The beneficiaries for this year's Rotary Auction are:

YOUTHCARE (Beneficiary of the Bunbury Leschenault Rotary Club)

About the organisation

YouthCARE provides chaplaincy services to government schools in Western Australia, which enables students to receive pastoral care and assisting them to resolve personal issues and difficulties. Bunbury YouthCARE is  a council comprising members of local churches which helps the development of chaplaincies in the area, and gives moral support and encouragement to the chaplains; where necessary financial support is provided to the relevant schools as a contribution towards  the chaplaincy costs.

Plans for the proceeds from the auction

An important event for Bunbury YouthCARE has been the development of the new chaplaincy at Dalyellup SHS, starting in May 2010 on a part time basis of two days per week. There will be approximately 2000 students on the Dalyellup College campus by 2013, and a considerable expansion of the chaplaincy is envisaged by then. It is expected that the auction proceeds will be seed funding to allow a third chaplaincy day per week in 2011, which will be financed from other sources in subsequent years.

MEN’S SHEDS – (Beneficiary of the South Bunbury Rotary Club)

About the organisation

“A new phenomenon is afoot!  The Men’s Shed movement is here, and it’s thriving!”

There’s nothing new about men gathering together in their own space to talk, share skills, swap ideas, solve problems or just discuss life in general – it’s been happening since the beginning of time.  There’s nothing new either about men spending time in their backyard shed – an acknowledged Aussie pastime.

What is new is that men, particularly retired men, are combining these two activities in a communal space simply called a "Men’s Shed".  What is also new is how strongly men have embraced this new identity – being a member of a Men’s Shed.   Men’s Sheds, as such, are a peculiarly Australian phenomenon.   In the past decade a wide range of community-based Men’s Sheds has sprung up - each with its own unique identity and purpose.

Activities within Sheds are many and various: woodwork, metal work, restoration of old cars, portable’ Sheds taken to Alzheimer facilities or mobile Sheds for remote country areas.  The membership is diverse too.  Men from all backgrounds, ethnic and social mixes can enjoy a Men’s Shed, bringing their unique cultural characteristics to enliven the activities.

The common theme in all Sheds is about men feeling useful and contributing again to their communities, learning or sharing their skills, making friends, networking and availing themselves of health information programmes and opportunities.  Men’s Sheds are under the auspices of a variety of organisations whose ethos they tend to exemplify.

Communities are keen to provide activity, identity and meaning for vast numbers of older, unemployed, job-redundant, ‘downsized’, isolated, depressed and happily retired, active, creative, enthusiastic men. Men’s Sheds are fast being recognized as vital, viable places to fulfil these needs and provide relaxed, happy creative spaces for men to enjoy.”

 Plans for the proceeds from the auction

Since the inception of this idea the project to build a Shed in Bunbury has taken off with all those who we have made contact with have been either very supportive or enthusiastic about the proposal. We have submitted a part funding to the City of Bunbury plus other organizations seeking funds. This project was meant to take some time before it grew legs but it just took off.

The Bunbury Shed project will provide a fully serviced workshop facility on land owned by the City of Bunbury.

The shed will be approximately 260m2  including a meeting room, kitchen and toilets. The Shed is fully supported by the Rotary Club of South Bunbury.

A committee will be set up as an Incorporated Body to run the shed on a day to day basis and supported by Rotary.

The Men’s shed will be a community facility available to other community groups as a resource to assist them to carry out their community work and objectives. The shed could have a regional focus similar to that of the South West Sports and Leisure Centre.

For further info re  Men’s Shed the following links are most helpful  www.mensheds.com.au and www.menshed.org

MILLIGAN HOUSE (Beneficiary of the Bunbury Central Rotary Club)

About the organisation

Milligan Community Learning & Resource centre is a community facility offering everyone the opportunity to learn and grow by joining in classes, activities and discussion groups.

MyTime @ Milligan is a program providing local support for parents and caregivers of a young child with special needs including a disability, developmental delay or chronic medical condition.  The program provides an opportunity for all involved to share ideas and experiences with other parents/carers who understand the rewards and intensity of caring for a young child with a disability or chronic medical condition, while accessing information relating to services and resources available within the community. We aim to:

•              Increase early inclusion for children with special needs.

•              To ensure parents are aware of services that are available within our community.

•              Offer access to these contacts.

•              Provide guest speakers to deliver information on related issues.

•              Provide input on individual support needs.

MyTime was launched in August 2007 with 5 families.  In 2010 we have 3 groups that are held weekly with close to 25 families, catering for children 0 – 8 years, along with a Mens group, designed for male individuals, the biological father, a stepfather, or a father figure who care for a child with special needs.

Plans for the proceeds from the auction

With growth of MyTime increasing so quickly your assistance would help us to continue providing services like respite, guest speakers of interest, self-development and up-skilling workshops, particularly the Stepping Stones Program which is Positive Parenting specific to children with special needs, and a Partners ‘Dealing with Emotions’ Workshop plus other resources which are not funded.

For more information see mytime@milligan.org.au