NSLF + doughnuts August 26, 2009

Wow, it has been awhile since I’ve even checked in or posted anything.

Funny thing is, the very place I get most of my information from is where I’m based for Research placement.

I’m currently swamped with uni work, placement, VUSU. But hopefully things will return to normality in November and I’ll have some more awesome things to put here!

This is a short blog to remind you of  NSLF. Remember the student conference I was telling you about in my earlier blogs?

I get to send two young VU students to it this year! Its been great having this task delagated to me.  The comp has closed and two have been chosen. However,  the entries I’ve received are remarkable and hope I get permission to publish some of their entries up here. Some really inspiring stories! I’ve gained permission for a couple already and hope you get to enjoy their stories and be inspired as well.

For more info on The National Student Leadership Forum on Faith and Values, click here:

http://nslf.org.au/home

Meanwhile, I need doughnuts… or some sugar hit..

RICCI MARKS YOUNG ACHIEVER AWARD March 5, 2009

Update from YACVic
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RICCI MARKS YOUNG ACHIEVER AWARD
The Ricci Marks Young Achiever Award encourages, nurtures and supports educational and career development opportunities for young Indigenous Victorians.

The Award recognises individual achievements in training, education, arts, culture and community leadership.

It was set up in honour of the memory of Ricci Marks, whose achievements with the Brambuk Aboriginal Cultural Centre in Halls Gap, and whose time as a player with the Heywood Football Club contributed so much to his local community.

Each year the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs awards a $5000 bursary to two young Indigenous people who are role models in their community and who have demonstrated leadership and initiative. This bursary is intended to support the winners’ further development in their chosen field.

Ricci’s contributions were recognised when he won the Aboriginal Young Achiever award in 2002.
If you know someone you’d like to nominate for this award, like:

Ø Someone you work with
Ø Someone you go to school with
Ø Someone you play sport with
Ø Someone who is part of an organisation you know about

Then all you have to do to nominate them is:
Ø Download and fill in the nomination form (the form needs to be signed by two people)
Ø Write a letter that outlines their achievements and explains why you’re nominating that person
Ø Provide a copy of that person’s resume or CV

Nominees need to be Indigenous, living in Victoria, and between 16 and 25 years old as at 31 December 2008.

Nominations close on Tuesday 10 March 2009 and winners will be announced during National Youth Week in April 2009.

Nomination forms are available from Melanie Abrams at Aboriginal Affairs Victoria. You can contact her on 9208 3240 or at melanie.abrams@dpcd.vic.gov.au.

Source: Youthcentral

WANT TO GENERATE REAL CHANGE? March 5, 2009

Update from YACVic
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WANT TO GENERATE REAL CHANGE?
Generate is for young people aged 17 to 25 who believe our generation can end extreme poverty and have six hours a week to help make it happen.

Created to fit around work and study, Generate is an eight month volunteering program where we provide you with the training to make real change.

Generators will be campaigning to end extreme poverty by fundraising for Oaktree’s overseas projects, running events, lobbying the government and raising awareness in the community.

Want to Generate real change? www.theoaktree.org

Source: Oaktree Foundation

Bushfire Appeal March 2, 2009

Update from St. Vinnies

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Hi everyone,

With the current bushfire disaster you may be wondering how you can help. Below are a couple of ways you can provide assistance through the St Vincent de Paul Society

1. Donations of money, clothing, toiletries, etc.
The St Vincent de Paul Society has mounted a Victorian Disaster Appeal to provide assistance to those affected. We especially need financial donations, although donations of other goods are extremely welcome. To donate financially, go to www.vinnies.org.au/vic

2. Sorting donated goods at the Rowville warehouse
The St Vincent de Paul Society have been given the use of a huge warehouse in Rowville where we are accepting donations of new and used goods.

It is running from 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday, and Saturday from 8am to 4pm. If you, family and friends can come and give us a hand for some or all of the day, especially this Saturday, we would much appreciate it. Lunch, tea, coffee, etc provided.

We need people to accept donations, sort the goods, and traffic control amongst other things. Supervisory and training support will be on hand. We expect this to be in operation for a number of weeks, but the sooner you can help, the better.

Although it is apparently possible to just turn up at the warehouse and register, if you can notify us ahead of time, it would obviously assist us with planning and coordination of volunteers. Please email Melissa Waters at Head Office if you are available to help and for what hours, at melissa.waters@svdp-vic.or

g.au

The address is LOT 7, HENDERSON ROAD, ROWVILLE. 400m from Kellet’s Road. For the exact location, go to:
http://maps.google.com.au/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&msa=0&ll=-37.907692,145.242382&spn=0.011512,0.01914&t=h&z=16&msid=108540098799107343748

Thanks everyone!

God bless,
Penny xo

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The warehouse will not be be open on Saturdays anymore and weekdays are 8am til 6pm for the next four weeks.

OAKTREE AMBASSADORS WANTED February 25, 2009

YACVic update:
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OAKTREE AMBASSADORS WANTED
Know someone who would want to take hands-on action to end extreme poverty? Being an Oaktree Ambassador is their chance to stop just talking about the issues and start being someone who creates real change!

Oaktree Ambassadors will go through a comprehensive 8 month personal development, leadership, and practical skills training program, whilst meeting regularly, raising money, lobbying the government and getting word out to your community that we can end extreme poverty and that change starts today.

If you know someone in years 9 – 12 and want them to be part of the movement email g.berman@theoaktree.org for an information pack or log on to www.theoaktree.org

Source: Oaktree

3 things you could do for a stranger February 17, 2009

My last blog I focused on change and choice. Things you could do for other people.  So… what would you do? Really?

Oxfam would like to know. You could win two VIP passes to Future Music Festival by letting them know.

Feel free to post what you could do on here.

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Future Music Festival
Tell us ‘three things you could do for a stranger’ for your chance to win two VIP passes to Future Music Festival in your capital city.

‘three things’ is about sharing thoughts and ideas on what makes our world tick and how we can make it better. We are looking to create conversations and inspire thought by putting out new questions every month and reflecting back the three things that are important to you and the community.

Get your creative hats on and enter today. three things is a project of Oxfam Australia

http://threethings.com.au/comp.html

Change and choice February 11, 2009

Change and choice. These go hand in hand in making a difference.

Just yesterday I came across a group on facebook in regards to the Victorian bushfires. A young woman decided to take an opportunity of the current Samboy competition giving away $10k to the largest group promoting them and decided to win it for Red Cross. When I joined there was just under 20,000 members. This afternoon it hit 40,000 members. I have no doubt it will reach 50,000 by the end of today.
It reminds me of an NSLF I attended a couple of years ago. A young man I met was moved by our guest speaker that night. Soon after the talk, the young guy found an empty container and asked that it go around. Just in that room alone within 20mins had raised $2000 and was able to hand it over to the guest speaker that night.

It is these people that inspire me and others. Of course it is easy to cop flack for doing so. Taking a great leap forward when no one else is brave enough. There can only be so much talk. It takes a great deal of confidence to just act.

These people don’t do it for kudos. They do it to enable others to create change. They make the choice to put their name forward and do something.
I believe both of these young people will go and do bigger and better things for others, with or without receiving kudos- because they are doing this from the heart.

Both appeals are doing great work for country Australia who unfortunately battle it out much harder working with the land. Spare a thought for what people are going through and ask yourself; can I really compare? There will always be situations where people are doing better or worse. Its all about filling in that gap.

I leave you with this: “You must be the change you wish to see in the world.” – Mahatma Gandhi