By Aaron Cordy
ONE of Shepparton’s most beloved patrons, Azem Elmaz, of Lutfiye’s Shish Kebab was left shocked after vandal trashed the bathroom out the back of his shop, which serves as a washroom for people sleeping rough.
Overnight Tuesday, April 15, a man known to Azem smashed up the bathroom with a brick, breaking the toilet, sink, and mirror and damaging the wall among other things.
The attack was a shock to the man who gives so much to the community but in the true spirit of the ever-generous Azem, he quickly moved on and set about cleaning the mess and opening Lutfiye’s Shish Kebab.
“I got angry for a moment, then I said to myself things happen,” said Azem, who’s tireless helping of those in need has given him an insight into the struggles of people often considered on the lowest rung of society.
“It’s easy for us, we can be harsh and rough with them, but unfortunately, they are suffering with some kind of mental illness, so I really can’t get angry to be honest. There’s nothing we can do about it, so we can just fix it and keep doing what we are doing.
“Anyway, life goes on. We are living in such a beautiful country, community I’m grateful for.”
Friends and supporters of Azem’s have quickly rallied around him to organise a GoFundMe to help repair the damage and the priority of making it more secure with a door steel enforced door, so it can continue to be a safe space where people in need can wash themselves and find some dignity.
“A number of businesses have reached out. Bunnings, Reece Plumbing, Tradelink and other plumbers, and people who are willing to donate their own time and equipment to finish it off [restoring the bathroom].”
If you want to donate to Azem’s cause, go to www.gofundme.com/f/community-bathroom-repairs-for-lutfiyes-cafe/donations.
