A big thank you to Cross Promotions International for recently leading a food drive to support our Gold Coast branch as supplies were extremely low. Thank you so much to every single one of you in the local Gold Coast community for your support. Friends and strangers alike walked through the doors of our Southport Drop-in centre to provide tinned goods and hygiene products.
Local students joined the effort by conducting their very own fundraiser events. You made a difference.
Our branch coordinator, Wendy Coe, will be a guest panelist at the Vinnies CEO Sleepout. Wendy’s wealth of knowledge about issues affecting homelessness is highly regarded.
Our Rosies ‘angels’ have been devoutly offering refreshments, snacks, and friendship at our Southport Magistrates Court Outreach for nearly 25 years.
Rosies volunteers provide comfort and smiles, and a haven in a sometimes tense environment. Smiles can unexpectedly be seen on faces of those visiting what is known as the ‘tea and sympathy room’ located on the second floor of the building.
Everyone is welcome to join and share a cuppa, bite to eat, and a chat with our volunteers. In the words of one of our longest serving volunteer ‘angels’….
‘We meet plaintiffs and defendants and witness, families, and friends, lawyers and barristers, court staff and security officers. Everyone is equal. all can sit next to to each other sharing the simple joy of a conversation while enjoying sweets and savouries. People walk in and share their stories. They feel relieved to talk through what they are going through whether it is a win, a loss, or an ongoing dispute. The room is like a little gem shining from smiles and laughs. Worries are not permitted and compassion is shared. It does not seem to be much. Yet, it makes a world of a difference.’
Rosies is pleased to confirm, thanks to the support and goodwill of all involved, that our angels recently relocated to a new area within the Southport Magistrates Court to continue their wonderful work.
We would also like to take this opportunity to thank our Beenleigh Court Angels for all their wonderful work
Over 95% of Rosies work, including this court outreach, is funded through kind donations from our local community. Find out how you can get involved.
Dr Graham Wright initiated an altruisitc initiative with General Practice Gold Coast (GPGC) to donate 40 backpack beds to Rosies and our friends on the street. Our General Manager, Andrew O’Brien, and Gold Coast Coordinator Wendy Coe, met with Dr Wright at the Gold Coast GP Super Clinic in Oxenford. We thank you so very much. Rosies would also like to thanks the Gold Coast Primary Health Network (GCPHN).
It is estimated that over 4,000 people are homeless in the Gold Coast region. What our friends and Rosies need varies, often depending on the season. Find out more or donate now.
We make assumptions based on our own knowledge. Yet, if we take the time to listen to people with our heart we can appreciate them for who they truly are. All of us are gifted, but our individual talents are not always obvious; most treasures are hidden. God’s creation is diverse and unique, which makes it beautiful and inspiring rather than monotone and dull. God values us for who we are and we are invited to imitate Him. We are encouraged to value each other for our uniqueness. Let us appreciate the diversity God put in His creation and go beyond our presumptions to discover who a person really is through understanding and charity.
Fr John David
Rosies’ Chaplain
Brisbane
Rosies has temporarily relocated our Friday and Saturday night outreaches to the Cathedral of St Stephen.Brisbane City Council has encouraged street van services to be located in off-street premises. The Archbishop of Brisbane has kindly agreed to trial our Outreach for eight weeks.
Look out for further updates.
Cairns
The new street outreach van was blessed by the Bishop of Cairns the Most Reverend James Foley. Thanks AMA. Services have commenced Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights.
Gold Coast
The Rosies Gold Coast branch has started a new outreach in Nerang. The van is at to Bischoff Pioneer Park on Wednesdays from 7.30pm – 9.00pm.
Toowoomba
Jon Martlew, our Toowoomba Branch Coordinator, went homeless for a week during the Homelessness Prevention Week. Our Patron, Leneen Forde, and Chair, John Scoble, took part in launching Jon’s sleepout at the Homlessness Prevention Week commencement exhibition. During the week Jon slept rough, hung out with our friends on the street, joined our outreaches and had a cuppa to raised funds for Rosies. Well done Jon!
We all understand the value of friends in our lives. One of the many privileges I have is to share experiences of friendship with many amazing young students involved in our Schools Engagement Program.
The vitality and warmth of these young people continues to put a spring in the step of our volunteers and patrons.
Unfortunately some young people in our communities are struggling to find hope and therefore it is important we continue to offer experiences of friendship to them. The commitment of our Rosies volunteers to turn up at each Outreach is fundamental to building relationships and hope. Your support makes a difference.
Andrew O’Brien,
General Manager
28 February 2016
Rosies is the proud charity partner for the SkyPoint Sea to Sky Q1 stair challenge. By getting together with a friend or two and taking on Australia’s biggest building you can make a difference by supporting our Friends on the street.
So come on, bring your friends and get ready to face your highest urban challenge in Australia!
The cause and the view from the top of the observation level at SkyPoint are worth it.
Rosies Gold Coast is pleased to announce a brand new outreach in Nerang on Wednesdays.
The Rosies’ van will be present in Bischof Pioneer Park in Nerang on Wednesdays between 7.30pm – 9.00pm.
There is a surge of homeless people in South East Queensland. Many of them are fleeing the colder temperature in NSW and Victoria.
Our teams will be out giving away blankets in Brisbane, Calboolture, Cairns, Gold Coast (in Southport and Surfers Paradise), Ipswich, Woodrige, Mareeba, Caloundra and Toowoomba
With up to a third of supported accommodation seekers women fleeing domestic violence, the link between homelessness and domestic violence is clear – and the need for assistance is pressing.
Rosies Gold Coast branch has been forging links with local DV services, including Assist A Sista, to help women to rebuild their lives and move back into the wider community.
While food parcels are a regular offering for Rosies on the Gold Coast, for women who are leaving a refuge and trying to establish themselves in a new home, Rosies offers something a little different.
Along with regular food parcels, volunteers put together ‘Pantry Boxes’ to help establish a woman in her new kitchen.
The boxes are intended to help defray the initial costs of setting up a pantry, containing larger items that are used frequently but replaced only occasionally.
Gold Coast Branch Coordinator Wendy Coe says the boxes are made up of pantry staples rather than fresh fruit or vegetables.
‘They’re more items like flour, sauces, coffee, sugar, spices, cake mixes, or even washing powder,’ she said.
‘Not just something to get you through the next few days – these are items which help to set up a home.
‘If you have to go out and buy them all at once, it’s quite expensive – and for someone who’s starting out again with very few resources, just being able to go to the cupboard and add a few dried herbs to a meal or whip up a batch of pikelets is a big thing.
‘Part of feeling like you’re really home is being able to do those small things without thinking.’
