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Updated 03/31/2004
| 6th MARCH 2004 |
"Luckily the rain seems to have disappeared from the horizon for a few days and the sun actually shone for us! We haven't seen much of that this summer.
"I have attached a photo of a few of us having a breather with a lovely view of Wellington Harbour in the background."
Esther Bryan writes: "A group of SI Tocumwal Soroptimists did a clean up of silo road here."
Shown on the photo are Ann Tillyard-Wilson SI Tocumwal president and Esther Bryan Regional Riverina President
Sent by Marlene Brooke
SISWP Saturday of Service Co-Ordinator
"We were supplied with bright yellow jackets and 'grabbers' and plastic sacks by the Prospect Panel Voluntary group working for the Environment in our area.
" We split into two groups. Our President, Jean Aspen, with her group, were in another area of town removing rubbish from steps and a path. The group I was in removed rubbish from a public path, and playing field areas. We collected thirty bags full, two car tyres, a child's cycle and a vacuum cleaner !!! Plus loads of glass bottles and broken glass. It really is appalling the litter around."
Jean Lord concludes: "We did not wear T shirts being a chilly morning, but sunny. We enjoyed ourselves."
Lorraine Marshall, President SI Kapiti Coast wrote: "Kapiti Coast had a very satisfying morning clearing and tidying the gardens of the local Women's Refuge safe house. Thirteen Soroptimists and 3 Soroptimisters weeded, cut back, and loaded trucks to take the rubbish to the local rubbish tip. As the location is secret we haven't passed the photos to the local media but here are a couple taken at the working bee."
Sheilah Downs let Kapiti Coast know that their photos were on our Chatline pages and invitied them to look at these together with the others posted there. They were thrilled to think that others around the world could see these and their President sent the names to go with the photos.
Sheilah added: "Lorraine Marshall is on the Conference Committee with me and Beverley Taylor is our Federation Secretary."
"London Chilterns Region Programme Action Chair Melanie Leivers organised a Soroptimist stand at the Capital Woman 2004 exhibition at the Queen Elizabeth Conference Centre, Westminster, on Saturday March 6th.
5000 women descended upon Westminster to hear the Mayor of London and Diane Abbot, among others, talk about subjects of interest to women - childcare strategy, domestic violence strategy, safer travel initiatives, women in cities in the 21st century. Many women during the refreshment breaks took the opportunity to visit the SI stand and take away literature. &nsp; More than 50 left their name and address for a more detailed follow up.
It was particularly relevant for SI to have an exhibit at this event and it was an opportunity to contact women and offer them information about Soroptimism and invite them to future club events."
"Money raised went to help with the training for Guide Dog puppies."
"Last Swimathon Later the same Sunday.
Club members Aroha, rushing in from an afternoon of bowls, and June organized the food supplies. Couldn't use photos of the children swimming their sponsored lengths as they came out blurry!
The Club supplied many books for the school libraries, donated vouchers from friends and local businesses, free sausage sizzle & poolside raffle.
"Special Olympic swimmers were our guests and we were able to give them a cheque for $100 from the sales table/raffle. A sad, but lovely ending to 14 years of annual Upper Hutt Soroptimist Swimathons."
Soroptimist International of Santa Cruz partnered with the Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Cruz and San Benito Counties for its Saturday of Service project. Santa Cruz and San Benito counties have thousands of residents
(presently over 42,000 a month) who require supplemental food aid to help make ends meet. Second Harvest Food Bank solicits, acquires, and distributes more than 5 million pounds of food a year through 120 agencies and programs. By
sorting and packing food boxes, Soroptimists helped the bank distribute more food to more people. Shown on the photo below are some of the Santa Cruz Club Members who participated in their SOS Project.
The Saturday of Service event brings members together to improve communities around the world and increase international goodwill and understanding.
Members of SI Albury-Wodonga spent the day making up 28 bedspreads for East Timor. They had an article and photo in the local newspaper: The development of an orphanage in East Timor is receiving a helping hand from the Albury-Wodonga Soroptimists. During the weekend the group held a working bee to sew, press and pack 50 bedspreads.
They became involved in the development of the orphanage through Border humanitarian Ms Anne Moon, who has divided her time between Albury and Dili, having devoted the past five years of her life to improving living standards for orphans in East Timon. The orphanage, to be built at Liquicia, will under the guidance of Ms Moon cater for more than 50 children aged 5-12, orphaned during the country's 25-year struggle for independence. The East Timorese government will donate 1 ha of land in a beautiful area for the orphanage which will also cater for children who have been abused. The Soroptimists are also fundraising to help with the building.
Sent by Marlene Broohe.
Sent by Marlene Brooke
The article states: SI Cootamundra is one of 500 Clubs in four Federations across the world who are taking part in the Soroptimist Saturday of Service on March 6. In the year 2002, Soroptimists in nine Clubs in Phoenix, Arizona, initiated this day of service to highlight some of the activities of their members. The idea took wings and spread to other Clubs around the globe.
Cootamundra Soroptimists decided their day of service would involve working to improve the environment. As the Clean up Australia project is on March 7, what better way to work toward this goal. They started a day early on the clean up trail, out along Boundary Road on Saturday morning performing their
Saturday of Service, and knowing their sisters in Soroptimism all over the world will also, on this day, be helping their communities.
From L to R: Margaret Smith, Roni Corne, Ruth Vosseler, Ella Rosso and children Daniel & Francesca, Ann Knowler, part of the team cleaning up on 'Clean Up Australia' day for Soroptimists on Saturday/Sunday.
"Nine club members met up on 6th March to clear a patch of land on an estate in Guildford. Not only did the exercise do us good, but the area was much clearer when we left! At least 20 big bags, bike frames, vacuum cleaners and various other assorted junk later, we retired to the nearby University sports bar for refreshment. Inevitably we also found a kitchen sink, which no litter pick could do without!
"As we enjoyed ourselves so much, we recklessly promised ourselves a repeat later in the year during better weather. On the picture, I am in the middle of both shots"
"The entrance to Coleambally town has been beautified with a Lions' Park on one side and a Soroptimist Arboretum on the other side. This is where the members worked on the Saturday of Service, while at the same time enjoying friendship and laughter, concluding with a picnic amongst the trees.
"As it is a public place, the Soroptimists were very visible, energetically doing their bit to ensure that our town presents a pleasing welcome to all."
"Members decided the best vehicle for this would be a morning of light entertainment followed by lunch. Carers Australia invited 600 people, estimating that only about 50 would attend, while SI Joondalup hired a hall, booked a commercial magician,
organised a laughter workshop and set about catering for up to 100
people. They cooked, asked for donations and bought food till they had a generous and delicious lunch. The very early arrivals were offered a cup of tea and soon morning tea was being served to 50 carers.
"The show began at 11 am with the magician, who soon had the crowd laughing and wondering at his tricks. The laughter workshop was put on by Woman's Health Works and ensured that the audience had plenty of laughter experience and were feeling very relaxed.
"Before lunch Joondalup members told everyone who they were and what they stood for; the "Linking Together" co-ordinator explained the role of Carers Australia and their social support system, and the representative from the City of Wanneroo informed the carers of the services available from local government. A free raffle was drawn, with three good prizes, and lunch was served, which
was so generous that carers were able to take some home for tea. As they walked out of the door, laughing and with plates piled high with chicken, sandwiches and cake they called "When can we do this again?"
"Saturday of Service is the one day when we should put something back into the community, especially for those less fortunate than ourselves. This project gave the carers a day out with social interaction, laughter and entertainment and a break form their 24/7 duty of caring for others. SI Joondalup organised this day, with input from Carers Australia and The City of Wanneroo. All members of the club were involved and the major decisions were made by the SI Joondalup organising committee.*nbsp; It was a very successful event. The Carers had a wonderful day out; SI Joondalup had an enriching and rewarding Saturday of Service; City of Wanneroo saw another service, "Linking Together" come into their area and Carers Australia were able to register new carers who were not aware of the organisation. It is a project that could have far reaching benefits for those involved, as people are introduced to social support systems they were not aware of, and members would recommend it to everyone. They donated the cost of $250, and publicity was arranged.
Contact: Mrs Jennie van Driel email: jennie@vandriel.org"
for the SOS 2004. page 2
