In early April, Toowoomba volunteers were offered the opportunity to participate in a fundraising BBQ at the Harvey Norman Centre with the proceeds to be used for the ongoing work of Rosies outreaches. Our Rosies marquee added a carnival atmosphere to the special Car Park Sale which was held at the Harvey Norman Shopping Complex.
On thatbeautiful Autumn day, volunteers enjoyed the experience taking time between cooking and serving the public, to meet and socialise with other volunteers from the various teams. With other major events scheduled for the same day, the opening of the new Grand Central Shopping Complex and the Toowoomba Show, volunteers hard work was rewarded with the total of $740 raised for the work of Rosies. Special thanks to everyone who assisted with the organisation and to those who generously volunteered their time to provide the hot food throughout the day. We have booked another day for early October and look forward to meeting up again and enjoying the day together.
Well done and thank you!
L-R Mitch Fitzpatrick, Rick Hauraki, Theresa Redgwell, Christine Alifraco, Three first year dental students, Bri Blackmore, Bill Matthews, Lyall Forde
Rosies Cairns branch features in this year CAIRNS DIOCESAN NEWS EASTER edition (you can read the article below). This year Rosies celebrates its 30th birthday.
Rosies was founded by an Oblate of Mary Immaculate priest (OMI) in the beachside suburb of Melbourne called Rosebud, hence the name Rosies. Throughout Queensland, we operate in many suburbs and towns, including Brisbane, Gold Coast, Cairns, and Mareeba.
Our work is to be friends with those forced to live on the street, the homeless and poor. Here in Cairns we take hot meals and drinks out to them four nights a week. We have 160 volunteers who done night per month in 16 Teams. The volunteers come from all walks of life and this contributes to the Rosies family.
We also have nine high schools that participate as part of our School Engagement Program, these being Cairns State High School, St . Andrew’s Catholic College, Redlynch State College, St Monica’s College, Peace Lutheran College, TAS, St Augustine’s College, AFL Cape York Academy, and St Mary’s Catholic College. These Outreach schools are involved once per month and consist of four Grade 12 students plus a teacher and parents.
Along with our face-to-face outreach volunteers, we have a small army of “back room” supporters who cook hot meals for the volunteers to distribute. We also have a large group who make up sandwiches to cover the four nights. It is also worth pointing out that for the last few years the Cairns Muslim Community has cooked 90 hot meals per month. Then in the wider community, we have many parish and community members who collect food for us and fundraise to assist our financial commitments.
All our volunteers are required to have a Blue Card and undertake the in-service (Initial Training Course) which is an introduction to our Rosies work in Cairns . The Rosies outreach room is located on the ground floor of Centacare and we are grateful to the Diocese of Cairns for making this available.
Rosies- friends on the street was Broncos charity partner at the last NRL round as part of the Catholic charity’s 30th birthday. A regiment of Rosies volunteers from all over South East Queensland took over Suncorp Stadium on March 24 for the game against the Raiders.
Meanwhile a couple of Broncos players, Tevita Pangai and Gehamat Shibasaki, joined the charity on outreach in Brisbane city.
“It was great to get in there and see what a shift involves for the Rosies volunteers,” said Pangai.
“It’s much more than just offering drinks and snacks. It’s also about friendship and being there for people to chat to.”
Pangai and Gehamat embraced the complete volunteer experience from prebrief to debrief. They helped cleaned and restocked the van after taking part to the outreach.
“The players were willing to help every step of the way and interacted with our patrons effortlessly when we pulled up in the city,” said Sarah Corbett Brisbane Branch Co-ordinator.
“It was really rewarding to see the faces of some of our patrons when they spotted the players operating the coffee and tea machine.”
Rosies visited the Broncos this morning.
Broncos help Rosies celebrate 30th Birthday – Broncos
For more than three decades Rosies has been helping those doing it tough so let’s help make their 30th birthday one to remember this Friday night when the Broncos take on the Raiders.
You can help the Broncos support the not-for-profit organisation by simply entering the 50/50 Charity Raffle, which last game saw a lucky fan pocket an incredible $11,800!
Rosies provides friends on the street to help create a sense of belonging for those who are homeless, marginalised, or simply lonely.
This heartfelt service provided to Queensland communities is only possible thanks to more than 1,200 Rosies’ volunteers who give up their time to assist others.
Each month 240 Rosies’ teams hit the streets, the courts as well as youth detention and women’s correctional facilities. By sharing their time, a cuppa, a snack, some basic toiletries and blankets, volunteers help those who are socially isolated feel supported. You never know when life may take a turn for the worse.
Rosies’ volunteers do this by being there, night after night, week after week.
On Friday night 60 of these generous volunteers will be at the Broncos vs Raiders game selling tickets in the 50/50 Charity Raffle so make sure you say hello and buy a ticket to support this great cause.
The lucky winner will walk away with half the total ticket sales – the other half is donated to the Brisbane Broncos Charity Fund and Rosies.
50/50 Ticket Prices
3 tickets for $5
7 tickets for $10
16 tickets for $20
45 tickets for $50.
Best of luck in the draw!
The Broncos have been playing for nearly 30 years and Rosies has been helping Queenslanders doing it tough for 30 years. Rosies Patron, Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove has seen first-hand its army of volunteers making a difference on the street and off the street.
Rosies will be raising funds and awareness to support the work of its 1,200 volunteers at the Broncos v Raiders home blockbuster this Friday night at Suncorp Stadium.
Since 1987, yes 30 years, Rosies – Friends on the Street has been sharing friendship and creating a sense of belonging for those who are homeless, marginalised, or simply lonely. Our volunteers share friendship with everyone and anyone without prejudice or discrimination in 11 communities across Queensland.
Each month 240 Rosies teams go out on the street, to the courts, youth detention and women’s correctional facilities. By sharing their time, a cuppa, a snack and some basic toiletries and blankets, Rosies helps those who are socially isolated build self-confidence and feel supported as they strive to improve their lot. You never know when life may take a turn for the worse and when someone finds the need of friendship and support. Rosies does this by being there, night by night, week by week. There is no off-season for those in need.
Rosies is a not-for-profit mission whose operation is funded 98% by community donations. Over 60 Rosies volunteers will be selling tickets in the 50/50 Charity Raffle this Friday night for this wonderful mission.
One lucky winner will walk away with half the total ticket sales with the other half going to the Brisbane Broncos Charity Fund and Rosies – Friends on the Street.
Wynnum Manly shared Christmas on the Street for the first time in 2016 (photo below). Bags from Share the Dignity, hampers from Wellington Manor and Ausbuild were distributed amongst our patrons. Thanks everyone for helping us help others. The support keeps coming with the Port of Brisbane Rotary hosting an Auction of Promises at Villanova Park on March 18 which will extend the network of friendship and giving.
The branch has been nominated as charity of choice by the Red Rose Fund for their upcoming Gala Ball ‘Voyage a Paris‘. to be held in Toowoomba on June 16. What an inspirational group of women giving back to their community!
The ongoing support from the Toowoomba community ensures that three nights a week friendship is shared around the community BBQ.
Christmas on the Street typifies the friendship network which continues to blossom wherever Rosies outreaches. In Caloundra, some 25 volunteers joined forces with Club Kawana (baked dinner), Barber’s Shed (free hair cuts), Rotary Club (special hampers), family (special gifts) and Orange Sky Laundry. Of course, this spirit of giving continues in 2017 for our very appreciative patrons.
Christmas on the Street in Logan is a tradition and 2016 was no exception. All our patrons and volunteers, young and old alike shared stories; and they can because they know we are friends all year round. Rosies’ unique contribution to the Logan community was beautifully featured on the ABC TV Breakfast show showing the wonderful collaboration between our team and other services to provide a one stop shop to our friends on the street. The story was also covered in the Evening Bulletin (watch below).
St Peter Claver College, in partnership with the University of Southern Queensland, presented Packages with Purpose to Rosies Ipswich Coordinator, Barry Rienecker. Led by the Social Justice Group, the entire school community donated hygiene items to Rosies. A tremendous contribution from the school and its community!
