Maureen [pictured] joined Rosies ten years ago at the very beginning of our Logan Beenleigh branch. She was introduced to Rosies through her parish, which initially held a few meetings to introduce Rosies and its activities in the hope that a new branch would start. Today, Rosies Logan team are pleased to celebrate its tenth anniversary. Maureen was first involved in the Logan street van outreach, and four years ago joined the Beenleigh court support team.
“Although open to all, the court support outreach in Beenleigh is essentially addressed to children and young adults. The youngsters often refer to them as the ‘Woollies or Coles boys’. It is often where they work and where they commit their mischief. As we do on street outreach, we offer coffee, tea, or milo, and a chat.”
Visitors must come through the door to a very narrow room where our volunteers are stationed in the Beenleigh court. Some often have an initial lack of respect until they get to know our court angels. Maureen recalls one particular tall young boy coming through the door and helping himself without acknowledging the volunteers.
“We told him he should say ‘hello’ and politely ask to be looked after. He looked down on us and walked off. He came back later on. It was a bit daunting. This time however, the boy stopped at the door and politely asked to be served another coffee. It is heartbreaking to see the same kids coming again repeatedly; to witness that boy we met a year ago, who has grown up and yet again faces the judge. It is even more difficult to see what the mothers who accompanied them are going through. On the bright side others really turn their lives around.
We occasionally meet some of them who are now helping their ‘brothers’ bounce back with their lives. The court support is different each time. At the street van outreach (in Logan), I constantly meet the same people. It is a little community. The development of the branch over the last ten years has been fantastic. It is amazing to see the support of the community. Now, so many other organisations regularly join us on the street.”
The Friday night street outreach in Logan today resembles a small pop-up village as various services join Rosies to connect with our many friends – from laundry and hairdressing services, to food, and street doctors present.
“I think people appreciate what is done for them. I do what I do simply because I can. People feel the difference. It is amazing what a presence and a few little words can achieve. We too often underestimate the impact of loneliness and social exclusion. People want to be around with someone. To me Rosies is about being approachable, to just be there.”
Thank you Maureen, and all our wonderful volunteers. Your support of Rosies and our many friends makes the difference.
Our Brisbane Branch coordinator, Leigh, thinks this would have to be the single, most asked question by a great number of our 224 Brisbane branch volunteers! Has anyone seen Margaret?
Margaret is an articulate, chatty, happy, intelligent, much loved woman with an extraordinary memory. Margaret has been a friend of Rosies on and off since 2012.
She remembers any date and name you have ever cared to share with her. Birthdays, anniversaries and not just yours…your family’s too!
Margaret will tell you funny stories, like the time she gave the Stafford policeman a run for his money when he asked her if she knew where she lived and she replied ‘yes I do’!
In my time as Branch coordinator I have been asked if anyone has seen this much loved friend of ours many times. The question appears on the whiteboard, via emails, or when we’re out on outreach.
It didn’t take long for the Rosies extended network of past and present volunteers to find out recently that our beloved Margaret was on her way from a stay in hospital to a transitional home. As Scott [pictured] pointed out, Margaret is probably in the best place possible for her circumstances, but she felt she had lost all control, including her connection with Rosies. Luckily we have reconnected with her again through a home visit.Margaret is just one of many friends who touch our hearts on our Brisbane outreaches.
Some make us laugh, some make us worry, and some even make us frustrated
at times! All, like Margaret, have become our friends.
Whether they are on the street or in a temporary home, the time I see our Rosies volunteers spend with our friends, is invaluable. I am so proud and grateful to be a part of Rosies. And a special thank you to Margaret for keeping us on our toes and making us smile!
I take part in as many Rosies outreaches as I possibly can. I am astonished to see so much generosity and goodwill from participants.
How beautiful to see the warm hearts at work! How beautiful it is to see such willingness from everyone to set up a peaceful venue where all of us can meet, talk, and share our stories, challenges, and happiness in life. This is the face of mercy. People who gather at an outreach come from such a variety of backgrounds. I am actually amazed to even see how diverse our team of volunteers are. Some might be business owners, others bakers, cooks, or university students. It does not matter once they team up under the same Rosies T-shirt and equally support one other.
The human heart is made to love and mercy is the expression of this love. Mercy reveals itself once the person disregards what sets him or her apart from a brother or sister and looks sincerely into the eyes of this other person. Mercy relies on understanding, patience, and compassion.
Rosies outreaches are a perfect way to put our mercy into practice. One can meet a perfect stranger, and yet give this person the time to listen; the time to talk. It is about acknowledging a person for who he or she is, a human being. This contributes to bringing one’s dignity back.
Fr John David OMI
Rosies Chaplain
My favourite tuckshop lunch at school growing up (in chilly Toowoomba) was a hot mince roll. Recently I had the opportunity to speak to a number of school groups and it struck me that Rosies is a bit like school tuckshop.
You line up and have a chat with a friend as you wait.
You are served by a volunteer – somebody’s mum or dad.
You sit down in random spaces with whoever’s company you like.
Some days are hot and sweaty, some are cold and windy.
Some kids are on their own and some the centre of attention.
Sound familiar? Of course a major difference on a Rosies outreach is that those who line up don’t have $5 or $10 to spend … today or tomorrow.
They may also not have a warm bed to sleep in after. Most of all they may have no one other than a volunteer to share their day’s activities, joys and worries.
Because our volunteers are part of a regular team they have become friends on the street, not just random passers-by. Friendship is better than a hot mince roll but they go well together.
Thanks again for your support this winter.
Andrew O’Brien
Rosies General Manager
Winter is a distressing time for our friends on the street. It’s cold outside. It’s the season when, as I tuck myself into my warm bed, I often think what it must be like to be sleeping on the ground with only my clothes or a thin blanket to keep the cold away. Sleepless nights are common for our friends in these conditions.
I am also reminded, as the statistics highlighted in this edition show, of the importance of the sense of community that our teams of wonderful volunteers provide to our many friends. Thank you.
I am happy to report that our Branch coordinators met with our State Office Support team on Saturday, 23 April 2016.
Everyone shared their knowledge and experiences as part of the implementation of our Strategic planning activities. It was truly amazing to hear their stories of inspiration that you, our supporters and wonderful volunteers, create. We look forward to working together to implement the initiatives that were raised at our forum.
Finally, I would like to invite you to join us at our special celebratory Mass on Monday, 8 August 2016 at the Cathedral of St Stephen. I hope to see you there.
John Scoble
Rosies Board Chair
Find out how you can get involved.
As winter approaches, imagine sleeping rough without any protection from the elements.
At least one in ten of us will sleep rough in our lifetime. It could be you, it could be me, or it could be someone you know.
And it’s cold outside.
As John, one of our many friends’ story highlights, being homeless often leads to feelings of fear, anxiety, and social withdrawal. The sense of isolation that comes from not feeling part of our community can cause us to withdraw even further from activities critical to our well-being.
1st to 7th August is Homelessness Prevention Week. Whilst many organisations are increasingly providing awareness, support, and referral, the greater human need is for friendship and unconditional acceptance during such difficult times. Our wonderful volunteers aim to do just that, fostering a socially inclusive community at our many outreaches.
You make the difference to those who are homeless, at risk of homelessness or simply lonely. Inspiring dignity with a friend, one cuppa at the time…
Hold your own cuppa event this Winter and help Rosies support those who sleep rough this Winter.
Our Rosies ‘angels’ have been devoutly offering refreshments, snacks, and friendship at our Southport Magistrates Court Outreach for nearly 25 years.
Rosies volunteers provide comfort and smiles, and a haven in a sometimes tense environment. Smiles can unexpectedly be seen on faces of those visiting what is known as the ‘tea and sympathy room’ located on the second floor of the building.
Everyone is welcome to join and share a cuppa, bite to eat, and a chat with our volunteers. In the words of one of our longest serving volunteer ‘angels’….
‘We meet plaintiffs and defendants and witness, families, and friends, lawyers and barristers, court staff and security officers. Everyone is equal. all can sit next to to each other sharing the simple joy of a conversation while enjoying sweets and savouries. People walk in and share their stories. They feel relieved to talk through what they are going through whether it is a win, a loss, or an ongoing dispute. The room is like a little gem shining from smiles and laughs. Worries are not permitted and compassion is shared. It does not seem to be much. Yet, it makes a world of a difference.’
Rosies is pleased to confirm, thanks to the support and goodwill of all involved, that our angels recently relocated to a new area within the Southport Magistrates Court to continue their wonderful work.
We would also like to take this opportunity to thank our Beenleigh Court Angels for all their wonderful work
Over 95% of Rosies work, including this court outreach, is funded through kind donations from our local community. Find out how you can get involved.
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.
Sunstate Jewellers nominated Rosies as charity of choice for their annual charity raffle. The prize was a $1,799 pink sapphire and diamond ring, Sunstate Jewellers raised both funds and instant coffee during the competition.
Find out more about how you can get invovled.
Rosies’ General Manager, Andrew O’Brien visited with t he community in November to finalise plans and approvals for a new outreach in Atherton. The project was initiated by the Catholic parish who contacted Rosies to provide services in the local area due to increasing needs within the community. Rosies would like to welcome our new Atherton Branch Coordinator, Margaret Wallby, who is an active member in the community. Rosies’ Mareeba Branch will be actively involved in the new street outreach, including loaning their van to enable them van to enable them to have a cuppa with our many friends on the street.
