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Thursday, July 23, 2020
Friday, June 19, 2020
Why is the newspaper more than just the "news'?
With the demise of the printed Daily Mercury hitting the headlines in recent weeks, as a community service club, Soroptimist International of Mackay decided to ask members and community:
Why is this printed paper so important to you?
I have bought the Mercury for many years – had it delivered for 30 years then someone walking earlier than I get up was stealing it so my husband & I took to walking to the Newsagent to get it. This gave us exercise as well, we were certain to have a paper to have at breakfast. We actually pulled the paper apart so we could both read it at the same time. Recently my husband passed away and I now only have the Mercury for company at breakfast ( I still walk up to get it) this gives me a social outing (seeing the girls at the Newsagents) each day as well as a newspaper. How can I set up a lap top on the brekky table as my phone doesn’t have the internet? Then I’m in the house all day- no walk- no incentive.
How do I find out about...?
- Deaths, funerals, marriages, and births
- Rural Weekly information
- The local news when we have no computer
- What's on tele (TV Guide)
- Clubs and organisation news
- Community member achievements
- Kids doing sports, drama and singing.
- Who is starting year 1 and finishing year 12
- How our neighbours celebrate anniversaries and special birthdays
With this ever change world getting more reliant on technology, why is it ok to say to our Elders to get over it and learn?
Why can’t the modern generation be
inconvenienced and made to buy the printed version, it might help the teenagers
with spelling and reading?
I did
not grow up with computers like my children & grandchildren and they can do
all the things for me that need to be done online except bring me a paper every
morning. They don’t live in Mackay. Why punish me?
I have
friends that do not even own a computer yet they keep up with everything going
on in the world, through the printed newspaper.
I have
a friend who was house bound by an illness before the COVID 19 and she said the
online version was selective everything that was in the printed version was not
on her phone. Also the obituaries were not up to date she wanted to
know when people’s funerals were on not when they had been.
No-one
is forced to buy the printed Mercury so why are the elderly being forced to get
the paper and read it online
I don’t
have a computer, took a months trial using my prepaid phone but it used up too
much data.
I like
looking up current events, what’s on in Mackay, weather and animals to adopt at
the pound.
The
newspaper is more that just the "news" in connects the whole of
community.
Now that's news!
Leanne Simpson, Membership/ICT, Soroptimist International of Mackay
Contact: simackayconnect@gmail.com
0428 181 824
Sunday, November 24, 2019
16 Days of Activism 2019
Tomorrow begins the UN's 16 Days of Activism against gender based violence (25th of Nov - 10th Dec).
This year SI Mackay have built upon our successful "Walk the Talk" campaign from last year and created posters to be shared with local businesses in the Mackay area. We've also included a letter outlining what we are doing and why along with details for domestic violence services.
The philosophy behind the "Walk the Talk" campaign is based on respect. Respect for each other's differences and respect for each other as fellow human beings.
Some might ask how our walking around the Mackay region handing out posters and letters about domestic and family violence will make a difference.
It makes a difference because we are doing something.
Even if that something is getting people to open up and share to someone they trust.
Even is it means that someone suffering might take the courage to call and connect with people who can help.
It is about raising awareness and helping people see things differently.
Visit our Facebook page to see how businesses have embraced the idea of promoting our campaign and displaying a poster (or two!).
If you or someone you know needs help, call DV Connect on 1800 811 811.
Sunday, October 20, 2019
Value in Volunteering Online Meeting
Soroptimist
International is a movement where women are able to volunteer within a safe and
effective space where their volunteering work will support women and girls in
the community.
Soroptimist
International acknowledges that Organisations cannot survive without the
support of Volunteers. Worldwide there
are 84,000 women who are members of Soroptimist International, you can join
these women by nominating to be a member of Mackay.
This
action will make a meaningful and positive change to the lives of others and
your own life as well. You will get to
know your community needs, network and work to provide projects which impact
positively on your community.
SI
Mackay will be hosting a Volunteering Information Online event on Thursday 24
October 6 to 7pm, this information session will showcase Soroptimist Projects and
the benefits to both you and your community.
This
meeting will happen through the magic of the internet using Zoom meetings.
😊Wherever you are from Rockhampton to the
Burdekin or out west to Emerald.
😊Looking to cut down on your driving
around
😊Haven't got a babysitter (although kids
are welcome at our meetings)
😊Time Poor
You
can be a part of our clubs planning through this online opportunity.
Register
in advance for this meeting:
After
registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about
joining the meeting.
Wednesday, September 4, 2019
Mentoring Girls - Cooking with Girl Guides Aitkenvale
On Wednesday, 7 August 2019, SI Townsville Members—Rosaline, Marilyn, Margaret and Amy visited Aitkenvale Girl Guides and provided a cooking demonstration evening. Approximately 20 Girl Guides were in attendance with two (2) Guide Leaders and a couple of parents
Members taught the girls about safe cutting skills (we are very proud to say that the only tears that occurred were from chopping the onions!). Some of the girls indicated that they had never done any cooking at home before.
Once all of the food preparation was complete, the cooking started! Rosaline showed the girls how to cook Chicken Curry, Marilyn and Margaret - the Butter Chicken and Amy was on dessert—cooking Mars Bar Slice. Although there was a little mix up with the garlic and ginger, all the food turned out fantastic and the Girls enjoyed the results of their hard work.
Girl Guides Aitkenvale thanked our Members by presenting each of us with a rose and a packet of Girl Guides biscuits.
Friday, August 16, 2019
Bags for Change - evolving each year
Bags for Change Project 2018
This project was to bring together predominately women and girls to educate about the replacing of single-use plastic with environmentally sustainable bags.
Community service empowers people through expanding social networks. This no-cost project provided an inclusive environment for women and girls to meet.
Club members wished to highlight the re-purposing of materials for bags as replacements for single-use plastic bags.
We felt the use of new material was not as environmentally friendly as reusing neglected materials found in our homes.
We found a suitable recipient of the bags in St Vinnies, who regularly hand out food hampers to the disadvantaged.
As a result, Production Days were held as a part of our Learn & Laugh sessions encouraging community members to get involved as well.
All materials for this project had to be from old clothing, linen or neglected dress materials to make people aware of the advantages of responsible recycling and reusing.
From our cupboards, re-purposed items that may have ended up in landfill have now been reinvented into a useful daily product.
With the on-going need for supply of these bags we have made a conscientious decision to make this an on-going project with the long-term goal of other community organisations and members banding together to help provide as many bags as we can produce.
Soroptimist International Mackay & Mackay Women’s Centre
Bags for Change Project 2017
Click HERE for our video summary
Aim:
To showcase the creative abilities of the Mackay Active Women’s Group,
provide an opportunity to market and achieve financial gain for The Mackay
Women's Centre from these activities.
Benefits:
All members involved are excited about being able to give back to an
organisation that promotes an environment which supports and facilitates the
empowerment of women.
Project Review:
The project started off as "bags for change" and evolved to
include "slippers for stepping up" and "socks for support"
(News Flash: we are getting the ahead of latest fashions with bun beanie)
As a part of the project the Mackay Active Women’s Group produced bags,
socks, slippers and beanies using the donated wool, cotton and other craft
items.
Soroptimist, Leanne Simpson has been liaising with Women’s Counsellor,
Margie Newport to ensure all members have felt engaged in the project.
The group have produced over 100 items, taken part in a photo shot for the
promotional posters and labelled bags with its own personal name and
description and prepared the point of sale signs and the large photo frame.
The “bags for change” then headed out into the world.
Porters Community Markets (Mackay Active Women and Soroptimist Members)
Boot Sale with Leanne (everywhere she had a Tai Chi class)
Mackay High Students with Diverse Needs class – named some of the bags
and designed flyer
CQR Careers Expo (Students from the MHS set up stall and handed out
flyers)
Mackay Showground Markets (Mackay Active Women and Soroptimist Members)
Bags for Dignity Project (Soroptimist Int Mackay purchased 9 “bags for change”)
North Mackay High School – packed Bags for Dignity - (SI Mackay donated
42 bags for this cause)
“bags for change” @ Mackay Women’s Centre Stall.
Project Outcome:
Financial Benefits:
Total benefit to Mackay Women’s Centre - $1370.50
“bags for change” - $990.50
SI Mackay contribution - $380.00 (market stall costs and part of fridge,
cost of delivery and removal of old fridge)
Uses to date:
Fridge for the Sharon Alcorn Room
Serving Plates
Drink Dispensers
Cheque for $249.50 for the Mackay Active Women’s Group Activities
(including International Womens Day 2018)
Community Benefits:
The successful bringing together of a number of organisations with a
common cause to help the advancement of quality of life for Women and girls.
#walkthetalkmackay 2018
Take a Journey through our Photo Video with members of Soroptimist International of Mackay promoting “Respect” as part of the 16 Days of Activism advocacy programme “Orange the World #Hear Me Too”
Check out our video HERE
Soroptimists are encouraged to use this time to advocate for an END to violence against women and girls.
Soroptimist International of Mackay is conducting a Walk the Talk activity promoting “Respect” to each other. One of our guest speakers throughout the year spoke on the topic "Respectful Relationships" that resonated through our members would be of great value to our community.
From this the Club decided to embrace the theme of "Respectful Relationships" for our "Walk the Talk" program held during the 16 days of activism to eliminate Violence against Women from November 25, International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women to December 10 International Human Rights Day.
Members Leanne, Maria, President Jenny and Wendy walked the town inviting local businesses to help us promote our “Respect” programme.
We were embraced by businesses throughout our beautiful city, when asked to display one of our respect signs.
Each sign has a different message on ways to show “Respect”, we are looking forward to the conversation during this 16days of Activism. So when you are walking throughout the city you will find signs promoting “Respect”, don't just walk by, stop and reflect and send us a pic.
Each day we will highlight one of the signs on our Facebook page, please share around with your Facebook community.
Look out for the signs at the following businesses, take a photo (don't forget to add your smiling face) and share with us @SIMackayNQ Please like & share to #walkthetalkmackay by promoting “Respect” to help end violence.
ABC Tropical North
B & M personal Fitness @bmhardenup
Balance Minder by Leanne Simpson
@chick-a-dee food bar
@M’s Enchanted Flowers
Hair Power Mackay
Klippitz Hair & Beauty
Mackay Police
Maven Dentist
Mackay Sewing & Craft Centre @mackaysewing
Mackay Women's Centre
Payne Print Mackay
Razors EDGE mens cuts
Starcut Flowers
Starcut Flowers Fourways
Starcut Flowers Mater Hospital Store
United Chemists
#walkthetalkmackay #swpSTOPgenderviolence #swpSTOPgenderviolence #SWP16DAYS
#ORANGETHEWORLD
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