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Broncos help Rosies celebrate 30th Birthday

The Broncos have been playing for nearly 30 years and Rosies has been helping Queenslanders doing it tough for 30 years. Rosies Patron, Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove has seen first-hand its army of volunteers making a difference on the street and off the street.

Rosies will be raising funds and awareness to support the work of its 1,200 volunteers at the Broncos v Raiders home blockbuster this Friday night at Suncorp Stadium.

Since 1987, yes 30 years, Rosies – Friends on the Street has been sharing friendship and creating a sense of belonging for those who are homeless, marginalised, or simply lonely. Our volunteers share friendship with everyone and anyone without prejudice or discrimination in 11 communities across Queensland.

Each month 240 Rosies teams go out on the street, to the courts, youth detention and women’s correctional facilities. By sharing their time, a cuppa, a snack and some basic toiletries and blankets, Rosies helps those who are socially isolated build self-confidence and feel supported as they strive to improve their lot. You never know when life may take a turn for the worse and when someone finds the need of friendship and support.  Rosies does this by being there, night by night, week by week. There is no off-season for those in need.

Rosies is a not-for-profit mission whose operation is funded 98% by community donations. Over 60 Rosies volunteers will be selling tickets in the 50/50 Charity Raffle this Friday night for this wonderful mission.

One lucky winner will walk away with half the total ticket sales with the other half going to the Brisbane Broncos Charity Fund and Rosies – Friends on the Street.

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Growing support from the local community

Our Brisbane services have expanded and we are contemplating additional outreaches. Growing support from many and varied individuals and organisations continues to amaze us. More importantly it enables Rosies, among other things, to supply our patrons at the Aspley caravan park with regular material support to add to our offering of friendship. Just the other day we received an email from a young man saying “I recently moved to Brisbane to study. I’ve been using your free food van services and they’ve literally saved me from starving. I heard that you might need volunteers. I’m not sure what that involves but I’d be happy to give it a go”. Our guess is that the friendship is as important as the food.

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Spotlight on Annerley in Brisbane

In 2016 Rosies started outreaching in Annerley, south of Brisbane City, on Tuesday morning and evening. A group of friends, Hamish, Dan, Nicole, and Nicholas represent the new generation of volunteers joining
the Rosies family in Annerley. They offer their time while studying.


Dan remembers an encounter with a patron who had just found out about Rosies. She was celebrating her first Christmas in Brisbane after fleeing Bangladesh with her son. “Her story of seeking refuge in Australia was fascinating, and to me highlighted that every patron has a story to share, whether they’ve lived in Brisbane their entire life, or have recently arrived on our shores. The fact that they have come to Rosies means that life hasn’t been run of the mill, and I am glad that I have been there while they share their stories.”
“So far, the experience has exceeded my expectations. I didn’t expect it to be as easy to engage with patrons as it has been, but it has been so enjoyable and rewarding talking to people from different walks of life.”

Nicole has been moved by the optimistic behaviour most people tend to adopt despite circumstances in life. “The majority of people that I have encountered are really friendly and optimistic, which I find quite uplifting, and always eager for a cup of coffee/ tea (and maybe a biscuit/ chocolate, or two).

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Chaplain’s Corner

30 years ago the first Rosies mission to the Gold Coast was established. Since then the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate and Iona College have supported Rosies spiritually, financially, and practically. It is my privilege to have followed a line of dynamic and capable chaplains. I am inspired by the work of Rosies and the commitment and joy of its volunteers.
Having been on outreach a number of times per week across Queensland over the last two years, I am conscious of how God weaves his presence through the sharing of friendship that is the mission of Rosies. God’s presence is one of hope.
Last month I was alerted to the sad death of Steve, 47 years old, who had been a patron for some period of his life. Steve seems to have come into the Rosies family and then gone, without leaving a footprint, but as is always the case with our patrons, he made friends. Steve’s parents commented that he “regularly ‘turned up’ for meals … sometimes barbeques, tea and coffee, etc which were provided by Rosies in such a caring, non-judgmental way.”
In their sorrow Steve’s family and friends have reached out by supporting Rosies so that others may be assisted. We share in the hope of eternal life for Steve and pray for his family and friends.

John David OMI
Rosies Chaplain

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Brisbane Branch – Outreaching every day

web-friends-on-the-street-annerleyRosies has been outreaching in Annerley since September. We welcomed our first friends at our new outreach on the very first night (pictured). The branch now outreaches in our capital every day of the week in different locations thanks to the support and engagement of the local community. The Annerley team goes out on Tuesday from 7.00pm-9.00pm at Mary Immaculate Church Annerley and on Thursday morning from 9.00am-11.00am at the Church of Christ Annerley. The remaining days our Brisbane team meet at Emma Miller place in the city from 7.30pm-9.30pm (7.00pm – 9.00pm on Sunday).

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Brisbane Branch – An inspirational selfless act

We received a donation of blankets from a Rosies friend called Julie for winter. It was Julie’s birthday and her sister asked her what she would like. Julie replied that she didn’t need anything, but perhaps her sister could buy some blankets for the homeless and Julie would donate these to Rosies. This was a generous act; but what makes it remarkable is that Julie is a full time carer for her quadriplegic husband. To say that she “didn’t need anything” is extraordinarily selfless. Thank you, Julie.
We have some wonderful supporters at Rosies and we thank you all for your support. Our supporters are wonderful – thank you. We still have urgent need of some other supplies for our many friends on the street.

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My Rosies Story – making a difference in Brisbane city

Driven by an ardent desire to make a difference Rosies Team Leader (TL) Nicki joined us ten years ago.
“It’s not always easy as an individual to reach people in those situations (it’s impossible to help everyone), but being part of Rosies gives you that coordinated approach and makes you feel you are contributing to the well being of the community.”
For Nicki being present and showing compassion without making any judgement is the very foundation of a Rosies outreach. It is only human to develop bonds with people we regularly meet.
“The other day I was quite concerned for one of our friends. He needed almost everything, including blankets and essentials. He said he had been beaten up and that all his things were stolen. I offered him a clothing voucher and a food voucher to help him out. He wasn’t keen on going to the doctor because the last time he went they kept him in for testing for a couple of days before they released him. It broke my heart…to think he may not get the care he needed because he was afraid to put himself at risk of psyche testing. That was a reality check, because Rosies outreach can be a really up beat experience, we try to make it as fun as possible, so you sometimes forget how vulnerable our friends are”.
Luckily we also collaborate with other organisations who provide the support we don’t, such as medical services or clothes washing.
“You don’t always feel the immediate impacts of what we do, but I have seen their (our friends’) disappointment, when we’ve had to tell them, that due to extraordinary conditions we could not make the outreach. Or if a new patron should have a gripe or grievance, our regulars are the first to rush to our defence. They are so appreciative and so grateful, that we know we make a difference. My previous team leader used to say to all our students, that our friends love Rosies at every pre-brief, I was often dubious … but you know what… I think they really do”.

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Brisbane Branch – Another Bite

Jindalee_Rotary_club_BrisbaneRosies is collaborating with Second Bite in Brisbane to deliver fresh produce more regularly on outreach. Although providing food is not Rosies’ main objective, we know too well how welcome fruits are with our many friends.
On another note, our faithful old outreach van is being replaced with a grant from the Department of Communities (Gambling Community Benefit Fund) and a generous donation from the Rotary Club of Jindalee.
The new van will be fitted out with a stainless steel servery, cargo bay, and ten seats for the volunteers.
Our General Manager, Andrew O’Brien recently accepted a cheque from the Rotary Club of Jindalee [pictured] that will cover the fit out of the new van to ensure we are able to have a cuppa with our many friends. Thank you!

Find out how you can get involved

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Has anyone seen Margaret?

margaret_brisbane_friends_on_the_streetOur 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!

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Brisbane Branch – Welcome to our new Branch coordinator!

Rosies would like to welcome Leigh Cusack as our new Brisbane Branch coordinator. The role has been vacant for much of this year and with plenty of work in organising our new outreach location, reworking our supply arrangements as well as assisting Team Leaders, Leigh is off and running. Brisbane is as sleeping giant and we look forward to a wonderful Christmas with our patrons and new opportunities in 2016. Find out more about our Brisbane Branch and you can get involved.

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