22 May 2013

Volunteers receive recognition

Volunteers are the lifeblood of our community. They give their time, skill and compassion to those in need, not only improving the lives of countless fellow citizens, but also the economic and social well-being of our entire community.

That’s why it was such a pleasure recognising sixty of our most admired local volunteers who were nominated by you, the community, at a special celebration last week. Out of those sixty outstanding individuals and groups, we had the difficult task of selected just three to be honoured with our City’s Volunteer Recognition Awards. They are:

• Volunteer of the Year: Arthur McKenzie has been a volunteer at St Catherine’s Aged Care Service for 16 years and with Hunters Hill Ryde Community Services for 10 years. He is a volunteer bus driver, driving clients to places of interest, and local school and community events. Adept at everything from changing tyres to setting up the picnic spot, he loves to help people overcome social isolation.
• Young Volunteer of the Year: Timothy Williamson is a keen Rotary volunteer and Epping Boys High student. He encourages young students to get involved in science and technology as is the coach of successful FIRST Lego Leagues and Robotics Teams. Tim also leads EBHs Stream Watch environmental program and dedicates many hours to fund raising events.
• Volunteer Group of the Year: Return to Work Program – this group of skilled volunteers work through the Benevolent Society to assist underemployed, disadvantaged or vulnerable women to find part time employment. They have raised funds, designed program content and implemented the work-readiness program that has helped over 50 local women find work.

Multicultural Resource Centre Opens 24 May

I am delighted to announce the opening of a Community Migrant Resource Centre (MRC) in Eastwood .

This twelve-month pilot project is a partnership between the City of Ryde and the MRC that will provide community development, information and referral support to meet the needs of people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds in our community.

The five bilingual workers at the Centre will work with the City of Ryde’s culturally and linguistically diverse communities including the Afghan, Iranian, Chinese, Korean, Sri Lankan and Indian communities as well as a number of other communities from the Indian sub-continent.

The Eastwood office of the Community Migrant Resource Centre is located at 159 Shaftsbury Road, Eastwood. For details go to Community Migrant Resource Centre website.  

Regards,
Clr Ivan Petch
Mayor, City of Ryde