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(2/2) Ruby’s Story. Ruby grew up in India in the time of English rule, born to English parents. Her family lived a life of luxury. They had an enormous home that looked like a palace surrounded by plush, immaculate gardens. She was the youngest of 6 children. Being of a Catholic family she accepted that one of them was promised to God and that was her.

When India gained independence in 1947, Ruby and her family fled back to England but couldn’t take their wealth with them. They moved into a small terrace house, the children had to sleep 3-4 to a room. They had very little.

Continue reading “Ruby’s story, Mission India” →

‘I knew I had a calling to go to India and build a village.’ Ruby and Grant Murray are at the end of their journey through life. Ruby’s cancer has come back for the third time and now it’s terminal, while Grant has had a heart attack and can’t walk. But they have realised their vision to create ‘Mission India’.

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‘You saw potential in us we didn’t even see in ourselves.’ The Theatre of the Winged Unicorn is a unique local theatre company, created in 1993 by Elaine Mitchell and her late husband, Dennis. We talk to Elaine…

Continue reading “Theatre of the Winged Unicorn, Elaine.” →

Christian College’s Deb Singleton has made 20 trips to East Timor since 2005. We met with her and visitor Samuel to find out why. ‘Howard Williams, Chairman of the Christian College board, organised a mob of dairy cows to go to Fuiloro Agricultural College, quite far from Viqueque. However, a little later, Viqueque was designated the official twin town for Geelong. In 2003 a group from Geelong visited this village in war-torn Timor-Leste (East Timor).

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Gabe, a Geelong teenager, has recently been accepted into an elite ballet school in Bulgaria to study full time. No stranger to hard work and dedication, he currently spends four hours each day commuting to Melbourne to dance at the Russian Choreographic Academy in Camberwell. There he is trained by Australia’s own Susan Thomson and outstanding ballet teachers she contracts from Russia. His day begins at 7am and he gets home to Geelong at 8:30pm each night. He does this six days a week, now that’s passion!

Continue reading “Meet passion. Meet commitment. Meet Gabriel Slaven.” →

(2/2) ‘One day two of our Sister Srey Café staff members sat us down and began telling us about a family they had met a few months back. It consisted of a grandmother battling cancer doing all she could to care for her five grandchildren, whose parents passed away a year earlier. She was too old to work, the children were still so young, and every day was a constant battle to provide for them with no government assistance. They were living under a small tarp between two trees.

Continue reading “Hearts to Harmony. Cambodia, Cassie” →

(1/2) ‘From the moment our feet hit the dry and dusty red Cambodian dirt our hearts and our heads knew this place would change our path forever.’ We are talking to Cassie, Co-Founder for Hearts to Harmony, Siem Reap, Cambodia. ‘In March 2012 my sister Lauren and I left home thinking a two year adventure would certainly cure our wanderlust, but like most things in life, our plans didn’t quite turn out the way we had expected.’

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Providing comfort and reassurance in times of distress, Trauma Teddies are much sought after by local emergency services and agencies. Supplied not only to Police, Ambulance and Fire Services but also Hospitals, Doctors Offices, Refuges and Primary School Sick Bays children benefit from the cuddle and distraction that such a Teddy can bring.

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‘I often think “How would I feel if I was without a home? Without the love and support of my wonderful wife and kids? Without my mates? Without my job?”Volunteering is good for me! It reminds me how lucky I am, how lucky we all are really.’ We are talking to Adam, a volunteer at Samaritan House that offers a bed to up to 13 homeless men in Geelong each night.

Continue reading “The Samaritan House, Adam from Tribe.” →

‘When my husband was diagnosed with cancer 22 years ago I offered to go back to work. But he said ‘No, stick with your passion.’ I did and I’ve now been volunteering at Geelong Rangers Soccer Club for 40 years. I still feel sad about my husband not meeting his grandchildren.’ We are talking to Lyn Toll.
‘I help seven kids from the club who arrived here as refugees. I transport them to training and games.

Continue reading “Lyn Toll of Rangers Soccer Club” →