Ron's Gazette – December 2016
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Ron’s Gazette December 2016 Supporting Tuart Place, 24 High St, Fremantle, WA Ph 08-6140-2380 Freecall 1800-619-795 or Email: [email protected] Web: www.tuartplace.org All who were in out-of-home care during childhood are cordially invited to gather at Tuart Place each Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9am to 4-30pm. T U A R T “Together we build Understanding, Acceptance, Respect and Trust. “When given appropriate care and nurturing, the Tuart Tree can stand strong and care for itself even through hard times” FORGOTTEN AUSTRALIANS COMING TOGETHER INC. (FACT) This newsletter is produced by Ron Love, a Forgotten Australian, Chairman of Forgotten Australians Coming Together Inc, FACT, an Ambassador for Forgotten Australians and is active in working to further the interests of all people who experienced out-of-home care during childhood. Ron’s Gazette For people who were formerly Wards of the State, Child Migrants, Forced Adoptees, Fostered Children, members of the Stolen Generations, and non-Aboriginal Australians placed in institutional care during childhood, also known as Forgotten Australians and Care Leavers. “YOU JUST CAN’T KEEP A GOOD GROUP FROM RISING TO GREATER HEIGHTS” A Great Tuart Place End Of Year Party 11am to 2pm on Monday, Dec 5th, 2016 - International Volunteers Day On December 5th at the Tuart Place ‘End Of Year Party’, we happily celebrated the many successful events and achievements of 2016. This was a great party and opportunity for Care Leavers to pay homage to the Founders of FACT Inc, and appreciate our many Benefactors. These benefactors contribute funding or services which benefit Care Leavers. Tuart Place currently offers a high-standard of ongoing personal, clinical and professional free services. As the leading body in WA for people who have experienced out-of-home care during childhood, Tuart Place is an innovative, participant-led organisation offering services including support groups, life-skills sessions, counselling, tracing of family history, free legal advice, free haircuts, access to records, dental care, regular newsletters and assisted referrals to mainstream services, mental health, towards healing, assistance for royal commission issues, assistance with computers, phones & ipads and more. The Participant-led activities include – organising social activities, group outings, . IAN’S CARD celebrations, reunions, regular luncheon gatherings, fundraising events, monthly newsletter, participant-led classes to develop practical skills, presentations to groups and organisations for promoting awareness of issues concerning Forgotten Australians, sewing, origami, movies, photo collections and more. The governing body of Tuart Place, Forgotten Australians Coming Together Inc, (FACT) has Forgotten Australians as the Chairperson, Vice Chairperson and three other board members. This important ‘End Of Year gathering’ is an excellent opportunity for Forgotten Australians and benefactors to unite, chat and get to know each-other more. A time for Board members, Tuart Place staff, volunteers, participants and some funding contributors to congratulate each other and celebrate our many successes in 2016 as we prepare for the New Year in a good team-spirit. A chance to remember and to appreciate the volunteers who dedicated their valuable time to create the Tuart Place Committee and then the Board for Forgotten Australians Coming Together Inc, (FACT) especially our inaugural FACT Chairperson, the late Mr Laurie Humphreys JP. He may seem to look to us from his photograph and smile with us all as we celebrate another important milestone on our journey. INTERNATIONAL VOLUNTEERS DAY. International Volunteers Day is celebrated each year on December 5th and was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1985. This day is dedicated to providing volunteer organisations and individual volunteers with the opportunity to raise the public awareness of their contributions to economic and social development at local, national and international levels. Volunteers are much appreciated, held in high esteem and well respected for the good work they do for Care Leavers and Tuart Place. Pictured with Mr Brad Pettitt, Fremantle Mayor, Mr Peter Bent proudly displays the framed Certificate he received as part of the ‘Terry Humphreys Award’ for 2016. Cevrina Reed, the Vice Chair of the Board for Forgotten Australians Coming Together Inc, (FACT) presented this prestigious award to Peter at the annual End Of Year Party at Tuart Place with about 150 Participants, Staff and fellow Board Members, funding organisations with linked supporters and organisations applauding Peter for his great work. Peter is one of the founders of the FACT Board, the governing body of Tuart Place and was the second Chairperson of the FACT Inc, Board through 2013 and ‘14. He is a dedicated volunteer and was chosen for this year’s award because of his huge amount of support for Tuart Place. Peter has been a dedicated volunteer for Care Leavers and Tuart Place over decades and is still actively volunteering. Thank you Peter for your wonderful efforts for us all. Page 1 December Edition 2016 Ron’s Gazette For people who were formerly Wards of the State, Child Migrants, Forced Adoptees, Fostered Children, members of the Stolen Generations, and non-Aboriginal Australians placed in institutional care during childhood, also known as Forgotten Australians and Care Leavers. “YOU JUST CAN’T KEEP A GOOD GROUP FROM RISING TO GREATER HEIGHTS” Tuart Place will be closed for the Festive Season from 3pm on Thursday 22nd December 2016 and re-open 9-30am Wednesday 4th January 2017. “Drop-In Day” on Monday at Tuart Place? Each Monday, Wednesday and Thursday you are invited to drop-in and experience Tuart Place All who were in out-of-home care as a child in the last century are welcome to gather at TUART PLACE, 24 High St, in Fremantle. Tuart Place courteously offers a friendly service to all who choose to drop in and visit. That’s a great reason to drop in with a friend or two, enjoy a relaxing cuppa and a chat in the friendly, family atmosphere. Come and meet with the great crowd of people. Many enjoy being part of the singing group that gathers each Monday at about 10am and starts singing from about 10-30 to 12noon and some enjoy sitting back and listening. Some drop in to swap a Library book, compare your old school photos with some in the huge Tuart Place collection, learn a new board game. Others who have come to visit, meet friends, new and old or to have a friendly chat with the staff and Tuart Place participants. We do ask that you please maintain quiet in and around the area where the Singing Group gathers. Some of the Free Services and Sessions being offered include individual counselling, support groups, social activities, workshops, volunteering opportunities, computer, iphone and ipad skills, craft, sewing, origami, movies, tutoring of grammar, reading, maths or writing skills, visiting health services, family history tracing, with free assistance to find and access records by the West Australian Genealogical Society Inc, help with contacting Centrelink, other agencies and more. Forgotten Australians are helping Forgotten Australians - offering a unique service for all who have lived-in experience of out-of-home care during childhood. Monday lunch times are Great opportunities at Tuart Place for sharing good food and good times while creating new friends. The famous Tuart Place Monday Lunches may have been best described as ‘Tasty culinary delights’. Please ask about our group adventures currently being looked at, and find out how you can participate in some. Another Great success for Care Leaver’s reunion The 11th Annual Waterford Gathering on Sunday 20-11-16. Though the amount of people attending was down to about 100, this annual reunion was another great success for Care Leavers, families and friends at Waterford. The day was well attended by ex-residents of Nazareth House, Tardun, Bindoon, St Joseph’s, Clontarf, Castledare, Fairbridge, Parkerville and other places. It was great to hear people sharing good memories and sharing happy stories while enjoying a free Sausage Sizzle and drinks in great company. Friends and families enjoyed being part of this annual free event from 12noon to 4pm at the corner of Elderfield Rd and Manning Rd in Waterford. Thank you to all the wonderful people who come to celebrate reuniting with old friends, meet new friends and enjoy supporting this great event each year. Page 2 December Edition 2016 Ron’s Gazette For people who were formerly Wards of the State, Child Migrants, Forced Adoptees, Fostered Children, members of the Stolen Generations, and non-Aboriginal Australians placed in institutional care during childhood, also known as Forgotten Australians and Care Leavers. “YOU JUST CAN’T KEEP A GOOD GROUP FROM RISING TO GREATER HEIGHTS” We’re fortunate to have the popular Jackie McRae back at Tuart Place to deliver another important workshop that promises to be both informative and fun! ‘safeTALK’ is a FREE, half-day workshop from 10-15am – 2.30pm on Wednesday 15th February 2017. This workshop is designed to help people to learn how to identify people at risk of suicide - then connect them with outside help and resources. safeTALK has proven, easy-to-follow steps which are used effectively world-wide. Most people thinking about suicide don’t actually want to die, and they may need your help in deciding to stay alive. You don’t need any prior training to attend safeTALK—just a willingness to make a difference. Bookings are limited so contact Tuart Place Reception early to secure your place in this important workshop on 6140 2380 or email [email protected] Bob Taylor has a wonderful family story to share. Bob Taylor is a Former Child Migrant who arrived in Australia in 1950 and lived at Bindoon for six years.