With the very successful AGM and Biennial Conference behind us it is time to stiffen our resolve and focus firmly on the task of raising funds to support our two overseas homes.
Sponsorships have for many years been the mainstay of our fundraising and the launch of a new RCA Sponsorship Drive, with the enthusiastic support of three Ballarat schools, reinvigorated all those present at the Conference, both in person and on-line.
We are very mindful that previous generous bequests and the consolidation of these reserve funds will ensure that the best possible returns are achieved to underpin our annual grants, but that fund raising, sponsorships and new bequests have greatly dwindled. This year we were in the unfortunate position of not being able to satisfy the funding requests from Klibur Domin, and this impacted on them.
We must turn this around, so along with a new Sponsorship Drive we will look at other fundraising initiatives and opportunities.
We were very pleased to hear that Sunita Garware has assumed the role of Chair of the Governing Council of Raphael, stepping into shoes once filled by her “larger than life” father, affectionately known to all as Rummy.
Joaquim being awarded the Medal of the Order of Timor-Leste by President Dr Jose Ramos Horta is a huge personal achievement. It is a wonderful public endorsement of the nationally important leadership and work that is delivered by Klibur Domin.
We have created a series of walk through videos of Raphael, Klibur Domin, Victorian Homes, Mt. Gambier Homes, also a talk by Dr. Elizabeth Cheshire describing all the different organisations which were started by her parents. We welcome you to walk around the four facilities that are part of the Ryder-Cheshire Family? Click Here
Along with other initiatives it is very important that we continue to grow our membership base and that more of our members look to assist by joining our Committees and consider filling Directorship positions.
Hopefully we will see more volunteers returning over the next year or two so we can slowly hand over roles and responsibilities to the next generation.
In closing, I say a huge thank you to our many long-standing supporters as we open our arms to new faces, new ideas and new dollars.
Rory McEwen