Sunshine Coast Branch – The power of giving

sunshine_coast_homeless_charityRosies is always amazed by the support shown by the community and the Sunshine Coast is no exception. Rosies is so proud and honoured by the power of giving and support shown to our many friends on the street and we would like to mention and thank just a few, anonymously here. One family has been supplying a hundred sweet packs for our Caloundra Christmas on the Street for years.
Another little girl this year cooked cookies and sold them over her holidays raising over $200 for Rosies. Others have made arrangements to donate backpack beds and warm woollies to local farmers and others in need. What a community, thank you, thank you, thank you all.

Find out how you can support your local branch.

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Toowoomba Branch – A donation that counts

Rosies Toowoomba branch has a number of partnerships with local businesses we would like to thank. Recently, our Branch coordinator, Jon Martlew was presented with a $1,500 cheque from the Power Tynan Charitable Trust. Funds donated will be used to operate the street outreach programs.
“Our work is mostly funded by donations such as this from the local community, so we really appreciate the support. Regardless of the weather, our teams provide friendship and encouragement, as well as a cuppa and a bite to eat to those in need.”

Find out how you can support your local branch.

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Mareeba/Atherton Branch – outreach room improvement

Another local collaboration is underway in Mareeba. Our branch is pleased to announce the renovation of our shared meeting room with the local Indigenous Connections group thanks to the support of the local Catholic Parish. Thanks to a grant from the Queensland Government’s Gaming Community Benefit Fund to Rosies, walls and fit out are now being added to what was previously an open shed.

Find out how you support your local branch.

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Ipswich Branch – Our very own little miss Sunshine

Local Ipswich 10 year old student, Stephanie (pictured) is our very own little miss sunshine. Too young to be involved with volunteering, Stephanie decided on her own merits to be awesome and fundraise for Rosies – providing hygiene packs, thermal socks, backpacks, noodles, and more. Our Rosies Ipswich team warmly welcomed Stephanie’s donation. Rosies could not operate without the generosity of wonderful supporters like Stephanie. Thanks!

rosies_Ipswich

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Gold Coast Branch – We thumbed a ride for toys

charity_ride_gold_coastOur Rosies volunteers joined motorcycle enthusiasts from the Harley Owners Group (HOGS) Gold Coast Chapter for the ride of the year. Over 70 bikes and two Rosies vans rode from Coolangatta up the Gold Coast Highway to Southport. Rosies was fortunate to thumb a ride and receive loads of toys and other donations for our many friends for our Christmas on the Street celebrations (see more on page 5). Thank you to the HOGS for such an awesome event and for nominating Rosies as your charity of choice. We love your support and friendship, we had a blast!

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Cairns Branch – New outreach room inaugurated

Our team of volunteers has enthusiastically put the final touches on their new outreach room. The room has been inaugurated. Rosies is most thankful to Centacare for lending us our new premises and helping us transform it into a very functional outreach room. Thank you.

Find out how you support your local branch.

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Caboolture Branch – It is all about team work!

Since its infancy in 2006, our branch has been actively involved with the community and in particular, working closely with St Eugene Catholic College and the local Catholic Parish. Our collaboration, along with many others, has made a huge difference to our many friends in the local community. It’s all about team work. Well done and thank you.

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Message from our General Manager

Andrew O'Brien, General ManagerIn late January I had the sad privilege of attending a memorial service for Shorty, a long-time friend on the street of Rosies in Surfers Paradise. Shorty’s memorial service was beautifully arranged by the Anglican community led by their minister Fr Jon Brooks.
Some of Shorty’s friends on the street poured out their hearts and souls in eulogies of tremendous power and humour. Along with providing basic material and emotional support, burying the dead is a traditional act of mercy.
It brought home to me that our Rosies volunteers, well represented at Shorty’s memorial, are there at every moment, including the last, for our friends on the street earthly lives. Our prayers are with Shorty forever.
Over recent months our network of collaborating organisations and individuals has grown, importantly at the outreach level and also in the areas of research, leadership development, and systems.  Together we can achieve so much more.
I trust you continue to be inspired by the work of Rosies through our dedicated volunteers, collaborating organisations, and wonderful supporters. You will see in this newsletter the breadth and diversity of those connected through Rosies. Whatever trials are facing our friends there is always joy and hope in our gatherings on the street.

Andrew O’Brien
Rosies General Manager

Find out more about getting involved.

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Message from our Chair

Rosies Chairman John ScobleThis Autumn there are a number of reasons for Rosies, and you, our extended family community to celebrate and to take pause. Firstly, it is the 200th anniversary of our founding Oblates of Mary Immaculate priests. Rosies and the Oblates both aspire to our patron saint, St Eugene de Mazenod’s charism, to support those most abandoned in our community. So please, celebrate with us on St Eugene’s feast day 21 May 2016.

During Easter, I would also like to invite you to take a moment of contemplative action. Think not only about your own family but of those within our extended community who may be less fortunate than us.
Is there someone experiencing difficulties, like those in the Roberts story in your extended family you can support with friendship this Easter?

I am grateful as always that our family of Rosies wonderful volunteers are out providing a sense of community and friendship to those in need like the Roberts family. I invite you to celebrate their passion, daring, loyalty, and community with us during National Volunteer Week 11-17 May 2016.

John Scoble
Rosies Board Chair

Find out how you can get involved.

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Inspiration for everyday life…

oblates_200_years_celebrationsSt Eugene de Mazenod – the Oblates of Mary Immaculate and Rosies patron Saint – inspires four key characteristics that we invite you to consider applying to your everyday life. Show passion in your response to those in need – put your entire heart and soul into the service that you undertake.
Be daring in your approach to service – think outside the box, try a new initiative or approach and do not be afraid of risk or possible failure. Be loyal in your approach to life – stand with, and for, those in need. Finally, make an extra effort to promote the concept of community – both within your Church and wider society. Go on, we know you can do it!

Find out more or get involved.

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