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24 AUGUST, 2022
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Wow, it’s a little library
Max, 3, Sofie, 3, and Jackson, 4 at the little community library at the Little Oak Early Learning Centre.
(Damjan Janevski) 294876_02
Little libraries could soon be popping up in front of homes or kindergartens near you, with the idea that residents can take a book and leave one behind for someone else to enjoy. As part of the Werribee River Association’s Sustainability Streets program, 10 little libraries will be installed in Wyndham. WRA sustainability project officer Jess Fairfax said the organisation collaborated with the community to ensure the success of the project. “Part of the work we do is to develop initiatives that promote a local economy that prioritises sharing, swapping, reusing and repairing,” she said. “We hope that people build strong connections with their neighbours and also benefit from having easy access to the wonderful world of books, which can take us on fantastic adventures and teach us so much about the world.”
Plea to help dying mum When Alyssa Cooke-Weeks began feeling unwell, she wanted to ignore it. The mother of three had recently overcome stage three breast cancer, had undergone a radical mastectomy and was looking forward to enjoying life with her three children. After multiple appointments and scans, her doctor was forced to deliver heartbreaking news. Ms Cooke-Weeks was diagnosed with terminal inflammatory breast cancer that had metastasized to her liver, bones, and main lymph nodes. When her friend Natalie Turner found out about her diagnosis, she was desperate to find a way to help. “I was kind of hoping that she was just exaggerating to be honest. I was hoping that because it was pretty surreal,” Ms Turner said. “She’s got three kids too, and I’m a mum too so I couldn’t imagine getting told that.” Ms Turner said she’s known Ms
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Cooke-Weeks for years, she’s always been a good and understanding friend who would do anything for her babies. “She’s been through a hell of a lot … she hasn’t had the easiest life when it comes to her health,” she said. “She had breast cancer, she had a mastectomy, and then when she was getting out of recovery, she thought she was clear and that’s when she found out about the terminal cancer. “But this time it’s in her liver, and it’s pretty bad.” The Werribee resident said it was heartbreaking to see her friend struggle with the physical demands of being a parent while battling her illness. “She’s very optimistic and tries to stay positive but as days go on, there’s less and less she can do, especially when it comes to her not even one year old,” Ms Turner said. “But she still gets up every day and she still gives it her all whether she can physically do it
or not, she still wants to do all these things for her kids so they can remember but obviously it all costs money, hence why we did the gofundme.” Ms Turner said it would be a “huge help” to ease Ms Cooke-Weeks’ financial burdens if people could donate to the fundraiser. “What money have raised has gone straight to Alyssa so she can start doing some of things that she wants for her kids.” “It will be a hell of a lot easier, especially because she’s in transitional housing, so she’s living with her best friend and she’s got three of her own.” Ms Turner hopes hearing Alyssa’s story encourages others to make the most of every day. “Live your life to the fullest and cherish your babies and children, it could be like Alyssa’s case where she’s not going to see her youngest one grow up and her youngest one might not even remember her,” she said.
Emma, Natalie, Lincoln, Alyssa holding Eiyla and Elizabeth, Misael, Elijah, Aaron, Paige holding Montell and Marcelo. (Supplied)