The Red Feather May 2018
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
In this Issue Page Conference Report 1 & 2 Conference Photos 2 & 3 Leonard Cheshire Tree 3 Ballarat Schools visits 4 Over ninety delegates have Leonard Cheshire Rose 4 made their way back to their homes in Timor-Leste, India, New Volunteers Stories 5 Zealand and across Australia. We have been informed, challenged, Contacts List 6 inspired, refreshed, renewed and entertained. Raphael goes Solar 6 Vale Sr Mary Myers 7 Ryder-Cheshire is an inclusive family and an important function of the Con- Vale Danny Standish 7 ference is that of family reunion and a welcome to new supporters. Those Bendigo Anecdote 7 who normally communicate by email and telephone have been together for How you Can Share 8 hugs and handshakes, and in-depth discussion not possible by other means. We were fortunate indeed to have a beautiful venue, Hillsley, a former Photo left Delegates at the Conference church which is part of the Ivanhoe Girls’ Grammar School campus, on the Photo above - Joaquim Soares outskirts of Melbourne. Our heartfelt thanks to the School for making it with Students of Damascus College, available to us. See Ballarat Schools visit on page 4 In conjunction with the Conference Ryder-Cheshire Australia also held its Annual General Meeting, and a General Meeting of the Board, with all members present plus valuable input from Klibur Domin Managing Director, Ryder-Cheshire Australia Sr Joaquim Soares and Raphael Chief Executive Officer, Brig Anil Sinha gratefully acknowledges (Retd). The Board welcomed observers Carolyn Tapley, RCF New Zea- David and Neil Coath, land, and John Kirby RCF SA. of PROMPT DISTRIBUTION Some highlights of the conference: PTY LTD, In the opening address ‘ Never Too Young for Philanthropy ’, Dr Heather West Heidelberg, Victoria, Schnagl AM, immediate Past Principal of Ivanhoe Girls’ Grammar School, described the openness of young people to becoming engaged in who most generously arrange philanthropy if approached in the right way, and the success she has and pay for the distribution of this Newsletter. achieved with her students in this respect. There were lots of ideas for Ryder-Cheshire to pursue! Thank you David and Neil, we so much appreciate your generosity. Continued on page 2 NEWSLETTER OF RYDER-CHESHIRE AUSTRALIA ISSUE NUMBER 91 MAY 2018 Continued from Page 1 The success of the Conference was the result of much planning and a great deal of work by many We watched informative Power Point and video people. They know who they are, and we thank updates from Anil and Joaquim about progress and them greatly for it. developments at Raphael and Klibur Domin respectively. These are very important, as the over- Just a few need special mention: seas homes are the primary focus of the work and Rory McEwen, President of Ryder-Cheshire Aus- fundraising of Ryder-Cheshire Australia. tralia, for his energy, wisdom and Carolyn Tapley briefed us on developments in New leadership. Zealand. Mike Moignard, Convenor of the Victorian Conference Working Group, Master of Several overseas volunteers - Robyn Leeder, Ceremonies and moderator for the Christian Hiss, and Patricia McDonell, described their Conference, and his team. experiences at Raphael and Klibur Domin Terry Warr, computer and electronics whizz who respectively. It is clear that for most volunteers these managed the audio-visual aspects with such placements are life transforming, and for some calm competence. become a long-term commitment. Sr Jane Gorey and committee members, staff and volunteers at the Victorian Homes for Saturday afternoon was spent engaged in a Workshop their warm welcome and ‘nothing is too much “Vision 2025”, with facilitator Robert Gardiner. trouble’ support. President Rory introduced his own vision which was Our best wishes go to Mount Gambier who will host followed by 3-minute presentations from all the next Biennial Conference in 2020. Foundations defining the challenges they see ahead. The delegates broke into small groups to explore ways The Victorian Conference Working Group: to meet the challenges. The outcomes from the group Mike Moignard, Don Hamilton, Peter McConnell, work will provide a platform for the Ryder-Cheshire Australia Board and all R-C Committees to plan the way forwards. The afternoon finished with a live interview with Tessa West, author of “Lady Sue Ryder of Warsaw: Single- minded Philanthropist.”, who joined us by interactive Skype from the United Kingdom. She shared many interesting observations and insights about Sue Ryder. The Guest speaker at the Saturday night Conference Dinner was The Hon Tim Fischer AC, and what a treat that was ! From his perspective as an observer at the 1999 election when the people of Timor Leste chose independence, Tim talked about Timor Leste’s journey to statehood. He drew parallels with the Western Front of WWI, and went on to describe the role of Sir John Monash in the final months of the war. He finished by donating his book of railway adventures, “Trains Unlimited” for auction in support of Klibur Domin. It raised $250 on the spot! The audience showed its appreciation for Tim’s excellent speech and generous gesture. A beautiful quilt made and donated by Carole McLennan, was the object of a silent auction which raised a wonderful $800 ! Sunday morning held another treat with the showing of precious historical film footage from the early days of Raphael, tracked down by Hugh Elphinstone and Anne and Phillip Boyd. Picture above - the lovely Conference room at Hillsley, which was formerly a Presbyterian Church and has been restored by the School. Proceedings wrapped up with a Q & A session which provoked interesting discussion and moved us further Picture below -Tony and Carole McLennan and their daughter Melanie along the path of renewal. Williams (centre), RCA supporters from Traralgon, Gippsland. with Carole’s Tokodede Hotel Inspired Quilt. 2 MORE CONFERENCE PHOTOS REMEMBERING LEONARD CHESHIRE The Leonard Cheshire Tree at Singleton By Anne Boyd, Singleton Support Association In April 2018, an Anzac service at St Catherine's College, Singleton, centred around a gum tree planted in 1979. There is a plaque at the foot of the tree denoting that Leonard Cheshire planted the tree in February of that year. Phillip Boyd had drawn this tree planting to the attention of a teacher, who then researched the facts and produced a beautiful ceremony in order that the students will appreci- ate the history and importance of Leonard Cheshire's visit and talk to their school. The tree planting was held on 13th Terry Warr (RCA Website and Comms Co-ordinator) February, 1979. Way back then, Anne Boyd accompanied and Leonard to speak at the school - so nearly 40 years later, it Mike Moignard (President RCF Victoria) was indeed very special for Anne to be standing there again at this impressive event. Terry Holstein (teacher responsible for the ceremony), Brig Anil Sinha and his wife Gouri Sinha with students Anne Boyd and Maryanna Finder (Principal) at Mt Blowhard Primary School Ballarat (see story page 4) The plaque which survives at the foot of the tree Evelyn Petters (left) and Anthea Swann (RCF National Secretary). Evelyn has edited the Red Feather for the past sixteen years and after 36 issues she has resigned from the post. At the Conference, guest speaker The Hon Tim Fischer AC presented Evelyn Sr Julie Rees (Principal), Leonard Cheshire, Kathy Thomas with a Certificate of Appreciation from RCA. (Vice-Captain) and Kerrie Adler (School Captain) at the plant- Terry Warr and Dianne McGrath ing of the gum tree “Lenten Project “ ceremony are taking over as joint Editors in February 1979. 3 Ballarat Ryder-Cheshire Schools’ Visit The Leonard Cheshire On the Monday after the RCA Biennial Conference concluded, the Rose Raphael Northern India and Klibur Domin Timor-Leste visitors continued their journey to Ballarat to visit the Ryder-Cheshire schools. This beautiful har- As 2019 will be Raphael’s 60th birthday this visit provided a wonderful dy bush rose, with opportunity to thank each school for their long time commitment ‘for gorgeous red the relief of suffering.’ blooms and a light Our special guests, who visited Ballarat Grammar School, Ballarat fragrance, has been Clarendon College and Mt Blowhard Primary School, included: re-struck to celebrate Raphael’s • Brig Anil Sinha (Retd), Chief Executive Officer at Raphael, and 60th birthday. his wife Gouri Sinha • The Hon Rory McEwen, National President of Ryder-Cheshire The Leonard Cheshire Rose was originally Australia and his wife Diane McEwen grown as a commemorative rose in memory of • Susie Mackerras, RCA National Project Officer (India) Leonard Cheshire who died on July 31 1992 at and Overseas Volunteers’ Coordinator the Sue Ryder Home in Cavendish, Suffolk, UK. They were accompanied by Trish Twaits, RCFV Ballarat Support Group Secretary, and Dawn Manning the School Liaison Officer. On the original pamphlet for The Leonard Cheshire Rose, Sue Ryder wrote - ‘Dear Friends, Each school was presented with a May I take this opportunity of expressing Certificate of appreciation and thanks to each of you who Appreciation plus continue to support the work of the Ryder- the gift of the Cheshire Foundation. Leonard Cheshire Rose which will I am delighted that this special rose is in arrive in late July memory of my late beloved husband and that it for planting. will give great pleasure to those who buy it. With prayers and gratitude. May God bless each of you. Sue Ryder’ A second group visited Damascus College (photo above of Fabiola with students), and Loreto College. This group included : Details of the rose: Style: Hybrid Tea (Var. Meimouslin) • Sr Joaquim Soares, Managing Director, Klibur Domin Height: 1.5m (approx.) • Sra Fabiola dos Santos, General Manager Klibur Domin Width: 900m (approx.) Features: rich bronze green foliage, free flow- • Mike Moignard President RCF Victoria and his wife Kathy ering, beautiful cut flower.