Meet the Locals: Florence Hansen meeting the Port Stephens community's challenges

One of them is Florence Hansen, a 74-year-old straight shooting doer who attributes her character and generosity to her hard working parents and Maitland pioneers Florence (nee See) and Clive Greedy.

After years of activity and fundraising in her former hometown of Maitland, Ms Hansen has taken the bit between her teeth since settling in the family home at Soldiers Point and channelled much of her experience, enthusiasm and dedication into the Nelson Bay-based charity Hope Cottage.

Hope Cottage is an Anglican church outreach to the Port Stephens community, offering free crisis food with a non-judgemental attitude by providing a welcoming, supportive, inclusive and safe space for anyone experiencing disadvantage and needing assistance.

"My involvement started when my granddaughter Ruby approached me about a fundraiser for Orange Sky [established to connect people experiencing homelessness through free laundry, showers and conversation] in the Bay," explained Ms Hansen, a mother of four (including one adoptee), grandmother of 18 and great grandmother of three.

"However, the service had to vacate the Bay when COVID hit and through my research I discovered that the All Saints ministry at Nelson Bay was looking to set up a similar program for the homeless and less fortunate.

"So I got on board to help set up a similar program ... we have good sustainable plans to be announced shortly."

Described by her peers as a "good Samaritan with a basic love of all people" who is always looking to improve the wellbeing of others, Ms Hansen is determined to make a difference to the homeless in Port Stephens and can see a readymade solution right under our noses.

"The Tomaree Lodge site, which has housed people with disabilities for decades, has been vacant now for something like 12 months," she said.

"Why can't the authorities accommodate our homeless there? It wouldn't need much modification and it could solve a critical housing problem here on the Tomaree peninsula immediately. We would like the proposed museum to be included on the site.

"It is the responsibility of each one of us to watch out for the welfare of others in this beautiful and wealthy country. The plight of many of our fellow Australians, particularly the homeless, is a national disgrace."

Before leaving Maitland many years ago, an old newspaper clipping listed the range of charities and not-for profit organisations to which Ms Hansen had dedicated much of her adult life.

They included Carrie's Place (women's refuge), the Elimatta Committee (children's home), the Black and White Committee, the Friends of St John's school, Maitland Junior rugby union, Maitland Hospital board and a foundation member of Maitland's Bicentennial Committee.

Ms Hansen, who is well aware of her privileged upbringing while remaining humble and grateful for what she has, says it doesn't take much to give back to community and to those in need.

"It's about giving people the most precious thing you have, your time ... something everyone seems to be starved of these days. I am retired and I have my own home but I like to keep busy and to be involved with helping out people wherever I can, I give them my time and when they need a hand up I am there for them," she said.

"Dad always said: 'one mouth, two ears ... 50 per cent more listening capacity'. At his memorial service, granddaughter Amy Hansen spoke on behalf of all the grandchildren.

"She opened up with 'grandpa always used to say 'you can pick your friends, but not your relatives', after which she replied with: 'some of us are just born lucky'. And we were.

"I think of all the children out there, that are going through dreadful childhoods, with domestic violence, alcoholism, homelessness.

"Those children who have never had a word of encouragement, a kind word, a cuddle and kiss goodnight a book read to them, it's all foreign to them ... bashing, bullying, swearing and abuse.

"This is a national disgrace, it has to stop and it starts with you and me. Why can't it start here in Port Stephens."

And the outspoken mother figure is not afraid to call out selfishness, greed and ignorance. In fact she has a few words of advice for the many retirees in Port Stephens who baulk at contributing to society and help eliminate the scourge of homelessness and poverty in our community.

"It all begins with courage because 'with courage you will dare to take risks, have the strength to be compassionate and the wisdom to be humble'," she said.

"Courage is the foundation of integrity. And from Winston Churchill: 'courage is the greatest of all human qualities, for It is the one that guarantees all the others'. Let's all man up, step up and stand up to the challenge."

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can access our trusted content: