Melbourne Pensioner Channels Aged Pension into Homeless Charity After Personal Trauma
At 67 years old, Lena Tupua regularly draws from her aged pension to provide essential relief for homeless individuals across Melbourne. Her mission is to restore safety, hope, and dignity to those living on the streets. Ms. Tupua, a survivor of abuse, has been nominated for a prestigious Bunnings Warehouse Community Legends award for founding the Hands Hearts Hope charity.
From Personal Pain to Community Purpose
Having fled a life of abuse in New Zealand, Ms. Tupua intimately understands the feeling of being marginalized and forgotten. "I have been there. I also know what it feels like to feel that you don't matter, having come from a life of abuse, including child abuse," she explains. This personal history fuels her compassion when she encounters people sleeping on cold concrete in the rain. "I don't see a homeless person – I see someone's son, daughter, and someone who once had safety, dreams and hope."
Partnership with Bunnings and Ongoing Support
Ms. Tupua's relationship with Bunnings began during her time with the Youth Bus, where the company donated items for her use. This support continued when she launched Hands Hearts Hope last year. Bunnings has provided sleeping bags throughout winter and hygiene products, alongside facilitating community barbecues to raise funds. "Everything at the moment is coming out of my pocket and I'm on an aged pension," she notes, expressing gratitude for donations of money, food, and clothing from the public and Bunnings.
Critical Need for Storage Solutions
Currently, Ms. Tupua faces a significant challenge: limited storage space. She is using her pension to pay for a storage unit to house winter supplies like sleeping bags and clothing. Her primary request to the community is for donated storage space, regardless of location in Melbourne. "I'm hoping that there might be people out there who have storage that we could use and would be prepared to donate in kind. I would be so grateful." Those able to assist can contact her via the website handsheartshope.com.au.
Other Community Legends Making a Difference
Mitch Skuta: Turning Beach Waste into Gardening Tools
Mitchell Skuta, owner and founder of Garden Country, has also been nominated for the Bunnings Community Legends award. His business, Gardening On Country, which produces recycled plastic gardening tools now available in 50 Bunnings stores, originated from a beach cleanup in Gippsland. Frustrated by plastic waste washing ashore, he discovered the Precious Plastics movement and began creating purposeful products from hard-to-recycle materials.
A proud Indigenous man of Yuin descent, Mr. Skuta's connection to Country emphasizes environmental stewardship. His tools specifically use plastic bottle caps, which often end up in landfill due to their small size. "Bunnings have been awesome to work with," he says, highlighting their guidance and support in growing his eco-friendly business.
John Campbell: Volunteering Seven Days a Week After Cancer Battle
At 72, John Campbell volunteers tirelessly across Melbourne, even while undergoing treatment for throat cancer at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre. A cancer survivor, he dedicates his time to multiple community groups, including gardening at Werribee Cemetery and supporting organizations like Rotary, Reclink, and the Salvation Army.
For over a decade, Mr. Campbell has enhanced community wellbeing through various initiatives:
- Providing free community gardening for cancer patients
- Cooking meals for the homeless at the Salvation Army
- Maintaining Werribee Cemetery grounds year-round
- Repairing and donating abandoned bikes with Werribee Police
His nomination recognizes his unwavering commitment to improving dignity and connection for people of all ages, demonstrating that community spirit thrives through selfless action.
