President Missing In Action
In the absence of President Kelly who was busy boogy-ing at his dad's 90th birthday, Past President Tricia Smith held court to thunderous applause!
Our Fabulous Unsung Heroes!
Herliana Gunaway and Thiyagarajan Renganathan (Rajan)
It is an honour to nominate Herliana Gunawan and husband Rajan Renganathan for the Unsung Hero Award in recognition of her exceptional dedication and selfless service to the community through her volunteer work at Seeds of Hope Services Inc., located in the City of Perth. Herliana's and Rajan’s unwavering commitment to supporting those in need embodies the true spirit of compassion, resilience, and generosity.
For several years since July 2020, Herliana and Rajan have been a cornerstone of Seeds of Hope Services Inc., dedicating countless hours to aiding marginalized individuals and families experiencing homelessness. Whether it is cooking and distributing food each week for up to 150 homeless and needy individuals, offering emotional support, or organizing community outreach programs, they consistently go above and beyond to ensure that the most vulnerable members of our society receive the help they deserve.
Their ability to connect with people from all walks of life and offer them hope and encouragement is truly inspiring. They work tirelessly behind the scenes, often without recognition, to make a meaningful impact on the lives of those who are struggling. Their positive attitude, strong work ethic, and compassionate heart have earned them the respect and admiration of both their peers and the individuals they serve.
In a world where acts of kindness often go unnoticed, They exemplify what it means to be an unsung hero. Their humility, dedication, and relentless pursuit of making a difference make them deserving recipients of this award. By honoring their contributions, we not only recognize their efforts but also inspire others to follow in their footsteps.
Other family members, including her daughter Rani and mother are also involved in the charity. Their daughter Rani helps out after school on Monday afternoon distributing food at the city.
Mike Harrison Manning Men’s Shed
The Manning Men’s Shed offers a few programs for men and women in the community. These programs are designed to help with mental health and have been very effective in addressing levels of depression, social anxiety, and loneliness.
We also get approached by schools in the local area who have children who don’t fit into the typical academic environment.
Typically, these children are autistic or on the spectrum. We’ve been running this program for a few years now, and each year, Mike has taken the lead in caring for the young teenage males who come along.
When these young men first join, they are usually non-verbal and rather insular. Mike takes them under his wing and gets them to do simple things like sanding, nailing, and putting in or taking out screws. This repetitive behaviour seems to appeal to people on the autism spectrum, and it’s amazing to see the transformation that takes place in these young teenage boys.
After a few weeks, they really come out of themselves. Soon, they’re chatting with other men in the shed and taking on new projects to be repaired, all under the watchful eye of Mike.
In the end, Mike just stands back and lets them do their thing. I recently heard that of the two boys who recently attended, one of them has gotten a job, and the other is on the shortlist to start working as well. At the end of the program, we get them to make a little pencil case and we 3D print their names on it. They take these back to school and show them to the other students.
The students who were previously hesitant to join the program now see what they can do at the shed and there at least a dozen students who would now like to join the program.
There are a few things we do at the Shed that I’m very proud of, but the program that I am most proud of is the one that Mike runs. Mike Harrison is an outstanding individual and a very worthy candidate for the unsung hero Award.
Enda Fahy CEO of Southcare on behalf of Sally Marks, Southcare volunteer
It is a great pleasure to honour City of South Perth resident and long-time volunteer Sally Marks, whose quiet yet powerful leadership has made a lasting impact on our community.
Since 2022, Sally has served as the volunteer ambassador of Southcare’s weekly Knitting Circle - a welcoming space where creativity and connection flourish. Through her warmth, skill, and tireless dedication, Sally has transformed this group into a vibrant hub of social interaction, supporting dozens of people of all ages and abilities. Her work directly tackles the growing issue of social isolation, particularly among older Australians, by fostering meaningful connections, reducing loneliness, and promoting mental well-being.
As Southcare’s first Community Ambassador, Sally leads by example - bringing Southcare’s vision of an engaged, supported community to life, one stitch at a time. From complete beginners to seasoned crafters, all are welcomed into a safe, inclusive space where stories are shared, friendships are formed, and purpose is rediscovered.
Beyond her weekly sessions, Sally has championed projects with real impact. She led the group’s contribution to the Purple Road project, raising awareness of elder abuse through hundreds of hand-crafted purple flowers displayed at Parliament House. She coordinated the creation of knitted poppies for a moving Remembrance Day tribute at the Royal Perth Golf Club, and her group crafted beanies for the Soroptimist “Beanies Made with Love” campaign to support Perth’s homeless community.
Sally Marks embodies the Southcare values of Quality, Respect, Integrity, Cooperation and Empathy. Her actions may be quiet, but their ripple effect is profound.
Fine(s) and Dandy!
Our little ray of sunshine and joy (Burnett) dished the dirt when describing the deeds of the day...
Past President Tricia was first for cutting Joy's fines session short and also for interrupting whilst she was eating her brekkie...
1. Top of th list – Lyn Metcalf…welcome back! Now the last time you drove across the Nullarbor, you copped a speeding ticket, this time it was a windscreen, that’s a bit more expensive than the speeding ticket, so I let's grab a dollar before that lovely Bluey comes in - just in case
2. Anyone NOT wearing Stripes or checks!
Winner of Heads and Tails
Visitor John Marks took out the grog with an excellent win and a huge smile - well done John and thanks to Lyn and Margaret Metcalf for their kind donation of the wine each week.
Attendance
36 attendees in all, including heroes and heroines Herliana Gunaway, Thiyagarajan Renganathan, Mike Harrison, and Sally Marks; visitors Anton Nazzer, Enda Fahy, Graham Rennie, Mandy Sneeuwjagt, John Grohovaz, Christine Tanaka, Mark Jones, Rani Gunawa, and Jonathan Marks.