects children, families, friendships, workplaces. In fact, it's fair to say it affects the entire communities, doesn't it? No, absolutely, absolutely. What do you think people sometimes underestimate the ripple effect that organizations like Survivors or Us can have across the broader community?

Maria Martin 13:09

Leon, let me add to that one great case yesterday. We actually had our security guard come in and he doesn't have somebody to uh do security in our facility. Well, we had a young man come and help us when we moved over here. He had no work. He is a single dad who's looking after two beautiful little girls, and all he wants is somebody to give him a hand up. Guess what? Yesterday we got that man a full-time job, and that's my reward for what I do here every day. The smile, the hugs that I've got. I let the security guard know that I have this guy, we'll give you a hundred percent 150% work ethic, and he just needs somebody to give him a hand up. He didn't have a security license, and I said that he had children, you know, he had to work in the school run. And the security um guy T, who is our guy, he said, Maria, I'll give him a chance because I believe in what you did. Somebody gave you a chance, and look what you did. And so we've gave it to this young man, and I am so excited. So you can hear in my voice that it just it's just them the most amazing feeling, and that's what we're trying to do to our people and clients that come through that door every day is to just give them that little leg up to make their lives so much better.

Leon Goltsman 14:25

Sounds like you're restoring hope, not just for the community, but those individuals as well. Yeah. And and it's about breaking the cycles because you know, sometimes people tend to do things over and over and over again, and it becomes like um it's almost like a groundhog day where people just turn up, do their best, and they they feel like um that's it. They're stuck in this cycle. And what you're doing is you're breaking that cycle.

Maria Martin 14:52

We're breaking that cycle, and that's what we need to be doing.

Leon Goltsman 14:54

Yeah, and and by breaking the cycle, you're not just rebuilding families and helping to rebuild these families, but you're also reducing isolation, improving the well-being, restoring hope, and of course, most importantly, strengthening communities overall. Yeah, definitely. But it's more than that. I know, I know you're thinking, how could it be? Wait, there's more. But there is, there is, because every organization needs a good

Volunteers Funding And Solar Panels

Leon Goltsman 15:21

team. Yeah. I mean, how do you how do you grow without the people?

Maria Martin 15:24

That's right. We wouldn't be able to do the work that we do here every day at Survivors for Us without our amazing volunteers. You know, everybody comes in, they've all got different skills, and and we just work as a family, and that's what we were all talking about the other day. We have a family here. We're not workers, we're just a team of and family who want to help other people succeed and get their lives together.

Leon Goltsman 15:46

And this is exactly why organizations like this are the ones that are doing it, they're they're demonstrating what can be done, what's possible. Yeah, definitely. We we touched on the volunteers, but we know from what you just said, for what you could see, it doesn't take a rocket scientist or a genius to come in and straight away feel like they belong, they're surrounded by love. Yeah. Because behind every successful community organization are the volunteers, the staff, and of course supporters who are quietly contributing enormous amounts of time and energy behind the scenes. Yeah. You know, they're they're they're the ones that are unsung heroes of every every place.

Maria Martin 16:26

Yeah.

Leon Goltsman 16:27

Now, how important has your team and volunteer network been in helping make all this possible?

Maria Martin 16:32

Oh, it's huge. Uh heaps. You know, I couldn't do this on my own if I didn't have this team of wonderful volunteers and people in the community supporting us, we wouldn't exist. You know, it takes a lot of effort and time to do what we do every day, and we're so lucky to have those people behind us.

Leon Goltsman 16:51

We've just mentioned volunteers, and look, some people might turn around and say, I don't have the time, or I don't have them. I mean, Adam Schultz, our mayor, it's a top, there's a lot of other good people. So, of course, Greg Piper, um, Pat Conroy, Joe Hildebrand, and Sonia Honry and Kate Fraser, and I could just go on and on. I'd need a whole program and a list to dedicate the amazing people that have been um by our side. But you know, it's not just about giving just because someone else has given. It's about contributing however they can. So some people is it's done with time, some people might donate money, some people might donate services. But we're in a very unique situation here because one of the things that that a lot of people don't see are the hidden costs. And one of those things, of course, are the amenities, electricity.

Scott Martin 17:45

Yeah, no, so because we do a lot of um food support, we do have big fridges, and yeah. We inherited a building, not inherited. We bought this building without solar at the moment. So we know it's the difference coming from a place with solar to this place without solar. So the previous place was solar, was it? The previous place was solar. Um, this place doesn't have any solar, so that was a bit of a a un yeah, hidden hit that we sort of copped. But yeah, we're working towards raising enough money to actually get solar here, which will help. Like every m cent we save, it goes shaped back to support. So it's a non-for-profit. Everything we do here is eyes on helping people.

Leon Goltsman 18:21

But it's more than that. I mean, it's more than that. It's what we're seeing here is people look up to organizations like this, and we need to continue setting a good example. So not just doing things that are helping people, but also the environment. I mean, that's a big one.

Scott Martin 18:36

Yeah, no, so we're good at um reusing, we work with the local council here, um, recycling food. Like no, all the food that goes from woolies and coals they don't use, we take and we hand out to people. We get like secondhand clothes. We either sell, recycle, make into rags and sell, or we give them to an organization who will sell it overseas. So our main focus is being environmentally friendly, and the council do love that we do that. Like nothing really goes to waste once it comes here. Um because you wonder what happens to all the food from Coles and Woolies. So we work with Oz Harvest, so they pick up food from Coles, Woolies, and Costco's.

Leon Goltsman 19:15

What I'm seeing and understanding is we're very conscious here about utilising our um resources, you know, by not letting anything go to waste. No. Uh anything that doesn't get sold or utilized here actually helps people overseas. So it's more than just looking after our own community, it's making the world a better place.

Scott Martin 19:37

Yeah, no, we want to be a green site, so that's where we sort of I mean our next purchase is yeah, solar panels for this place.

Leon Goltsman 19:43

So well, solar panels are are an interesting topic because some people who have solar panels will swear by them. Those that don't might criticize them. But the proposed solar initiative that Survivors R Us is considering isn't simply about installing panels on a roof. It's really about reducing long-term overheads so the resources can be redirected back into helping people who need that most. Look, I'm sure people will want to know this, but why is that kind of long-term thinking becoming increasingly important for community organizations moving forward?

Maria Martin 20:18

Oh, it's because of the bills, Leon. Like we've just got a $9,000 bill for our electricity, and that kills us. You know, that's bigger than what we used to have across the road in the other facility because we had solar over there. So now we've got to get solar on the roof to reduce those costs because if we're not putting the $9,000 into the power, that means we can put $9,000 into helping people. So solar is so important for us. Um, we would love somebody, if there's anybody out there that would like to help us uh purchase those, um, it's it's gonna help the uh charity a real lot.

Leon Goltsman 20:54

Yeah, well, I'm sure there are companies out there who really feel the same way that they want to make a difference. They're probably sitting there right now thinking, how can we do this? Well, hey, now's their opportunity too.

Maria Martin 21:07

Yeah, definitely. So if you can help us, um, you know, we've got a lot of roof space up there, and we've been lucky to get a grant for our batteries. So we've actually got the batteries, but we've got no solar, so that's where we're in a bit of a uh muddle. So if anybody wants to help, you know, that could make a big difference to us.

Leon Goltsman 21:24

Yeah, well, that's something definitely worth considering, and that could be our next project. Definitely big project. Well, we do like projects because there's always most of the time we always our projects do tend to go good. Not because we're we're great at what we do.

Maria Martin 21:39

Exactly.

Leon Goltsman 21:40

I mean, that's probably part of the reason. No. But I think it's as you said earlier, there's really good people out there who believe in what we're we stand for. And that and that's what makes makes a difference. Yeah, definitely. Just before I move on to the next question, I mean you mentioned the batteries, they just don't appear materially. Materialize on the wall. Somebody has had to have made the initiative to actually give them to you. What was the story there?

Scott Martin 22:08

Yeah, so we don't receive funding from governments. So we're forever doing grants. So lucky enough to get a grant from Origin Arraring out here. Yeah, for $45,000. So that'll pay for our battery. And yeah, yeah, thanks, Origin.

Leon Goltsman 22:21

It's fantastic for organizations like that to step up because for some of those organizations, I don't know what happens behind the scenes, but I do know that what we see and companies contributed to communities like that, that's what gets noticed.

Maria Martin 22:37

That's right, and we like to support them and say it out into the community. This company has helped us get what we're needing, you know, and that's what we need to be doing out there. So, you know, if you're another organization that's looking, you can approach these people and say, Well, okay, we know you help survivors or else, is there any way you can help me?

Scott Martin 22:55

The Hunter region is a big mining energy town, so it's good that they do give back to the community. Um, and I think the residents do appreciate that the community do notice.

Leon Goltsman 23:06

Yeah, they normally there's so many things that go on, there's so many things in in communities that gets talked about, but it's things like that that end up doing good.

Maria Martin 23:16

And they remember who who did it, who helped out in the hard times.

Resilience Leadership And Community Actions

Leon Goltsman 23:21

Yeah, and and they do, because leadership is all about working under pressure and of course building resilience. And people often do see the public facing side of leadership, but rarely the emotional pressures.

Maria Martin 23:34

Definitely, Leon. Um, yeah, there's a lot that goes on behind the scenes, and yeah, you know, this wouldn't happen without all that going on. So yeah.

Leon Goltsman 23:43

So, what have you both learned personally about resilience, leadership, and people throughout this entire journey?

Maria Martin 23:49

Yeah, I'm gonna say it's made me more stronger. It's made me know that I can actually achieve the things that I wanted to achieve. It helped me get from my where I was uh out of my domestic violence, and now I'm a survivor of it and an advocate for it. Um, but yeah, just stronger. It's made me a stronger human being and I think more kind and compassionate person. I always thought I was, but I think I've I've learned a lot as I've grown up through this as well over the last nine years.

Scott Martin 24:20

Uh the main thing I've learned is that yeah, if you're going through hell, just keep going. I know people are there to help, and you are stronger than you think you are, so.

Leon Goltsman 24:28

And I'm gonna I'm gonna add my five cents worth in this one because it's often the people that we surround ourselves with are the people that influence our lives. If you're surrounded with perpetrators, then that could really destroy a person. But when you're surrounded by inspiring, hard-working, dedicated, committed people, we become better people just by being around people and organizations such as this. For me, just the past 18 months of being involved now as a patron, but also as an advocate, I always have been and and I and I continue to do that, irrespective of what my role is. Now, I've learned what emotional resilience looks like, where persistence, teamwork gets you, but most of all, it's about humility and staying connected to purpose.

Maria Martin 25:23

Yes, definitely.

Leon Goltsman 25:24

Yeah. Look, I'd like to um leave a final message to our community. Actually, it's not really a final message.

Maria Martin 25:31

There'll be many, many, many more podcasts.

Leon Goltsman 25:36

As a message, there will always likely be good people out there listening, listening to this conversation, the one we're having right now, uh, who may want to contribute, support, partner, volunteer, or just become more involved in strengthening the community around them, whether it's this community or whether it's a community in their own backyard, what message would you like to leave with the broader community and business sector about the role they can play in helping organizations such as this to continue the great work moving forward?

Maria Martin 26:09

Uh look, what I would say to them is go down to your local charities and see, you know, spend a day there just to see what they do, see whether you like doing that, or do you want to do it from a donation point of view, or you want to work with them? Um, can you, you know, help when they do a Barbie? Just anything. Just get that feel of what a charity and what they do in the community is about. So yeah, and just don't struggle. If you're out there struggling, just go to a charity and and say, look, I'm not coping at the moment. Can I get some help? That's the biggest thing I recommend.

Leon Goltsman 26:46

Well, we'll put a couple of things in the show notes, a couple of numbers that people can contact, and a couple of pathways because people are not alone. There's always somebody out there who genuinely cares and wants to be able to do that.

Maria Martin 26:58

People are out there listening, and all we need them is them to contact us or phone us, and we're there to support them. So, yeah, definitely. What about you, Scott?

Scott Martin 27:07

No, absolutely. If you're feeling a little bit down, just yeah, reach out. Go to a community organization. It could be us, it could be Lions, Rotary, etc. Um, yeah, giving back does make you feel better about yourself and about community too. That's what Australia is sort of based on. We sort of we're a community-based, multicultural, amazing place. But we do get lost in social media and the news just give bombarding us with terrible things. So, yeah. The best thing about working with survivors are us, I found although we see a lot of hardships, we see some of the most amazing people, the most amazing stories, and it yeah, it's just heartwarming.

Leon Goltsman 27:43

So there is hope. There's opportunity for volunteering, you know, wherever those services are not going to be taken for granted, certainly will be very much appreciated within the right organizations. Sponsorship, of course, partnerships, everyone can come in somehow and support, sponsor, awareness, building stronger communities together is really what we're all about.

Maria Martin 28:06

Yeah, yes, definitely.

Leon Goltsman 28:08

Yeah, look, is there anything else you'd like to mention to the audience?

Maria Martin 28:13

Yeah, if anybody would like to reach out to us, um they can go onto our website, they can call us, we're on Facebook. We do a lot of our um work through our Facebook page, which is just Sciet Survivors R Us. And yeah, just leave us a message, call us. All our information is on the Facebook site, uh, and of course on the website the you know, the things that we do each and every day in the facility. So yeah, reach out to us. We'd love to hear from people and love to hear that they've they've listened to the podcast.

Leon Goltsman 28:43

Yeah, fantastic. Well, what I'll do is I'll put all those details on the show notes. That the website, just for people who are listening now, is www.su.org.au. www.su.org.au. Excellent. Thank you so much for your time and looking forward to continuing the great work together.

Scott Martin 29:04

Thank you, Leon, and congratulations on 50 episodes.

Maria Martin 29:07

Yeah. Thank you, Leon, and congratulations on your 50 episodes. It's amazing.

Leon Goltsman 29:12

And congratulations to you as well.

Maria Martin 29:14

Thank you.

Final Reflection And Listener Callouts

Leon Goltsman 29:17

Now that was a conversation I genuinely valued, and I hope you did too. Hearing from Maria and Squad is a powerful reminder that when local organizations are given the tools they need, they don't just support individuals in crisis, they help restore dignity, stability, and hope right across the community. And one thing that really stood out for me from this conversation is how something relatively simple could make such a significant difference. In the case of Survivors or Us, installing solar panels on the Community Hub could redirect thousands of dollars away from electricity bills and straight back into food relief, counselling, emergency support, and practical assistance for people doing it tough. So if you're listening today as a business owner, community leader, tradesperson, solar provider, or someone who simply wants to make a positive difference, I'd encourage you to consider how you might be able to help. Whether that's through funding, equipment, installation support, introductions, or partnerships. Every contribution helped strengthen the incredible work done by Survivors R Us, and you'll find their contact details in the show notes. As we celebrate our 50th episode, I think today's conversation is a fitting reminder of what engaging conversations has always been about. People, community, resilience, and the power of connection. And we're only just getting started. Over the coming weeks, we'll be sharing conversations from regional, remote, and off-grid Australia, alongside stories from remarkable people who are quietly making a difference in their own communities every day. And if you enjoyed today's episode, please follow the program, share it with someone who might benefit and help us continue shining a light on the people and organizations creating positive change. I'm Leon Goltsman. Until next time, stay connected, stay compassionate, and let's continue building stronger communities together.