Call for funds for Haiti
January 28, 2010
UNIFEM has issued a call for US$2 million to provide shelter and services for women in Haiti. It is now estimated that over 150,000 people have died as a result of the catastrophic earthquake on 13th January.
As part of the overall UN effort in the country, the UNIFEM team in Haiti will work alongside NGO partners to strengthen services to victims of gender-based violence and their families in women’s centres and temporary shelters in Port au Prince and Jacmel. The money raised will go towards a range of efforts from emergency community-based violence prevention programmes to repairing damage of existing centres and providing humanitarian aid like emergency supplies, staff and counselling services in communities most affected. UNIFEM will also focus on coordination efforts to ensure that emergency and early recovery assessment and assistance incorporate a gender perspective to adequately address the differentiated needs of women, men and children.
To donate please go to the UNIFEM Australia website at: www.unifem.org.au
Darlington Review – February 2010
At our first meeting for the year we had a talk from David Roach of Catalpa International. He spoke about East Timor – Alternative to Schoolies Week.
David became involved with the group from Kalamunda in 2009. His company were the in-country partners, finding out the needs of the local communities from the local village chiefs in the mountainous areas in central Timor Leste.
There were 2 groups of 7 students plus leaders. Their activities included providing running water, help with a library, restoring a youth centre and a sanitation project of providing a toilet and shower for the village.
The students were involved in interaction with the local young people including sporting events, singing and dancing and English lessons.
At the beginning of February several members will be going to see the Sapphires. It should be a fun evening.
On the third Tuesday will hold our Annual General Meeting. Our president Kim will be continuing for another year while others will be taking on new positions within the club.
In March we should be returning to our new format of having a guest speaker at our dinner meeting on the first Tuesday of the month at the Hale Road Tavern, Forrestfield at 6.30pm. With the business/executive meeting on the third Tuesday of the month at the Woodlupine Community Centre, Forrestfield.
For further information phone Kim 94533214
Fay Kappler, Publicity Officer
Soroptimist International of Helena
PO Box 1181, Kalamunda 6076
Guest Speaker – David Roach, Catalpa International – January 2010
January 19, 2010
Click here to view flyer (PDF).
President’s Report to December 2009
January 1, 2010
Soroptimist International of Helena
President’s Report to December 2009
2009 has been another busy, interesting and productive year for Helena members.
Looking back on the year, there are two major changes for Helena that are creating positive feedback and enthusiasm. One is the change to our meeting structure, which now includes a social dinner evening with guest speakers; the other is our new web site with the addition of Facebook and Twitter, developed late 2009 by member Naomi Allan’s company Insilico.
The highlight of the year was the club’s 25th birthday celebrations held in April at the Jane Brook Winery. As members and guests gathered under the vines the heaven’s opened up, soaked our seats, tablewear and ourselves. It was still the most enjoyable day of the year as, in friendship members old and new gathered, forgot the rain and reminisced over the achievements of Helena over the last 25 years.
GUEST SPEAKERS for the year included:
Jasmin O’Hara from the Epilepsy Foundation, members assisted Epilepsy Action at their annual seminar in May by preparing and serving lunch to 60 attendees.
Lynn Tognolini from the Unthando Dolls Project was our June guest speaker and provided us with an insight to the importance and continued success of the project.
Hannah Downie student from St Bridget’s College in Lesmurdie spoke about her recent study trip to Russia of which Helena was a sponsor.
Jo Randell, Jan Owen and Jennifer Quartermaine spoke about the Madjitil Moorna Choir and their recent and very successful trip to Halls Creek. Madjitil Moorna is an all-ages community choir who sing Aboriginal songs. Invited by local Aboriginal teacher Doreen Green, the plan was to produce a community concert unlike any ever seen in Halls creek. The choir planned to promote self-esteem and good health through the healing power of singing together in Aboriginal languages as well as English. Little did they know how much they would receive while giving of themselves.
One Aboriginal member, Pat Oakley wrote, ‘…the choir has the ability to move so many people and spread the message of reconciliation far more effectively than any other method’.
HANDS ON SERVICE:
Two members attended the CEDAW Workshop. (Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination against Women.)
Members attended the Momentum Women’s Forum IWD lunch with guest speaker Governor General Quentin Bryce on March 6th.
SOS Day – Again a very successful event, for the fourth year running Helena members provided morning tea and interacted with residents of the Alzheimer’s unit at Cypress Gardens Nursing Home in Greenmount.
In September members volunteered to assist Mundaring Shire with their annual Trek The Trail event.
Helena and On The Terrace members partnered to assist the Zig Zag Community Arts Committee with a Street Parade of local community groups. Helena and OTT decorated a float and participated in the parade. Next year we are hoping more clubs will participate in the parade with us. A great way to promote Soroptimist within the community.
Members assisted with the EveryWomen Expo.
Two members attended a briefing on a programme run by YAK (Youth Action Kalamunda) and the Rotary Club of Kalamunda called Kalamunda Schoolies Timor Leste. The idea is to create an amazing experience for graduating students in the Kalamunda Shire. Participants will travel to East Timor to work in small rural villages with the assistance of local NGO Catalpa International. In 2008 the programme was so successful it has been planned that 14 participants will attend in 2009. We have made a connection with David Roach from Catalpa International and hope to partner with them to support a small rural health clinic in East Timor.
Samaritans boxes were packed and delivered in October.
Members donated their Entertainment Book Vouchers for outings/food treats, to be given to Koolkuna Women’s Refuge for older children’s use during long school holidays.
ADVOCACY:
Three Members attended a very interesting Trafficking Seminar run by the Salvation Army and used some of the information to present to guests at the soup and film night in June showing The Jammed. A very informative and successful event, bringing the issues of trafficking to the community.
Two members attended the seminar “Trafficked” held in the city with a guest speaker from Project Respect in Victoria.
FUNDRAISING:
Helena’s two main fundraising events for the year are the annual fashion parade held in May each year and the quiz night in August. These two events have become so popular they serve to provide the funding for the majority of our recipients throughout the year.
Royal Flying Doctors, Helena purchased another foetal heart monitor.
Scholarship for one student from the Kalamunda Youth Swing Band for their tutorial for a twelve month period and recently committed to providing scholarships to the KYSB for a five year period enabling us to have a re cognised presence within the community.
John Fawcett Eye Clinic and student scholarship programme.
Endangered species programme at the Perth Zoo.
Kanyana Wildlife as required.
Koolkuna Women’s Refuge. Members donated their Entertainment Book Vouchers for outings/food treats, to be given to for older children’s use during long school holidays.
Funding for disaster relief.
December: This year Helena held their Christmas celebrations at the home of member Val Ludemann with the theme being Christmas in different countries. We were delighted to have several guests join with us for the celebrations, including Cathie Flannigan from SI San Ramon club in California and prospective new member Ailsa Postmus.
Looking back over the year it is clear to see that a small group of dedicated women can make a difference. Thank you for your enthusiasm, dedication and support throughout the year and I look forward to a great 2010.
Kim Kennedy
President – 2009
