Westpac Neutral Bay Art Auction proceeds to Taldumande – event July 13 2010

Westpac Neutral Bay celebrated their recent refurbishment by auctioning artwork created to the theme “100 things I love about Neutral Bay”.  It was truly a community event with artistic contributions and attendance by Westpac customers, staff and other local Westpac branches, as well as the general community. 

The night was very successful. All of the artwork was sold, raising an impressive $4,800.  Local branch Manager Effie Nicol, generously donated 100% of the night’s proceeds to Taldumande Youth Services.

Taldumande Chairman, Michael Morton-Evans, made a moving speech about youth homelessness in the local community which was well received, and surprised many of the attendees. Executive Officer, Charles Bond and Fundraising and Promotions Officer, Katrina Richardson, also attended the evening on behalf of Taldumande.

We would like to extend our thanks to everyone at Westpac Neutral Bay and the local community who supported the evening.  In particular, a special thank you to Effie Nicol for choosing Taldumande as the recipient. Her compassion, her hard work in coordinating the event and ongoing support, is so very greatly appreciated.

13-7-2010

St Peter’s Anglican Church Cremorne

On Tuesday 6th July, Taldumande spent an enjoyable and engaging morning tea with more than 20 of the church’s regular parishioners.   We were invited to the monthly morning tea by Father Neil Vearing, to speak to this very interested group about the work that we do in the community. 
Three separate talks were given by Christine (Senior Caseworker and Program Coordinator), Katrina (Fundraising & Promotions Officer) and Rachael (a client, currently residing at one of our independent units).  While each speech presented a different and deeply moving perspective, there is no doubt that the star of the morning went to our brave client Rachael, who not only agreed to tell her story but also mix with the parishioners and answer their questions (which were many).  Thank you Rachael.

St Peter’s Church is a long standing supporter of Taldumande.  During  the morning tea, one of the Parishioners recalled how they were part of a group that helped to refit our premises, then at Artarmon, some 30 years ago!  The ties to Taldy have continued over the years and we have been the fortunate recipients of some of the parish's fundraising activities particularly in recent times.  At the end of the morning tea, we were delighted to be presented with a donation - a cheque for $947. 

Taldumande is so very grateful and privileged to be associated with such a caring part of the community.  Our staff and the young people in our care, extend our sincerest thanks to all at St Peter’s Anglican Church Cremorne.  
 

29.06.2010

Emmett House Transformation

The environment in which we place young people at risk of homelessness in, is an important part of the young person’s development and sense of self worth. By creating a home, a place of beauty, comfort and safety sends the message to young people in our care that they are respected and deserve more than just a place to sleep.

Recently, much work has gone into Taldumande's, semi-independent four-bedroom home, Emmett House. The community is responsible for Emmett’s transformation, sincere thanks to the immense generosity of the following contributors:

The North Sydney Rotary Club's donated funds enabled new carpet and wood panelling floors, the purchase of a new lounge and a clothes dryer. Cherie Graham and her assistants resourced and outfitted Emmett with curtains. United Way under Ross Liddle’s direction resourced a corporate team of 20 volunteers from BUPA who cut down the old foliage and planted flowering plants, fixed the fence and cleaned the gutters. A corporate team from GE of 35 volunteers painted the entire inside of the house with bold feature walls in each of the resident’s bedrooms, the painting was professionally done and has created a fresh and elegant home interior. The Eighty Ate Cafe in Crows Nest supplied coffees to all volunteers throughout their work at Emmett.

The three current residents of Emmett who have been with Taldumande up to and over a year have the following to say about Emmett’s recent developments:

Chelsea When I moved into Emmett House it was just that- a house. The garden was overgrown, the walls were patchy, the carpet was wearing away, but it was a place to live. Since the floors have been redone and teams of volunteers have come to paint, put up curtains, and fix the gardens Emmett is a changed place. It is no longer the overgrown, somewhat scary looking house I reside in, but is now a place I can call home and live in. These days I come home to a home – not a house.

Kristie This house used to be a house, but now it’s more of a home. The floorboards are very stylish and the carpet in the bedroom is much more comfortable than the office carpet we had before. It’s easier to clean the house now because our vacuum actually moves down the hallway instead of sticking to the carpet. I’m happy bringing friends over now because the house is homier. The paint job is wonderful and really tidied the place up. Thank you so much for all your very hard work and time and effort and generosity, it really brought that little bit of something into our house to make it a home.

Chloe Having all the improvements at Emmett has turned our house into a place I am happy and proud to spend time in. The changes are a vast improvement and mean I am finally free to have visitors. It was after these changes I was proudly able to have my family over for a family dinner. They have given us a further sense of belonging and helped us to individualise and express ourselves. Thank you so much for making Emmett House a home!