IF there is one virtue, strength, or character trait that outshines all the rest, it is KINDNESS. It’s what the world needs. It comes in many forms. Walking hand in hand with kindness are empathy and compassion — and it is all three of these superpowers that bind our rich and vibrant community together.
Understanding the power of kindness, three organisations have banded together to unveil a new series of “Be Kind” pavement stickers across Greater Shepparton. The initiative aims to help build positive mindset practices and promote wellbeing throughout the community.
Led by the Greater Shepparton Lighthouse Project, in collaboration with the Greater Shepparton City Council and Berry Street, the 150 new decals not only promote kindness, wellbeing, and mindful practices, they also honour a very special woman, Bella Ainsworth.
As part of the original team that promoted emotional and mental wellbeing during the challenging COVID-19 lockdowns, Bella co-designed the initial decal project. That effort saw six vibrant stickers placed on pavements across the region, sparking joy and reminding the community to stay positive by incorporating uplifting thinking into daily life.
Now, as part of a broader “Be Kind” campaign launched by Lighthouse to honour Bella’s legacy, Troy Snelling, Leader of Wellbeing at Berry Street School, said of the new stickers:
“The first pavement stickers played a key role in spreading kindness and promoting wellbeing across the community, and it’s fitting that this new campaign continues that legacy in honour of Bella, who embodied those very values.”
Lighthouse Executive Officer Amy Robinson, who also worked on both projects, said:
“Bella brought both professionalism and heart to her work, always putting community, particularly young people, at the centre.
“For those who knew her, Bella is widely remembered for her sense of fun, her energy, and her signature quality of kindness. It is wonderful to have been able to incorporate this into the new design, which is very much inspired by Bella’s vibrant personality.”
Practising the very message they were spreading, the 150 stickers were installed across the region by a group of young volunteers from Berry Street School and participants in Lighthouse’s OLLY program.
So, remember, YOUR superpower is kindness, unleash it and remember, as Bella did, you can make a real difference by wielding it.
