YMCA of Brisbane

This year signals an important milestone for our YMCA, as it marks our first foray into the contract management of recreation facilities.  We have recently been awarded the contract for the Russell Island pool on behalf of the Redland City Council, and full activities at the site will begin in September. 

Contract Management is the core business for many YMCAs from across Australia and it is an area our YMCA will be targeting more into the future.

 You will all be aware of the recent cyclone that caused enormous devastation and loss of life across a very large area of Myanmar. The Asia Pacific Alliance of YMCAs (APAY) has launched an appeal to provide financial support to the YMCA of Myanmar, initially to repair damaged YMCA buildings in Yangon and Maubin in the Irrawaddy Delta area.

Communication with Myanmar is extremely difficult, however the APAY office has been in contact with the YMCA of Myanmar National General Secretary Dr Sonny Than Nyan. APAY hopes to have further information regarding the needs of the YMCA of Myanmar, in relation to both repairs to YMCA facilities and YMCA relief programs for affected communities.
 
The YMCA Australia International Committee has approved an initial donation of $5,000 US from its International Emergency Relief Fund which has been sent to APAY. The YMCA of Brisbane also acknowledges the need to provide aid in Myanmar and has donated a further $5,000 US to the appeal.
 
The need in Myanmar is enormous and the YMCA is one of a very small number of NGO’s that are permitted to operate in the country.
 
YMCA Victoria is currently funding a development project in Myanmar, and YMCA Australia has strong personal relationships with the leadership of the YMCA in Myanmar, who are extremely competent and committed people.

After a recent visit to the YMCA of Vietnam in Ho Chi Minh City, former CEO of the YMCA of Brisbane, Ross Melville, identified a project that would not only change the quality of life for many young homeless people, but would actually help to save their lives.

The YMCA in Vietnam operates programs that support young homeless and disadvantaged people with HIV, AIDS and Tuberculosis. 

The YMCA of Brisbane has agreed to fund the construction of a  house to accommodate clinic patients whilst they undergo life-saving treatments.   The construction site and YMCA Vietnam workers are pictured right.

With this support from Brisbane, the YMCA in Vietnam simply would not be able to provide these much-needed services to the disadvantaged in this community

YMCA Training was successful in obtaining a $9,300 grant from the Gambling Community Benefit Fund for the purchase of 6 laptop computers.  The laptops will be used by the Department to further extend its training courses throughout QLD.  Specifically the laptops will enable us to run small group workshops with students outside of South East Queensland.  These workshops provide these more remote students with additional contact with their trainers, as a well as an ideal networking opportunity to meet students studying similar courses.  The laptops will also help to provide students with enhanced employability skills.   

The YMCA of Brisbane will be holding a Charity Golf Day.  This year the event will be held at the North Lakes Resort Golf Club on Tuesday 15 April 2008 with a shotgun start from 12.00 noon. 

The aim of this event is to raise funds for Y-Care (South East Queensland) Inc. which is the benevolent arm of the YMCA, and these funds will be used to support programs such as:

• Meals for homeless Youth
• Schools Breakfast Club
• Youth Mentoring
• Education and Training programs for disadvantaged and at-risk youth 

Should you wish to enter a 4 Ball team into this event and be involved as a promotional sponsor, your team fee of $500.00 entitles your company to on-course banner advertising and significant exposure throughout YMCA websites and publications plus all green fees and golf carts for your team.  As well, it provides four of your staff with considerable networking opportunities whilst participating in the golf day.  Lunch and buffet dinner are included, and we are certain it will be a fantastic day for all involved. 

Entry forms along with further information about the activities of Y-Care (South East Queensland) Inc. can be found at http://golf.ycare.org.au 

Not only will this day be of benefit to Y-Care's worthy youth programs, it will be a great opportunity for local business to meet and interact in a social setting.  Please assist the YMCA of Brisbane in ensuring that the inaugural YMCA Charity Golf Day is a real success.   

If you have any questions regarding the YMCA Charity Golf Day or you seek information on other opportunities to be involved, please do not hesitate to contact Nic Gould on 0448 948 900, or Lee Forrest on 0402 673 172.