General News
21 October, 2025
Lunch connects carers
Maryborough and District Carer’s Support Group met for lunch last week offering a break from the demands of care.
Local carers came together for more than lunch last week. Instead the meal meant both connection and a lifeline — a chance to laugh with friends away from the demands of care.
Maryborough and District Carer’s Support Group met for lunch, supported by Bendigo Health, at the Maryborough Golf Club last Wednesday.
The group has been providing essential support for its members for 15 years united by their shared experience of caring for another.
However, the challenges of care often go unrecognised according to the group’s co-founder Barbara Clark.
“We are unsung heroes,” she said.
She explained carers often don’t get breaks due to caring for their person 24/7 which isolates them from others.
The group works to overcome this through various efforts including simply sharing a meal.
“That’s their treat because they don’t get time to go out,” she said.
Amongst them on the day were longtime members, fresh faces, and those navigating a dark period in their life.
They were all met with the same thing — support and laughter.
“It’s good for their morale I think,” Ms Clark said.
“Today is not a stressed out day. They’re just going to enjoy themselves.”
Jan Gray has been a member of the group since the beginning. Its support, in a sentiment shared by many, has been lifesaving for her.
“It’s really nice to know you’ve got the backing. You don’t necessarily socialise during the month but we always come back together. It’s very very important,” she said.
Mary-Ann Scull added that being able to talk to others about mental health, either for advice or just to talk, is essential.
“If you had it just by yourself you’d go nuts,” she said.
“Carers do go through a lot and they’ve got to live with it. It’s really hard to do if you don’t have support around you.”
Ms Clark encourages anyone in the community in a carer position to consider contacting the group.
“They would be made to feel really welcome,” she said.
“It’s not just my group it’s our group.”
Those who want to learn more can call Barbara Clark on 0401 887 479.
“We’re all here to support one another,” she said.