A simple financial contribution from Kogarah RSL and their joint venture partner Capital Bluestone is set to transform young lives. Funds to the value of $14,000 were presented last week to representatives of the Woniora Road School and Kookaburra Kids.
Grant Amer, General Manager of Kogarah RSL, which is set to undergo its own transformation with the redevelopment of its Railway Parade club facilities into a mixed-used community, says being able to contribute is core to the values of the club and its new partner. “Both the Club and Capital Bluestone take their responsibility to community to heart. To be able to offer help to two such deserving organisations that have such a real, practical impact on the lives of children is very satisfying,” he said.
Capital Bluestone Managing Director Ben Fairfax said the company was delighted to begin new relationships in the Kogarah community. “A hallmark of our business is to be active contributors to community. Our work is focussed on transforming businesses like the RSL to help them realise a prosperous future, and part of that is about doing what we can to help where the community needs it most,” he said.
Pam Brown from Kookaburra Kids says the donation means 14 young people aged as young as eight years old will get the chance to go to camp. But unlike many kids, these youngsters are dealing with the extra responsibility of living with a parent with a mental illness. “Our mission is ‘supporting kids to be kids’. Children who come through our programs often think that every child does the washing and cleaning. Our camps remind them they’re not alone, that they’re not the only one going through this life experience,” she said.
The program, which has been running solely on fundraising and corporate sponsorship since its inception in 2002, currently assists over 1100 children
Relieving Principal Danny Callaghan from Woniora Road School said in a similar way, the donation would go toward supporting the school’s ongoing commitment to providing children with emotional disorders or mental health issues with a safe, supportive and positive learning environment.
“This year we’re introducing more flexible workspaces for the students to prepare our students for 21st century working environments. This funding will go toward a budget to refurbish classrooms to include standing workstations, collaborative circular tables, web conferencing areas and discovery/brain storming areas,” he said.
