Our guest speaker on Tuesday the 23 of April, 2024 was Lisa Simpson from Ronald McDonald House. She gave the members a PowerPoint presentation of the details, services, costs and objectives of the organization. |
Ronald McDonald Houses are a warm and supportive home where families can stay together keeping families close to their child with a serious illness since 1981. Ronald McDonald Houses are located within footsteps of major women’s and children’s hospitals across Australia. Our Houses provide a homely and inviting place to stay for parents, guardians, carers and their siblings while their child is undergoing treatment in a nearby hospital. Part of what makes our Houses unique is that families are able to benefit from the compassionate support of our volunteers and staff, and the companionship of other families who are navigating a similar journey. |
Ronald McDonald Family Rooms are located inside major hospitals and are exclusively for the families of children undergoing treatment in a nearby ward. Run by friendly volunteers, the Family Rooms are welcoming spaces where you can take time out from the clinical environment of the wards, have a tea or coffee, freshen up with a shower or find a quiet space for a much-needed nap. The Family Rooms also have dedicated play areas so the siblings of seriously ill children can have a bit of fun. |
The donation, a result of fundraising efforts by Wollundry Rotary through the Gears and Beers Festival, will significantly value-add to the Garden precinct, enhancing facilities on site just in time for this year's festival, while also providing long-term benefits for families and guests visiting this beautiful part of the city centre.
Manager City Growth & Regional Assets Ben Creighton noted he was pleased with the donation.
"Once completed, families visiting the Gardens can expect a more enjoyable play experience, with increased shade for playground users and carers,” Mr Creighton said.
A key feature of the proposed signage will be its acknowledgment of not only the donation and the Gears and Beers festival, but also the fruitful, engaging long-term partnership between the Council and Wollundry Rotary in bringing projects such as this, to life.
In turn, Council will contribute project management and ongoing maintenance services for the upgraded playground area, to ensure the infrastructure meets safety standards and is of high quality.
Director Regional Activation John Sidgwick echoed Mr Creighton’s sentiments, going on to state that “this initiative underscores the positive impact that collaboration between community organisations and local government can have on enhancing public spaces for the benefit of all.”
Past President of Wollundry Rotary Club and Chair of the Gears and Beers Festival Phillip McIntosh, noted that the Club was excited to once again partner with Council in giving back to the community via a project that will serve such an important purpose. “Core to our Rotary values has always been investing in projects that both serve the public good and promote the many wonderful things Wagga Wagga and the Riverina have to offer locals and visitors to the area,” Mr McIntosh said. “To that end, Wollundry Rotary has enjoyed a wonderful collaborative partnership with Council over the years, particularly over the last decade in bringing the Gears and Beers festival to life, and we look forward to more of the same in years to come.”
Wollundry Rotary’s selection of this location also aligns with Council's long-term strategic goal to increase shade in playgrounds across the city.
The installation is scheduled for completion by the end of June 2024.
David Post and Karen Walsh paid a visit to the Canmore Rotary club in Canmore Alberta Canada. The club is the home club of the late Dr Brent Pickard who for many years made Wagga his home and was an adopted member of Wollundry. David and Karen were especially pleased with the welcome they received from the 75 members that were present for their Christmas meeting. David told the members about the Canmore Festival of Trees in the halls of the beautiful Malcolm Hotel. Local businesses or individuals purchase a tree for from 300 to 3000 dollars and decorate it according to their business theme. The project brings in $100,000 a year for the club. In the above photo they are on the deck of the Canmore Golf and Curling club, holding Rotary club exchange banners. |
Our speakers at Tuesdays meeting were from STARTTS (NSW Services for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trama Survivors). Specifically they were Ali Reid and Yazidi refugee Rasheed Shanibaqi. Ali was the first speaker giving an overview her past work with refugees in the Riverina and the work of her organization. STARTTS NSW Service for the treatment and rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors ... it is a part of the Rural and Regional services. STARTTS provides assistance to refugees and other people from refugee like backgrounds living in NSW who have experienced torture and other traumatic events prior to arrival in Australia. STARTTS mission is to facilitate the healing process of survivors or torture and refugee trauma and to assist and resource individuals in other agencies who work with them. STARTTS services provide a holistic range which have evolved in response to client needs and incorporate the latest development in the treatment of trauma. |
Rasheed arrived in Wagga from Iraq in 2017, however his involvement with STARTTS officially began just a few days ago. He spoke of personal experiences and experiences of other refugees. Some of their services: culturally appropriate counselling and therapy, group work. Activities for young people including camps and trips. Referral and Case Management. Community liaison and consultation. STARTTS is responsive to changing client's needs and uses a multi-disciplinary approach. David Benn and David Pyke both related stories to the club in their involvement with refugees on a personal basis. President Darren thanked them for giving the members a well prepared overview of the STARTTS organization and presented them with gifts of local olive oil. |