2026 is officially the International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development as declared by the United Nations General Assembly. This year-long initiative aims to recognise, promote and strengthen the vital role volunteers play in building resilient communities, addressing global challenges and advancing sustainable development. 2026 is a major global effort to encourage more people to […]
Month: May 2026
Vale Ron Southall
One of our very faithful sponsors, Mr Ron Southall, passed away recently. He was 91 years of age. Mr Southall had been a sponsor of residents at Raphael for more than 50 years! He was a very private person, devoted to his family and special friends. I never met Mr Southall personally, as he didn’t […]
Vale Dennis Sleigh
Dennis Sleigh was a loyal supporter of the ACT Foundation from the late 1980s including as President, until it wound up not long after Dennis was posted away to the position of Principal of the Catholic School in Temora, NSW. Dennis and his wife, Margaret, who was National Treasurer for 16 years then turned their […]
An Unforgettable Experience
Over the past six weeks, I had the incredible opportunity to volunteer at the Raphael Centre for disabled children in Dehradun, India. My time there was both eye-opening and deeply rewarding. Each day brought something new to learn and experience, both from the students and from the dedicated staff who support them. One of my […]