Culture

To empower people to make positive change in their lives, Rosa DelPonte founded the Earth Recovery Australia organisation (ERA) in Katoomba in 2012 to start Soul Kitchen charity lunches at Junction 142

This was largely due to the Blue Mountains having no charity services operational over Christmas/New Years, a time especially difficult on those in need.

Born in London, Rosa moved to Australia in her 20s to work in films, and TV shows, such as Heartbreak High and Police Rescue, and even toured Australia with the production crew for the Vibes On A Summer’s Day festival, hosting artists such as Jamiroquai and DJ Norman Jay!

Rosa was also one of two other candidates to run for the Independents in Ward 2 at the recent council elections. ERA is currently operational as a neighbourhood safe-space, an education provider, an op-shop and a charity kitchen. As part of ERA’s Food Rescue plan 60,000Kg of food was collected from local business and supermarkets in 2016 to feed those in need.

ERA also converted an old minister’s house at the back of Junction 142 into a House For The Homeless, providing temporary emergency accommodation for a current maximum of two people, the building is a strong example of the results of selfless local work done by individuals like Rosa and the ERA team. To these ‘patron saints of Katoomba St’, we salute you!

DONATE

www.earthrecoveryaustralia.org.au

VISIT Junction 142 shop / Saturday Uniting Church markets

VOLUNTEER Builders, Painters, Cooks, and general happy people