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!

Thanks to Kay Rivers and the team in Cairns who kept everything running smoothly while Lyall, the branch coordinator, took a well deserved break.  Our volunteers and patrons are looking forward to autumn as the summers are always tough in tropical Far North Queensland. Our local committee are working closely with the Cairns Regional Council to secure a long-term venue for our well-patronised service reaching out 4 nights per week.

Our Brisbane services have expanded and we are contemplating additional outreaches. Growing support from many and varied individuals and organisations continues to amaze us. More importantly it enables Rosies, among other things, to supply our patrons at the Aspley caravan park with regular material support to add to our offering of friendship. Just the other day we received an email from a young man saying “I recently moved to Brisbane to study. I’ve been using your free food van services and they’ve literally saved me from starving. I heard that you might need volunteers. I’m not sure what that involves but I’d be happy to give it a go”. Our guess is that the friendship is as important as the food.

Students from years 4, 5, and 6 at St Eugene College put a play on for the rest of the school and charged them to see it. The money raised was donated to Rosies to support our Caboolture branch. What a creative way to make a difference! Thanks to Caboolture News for running a great story on our services which has garnered more local support like realestate.com offering to patch up our old van.

 

New life in Beenleigh. It started with our first Christmas outreach in 2016 and has blossomed in 2017. The support of Logan Village Family Favourites Bakery and the Sikh community along with Chatswood Hills Sate School and some wonderful families has been crucial in catering for a growing number of patrons. Bob, a regular patron, has taken on the role of photographer capturing the smiling faces of the young patrons receiving their gifts.