“On one particular evening, as supper was being prepared, no fewer than four coach loads of visitors arrived to be shown round. When they stopped to admire the supper, I asked whether they wanted any refreshment, and was slightly taken aback when they gladly accepted my invitation. There was a shortage of crockery and cutlery, […]
Ryder-Cheshire
Surprise Gift to RCA
Late 2025, President Paul Fearon was contacted by Mike Gahan. Mike had a substantial amount of Ryder-Cheshire primary source material belonging to his late father, Joe Gahan and wished to gift these to Ryder-Cheshire Australia. The items are now safely housed in the RCA Archives at the Ryder-Cheshire Homes in Ivanhoe, Victoria. Joe met Leonard […]
Raphael – a Positive Atmosphere and Gentle Hopefulness
I spent a rewarding and empowering three months volunteering at Raphael. The selection process, travel preparation, visa application and travel to India went smoothly due to the support from Ryder-Cheshire Australia. As an older solo female traveller, the arrangements made by Raphael for my transport from Delhi Airport were reassuring. The new highway provided a […]
My Time at Raphael
I imagine this is similar to being caught by a boa constrictor,’ I thought to myself, followed by, ‘How do I get myself out of this situation?’ The young lady, who I was in the process of escorting back to her class after she had absconded, looked up at me smiling, but did not loosen […]
Returning to Raphael
I recently returned to Raphael to volunteer and was so warmly welcomed by the students and staff. I have volunteered at Raphael a number of times and found the atmosphere to be relaxed and the interaction of staff was caring and kind to the residents and students. The facilities are well kept and the Vocational […]
Recollections of Leonard Cheshire
Leonard Cheshire was born into a long-established legal family. His father was Vinerian Professor of Law at Oxford University, and the author of four textbooks on English Law. As a child, Leonard was not troubled by ambitions of greatness. ‘What do you want to be?’ he was once asked. ‘Just an ordinary man – like […]
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 […]
Vale Dennis Sleigh
Anyone who was involved with Ryder Cheshire round the turn of the century, will remember Dennis Sleigh. Dennis was a loyal supporter of the ACT Foundation from the late 1980s including as President, until it closed not long after Dennis was posted to the position of Principal of the Catholic School in Temora NSW. Dennis […]
From the Volunteers’ Co-ordinator
Residents in both our overseas homes, Raphael in India and Klibur Domin in Timor-Leste, love it when volunteers arrive. As a volunteer you will find it hard to resist the smiles and attention you are given. There are many benefits as well; the experience will give you a sense of purpose, create new social networks, […]
From the President’s Desk
Greetings to our many friends and supporters.Welcome to our July issue of The Red Feather, the RCA Newsletter. In this issue, we feature articles about volunteers and volunteering, news from Raphael and Klibur Domin, as well as Ryder-Cheshire happenings in Australia, New Zealand and Russia, and celebrate the wonderful work our homes and volunteers do […]