Armidale Diocese
Text
Vinnies
Success!
Youth
www.vinniesarmidale.org
Edition 2 - December 2016
Keep up to date with all of the great work done by Vinnies around the Diocese or shop online for a bargain...
Events and activities on the horizon
News from around the Diocese.
Armidale responds with excellent sponsorship and a group of passionate sleep out participants. Well done to our Young Adult Volunteers for helping on the night
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Mini Vinnies Conferences in the Eastern half of the Diocese come together to share their achievements and participate in social justice workshops
Diary Dates
From the Youth coordinator
High School Conference Updates
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Schools converge on Lake Keepit to celebrate their faith and work as Vincentians
Mini Vinnies updates
2016 Diocesan High School Camp
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Coming Up
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The first Armidale Community Sleep out
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2016 Mini Vinnies Gatherings
Sleep out Participants were engaged with the workshop activities run on the night.
Dedicated participants all rugged up and prepared for the night ahead.
Sleep out Volunteers and Participants engaging in lively conversation and trying to stay warm.
It was a very cold and windy night on Saturday 3rd September. For those homeless in Armidale, the experience of excruciating cold and darkness is unfortunately all too familiar..... Sheltered within the somewhat warmer environment of the Armidale Town Hall were a group of people participating in the City's first Community Sleep Out. The event is designed to raise both funds and awareness for the plight of the homeless. We had the pleasure of hosting Members of our Armidale Central Council, Community Members and representatives of various Business houses in town, namely Newcastle Permanent and The Professionals. Approximately 25 people participated in the event at various stages throughout the night. Several Young families attended early in the evening while some dedicated souls brought their sleeping bags, picked up a piece of cardboard at the front door and stayed over. The event featured a talk from Armidale Local, Mr Peter Jacobson, who talked about his experience of homelessness, and how Vinnies helped. We were also privy to speeches from Armidale Central Council President Rosemary Fisher and Executive Officer Sam Austrin-Miner. Participants took part in a workshop which was designed to help them reflect on how vulnerable they were to homelessness, the types of services that are needed to provide support to homeless people, the services that were missing, and lastly, what they were willing to do to address the issue. Participants were served a basic meal of rice for dinner and cereal for breakfast. Combining sponsorship and donations, Vinnies raised $9000 which will be used to fund projects targeting the needs of the homeless. A warm thank you to our Young Adult Volunteers and Staff who helped to run the event. You were very generous with your time and you all did a fantastic job!
2016 Vinnies armidale Community sleep out
On the 3rd and 4th September, 2016 Vinnies hosted the inaugural Armidale Community Sleep Out. We had good participation and raised a substantial amount of money. The funds raised will directly fund projects aimed at addressing homelessness.
The night featured workshops and Guest Speakers.
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Members of the Vinnies Armidale Central Council enjoying the evening
a warm thank you to our sleep out sponsors..
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Armidale
On the 31st October, 74 students attended the 'North Eastern Region' Mini Vinnies Gathering. The event was hosted by St Joseph's at Glen Innes who were joined by Holy Trinity Inverell and St Joseph's Tenterfield. Students networked and shared their stories. The gathering participated in large and small group workshops which focused on Bullying - its causes, effects and ways to prevent it. The students were very insightful and passionate about the subject. Students and teachers alike provided valuable feedback about the gathering.
Glen Innes
On the 24th October, St Mary's Primary in Armidale hosted the Region's annual Mini Vinnies Gathering. 87 Students from Guyra, Armidale, Uralla and Walcha attended the event. The Gathering was an opportunity to come together for prayer, make new friends, share success stories and discuss social justice issues. This year's social justice topic covered Human Rights, Refugees and Detention Centres. Teachers and Students alike thoroughly enjoyed the day and are looking forward to next year's event. Many thanks to St Mary's Primary for hosting it.
Mini Vinnies Gatherings
The Mini Vinnies crew in Uralla are really invested in the life of their school. They are helping to keep the school's gardens maintained, they look after the clothing pool by sorting and hanging clothes and have re-decorated the Creative Arts room. The students recently decorated a 'friendship chair' that will be used in the play ground. Children will be encouraged to make friends with anyone who sits on the chair at lunch time. The chair will also be available for anyone who wants 'a bit of time out.' New Vinnies members will now be able to make a concrete 'imprint' of their hands on a special paver to celebrate their membership.
The Students at St Patrick's Walcha have been super busy. Their activities have included: *A Team Colours Day: Students dressed up in the colours of their favourite sports team in exchange for a gold coin donation. *Soup Day: Everyone had soup for lunch as a way of finding out what it might be like to be homeless. *Students put together baskets, containing food and clothes which were donated to the Vinnies shop. The following activities are planned for the remainder of the year: *A 3-Day talent show to fundraise for Caritas. The aim is to raise $140 which will provide fresh drinking water and hygiene kits for 4 families overseas. *Making Christmas hampers. Students have also been also writing to companies like Colgate to sponsor hospital packs containing basic toiletries. *Students have been addressing the school assemblies to garner support for their activities. Great work!
...Mini Vinnies Conferences..
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Term 3 at St Mary's Guyra featured the 'Captain Undies Appeal.' .... Students donned their undergarments on top of their clothes and flew around the school to recruit donations of new socks and undies.The group has also been hard at work knitting scarves and have donated all of these items to the local Vinnies store. Members have also made cards for people in the Community who are having a tough time. The group put a lot of time and effort into this project and used an assortment of materials to make quality, and attractive gifts. On the 20th October the school held a 'sock puppet day', which featured puppet show' in order to raise funds for Catholic Mission. The Conference is currently running its 'Mr Smell Good Appeal', recruiting donations of all types of toiletry items and is putting together hampers for the Christmas Appeal. Wow!
The boys and girls from St Marys have donated hand made blankets and cushions for people to use in the Cathedral. Some blankets were also donated to Vinnies and to the Armidale Care Van. The Children routinely clean the Cathedral and have supported School Masses by learning hymns and leading Choir. Mini Vinnies led the Father's Day Stall and assisted in the School Disco - both were fundraisers for the P&F. The Children sent care packages, containing classroom stationery, exercise books, craft supplies, reading books, sport equipment & clothing to Ekonak school in Vanuatu following the devastation of the recent hurricane. Well done everyone!
The Mini Vinnies group have been working with the SRC on range of fundraising inititatives. The school ran a Pyjama Day to raise funds for the WInter Appeal -and- instead of a sleepout, the kids transformed cardboard boxes (normally used as bedding by homeless people) in to 'Monsters' which were displayed around the school to raise awareness about the issue. The group has recently constructed a very special Christmas tree, featuring themes of peace and good will - which will be entered into a local competition. Leading up to Christmas, the group will be running a toy drive and a coin collection at the end of year Mass in addition to a school mufti - day to raise funds for the Vinnies Christmas Appeal!
St Joseph's Mini Vinnies at Warialda raised $148 during their 'socktober' campaign. Students (and staff) wore crazy looking socks on the day. The money raised went to Catholic Mission. The students also went to Sydney and visited the grave of Mary Mackillop and St Mary's Cathedral. The students will be putting together hampers for the Christmas Appeal and will be making cards to be distributed to the residents of the Naroo Aged Care Facility in Warialda. The students will also be putting together toiletry bags for use at the local hospital. There are only 8 children in this Conference and they have done such an amazing job this year! Well done to both the Children and Vinnies Coordinator: Mary-Jane Guest.
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Over the Winter period, the Mini Vinnies team in Tenterfield had a 'Footy Fundraiser' day which was tied in with the 3rd State of Origin game. As the school is so close to the Queensland border, there was a healthy dose of parochialism and competition amongst the students as they engaged in football related activities. The event also included face painting. Students contributed a gold coin for their participation and the money was donated to the local Vinnies store. The group also conducted a blanket and woollens drive for Vinnies. In the lead up to Christmas, Mini Vinnies are organising an 80's themed disco (the 1980s being the new 'olden days') and a food & toiletries drive. The group will be addressing the school assembly to garner support for the event.
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The students at the Holy Trinity Mini Vinnies Conference have been busy indeed. They have participated in a Pyjama Day AND a Sleep Out to raise money for homelessness as well as a 'Soup, Sock and Choc' day to raise funds for the Vinnies Winter Appeal. The Conference has also supported Operation Christmas Child, which is a wonderful initiative from the Samaritans. Children are given 'shoe box' to fill with NEW items from each of the following categories: Something to wear; Something to play with; Something for school; Something to love; Something special; Something for personal hygiene. The boxes are delivered at Christmas time to children in Africa and Asia who may not have ever received a gift.
The Mini Vinnies Conference at St Nicholas Tamworth will be returning in Term 1, 2017.
Sacred Heart Primary in Boggabri are off to a flying start... Only recently formed, 20 out of 25 students at the School are members of the Mini Vinnies group. To date, the group has held a Father's Day Stall and a Popcorn Day to raise funds for our 'Assist a Student' program. On Wednesday 26th October, the Youth Coordinator was presented with a cheque to the value of $150. This amount will cover the cost of two students to go to school for a year in India. This is an amazing achievement and the students are rightfully very proud of their efforts. Students also attend the local aged care facility and attend local businesses to hand out Christmas cards.
“Charity is the Samaritan who pours oil on the wounds of the traveler who has been attacked. It is justice’s role to prevent the attack.” Blessed Frederic Ozanam
St Joseph's Mini Vinnies Uralla, completed their Friendship Chair, for use in the playground at lunch time.
St Mary of the Angels Guyra, knitting scarves
The newly formed Mini Vinnies group of Sacred Heart Primary in Boggabri
St Mary's Mini Vinnies Armidale delivering cushions to the Cathedral
Cardboard 'Monsters' and Pyjama Day at St Joseph's, Glen Innes.
St Joseph's Tenterfield at their 'footy fun day'
Snapshots....
Staff and students from St Joseph's Warialda on 'Socktober Day'
Soup, Sock and Choc day at Holy Trinity Inverell
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On the 9th and 10th August, Students converged on Lake Keepit for the annual Vinnies High School Camp. 20 students attended the event and participated in a range of activities including a Mass with Fr Joseph Armah. His Homily focussed on the Apostles' 'imperfect nature'. He emphasised though that each of them had a good heart and so did each of the Vinnies Members at the Camp. Students also participated in several spiritual reflections, team bonding activities, tree climbing and camp fire where they taught the Diocesan Youth Coordinator how to toast marshmallows. Members left the camp feeling energised and wishing that they could stay longer! Many thanks to Damian Roff, Cheryl Leggatt and Christine McLachlan for coordinating the event. Looking forward to next year folks.
Diocesan High School Camp
On the 9th and 10th August, Students converged on Lake Keepit for the annual Vinnies High School Camp. 20 students attended the event and participated in a range of activities including a Mass with Fr Joseph Armah. His Homily focussed on the Apostles' 'imperfect nature'. He emphasised though that each of them had a good heart and so did each of the Vinnies Members at the Camp. Students also participated in several spiritual reflections, team bonding activities, tree climbing and Camp Fire where they taught the Diocesan Youth Coordinator how to toast marshmallows. Members left the camp feeling energised and wishing that they could stay longer! Many thanks to Damian Roff, Cheryl Leggatt and Christine McLachlan for coordinating the event. Looking forward to next year folks.
The St Agnes Conference at McCarthy held a 'Tackie Tracky' day to raise funds for the winter appeal. All funds raised were donated to the Care and Support section of the local Vinnies Conference. The Conference is also strengthening its links with their 'twin' school in India through more regular correspondence and is planning a fundraising drive by selling hot chocolates out of the canteen. The Conference is exceptionally well organised and are growing. In light of the year 12 leaders graduating, Cate Allen has been facilitating conversation about what it means to be an Office Bearer and what each of the roles entail. Over the last few weeks, nominations have been sought and elections held. Leaders and new members were inducted at a special mass on the 2nd December at St Nicholas' Church. On the 13th December, the group will hold their annual social night which normally includes pizza, frivolity and a healthy dose of spirituality.
Students from the St Francis of Assisi Conference at O'Connor are currently putting together a mural, which is being lovingly decorated and will be donated to the residents of the autumn Autumn Lodge aged care facility in Armidale. The mural will be placed in their main garden. Congratulations also to the St Francis Conference for being nominated for a Community Service Award at the Armidale Regional Council Youth Awards! You do an extraordinary job folks. Several O'Connor students participated in this year's City to Surf and have kindly donated the sponsorship raised to Vinnies. Thank you very much! Likewise, members of O'Connor's 'Z' Club have donated boxes of 'care packages' to our local Vinnies Shop in Rusden Street. O'Connor held a 'Fashion on the Field' event for Melbourne Cup day on the 1st November. The Vinnies Conference hosted a 'pizza and activities' afternoon for students afterwards. Congratulations also to Eliza Clarke, Conference President for being selected as female Vice Captain of O'Connor in 2017!
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High School Conferences
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Central Schools
McCarthy students at a recent social night.
O'Connor students singing songs from their recent production of 'Annie'' -to the Armidale Stroke Recovery Group.
20 students from years 5 through to 10 are involved the St Philly's Conference at Moree. They've been doing a fantastic job too. They raised approximately $1,700 at the Vinnies which was run in conjunction with the Winter Appeal. The group also helped to raise $1500 for Caritas. Recently, the Conference raised $485 through a 'Pancake' day and they have decided to used the money to purchase Christmas gifts for all of the residents at 'Fairview' in Moree. The group made the local newspaper with their efforts and should be very proud of themselves. The Conference will be hosting a series of presentations to the School, focusing on the Vinnies Christmas Appeal - why we have it, how they can contribute to it and where the money goes. Additionally, coordinator Lauren Donnelly will has run a recruitment drive for new Conference Members focussing on years 5-8. Approximately 50 students have expressed interest in being part of Vinnies next year.
McCarthy 'tackie tracky' advert
St Philomena's Students at the recent Vinnies Information Day.
Frederic's 'Conference of Charity' planning their activities..
The two Mini Vinnies Gatherings brought Conferences together. The children got a glimpse of the 'bigger picture' as their colleagues talked about their achievements, but also as they worked with each other during the 'Human Rights' and 'Anti Bullying' Workshops. It was wonderful to see them so enthused about addressing Social Justice issues. Just as heartening is the commitment of High School students to their Conferences. The high school years are full of distractions and there's a large amount of pressure for seniors. However, I see the same faces in Conference, week after week, 'walking the talk' with their various charitable works. Much like the Mini Vinnies Gatherings, the Diocesan High School Camp gave participants the opportunity to share their spirituality and passion for Social Justice with their peers. We were joined at meal times by a school from Gunnedah, whose students were taken aback by our group's large and loud chants of thanksgiving! It was a pleasure to participate in the camp. It's time now to look towards the future, with special consideration given to the relationship that high school graduates in this diocese could continue to have with Vinnies. Therefore next year, I will be working with St Albert's College at UNE to establish a Young Adults' Conference for the Armidale Region. The aim will be to bring young people, aged 16-35 together for fellowship, to facilitate spiritual growth and strengthening of commitment to Christ through charitable works and special programs. Hopefully, the works performed by our young adults will be a reflection of their maturity and global focus. Young Adults will be called upon to assist with several special programs for children referred to us from various schools and social service agencies in the area. Kids can sometimes be exposed to domestic violence, poverty, or neglect. I will seek to establish two programs, namely: A weekly 'Homework Club' and monthly 'Buddies Days'. Both programs are 'respite style' in nature. The overall aim in these programs is to promote positive and supportive interactions between clients and conference members. Our young adults receive formal training and ongoing supervision while performing their roles. Buddies days are just about having fun. Examples include treating kids ten pin bowling, going to a local park to play sport or going to the movies. Homework clubs involve connection with a group of children for a 3 hr period once per week. This period would include some afternoon tea, assistance with homework and games. Hopefully, 2017 will be an exciting year as we build on our achievements. 2016 isn't over though. We still have end of year presentations and the Christmas Appeal. Schools contribute substantially to this cause and I would like to thank all the Schools and Conferences in advance for their efforts. I sincerely hope that everyone has an amazing festive season and I look very much forward to talking with you again in the new year. Merry Christmas. Mike
The last few months have been busy. The first Community Sleep Out for Armidale was a huge undertaking and I would like to sincerely thank our business partners, participants and the volunteers who helped to make the event a success. Hopefully we will get further buy-in from the community next year. I would like very much to roll this event out in the other major centres across the Diocese. Homelessness is a real problem and we are tasked to be the 'Good Samaritan' and not walk idly by. I'm also really excited about the growth in Mini Vinnies Conferences in the Diocese. 'Mini Vinnies' consists of groups of primary school aged children who come together routinely to discuss and attempt to address a range of Social Justice issues in their environment. This is done through charitable works and fund-raising. The work of Mini Vinnies Groups is deeply rooted in core Catholic Values. The passion and commitment that the children show is an example to all of us of open hearted and sincere Christian practice.
From the youth - Coordinator
St Vincent de Paul