|
THE Kenwick Rotary Club is helping to improve literacy students for new arrivals to Australia at a school in Lynwood and with students at a school in northern Bali. Kenwick Rotary Club's international service director Ron Mildenhall said the club tried to get a balance between assisting the local community and the larger world community. Last week the club handed over a $2000 cheque to the Parkwood Primary School Intensive English Centre to help buy new books. The centre is a focal point for primary school students in the southern corridor who come from a range of countries and need intensive English lessons. Many of them are refugees from Burma, the Middle East and Africa who have lost their homes and often witnessed traumatic events. Kenwick Rotary's new generations director Rob Potter said the school helped students learn English and adjust to the Australian culture. "We are donating $2000 which will be used to purchase a book for each of these students," Mr Potter said. "For some it will be the first book they have ever owned." Mr Mildenhall said many Australians had a special relationship with Bali but did not realise how poor some of the areas away from the tourist spots were. "The books and equipment will be distributed to children in the village of Banjarasem," he said.
"We have been in desperate need for a new treadmill to go in our boxing room to assist with the successful running of the Kids boxing programme" said Constable Kay Turner Manager of the Gosnells Police & Citizens Youth Club. "This programme is aimed at young people 10 years and over, who have anger management issues, attention deficit disorder and other types of behavioural issues. The Kids are taught self discipline and fitness and encouraged to expend their energy on a boxing bag rather than in other areas. Myself, and 2 volunteer local members of the community conduct this programme on a Tuesday afternoon. We have not been able to raise the $2000 to purchase this equipment so we turned to Rotary for assistance". "Rotary is keen to support the local community and local youth programs where it can" said Ron Mildenhall President of the Rotary Club of Kenwick."However most of our club funds had been allocated for this financial year.We were very happy when the Gosnells Rotary Club indicted they would support the project by funding half the cost.As a bonus, with careful buying we have been able to obtain a treadmill and an exercise bike for the money allocated.""It's very satisfying when Rotary Clubs can work together to meet a local community need" said Ken Rule President of the Rotary Club of Gosnells."The treadmill will also be used by other members of the Centre who attend the adults boxing classes on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays.Also Reaboth College, Lesmurdie Senior High School, Maddington Primary and Brookman Primary School also use this area for fitness training and Boys Effective Education Programme.So it will be of use to the broader community."Both Rotary Clubs are always looking for new members who want to put something back into the community. Anyone interested should contact Ron Mildenhall on 0448172599. |
|
SeniorsTea Party and Awards Background to Tea Party and Awards For over 20 years, in conjunction with the City of Gosnells, Kenwick Rotary Club has been putting on a thank you afternoon tea with entertainment for about 100 local seniors who are also volunteers in their community. Some are in their 90s and still volunteering. The City assists by organizing buses, etc, to shuttle many of the seniors to the event. Local school children from East Kenwick Primary School assist with serving the seniors their food and drink. The highlight every year is the Senior Citizen of the Year award which we make to one male and one female senior in the district for outstanding service to their community. The mayor attends for these presentations. This is a great award recognising people who are still contributing to their community even in their later life.
Other Presentations Kenwick Rotary Club is taking the opportunity to use this function to acknowledge some other members of the Community for their contribution "Reaching for the Stars" Award Kenwick Rotary will make this award to the Schools Volunteer Program. This award is in recognition of the exemplary work being executed by that organisation in our State with volunteer mentors assisting scholars with special needs within numerous schools across the State and more particularly in our local area. In attendance to accept the award will be the Director Christine Gray and Operations Manager Tim Allan. Representing local volunteer mentors will be Gordon and Sylvia Pescud both of whom have been mentoring since 1995 and are currently mentoring at Thornlie Senior High School. (Apart from giving well deserved acknowledgement to these mentors for their local work, it is hoped that this award may draw attention to this program and encourage other seniors to use their life experience and skills to assist in this program) "Pride of Workmanship" Award Kenwick Rotary is also taking the opportunity to use this event to make a special Pride of Workmanship Award. The awards allow Rotary to be involved with the community and provide the opportunity for nomination of employees who are an example to others in the way they take pride in their work and consistently perform to a level that is exemplary; and to publicly recognise them for their efforts. Until recently Natalie Tarr has been Deputy Principal, Intensive English Centre Parkwood Primary School. This Centre is a focal point for students in the southern corridor (about 40% from the City of Gosnells) who come from a range of countries and need intensive English. Many of them are refugees from Burma, Middle East, West, Central and East Africa who have lost their homes and often witnessed traumatic events. They attend Parkwood for 12 to 18 months before going to schools closer to home. Over a number of years Natalie has been passionate in making this Centre not only a high quality educational establishment but a caring and supportive environment. She instituted a number of events and programs to give them a flying start not only to learn English but to adjust to Aussie culture and a new way of life. To do this she has put in a large effort outside of her normal expected duties and galvanised organisations like Rotary and other local sources of funding to allow these events and programs to happen and assist these children not only to gain fluency in English but also to gain life skills and experiences to assist them in becoming good future citizens.
|
We meet at the HIGH ROAD BISTRO, High Rd. Riverton at 6.15pm Wednesdays