It was with great excitement that the Toowoomba branch unveiled its newest acquisition, a barbecue trailer to use at Outreaches. Our friends on the street are very happy with the faster, more efficient cooking, and the reduced waiting time is appreciated in the chilly Toowoomba weather. The barbecue trailer was skillfully customised by David, husband of volunteer, Annette. This has become a great addition to the “team” and Rosies is grateful to have this wonderful asset to improve service to the disadvantaged in Toowoomba. Thanks to the Department of Justice & Attorney General for providing funds.
Rosies Toowoomba branch receive wonderful community support including being generously assisted by the South Toowoomba Apex Club. Each month they cook a BBQ for the Sunday outreach with the Club members providing all food and delicious home cooked treats for the enjoyment of our many friends. Recently the Rosies branch was presented with a cheque for $500 from the Apex Club to be used to purchase a fridge/ freezer for the safe storage of food while at outreaches. The President of Apex Georgia Soutar presented the cheque to Annette and Fay (Toowoomba Coordinating Team) at the Apex Changeover Ball. We sincerely thank Apex for their continued support and generous gift.
Find out more about our Toowoomba branch
Jon Martlew is moving on from his role as Rosies branch coordinator in Toowoomba. Jon made an enormous contribution in developing Rosies in Toowoomba. From small steps Jon has been instrumental in establishing Rosies activities and profile in his home city in the space of a few short years. His embrace of all those he engages with is legendary as is his selflessness in giving of his time and more. In that time Jon has trained a couple hundred volunteers, drawn the support of numerous individuals and organisations, and trebled the outreach activity. Rosies is a wonderful presence in the Toowoomba community for which Jon and his committee can be justifiably proud.
Rosies’ Toowoomba Branch team paraded for the Carnival of Flowers in front of 30,000 plus people for the second year.
Our volunteers and Swagman, one of our regular friends on the street, were delighted to see so many smiles coming from the crowd.
‘Taking part in the event means a lot to our Rosies volunteers. It simply shows our deep connection with the community, between people giving their time or raising donations, and our many friends on the street. We are all part of the same bouquet despite our differences’, said Jon Martlew, our coordinator in Toowoomba.
We make assumptions based on our own knowledge. Yet, if we take the time to listen to people with our heart we can appreciate them for who they truly are. All of us are gifted, but our individual talents are not always obvious; most treasures are hidden. God’s creation is diverse and unique, which makes it beautiful and inspiring rather than monotone and dull. God values us for who we are and we are invited to imitate Him. We are encouraged to value each other for our uniqueness. Let us appreciate the diversity God put in His creation and go beyond our presumptions to discover who a person really is through understanding and charity.
Fr John David
Rosies’ Chaplain
Brisbane
Rosies has temporarily relocated our Friday and Saturday night outreaches to the Cathedral of St Stephen.Brisbane City Council has encouraged street van services to be located in off-street premises. The Archbishop of Brisbane has kindly agreed to trial our Outreach for eight weeks.
Look out for further updates.
Cairns
The new street outreach van was blessed by the Bishop of Cairns the Most Reverend James Foley. Thanks AMA. Services have commenced Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights.
Gold Coast
The Rosies Gold Coast branch has started a new outreach in Nerang. The van is at to Bischoff Pioneer Park on Wednesdays from 7.30pm – 9.00pm.
Toowoomba
Jon Martlew, our Toowoomba Branch Coordinator, went homeless for a week during the Homelessness Prevention Week. Our Patron, Leneen Forde, and Chair, John Scoble, took part in launching Jon’s sleepout at the Homlessness Prevention Week commencement exhibition. During the week Jon slept rough, hung out with our friends on the street, joined our outreaches and had a cuppa to raised funds for Rosies. Well done Jon!
We all understand the value of friends in our lives. One of the many privileges I have is to share experiences of friendship with many amazing young students involved in our Schools Engagement Program.
The vitality and warmth of these young people continues to put a spring in the step of our volunteers and patrons.
Unfortunately some young people in our communities are struggling to find hope and therefore it is important we continue to offer experiences of friendship to them. The commitment of our Rosies volunteers to turn up at each Outreach is fundamental to building relationships and hope. Your support makes a difference.
Andrew O’Brien,
General Manager
3-9 August 2015
Jon Martlew, our Team Coordinator in Toowoomba, and Nat Spary (the BASE soup kitchen) will be sleeping rough during this year Homeless Prevention Week 3 – 9 August 2015. Jon and Nat aim to raise awareness of homelessness. Jon wants to experience a glimpse of what “homelessness” is all about. “I see this as an opportunity for me to experience some of the physical and emotional discomforts experienced by those who are homeless”.
Click here to support Jon.
There is a surge of homeless people in South East Queensland. Many of them are fleeing the colder temperature in NSW and Victoria.
Our teams will be out giving away blankets in Brisbane, Calboolture, Cairns, Gold Coast (in Southport and Surfers Paradise), Ipswich, Woodrige, Mareeba, Caloundra and Toowoomba
St Andrew’s Catholic College, Redlynch, and St Ursula’s College, Toowoomba are schools on a mission!
Recently, each school raised an incredible amount – in excess of $4,000 each – to support Rosies outreach services in their local areas, with Cairns, Toowoomba, and Ipswich branches receiving funds.
On Friday August 1, over 50 St Ursula’s students from years 10, 11 and 12 were sponsored to brave the cold for a 12 hour sleepout in Merici Courtyard. Now in its third year, the event has been enthusiastically supported by the girls – and they have become muhc more appreciative of the comfort and warmth of their own beds and homes as a result!
St Andrew’s Year 12 students held their own sleepout during Catholic Education Week on August 1, while Year 11 students ran a blanket drive. The younger students got in on the act too by putting together hygiene packs!
Both schools are participants in the Rosies Student Engagement Program, with students volunteering year round with people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness in their local areas. Students also provide material support to Rosies patrons in the form of emergency relief: food and hygiene packs.
Rosies would like to thank St Andrew’s and St Ursula’s for their continued generous support.
