The aroma of bubbling stock and fresh ingredients filled the air at the recent East Gippsland Winter Festival, as members of the Bairnsdale Amaroo Country Women’s Association (CWA) joined forces with local humanitarian Nicole Jacobs-Lewis to raise vital community funds.
Operating under the banner of “Soups of the World,” the combined stand served up four handcrafted varieties, each representing a distinct global culinary tradition: pea and ham (England); minestrone (Italy); classic pumpkin (Australia); chicken and corn (Asia).
Prepared fresh by CWA members alongside Ms Jacobs-Lewis, sales from the steaming pots were split to support both the local Amaroo CWA branch and ongoing community outreach projects.
Known to many across Victoria as “The Soup Angel,” Ms Jacobs-Lewis first began her grassroots initiative during the 2020 COVID-19 lockdowns in Melbourne. What started as a simple act of kindness — distributing free homemade soup from her home kitchen to isolated neighbours in need – has since grown into a massive volunteer network spanning Melbourne and Gippsland.
Today, her team of dedicated volunteers prepares and distributes hundreds of litres of nourishing soup to community groups and vulnerable residents across both regions.
Community members interested in learning more about the Bairnsdale Amaroo CWA or supporting future community drives can contact branch representative Shirley Hellyer.
