* Building better lives BROTHERHOOD of St LAURENCE A newsletter for our valued friends and supporters No. 2, W INTER 1999 Executive D irector bids farewell All good things must come to an end sometime — well, at of the people of Victoria and gaining the respect of policy least for this fifth Executive Director of the Brotherhood of makers. St Laurence. While the privilege to lead this most strategic welfare My almost nine years have simply flown by. That’s organisation is daunting, you good people have made it because the purpose and work has been so exciting, not merely bearable but immensely satisfying. To you all, I challenging and worthwhile. say thank you. True, I took up the office at a time when international My successor, Fr Nic Frances takes up this responsibility economic forces and national political ideologies had on 21 June. Welcome him; receive him into your hearts, as increased the gulf between the rich and poor, the like of you did for me. Offer your support, professional assistance which we have not seen since the Great Depression. It has and wisdom, readily. May he too, be buoyed up by the been a tough job maintaining that the bottom line is not vitality of this grand family. money but people; that we are not to be driven by the God bless you all as you promote the Kingdom of God limits of economics but the vision of the Kingdom of God. within the competing kingdoms of this world. However, I have never been alone. The BSL is such a large, strong, vibrant family of 35,000 donors, 1,150 volunteers, 579 staff, delivering quality services and promoting pertinent social policies, arousing the admiration Bishop Michael Challen Volunteer Betty Jarvis inspects the stock at the Brotherhood’s new The Prime store in Dandenong. Minister Mr John Howard, with Mr Barrie Thomas from the Body Shop (left), and Bishop Michael Challen at the award ceremony. One STEP ahead “Australia needs to see more Body Shop type examples” said Federal Minister, Dr David Kemp about the “fantastic work” of the Body Shop and the Brotherhood of St Laurence. Together the two organisations manage STEP, the Youth Retail Traineeship Scheme, and winner of one of the Thanks Betty! inaugural Prime Minister’s Award for Excellence in Business and For Betty Jarvis, the opening of the Community Partnerships awarded last month. new Brotherhood store in STEP (Scheme for Training and Educating People) involves young people Dandenong last month had special completing a comprehensive course covering job search and interview meaning. Betty had been a volunteer techniques, vocational skills and personal development, followed by one at the Dandenong shop’s former year of on-the-job work experience and training. Currently, STEP has about location for 4 1 years — and can recall 200 trainees working with a range of employers. the day the shop opened in 1958! In another tribute to the STEP partnership, Dave Winer of the Cape York When the store relocated to 221 Land Council said “your partnership is an exciting development of ■ Lonsdale Street last month, Betty was organisations working together for the common goal of providing there, along with many other opportunities for Australia’s young people.” volunteers, helping to prepare stock in readiness for the store’s opening on 5 May. One of the many STEP success An indication of Betty’s commitment stories of bridging the poverty gap is that, when she moved from to build better lives, is that told by Dandenong to Phillip Island some 22 year-old Rebecca, pictured left, years ago, she continued to w ork in who lost her job and was the shop one-day a week, taking a unemployed for six months. “It was Ij two-hour bus journey from San just so hard to get another job. Remo! Companies were looking for people with experience but I couldn’t get a job to get the Shop volunteers save the experience. ” Brotherhood $ I million a year - this figure was revealed by After completing her 12 month Bishop Challen, at an afternoon traineeship with STEP, Rebecca is \ tea in May held to hoping to continue to work in the hospitality field. “I love the work, it acknowledge the contribution is just what I was looking for. Being made by our /, 100 valued given the chance to prove I am a volunteers. Commemorative good worker has meant so much to certificates were presented. me. It has given me a future.” We're appealing! For the second time, Dame Elisabeth Murdoch is a distinguished Patron of a special Brotherhood appeal. Some 12 years ago, Dame Elisabeth was Dame Elisabeth with the ‘driving force’ behind an appeal on Bishop Michael the Mornington Peninsula to raise Challen, right, and Graeme Wise, $600,000 for the GK Tucker Chairman of the Settlement at Carrum Downs. Now, at Building Better Lives the age of 90, she has given her Appeal. name to the Building Better Lives Appeal, which aims to raise $5 million. The Building Better Lives Appeal has been given a great start with donations and pledges totalling $2.4 million. There is $1.7 million still other cutbacks in the business world poorest members of our society. needed for the upgrading of our aged has given some top businessmen the care facilities and another $1 million One commented after being shown reputation of being uncaring and for other exciting initiatives. The around: “We’d have to be hard-bitten ruthless. That has definitely not been money will be directed towards a to ignore what we have seen and the case of those visiting our head range of research and service-based heard”, and another: “I want my staff office in Fitzroy for a ‘come-see’ tour projects to assist low-income families, to come and see what I have seen for the Building Better Lives Appeal. help disadvantaged young people today.” Seeing the Brotherhood’s work at first and create employment opportunities. hand has given them an appreciation Call Bruce King on 9483 1397 for a Meanwhile, talk of ‘downsizing’ and of the work being done to help the copy of our Appeal brochure. Our biggest single donation Standing before a portrait of Sidney Myer, founder of the Myer retail stores, are from left to right, Carrillo Gantner, Marigold Southey, and Baillieu Myer AC . They announced a grant of $1 million dollars for a major upgrade of the Brotherhood’s aged care facilities in Fitzroy to mark the Sidney Myer Centenary Celebration. Building Better Lives Appeal Chairman, Graeme Wise said, “The legacy of Sidney Myer’s belief and action in helping those in need is confirmed through this wonderful gift by his family.” Brotherhood Board Chair, Sandy Clark said, “This is a fantastic gift. The Myer family has, once again, shown the way, and I know I echo their own hope that others will follow Picture: Peter Braig their example in supporting the Brotherhood.” N u rtu rin g The good oil communities Just Essentials, our emergency A Brotherhood project is helping to material aid service on the promote the strong sense of community Mornington Peninsula, spends spirit at Craigieburn. Project worker, about $250,000 a year providing Jillian Patterson, has been working with special help for struggling families. a local project committee and talking Its budget received a welcome with groups and individuals and boost from BP Australia recently documenting what local people have with the donation of 2,300 items of achieved in Craigieburn and how clothing — shirts, skirts, jumpers, they’ve done it. cardigans, scarves, woollen vests and bomber jackets, all surplus to The six-month project is based at the the company’s requirements. Brotherhood’s Craigieburn and Roxburgh Park Family and Community Nick Shaw; BP Oil’s Assistant Product Manager, shows Family Service’s Cath Scarth some of the clothing available for distribution to families in need. Centre, which offers a range of family services and facilities. “The people of Craigieburn have The p o w e r warmed to the project, and their contributions and feedback has been o f ch o ice heartening,” Jillian said. It is sometimes difficult for older people “With rapid urbanisation and population with an intellectual disability to have growth set to transform Craigieburn, it’s the opportunity and confidence to travel important that we promote the existing outside their homes to enjoy a film or strengths and resources of the region shopping trip and expand their circle of and help nurture further local initiatives.” friends. The project report will be launched later A successful Brotherhood of St this year. For further information contact Leisure worker, Belinda Stephens, Laurence service on the Mornington the Craigieburn and Roxburgh Park left, enjoys a swimming session with a Peninsula is providing recreational and Family and Community Centre on participant of the Brotherhood telephone 9305 5100. Community Access program. leisure opportunities for 35 adults living in Melbourne’s southern region. ' ... \ Representing a new approach to recreation for older people with Anne Farnfield ( right) tests one of the new chairs at Sambell Lodge, our aged care hostel in Clifton Hill. With her is acting intellectual disabilities, the Brotherhood manager, Joyce Hossack. The Honda Foundation, Talbot Motors Community Access service gives Collingwood, the Lions Clubs of Clifton Hill and Fitzroy and the participants the chance to be involved Australian Lions Foundation raised $8000 for the chairs. in activities in their own local community - to decide about what they would like to do, and acquire the confidence to seek new experiences and friendships. Participants select from a range of activities all of which have been developed in response to requests from themselves and others in the program.