Blog

Gavin’s Report

Co-Chair

I would like first and foremost to thank all of the Social Justice members for the work that has been put in and the results achieved during the past year. To Mick Brosnan, Karen Gillespie, Secretary Di and Treasurer Celi and the Conveners of the sub groups, your donated time and skills have been so much appreciated and have made such a difference in so many areas.

The activities will be reported on separately, however I would like to add that we are expecting to host about 50 guests from the Canberra based Migrant and Refugee Settlement Services (MARSS) organisation in October this year.

I would like to highlight the great steps we have been able to reinforce and create with our Networks.

We have great relationships with so many business and organisations throughout the Bega Valley and beyond. In particular, the “It’s Up To Us” Campaign has enabled us to cement relationships with Mission Australia, SEWACS and the like. The external media is picking up on our activities with the ABC and East Coast Radio and Merimbula News Weekly on board.

We have had fantastic financial support from Bendigo Bank, Wild Rye Bakery, Pambula Chamber of Commerce, Bega Cheese, Hotondo Homes, Motorfest Club, to mention some of the bigger donors.

The Pambula Rotary Club have been with us and we look forward to reinforcing that relationship as Colin Dunn has stepped into the role of President again this year.

We have had other collaborations, the Bega Uniting Church providing land for another 2 units, the Bega Seventh Day Adventist Church for fitting out the Units in Pambula, the Melbourne City Rotary Club, the Triumph Car Club of Australia supporting us with a raffle in October 2022, NRMA Bega and Merimbula collecting funds etc.

It is these external links and networks which enables us to spread the words and actions of what we do, particularly through Facebook, to provide for much greater activity than would otherwise be possible.

We strive to be seen as an independent group of volunteers which can commit to providing services directly to the needs of our community. This has been communicated to us verbally and in the actions of the wider community.

Thank you all.

Gavin Bell, Co-Chair