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FRIENDS
Friends of BUSHkids
Together with our Centre teams,
Friends
of BUSHkids
(FoBk) committees are the
face of the BUSHkids in their local
communities. Our
FoBk
committees
promote the work of BUSHkids, engage
the community to ensure BUSHkids is
meeting local needs and aim to raise
funds.
Friends of BUSHkids
committees aim to
harness community resources to increase
support and awareness for BUSHkids
and contribute to planning of services,
facilitating events and initiatives in their
local community to raise funds for our
organisation and its services.
Here is an overview of some of the many
events, promotional activities and fund-
raising that have been organised by
FoBk
committees in 2015 and 2016 to achieve
these goals in their region.
FoBkWarwick
This is a very strong local group that
was established in February 2015 with
former Southern Downs Deputy Mayor
Cr Ross Bartley taking a very proactive
role as inaugural chairman. In 2016, Ross
stepped down from this position and we
were delighted when Ian Mace, a parent
of a BUSHkids client, stepped up to the
role to continue the great work.
Ian said:
“I have been involved with FoBk
for 18 months since its inception here in
Warwick. As a parent of a child with an
Asperger’s diagnosis, I felt compelled to
give back something to BUSHkids after
all of the professional expertise we had
received as a family. It had made and
continues to make a huge difference.
“About six months ago I was nominated
to act as chairman following on from the
hard work undertaken by Ross Bartley.
I felt honoured to get even more involved
in our evolution working with some very
professional and determined individuals
committed to our cause.
“I strive to make meetings a little less
formal and strongly encourage new
ideas and opportunities to fundraise and
promote awareness within our community.
As a group I try to shape the way we work
together, the timing of events and to work
as hard as we can with an emphasis on
our local media. Also as most of us hold
down a career the availability of a group
email service enables us to communicate
with each other outside of our six weekly
meetings.
“We have many new ideas for 2017 and
look forward to working together and
as effectively as possible.”
This group’s members are extremely
committed and very active in raising
support and awareness of BUSHkids’
contribution to Warwick and the
surrounding areas.
Below are just some of their activities
from the past year:
Sixth annual Golf Day
Despite the original date being rained
out, the committee regrouped and
managed to deliver a successful event.
Local golfers provided support, along
with major sponsors
Domino’s Pizza
,
McDonald’s, Colrain Group
,
Cassells
Automotive
,
John Dee Fine Beef
and
The Warwick Daily News
.
FoBk did a fantastic job arranging an
auction, raffle, overall sponsorship of the
Golf Day, hole sponsorship and general
donations for the event.
The committee was boosted by a group
of
Warwick Rotary Sunrise
members
who volunteered on the day. They erected
signage, operated the mobile drinks
and pizza delivery buggy around the
course and helped sell raffle tickets in the
clubhouse.
Southern Downs Regional Councillor
Neil Meiklejohn was MC for the event,
and Stuart Wade of
Wade’s Real Estate
did a wonderful job as auctioneer.
Cr Ross Bartley (R) with Carlton Meyn;
members of the Rotary Club of Warwick Sunrise
(below) ready to raffle on the day!
Ready to roll at theWarwick Golf Day