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MITCHAM PARISH VOLUNTEERS UPDATE by Emma Short
St John's Parish, Mitcham volunteers came out to Strathewen on a grey, blustery day for the fourth time on Saturday 14th August. The numbers of volunteers has grown steadily since their first outing in May and over 60 parishioners were expected to come out and assist last weekend. Miriam Kruh worked with the community to organise jobs on 5 different properties for the day. Groups of volunteers worked tirelessly weeding, digging, mulching, tidying, splitting and delivering wood. 
Organising the day is no small effort for all involved but the buzz around the work sites and during lunch at the community centre is a pleasure that makes all the hard work worthwhile. It is heart warming to see young and old working together to achieve jobs that are extremely daunting at the start of a stormy winter's day. The sense of achievement at the end of it all put smiles on even the tiredest faces.
One of the volunteers who helped out on Saturday decided that she wanted to do something a little extra for her 3rd trip to Strathewen. Theresa Mills had heard that local children loved the home baked cup cakes that volunteers brought out on working days. She was a little concerned though that some of the children may miss out and decided to make enough to be delivered to Strathewen Primary School for all to enjoy. Theresa made 74 cup cakes which, by now, will be a mere delicious memory for all those lucky enough to sample one.
Theresa was not the only parish volunteer involved with the edible aspects of the day. Each time the group comes to Strathewen, they have to be fed and watered. This is no mean feat given the thirsty and hungry work that's involved. Helen Bilston was nominated by her husband to "do the catering" when he joined the organising committee at the church. Helen thinks he may have suggested it because of her ‘training' - raising 6 hungry children.
On Saturday, Helen had a team of people helping to get a scrumptious lunch on the table for all to enjoy in the middle of the day. One of the volunteers, Maureen is a retired social worker who worked during the recovery effort after the Ash Wednesday fires for 6 months. She remembers the time vividly and is glad to be able to offer her time in a different capacity to the Strathewen community. "What you give, you get" she says "I've met many people from the Parish doing this that I would never have known otherwise."
Helen is also happy that she has got to know more of her own community as a result of her involvement and also feels a sense of connection to the Strathewen community having met many of the local residents who come in to take away some nice home baking or to join the group for lunch. "We love it" says Helen "although we feel very humbled by what's happened to people".
Helen and her sister Verion (also a volunteer in the catering crew on Saturday) are both about to go on a well deserved 5 week holiday together so when the St John's volunteers come out again on 18th September, there will be new cooks in the kitchen to keep the group nourished.
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HOLIDAY TO QUEENSCLIFF!!
YMCA Open Doors is pleased to offer the Strathewen community a 2 night, camp
at Camp Wyuna in Queenscliff. There is no cost to you!
WHEN: 15, 16, 17 October 2010
There are approx 55 Strathewenites going so far and another 9 bedrooms still available. In a couple of weeks Marnie will visit our community dinner to discuss what sort of activities we would like to have provided. Perhaps a fishing charter or a ferry ride to Sorrento for some shopping & coffee or some fun kids activities at the camp?? The choice is ours!!
DETAILS: Options include bus transport, leaving on Friday evening, return Sunday afternoon. Accommodation is bunk style, with a maximum of 4 per room with shared bathroom facilities with 1 other bedroom. The camp includes all meals from Saturday breakfast - Sunday lunch. Dinner on the way to camp on Friday evening can be organised.
WHAT TO DO NOW: Please register your interest with Marnie Wadsworth on 9439 2266 or marnie.wadsworth@ymca.org.au by Friday 20th August. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any queries.
Camp Wyuna is ideally located at the entrance of the coastal town of Queenscliff at the heads of Port Phillip Bay on the Bellaire Peninsula, only 30 minutes from Geelong and 1.5 hours from Melbourne. Set amongst the natural dune scape is the newly re-constructed Camp Wyuna on 5 acres. A unique setting surrounded by magnificent natural and historical resources.
Camp Wyuna enjoys direct access Port Phillip Bay foreshore along a 50 metre walking track over the sand dunes and is in view of Swan Bay. Its proximity to the many attractions and activities in Queenscliff means you are walking distance from everything.
Here is a link to Camp Wyunas information page: http://www.geelong.ymca.org.au/index.php/ymca-camp-wyuna/general-information We have booked out the entire camp.
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"Lest we forget" by Cam Tapp http://www.myspace.com/lestweforgetsong
'Lest We Forget' is the powerful and uplifting song inspired by the devastating Victorian bushfires of Black Saturday. Featuring students of the fire ravaged Primary Schools in Strathewen, Middle Kinglake and Marysville, this recording has been put together under extraordinary circumstances, delivering a very special message of hope and healing to resonate throughout the world.