In July 2020, residents in nine public housing towers in Flemington and Kensington were locked down suddenly and without warning.
The Victorian union movement immediately stepped up to support residents, raising funds online with unprecedented speed. In total, over $286,000 was donated.
Union volunteers delivered thousands of hot, culturally appropriate meals to residents, taking direction from local community leaders. Unionists worked with AMSSA to coordinate donations of goods needed by residents.
Getting immediate support to the people in the towers was a logistical nightmare, but unionists persevered, delivering thousands of meals and goods deliveries during the lockdown and disbursing funds to the community afterwards.