Meet Our 2023 World Kindness Day Winner

 

Rose Darling is the co-founder and chairperson of Community Help and Togetherness (CHATS) in Port Adelaide, South Australia. Known as "The Charity Queen", Rose opened the organisation in 2020, providing meals, groceries, clothing and essential household items to people who are socially isolated and those in need. The 100% volunteer run charity is mostly known in the community for its free Friday breakfasts, which is attended by close to 100 people weekly. 

 

“It is very humbling to be able to make a difference to the lives of so many members of our local community and to have our work recognised by Black Pepper is a very special moment,” says Rose.

 

“The support we give would be impossible without the help of our wonderful board, volunteers and supporters.”

 

“We were completely blown away by the calibre of entries and the incredible acts of kindness within our communities. While it was a difficult decision, we believe Rose is an absolute stand out and takes kindness to a whole new level,” says Black Pepper General Manager Rachel Digby.

 

“Not only does she carry out multiple acts of kindness on a daily basis, she is inspiring an entire community to follow her lead and do the same.”

 

Rose’s win was announced at a special World Kindness Day event held in Melbourne on Friday 10th November. She won $2,000 and a $500 Black Pepper gift voucher for her nominator.

 

Rose was selected as the winner from a short list of finalists that included runner up Tessy Stalker (VIC), founder of the Wonthaggi Community Pantry; feeding the local community in need, Sharon Robertson (NSW), who manufactures special bags for the homeless, Jo Saunderson (TAS), who runs ‘Scone Time’, a monthly catch up for seniors battling loneliness and Jill Fletcher (VIC), a woman in her early 70s who donated a life-saving kidney to her friend’s son.

 

“By recognising and sharing these stories of kindness of these inspiring people we hope to inspire others and to make the world just that little bit kinder,” says Rachel.

 

Victorian Tessy Stalker, founder of the Wonthaggi Community Pantry was announced runner up and won $1,000 for her incredible contribution to her local community.

 

 

 

 

 

 

This World Kindness Day, Black Pepper is looking for the ‘unsung heroes’ amongst our community and recognise their contribution to society, focus on the lives they’ve changed and celebrate them as ‘Australia and New Zealand's Kindest Person 2024.

Has someone in your life come to mind? Perhaps a mother, daughter, sister, aunt or special friend who deserves a round of applause? Maybe, it’s you? Whoever it is, now is the time to spread their story of kindness with the world.