The Hopkins No Interest Loans Scheme (NILS) was established in mid-2005 to assist low-income people in the region acquire basic goods for everyday life.

The loans usually fall in the $800 to $1200 range and the common repayment period is set around 12 to 18 months.

Hopkins NILS acting chairwoman Anne Maree Mugavin said the loans were set aside for people seeking to buy household goods such as a refrigerator, television, washing machine or clothes drier. 

Dentistry and other health costs have also been covered under the scheme although loans were not given for bond or rent money.

“We started from (volunteer) Mary Lancaster’s kitchen. We’ve gone on to help many people over the past 10 years,” Mrs Mugavin said. 

“The philanthropic trusts have been very helpful, so too has Vern Robson, in giving us the assistance we need in order for NILS to operate. Over the years, we’ve grown and helped out plenty of families right across the city.”

All low-income individuals and families who either hold a health care or pension card are eligible for the loan scheme.

Based on the concept of cyclical cash turnover, when a borrower makes a repayment to a NILS program, the funds are then available as a loan for someone else in the community. 

Mrs Mugavin said the no-interest loan scheme was not widely known throughout the community but those on low incomes helped by the program had benefited enormously.

“There are so many stories of people who have been helped through NILS,” she said. “People have been able to get essential dental work. We once had a single mum who has children with autism who was able to buy a trampoline because of the loan.

“Simple things like a fridge or a washing machine that many of us take for granted can be expensive for someone who has to live from week-to-week.”