Ku-ring-gai Wildflower Garden420 Mona Vale Road, St Ives

Wednesday 16 March 201610am - 12.30pm

PROGRAM AND PROFILES

IN KU-RING-GAI

Celebrate OUR GEMS

PROGRAM Until 10am Registration

10am Janice Bevan Welcome

10.05am Mayor Cr Cheryl Szatow Acknowledgement of Country & Opening address

10.15am Performance Sunyoung Kim and the Good Friends Ladies Choir

10.25am Guest Speaker: Aileen Mountifield Executive Director of Lisa Harnum Foundation

10.40am Performance Swastik Institute of Dance Group

10.50am Guest Speaker: Bianka Costigan Board Member Tara Costigan Foundation

11.05am Presentation of Certificates to Gems of Ku-ring-gai Mayor Cr Cheryl Szatow

11.30am Performance Sunyoung Kim and the Good Friends Ladies Choir

11.50am Cutting of the Gems cake and photo opportunity

GUEST SPEAKERSAileen MountifieldAileen is the founder and Executive Director of the Lisa Harnum Foundation. She began her career as a psychiatric nurse and later worked in aged care establishing a significant portfolio in community care services. Aileen then took up a community based chaplaincy role where she facilitated programs that support women who had experienced abuse. This work led Aileen to establish the Lisa Harnum Foundation with the aim of supporting and educating women and families.

Bianka CostiganBianka is a Central Coast mother of three whose passion to raise awareness for domestic violence has been driven by her own personal journey and close encounters with those in difficult situations. With a background in counselling and education she currently sits on the Board of the Tara Costigan Foundation and aspires to enable people to stand against violence for a brighter, safer future.

The Good Friends Ladies ChoirGood Friends Inc is a non-profit-organisation with a Christian background established in 2013. They fundraise through elegant performance and a bazaar. The precious benefit goes to people fighting poverty, natural disaster, war and disease. So far over $18,000 has been sent to the poor in Tanzania, Kenya, Philippines and Syrian refugees. They also visit and comfort people in nursing homes, senior groups and church.

Swastik Institute of Dance GroupSwastik is a Sydney based fine arts temple designed especially to introduce and promote Indian classical music and dance. While Swastik endeavours to bring classical music and dance like Kathak, Bhartnatyam, Odissi and Hindustani Music as an essential part of life, Swastik also specialise in choreographing and teaching Bollywood dance. Dancers perform for charities, community events and private shows.

Today dancers - Shabnam Tavakol, Mansi Kundap and Tanmayi Kundap will perform Bollywood dance items incorporating classical (Kathak), semi-classical, folk and Bollywood. They feel honoured to perform today to help celebrate International Women’s Day and hope you enjoy their performances.

Tricia AndersonTricia has been a loyal volunteer at the Ku-ring-gai Neighbourhood Centre Information Desk for the past 15 years. She enjoys her role at the Information Desk helping visitors to the Centre and performing administrative duties. Tricia is always willing to lend a hand on coffee mornings, book sales or any other Ku-ring-gai Neighbourhood Centre function.

Fran AppletonFran has been volunteering for Easy Care Gardening since March 2008. She has volunteered on 327 separate occasions, giving 2,067 hours of her time. Fran is an invaluable member of our team. She is an office volunteer and is someone who can be relied upon to carry out her roles efficiently and effectively. Fran is friendly, warm and engaging. She really cares about people and is a creative and inspiring role model to other volunteers.

Robyne BerlingRobyne is the Exhibition Manager for Ku-ring-gai Art Society. She is tireless and very instrumental in coordinating, hanging, taking down and showcasing the Society Members’ Art Exhibitions throughout the year. She has been doing this for 7 years. No job is too big or too small. To replace her would be nearly impossible. It is at times a thankless job, handling sensitive artists, which she does with style.

Jenny BlackmanJenny Blackman has been a tireless worker for the children of Ku-ring-gai through her work with the Children’s Book Council of

NSW, where she has been a long-time volunteer worker and committee member. She is also a writer, through whose book Our Enemy, My Friend she has educated children about the twentieth century past and the need for tolerance. Jenny has visited many schools to talk about her book and inspire children about literature and history. She was also a stalwart worker during the early days at the important Ku-ring-gai theatre group Pymble Players, bringing joy to many in the community. Jenny is also an excellent neighbour and friend to many, and thoroughly deserves to be recognised as a Gem of Ku-ring-gai.

Wendy Blaxland Wendy’s involvement with Marian Street Theatre for Young People (MSTYP) as a writer and volunteer has enriched the lives of many young people and has contributed enormously to Ku-ring-gai and the wider Sydney community. Wendy is a great ambassador for MSTYP. She sees the benefits of theatre both to the community and to the individual lives of young people. Wendy Blaxland has been part of Marian Street Theatre for Young People for a long time – in fact, three generations of Wendy’s family have been vitally involved. Her mother, Audrey Blaxland, began the Marian Street Drama School and Children’s Theatre in 1967. Wendy’s two daughters (Eleanor and Jessica) attended the drama school and performed in many productions, and her son Thomas continues the tradition. In her professional life Wendy is a prodigious writer of books and plays for children. She has written numerous plays for MSTYP, many of which have become

GEMS PROFILES

firm favourites for directors, performers and audiences alike. These wonderful plays have enriched the repertoire of MSTYP as well as providing thousands of children with a deep engagement with storytelling and theatre and the magic of human interaction. Wendy has been a volunteer on the MSTYP Committee since it became an incorporated association in 2001. She was President of the Committee for seven years and is still an active committee member. Her empathy, encouragement and kindness towards staff members, tutors, directors, designers – all who keep the wheels turning at MSTYP – is amazing.

Flo BrawnFlo has been a volunteer with the Uniting Gordon Community Centre for many years. She has worked with the ‘Wrap with Love’ Knitting Group and many bags of wraps have been completed and delivered to support this very worthwhile cause. Flo has also volunteered for many years at Northaven, the Uniting Church aged care centre in Turramurra, where her work is valued and respected. She gives her time selflessly to help those who are aged or ill, helping with wisdom and advice, as well as practical support. Flo is a quiet achiever who makes a difference to our community, and deserves to be recognised as a ‘Gem of Ku-ring-gai’.

Rosie BuntonRosie has volunteered with Ku-ring-gai Neighbourhood Centre Neighbourhood Aid Services for 2 years. She provides transport to local older residents for social activities, medical appointments and is always bright, cheerful and willing to assist in emergencies. Rosie is much respected and is a good friend to her regular clients and to Ku-ring-gai Neighbourhood Centre as an organisation.

Marlene CartyMarlene is always very engaging and enthusiastic about local issues and community spirit. I saw the kindness and dedication to service that was going on in my local Rotary Wahroonga Club with Marlene at the helm. Marlene is always volunteering to help and a mentor with the current joint Ku-ring-gai Refugee Welcome Pack Project. Marlene has done a great amount of work quietly behind the scenes to help get things done for schools, hospitals etc. I have found her inspiring and tireless in her constant efforts to help those less fortunate. Some of the projects that Marlene has been involved in are: St. Edmunds, St. Lucy’s, Novus Foundation, San Fun Run, Bobbin Head Classic for Lifeline, Council initiative Refugee Welcome Packs, etc. Marlene goes above and beyond what her position calls for, she is a Gem!

Pam CoakesPam is a long-standing member of the volunteer team at Easy Care Gardening. She started in 1997 and has gardened consistently over this time. She is a reliable and dedicated volunteer and is friendly and well-liked by team members and clients alike. An accident put Pam out of action for a while, but from her hospital bed she declared “Don’t worry - I’ll be back”. Pam was true to her word, much to the benefit of Easy Care Gardening and our clients.

Berwyn CollingsBerwyn has been working as a volunteer for Netball for 45 years. She has played, coached, umpired and worked on many roles for KNA (Ku-ring-gai Netball Association) including being Secretary of KNA for the past 26 years – a huge commitment and testimony to her passion and dedication to the sport. Berwyn is the club’s go-to person for her knowledge and advice. She also is the first person to put

her hand up to help out with the many, many jobs a volunteer organisation needs done (especially one the size of KNA where we have approx. 4,000 members from 18 registered netball clubs). One of Berwyn‘s initiatives was the formation of a programme for players with disabilities. Berwyn is passionate about encouraging girls and women of all ages with an intellectual disability to learn and enjoy the game of netball. The programme was the first in NSW is very successful and is now known as the KNA All-Stars. The players derive real pleasure from being a part of the KNA netball community and this is reflected in their improved social and physical skills. Berwyn works tirelessly for Netball and the community and is a true “Gem of Ku-ring-gai”.

Sue Conde AMSue Conde is the volunteer Director of the Uniting Gordon Community Centre (UGCC), a program of Gordon Uniting Church. UGCC has a Friday program for people of all ages and cultures and runs playgroups for new mothers. Sue is organiser/committee secretary/encourager. She has a gift of being able to lead from alongside people and is always looking to grow UGCC by adding one more program. Sue is also a recently retired member of the Council of Knox Grammar School and a former President of UNIFEM Australia. Sue deserves to be a Gem of Ku-ring-gai because of her tireless work in “enabling [people] to pursue interests and ideas, as they walk beside each other exploring the meaning of life in our changing community”. (UGCC Vision)

Emma DyerEmma has been on the St Ives Football Club Committee for four years and is currently our Vice President. We are a large club and demands on volunteers are high. Emma gives tirelessly and cheerfully and her contribution is amazing. She is part of a dedicated and small team of volunteers who help enable nearly 1,000 members to take to the field every weekend during the football season. Each year Emma takes on many roles that others simply do not want to fulfil as well as offering back up assistance. As President of St Ives Football Club I can confirm she is an invaluable asset to our club.

Gillian EaglesGillian has spent many dedicated hours, days and years to Northshore Horse & Pony Association. In her role as President she has campaigned, researched, written submissions and kept the local community informed on all horse riding access in the area. Through her dedications horse riders have had a voice and important trails remained open or have re-opened for use to all. This has been done all as a volunteer.

Dee GallagherDee is a valued volunteer who has worked for Ku-ring-gai Neighbourhood Centre for the past 10 years. She enjoys working on the Information Desk helping visitors to the Centre. Dee especially enjoys interacting with our shopping bus clients. She is also involved in coordinating our highly successful Multicultural Yarning Group and works tirelessly to help with the organisation of the group.

Judy HailesJudy is a fabulous asset as a volunteer to our service. She plays a central part in our centre-based luncheon club, and also

delivers meals to clients’ homes. She has a smile for everyone and delights all our Ku-ring-gai Meals on Wheels clients who have contact with her.

Joan HayesJoan was a founder, and remains a leader of Friday College - a very successful activity of Roseville Uniting Church which, since 1997, has provided hospitality, friendship and continued learning for retirees in the local community. Joan has led the pastoral care team in the church and continues to do voluntary work among the elderly and with children and their families, including leading a support group for mothers of children who suffer depression.

Tina HowardTina is a founding member and Vice President of the Turramurra Lookout Community Garden and has been a tireless worker since its inception in 2009. The Garden has benefitted enormously from her creativity, energy and good humour over the last seven years. Capitalising on her long career in education, Tina is a wonderful mentor and teacher to younger members of the Garden, to students doing community service and to school groups visiting the Garden. Tina also volunteers to improve and maintain the gardens at Hillview Community Health Centre and is a contributor to other garden clubs in the area.

Margaret IllyMargaret is an office volunteer and ably assists with data entry and financial reconciliation for Easy Care Gardening. Margaret is a friendly, welcoming and inclusive person, engaging volunteers and clients and other staff members in her warm and positive interactions.

She has been volunteering since 2008, giving a total of 1,645 hours on 314 separate occasions.

Julie KeefeJulie is a tireless and much loved volunteer in her church in Roseville, especially through her support for activities among youth and young adults, and with preschool children and their carers in two community playgroups known as Kids Playtime.

Ashley KellyAsh has a great love of the area and is a true community spirit. She is a valued committee member at Northside Riding Club, being the Dressage Phase Head. Ash is also Customer Experience Officer at Taronga Zoo and generally has a couple of joeys with her that she is hand rearing. Absolutely dedicated to her community and local wildlife.

Margi KindlMargi is always very kind and helping others in the community. I know she has volunteered at local schools over the years but what she currently volunteers for is: (1) Meals on Wheels (2) Coordinator of the “Dish” (feeding the homeless in Hornsby) once a month and also cooking for the Dish. (3) Piano Player for Church Service at Northhaven Retirement Village and other events as required. (4) Piano Player for Church Service at Turramurra Uniting Church. Also nominated by Meals on Wheels: Margi is such a support to the clients she visits for Meals on Wheels, and brightens the day of all those she sees. She is unfailingly patient and caring with everyone.

Suzanne LaneSuzanne has been behind the scenes of the Ku-ring-gai Art Society since:

2009 - Vice President/ Exhibition Manager 2010 - Exhibition Manager 2011 to 2015 - Exhibition support

Suzanne will also at the drop of a hat, assist with any other organising within the realms of the Art Society. Whether it is making tea, moving chairs, putting out brochures at our General Meetings. Ask and Suzanne will help.

Janet & Graeme LumsdenJanet has had over 30 years supporting people with MS in our area. She and her husband, Graeme, provide never ending support to these people. This support takes the form of monthly lunches in the Wildflower Garden (as integral members of Ku-ring-gai MS Support Group), home visits, shopping excursions, regular phone contact, hospital visits - the list is endless. Janet is over 80 years old, and never stops giving. She is amazing! Graeme supports Janet in all her work. They entertain MS suffers in their home, which involves heavy lifting, moving ramps to enable wheelchair access, etc. Graeme is also over 80 years old. They are also very involved in the Uniting Church Killara.

Jenny LyonsJenny deserves a ‘Gem of Ku-ring-gai’ Award as she has served Ku-ring-gai Meals on Wheels clients by delivering meals for 30 years. She is reliable and empathetic to our clients, and selfless in her contribution.

Linda McDonald Linda has worked tirelessly as President of Support Lindfield. Incorporated for over 3 years, Support Lindfield is a group of community members devoted to bringing about a new heart to Lindfield village through the development of the Lindfield Community Hub project on the

Woodforde Lane site on the west side of Pacific Highway. Linda has lead by example, undertaking/driving any task needing to be done, including: presenting to a community forum of 100-200 people; handing out flyers, encouraging people to become members/supporters at school fetes; administration and governance tasks for a not-for-profit entity; managing Support Lindfield Committee members; liaising with Councillors, Council staff and MP’s – all at any time of the day, night or weekend. Linda is a non-executive Director of Ku-ring-gai Financial Services Ltd, the public company which owns the franchise and rights to operate the Turramurra and Lindfield branches of Bendigo Bank. Linda is a fellow and Life Member of the Australian Institute of Training and Development, where she has been recognised for her volunteer service over many years. Linda is also deeply involved with the North Shore Rowing Club at Lane Cove, where she competes in Masters events and uses her learning skills to assist the Club and members.

Jo NicolJo has been an active business owner in Turramurra for over 30 years, involved with and promoting local initiatives and enhancing the local village environment. Jo has been a member of the Turramurra Chamber of Commerce, the Beautify Turramurra Initiative, the Ku-ring-gai Women’s Business Forum and a strong supporter of local netball and soccer clubs. She is a delightful lady who takes every opportunity to improve the environment in which she lives and works.

Eileen & Ted PenderEileen is ably supported by her husband Ted and has served Ku-ring-gai Meals on

Wheels clients by delivering meals for 35 years. She is reliable and empathetic to our clients, and selfless in her contribution.

Anne PrescottAnne is a member and Chair of the International Committee of the Rotary Club of Wahroonga which works with the Rotary Club of Mt Everest to rebuild broken down school buildings ruined by a large earthquake. Approximately 90% of the houses and all the schools cannot be used. Anne’s plan for 2016 is to take volunteers to rebuild houses and set up a project through Rotary to assist teachers with professional development, as well as repairing the water system ruined in the earthquake, giving much needed clean water to the communities. The region has a subsistence economy.Anne has run teacher professional development programs each year since 2011. Beginning as a teacher professional development to improve education in the remote villages of Arupokhari, Nepal, the villages are about 7-8 hours four wheel drive west of Kathmandu followed by hours of trekking straight up the mountain. School toilets are often non-existent in remote Nepal villages.

In 2013 Anne trekked for 6 days visiting 20 remote schools to see what their needs were. She found that Gandak School near Arughat was one of the worst, so she decided to rebuild the school, and returning to Australia raised over $25,000 through raffles, personally selling the tickets and organising Trivia Nights. By rebuilding the school and the toilets, the aim is to keep girls at school and improve all students’ learning.

Although Anne has the support of Rotary, it has been through her own personal time

and enormous effort that has made the difference in education through teacher training, health through clean water being made available and the construction of toilets at schools and the communities in remote areas in Nepal.

Roslyn RossettinRoslyn has been a volunteer at Gordon Uniting Church and the Uniting Gordon Community Centre for many years. Three years ago she established the ‘Step by Step’ Walking group in association with the Community Centre Friday program and the National Heart Foundation Walking Groups. Each Friday Roslyn has planned the walk and her enthusiasm and encouragement has meant that the group has grown over this time. She has also provided a friendly and helpful introduction for newcomers to this area to get to know others. Roslyn is well deserving of this award.

Marie RumseyMarie is a valued member of the Information Desk at Ku-ring-gai Neighbourhood Centre and has been with us for 9 years. Her quiet presence at the desk is enjoyed by everyone and she is always willing to help where it is needed. Marie helps as an English Language Volunteer and enjoys being involved in the Yarning Group.

Betty SharpBetty started with Lifeline Asquith Op Shop in 1982. Betty has given 34 years of loyal service as a volunteer, travelling each Friday from Pymble to spend time working on her speciality area of homewares and bric-a-brac. She is very well known for spending time on the shop floor. Betty can often been seen in her Lifeline apron, offering advice to anyone who needs it. From young men buying their first suit to helping teenage girls accessorise their

clothing purchases. Betty is part of team, affectionately called the “Friday Girls” all of whom are in their eighties. They take turns bringing in a cake and due to her high level of expertise, Betty is in charge of bringing crosswords, completed during their lunch break. Not only does she care for her husband who is 90 years old, but also cares for the shop customers and her colleagues and is an integral part of the team. Betty exhibits a love of life and her community that sets an admirable example for many younger people. We would love to see Betty acknowledged in a way that shows her that what she does and contributes, matters to many of the people she touches each week.

Katherine StevensonKatherine’s passion and dedication in everything she does is an inspiration to everyone she comes in contact and to other volunteers.St Ives Junior Cricket Club - Katherine has been an active member of the Committee for 3 years as age co-ordinator. She has also managed a cricket team every year her boys have played cricket (many). On top of this she organises a sausage sizzle for the U9 and U10 teams every Friday night (from purchasing the food/rosters/cleaning up/etc) with the belief that encouraging a sense of community and a sense of belonging to our SIJCC community is key to keeping kids in sport and increases their enjoyment. Katherine also coordinates her age group training and coaching as well as plays a key role in uniform sourcing (and selling). Bannockburn Rovers Soccer Club - Katherine is very active with the Bannockburn Rovers Soccer Club where she is fondly known as the BBQ Queen - where she sells sausages every Thursday night to raise money for the soccer club. In addition she manages a team and is part of the Club Committee.

School Volunteer - Katherine has also been very involved every year at her (3 boys) schools as Class Mum, Year Convenor (coordinating all Year Group fundraising and events) as well as being Class Helper).

Killcare Surf Life Saving - On weekends, in between helping with cricket and soccer, Katherine does beach patrol for the Killcare Surf Life Saving Club.

Di StoneDi is a quiet achiever who has helped Ku-ring-gai Neighbourhood Centre at the Information Desk for the past 13 years. She enjoys helping people and has been involved in such activities as the Coffee Mornings and Book Sales. She helps with data entry each week to record the Information Desk statistics.

Sally ThompsonSally raises money for various charity events, including the Fred Hollows Coast Trek Walk and the Mother’s Day Classic Walk. Sally is the Secretary of the Gordon Soccer Club and helped to establish a ‘Welcome Day’ for the under 6 and under 7 new soccer players so they know how to play soccer before the competition starts. She also volunteers her time at her local primary school where her two sons attend.

Amy TongAmy is such a caring and helpful person, who selflessly gives her time to Meals on Wheels clients. She is always quick to volunteer to fill a gap in service and goes above and beyond to help out.

Sarah TuttSarah has been a wonderful advocate for Meals on Wheels and brightens the day of all those she delivers meals to by her cheery interest in them. She is unfailingly patient and caring with those she visits.

Teresa VumbacaTeresa is an absolute delight – a key part of our Ku-ring-gai Meals on Wheels luncheon club. She is so welcoming and popular with all the clients and takes special care with the frail clients. We love the way she “looks out for” people and brightens their day by her friendly manner.

Barbara WardBarbara is very passionate about everything she does or believes, with a natural ability to engage others. She has given up her time to “do good” in the community for the past 21 years.

Barbara sits on the Board of Novus Foundation, a partnership between San Foundation, Rotary Club of Wahroonga and McCarroll to help youth on the North Shore. Barbara is the volunteer Executive Officer. Raising over $1million, these funds have been given to KYDS, Street Works and ARI.

She is currently President of SHARE, a not-for-profit organisation providing affordable exercise and health outcome programs to the community for nearly 30 years to people over 55 and in particular some of the most vulnerable and underprivileged older people including the upper North Shore.

In addition, Barbara serves as President of Nutrition Australia, which is an independent peak body, member organisation that aims to promote the health and well-being of all Australians. She works on robust programs that make a difference to people’s well-being working with all levels of government for health outcomes.

Barbara is also President of the Lupus Association of NSW Inc, a community based counselling and advocacy service with over 1,100 members throughout

Australia. Recently, she organised a global meeting which met in London to discuss Lupus illness and the possibility for it to be part of World Health Organisation, this is fantastic.

Working with Barbara it is clear she is a highly focused, energetic, a natural leader and a true “gem of Ku-ring-gai”.

Rosemary WatsonRosemary is a tireless volunteer who has been involved in the Uniting Gordon Community Centre and Gordon Uniting Church for many years. Rosemary is a volunteer tutor of the ‘Wrap with Love’ Knitting Group at the Community Centre. Added to this, she and her husband, Bruce, had the idea to provide a ‘Sausage Sizzle Lunch in the Courtyard’ as part of the Community Centre activities each Friday. This lunch has grown to be a vital part of the Friday program, with up to 40 people each Friday gathering after their classes to enjoy fellowship and friendship over lunch. Rosemary even provides a home-cooked dessert to add to the sausage sizzle. Rosemary is a great advocate for those who need a helping hand, and she is truly a ‘Gem of Ku-ring-gai’.

Diana WilkinsonDiana has been a tutor at the Uniting Gordon Community Centre for some years as a volunteer tutor for the English Conversation for Newcomers classes. She has helped many new residents in this area to feel welcome and confident in speaking English. Diana has also helped with child minding for the mothers during the classes which has helped the mothers to feel comfortable in their new environment. Diana is a gentle and accomplished teacher, and is worthy of this award.

kmc.nsw.gov.au/iwd