Worthy praise for unsung hero

by Kim O'Connor

Source: Wentworth Courier

Jeff Gambin is an extraordinary man. To meet him is to tap into a well of humanity and compassion that is rarely found in today's often selfish, materialistic society.

Until Mr Gambin was named one of the Compaq Community Stars, he was an unsung hero of the homeless who fill Sydney's streets.

A few yeas ago, the Rose Bay resident was a restaurateur who provided the occassional meal for the street people who would sleep on the doorstep when the last patrons had left for the night.

Mr Gambin's full-time job for the past five years has been feeding hundreds of homeless people - an undertaking made all the more incredible when you realise the money for this comes from his own funds.

Together with his wife, Alina, they have discovered that it is better to give than to receive, whether it be food, friendship, financial help or employment opportunities.

This dynamic couple has undertaken an enormous social welfare program that most government-funded organisations would be proud to call their own.

Instead of offices and staff, they have a small room in their apartment set aside for the job of catering for the hungry hordes who sleep in parks, bus shelters and pigeonholes around the city and inner suburbs.

With a bit of pushing, Mr Gambin admits he probably spent $200,000 of his savings helping the homeless this year. "I'm running a bit close to the wind now, but things will be OK. Look, I've been lucky all my life - we have more than enough to see us through. We have everything we need - so we decided to help others less fortunate. We don't have children - our children are those on the street."

More than 450 people are fed each night when the Gambins set out with their mobile kitchen.

They used to run a large smorgasbord table (set with serviettes, disposable plates and cutlery) in the grounds of a city church, but were ordered to move on when the church was used for concerts.

"One person from the church yelled at me 'get those derros out of here!' - so much for Christian charity," Mr Gambin said. "I had even taken out insurance at their request, in case anyone was hurt on the church property. So we had to move on and now we go where we can."

Apart from putting hot, nourishing food into the stomachs of the needy, Mr Gambin has helped people find employment and housing. One young couple were anxious about the impending birth of their baby, and Mr Gambin went to the Royal Hospital for Women with them.

At check-out time, the new family were going to return to the street they called home, until Mr Gambin intervened saying "the street is no place for a baby". Mr Gambin went to his bank, had a cheque made out for some budget motel accommodation and helped them settle in.

Anyone who wants to help the Gambins with their work or donations of food, clothes and furniture, can contact Mr Gambin on 0412 546 248.

Back to Articles