Qantas Cabin Crew Team Newsletter
Editor: Bev Stalling
Inside this edition:
May 2008 issue
QCCT’s new project in Mumbai
Don Bosco Shelter
1. Chairman’s message
2. Project reports:
Australia
Johannesburg
Harare
Manila
Mumbai
Fundraising
3. Child sponsorship
Updates
Chiedza
MRCH
FLOC
Mission Statement
The QCCT is committed to
those less fortunate people
identified by the general
membership. We endeavour to
help people obtain the ability to
become self supporting without
compromising their particular
cultural and ethnic background.
We achieve this through
assistance with hands on
projects, job skills training along
with educational funding and
the supply of basic needs.
CSM Shanthi Newcombe-Halliwell with Father Barnaby and boys
at Don Bosco Shelter
A hundred years from now it will not matter what
my bank account was, the sort of house I lived in,
or the kind of car I drove, but the world may be
different because I was important in the life of a
child....
... Forest Witcraft
website: http://www.qcct.org.au
May 2008 issue
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Chairman’s Report
Glenn Price
glennprice2002@yahoo.com.au
Dear Team Members,
I think the last few weeks have really brought it home how fortunate we are in Australia and what a
struggle it is for so many people in other countries simply to get the basic human rights of shelter,
food, water, education, health and political freedom. As the tragedies in Myanmar and China continue
to worsen we can focus on what we can do at QCCT. While we are only a small organisation we are
able to make a difference still to 100's of disadvantaged children and communities around the world.
Within the context of a political, economic and social disaster in Zimbabwe our support at Chiedza and
Matthew Rusike Children's Home help sustain several hundred children. Through our sponsorship
programs and the direct financial support we provide for MRCH children they still have hope for the
future. I would like to make a special mention of the efforts of Bev Stalling our Zimbabwe Project
Manager and Craig Robertson and Susy James who run the two sponsorship programs in Zimbabwe.
Through their efforts the children at MRCH and under the care of Chiedza still have hope for the
future.
The refugee crisis in South Africa is also causing difficulties in access to our projects. Unfortunately
with up to 1500 refugees utilising the church building that houses FLOC, currently it is not safe to visit
the pre-school however we are continuing to offer them financial support. Extreme care now needs to
be taken moving around J'burg particularly the inner-city. I wish our team going to J'burg on the 9th
June the very best and hope it is a very rewarding experience for all involved.
Here in Australia there has been a lot of publicity regarding JEF and its founder Jeff Gambit. Steve
Baird our Australian Projects Manager will expand on this however we feel that as long as the
homeless continue to benefit we will continue to provide volunteers for the organisation. QCCT has
never made a direct financial donation to the organisation and as such is unaffected by any financial
issues effecting JEF.
We are ramping up our efforts in Manila with a trip planned for later in the year and hopefully our first
ever trip to Mumbai. These two trips will be real highlights in the second half of the year.
The plan is also for a trip to Bangkok later in the year and hopefully a 'One World' event to Thailand in
early 2009. It is still in the early stages of planning however we are hopeful that it will go ahead with
the people at American Airlines and oneworld keen for a follow on from our first 'oneworld' trip last
year to J'burg.
As always fundraising is critical to all these efforts and I urge you to support all the upcoming events.
In particular the Wallabies barbecue in July.
Currently I'm flying rather then spending time at the BOS desk however I'm always contactable via
email.
All the very best
Glenn Price
website: http://www.qcct.org.au
May 2008 issue
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Australian Projects
Steve Baird Projects Manager Australia
sbaird@qantas.com.au
Just Enough Faith (JEF)
You may have seen some press recently regarding, Just Enough Faith (JEF), a charity supported by
the Qantas Cabin Crew Team (QCCT).
QCCT has had a long and fruitful relationship with JEF, principally providing volunteers to help serve
food once a week.
While JEF is undergoing investigation, QCCT will continue to provide volunteers.
It is important as the public starts to question the organisation and reduce support that the homeless
continue to get fed, as there are 200-300 waiting for a meal there each night.
We are comfortable to keep doing this, as we are not providing financial help, which is the main
concern as reported in the press, and our commitment to helping those less fortunate could become
even more important in ensuing weeks.
We will continue to monitor the situation, appreciating there could be further change, but for now it is
'business as usual'.
Table for 20
Table for 20 is an exciting and new initiative for QCCT in 2008. Once a month we are planning to take
some homeless we meet from the street to this community dinner center, to give them and excellent
feed. It will also help us to continue to build relationships with the homeless.
More info on table for 20 can be found at tablefor20.blogspot.com
If you have any enquiries please do not hesitate to be in touch with me on 0412 942 299 or my email.
Kind regards, Steve
Manila Projects
Eamon Quinn Project Manager Manila
eamonq@bigpond.com
Manila projects are continuing its support of the Missionaries of Charity in Binondo,
Manila’s poorest suburb. The charity provides food, shelter and healthcare for some of
the neediest infants and children in the area.
A working trip is planned for December and more information will be given once details
are finalised and confirmed.
Regards
Eamon Quinn
website: http://www.qcct.org.au
May 2008 issue
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Johannesburg Projects
Jodie Stoyles Project Manager Johannesburg
jodiestoyles@hotmail.com
The QCCT are committed to supporting FLOC through the ways that we have been able to in the
past. We will continue helping with the cost of groceries, educational outings and the Sponsorship
Program. QCCT has also raised over $8000 in order to help FLOC with the cost of relocating and
setting up a new Kindergarten if the opportunity should arise. It is unwise however for us to commit to
supporting them with the ongoing high rental costs if they were to move. We remain hopeful that they
will be able to find this support by other means so as not to become dependent on the QCCT.
Over the past few months, FLOC has been affected by the many power outages that have been
occurring in Johannesburg. While there is no power, FLOC is left in complete darkness in the
basement and the teachers are unable to provide the children with a hot meal. A big thank you to Kris
Funnell who on a recent visit with Sibongile (FLOC’s Director), recognized the issues that FLOC was
having. QCCT has donated $1000 towards purchasing large camping lights and stoves to assist
FLOC during the power outages.
Mumbai Projects
Shanthi Newcombe-Halliwell
shanthinewcombe@hotmail.com
Over the last couple of months Customer Service Managers Shanthi Newcombe-Halliwell and
Bernie Smith have been investigating the possibility of the QCCT undertaking a project in
Mumbai.
Contact was established with Father Barnaby of the Don Bosco Shelter which will be our new
project. It is a
reputable organisation which
looks after
children mostly boys, where
they are taught
English, other subjects and
career guidance.
There are many
involved with,
water well and
(an area QCCT
shelter is
the crew hotel.
projects the QCCT can become
particularly funding a bore
renovations such as painting
members are expert in!). The
located about 30 minutes from
An initial QCCT working trip to Mumbai is planned for later in the year and more information
will advised once details are confirmed.
Shanthi Newcombe-Halliwell
website: http://www.qcct.org.au
May 2008 issue
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
ZIMBABWE PROJECTS
Bev Stalling Projects Manager Zimbabwe
vebkram@tpg.com.au
Chiedza Child Care Centre
It was a great pleasure for us to host Stella Mesikano, Support Services director, during her
promotional and fundraising visit to Australia in March. Our function at the QF Heritage Museum
was a wonderful success. We raised AU$10,585.00 – our caring donors not only have big hearts
but also delved deep into their pockets. Money raised will go to: food, medications (children &
caregivers); primary & secondary school text books and the installation of an irrigation system for
the vegetable garden. We also had generous donations from BFA Prue Harper and her family who
have pledged to fund annually a pre-school teacher’s salary; John Golfin in support of “kick
hopelessness out of children through sports”; and Qantas executive members who funded &
donated to the silent auction, canapés and drinks, the Heritage Museum, the Qantas Promotional
Team and Stella’s travel from Zimbabwe.
Matthew Rusike Children’s Home
Our support of MRCH continues through our food & security fund and UNICEF’s funding of
extensions to the crèche along with Susy James’ child sponsorship program.
Due to the political situation there the Zimbabwe projects team has been unable to visit since July
(Bev & Craig) and October (Susy) last year. We continually monitor the situation and keep in
regular contact with Chiedza and MRCH.
A few Zimbabwe statistics for this week, 31 May 08, next week they will be different!
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May inflation rose by 961,396 percentage points from the April figure of 732,604% to
1,694,000%.
Inflation continues to rise steeply on the back of increased money supply, spiralling
domestic debt, declining production and scarcities of foreign currency and food.
The Zimbabwean dollar was this week trading at US$1:$620 million, up from US$1:$480
million last week.
A loaf of bread which was selling for $180,000 earlier this year is now going for around
$280 million in most shops. It is going for between $400 million and $450 million on the
black market.
A 2kg packet of sugar which was pegged at $7 million is now selling for $700 million.
A kilogram of meat which was at $30 million is now selling for between $1.5 billion and
$2.5 billion.
A 750 gram bar of soap which at the beginning of the year was $2 million now calls for one
to fork out $1.8 billion.
In January, a packet of fresh milk was selling at $1.3 million. The same packet now sells
for $190 million, while a kilogram of salt which was selling for less than $2 million is now
pegged at $440 million.
Our support of Chiedza and MRCH is vitally important during these unstable and difficult times and
I appreciate the continued support of the QCCT executive in approving funding for these two
resourceful organisations.
Kind regards
Bev Stalling
website: http://www.qcct.org.au
May 2008 issue
______________________________________________________________________________
From a 16 year old Zimbabwean …….
Dear World,
I am a 16 year old person living in Zimbabwe. I think the time has come for a more
direct
appeal, and so I am writing to you, the world.
Maybe, just maybe, there might be someone out there who can help us...
It's tough here now. The inflation rate is so high that if you don't change money within 6
hours you could get half the amount of foreign currency that you would have originally
received.
We're starving now; people die around us. In the last year alone at least ten people
associated personally with my family have died despite the fact that they were only
middle-aged. Other people don't make it to middle age. They don't even make it past
childhood.
Our once-proud nation is on it's knees. We flee or die. This beautiful, bountiful once-rich
land has become a living hell. We have dealt with it until now; we have made a plan.
That was the Zimbabwean motto: "MAKE A PLAN".
But now we can't make a plan. We're too tired, too broken, too bankrupt. We can't afford
life, and life does not cost much, not really. We cannot afford to eat, we cannot afford to
drink, and we cannot afford to make mistakes, because if we do we die. We don't have
the capital to support ourselves, and those few who do, have to deal with the horror of
watching their friends and family fall into absolute poverty as they cannot afford to help
them.
We're waiting desperately for a great hand to pick us up out of the dirt because at the
moment we are outnumbered by Fate herself, and so we close our eyes and pray. We
have fought for too long, and have been brought to breaking point. We simply stand,
heads down, and bear it. Our spirit has gone; we are defeated. After a valiant struggle of
over fifteen years, we have been broken.
There is no will left, no spirit. Like a horse that has been beaten until it cannot fight
anymore; we are the same, and, like that horse, we stand dusty, scarred and alone, with
dried blood on our sides and lash marks along our flanks. Our ribs too stand out; our
hide is also dull.
Our eyes are glazed, our throats are parched, and our knees struggle to support us so
that we stand with splayed legs to bear the brunt of the next beating, too dejected even
to whimper...
This is my plea. The thought of picking ourselves up again is sickening; one can only take
so many blows before oblivion is reached, and we are teetering on the rim of the
bottomless void. One more push will be the end of us all...
There must be someone out there who can do something. There must be someone out
there who cares! We are a destroyed nation, and the world sits back and watches,
pretending they cannot hear our cries. I appeal to you all...
HELP US!
A 16 YEAR OLD ZIMBABWEAN......
website: http://www.qcct.org.au
May 2008 issue
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Fundraising
Lucy Broaudakis Fundraising Manager
lbraoudakis@qantas.com.au
What we have raised for first quarter of 2008?
A great result of $22,974, below is the breakdown. A big thank you to the Executive
Committee and our members whom helped out at the events.
With so many charities and good work done by other organisations, the focus on targeted
fundraising has had a big impact.
Showing our partners and active members how the money has been spent helps to play it
forward and ensure future donations to QCCT are made.
Fundraising Event
Donation by John Golfin for Chiedza
MES Bags
Stella's Event @ Heritage Museum
Easter Wine Sale 2008
Disk Money April 2008
Disk Money April 2008
Donation April 2008 by QCCT member not wished
to be named
General BBQ
Total for Jan 08 to April 08
Amount
$2,000
$60
$8,584
$8,880
$160
$125
$2,200
$965
$22,974
The Big Events where…
Chiedza
The team has raised $10,584.00 via various means.
Easter Wine Sale
The Easter Wine Sale was a big success. We raised $8,800.
General BBQ held on 24th April
The BBQ event was totally sponsored by Marketing and raised $965.00
What is happening now?
Entertainment Directory Sales
The book sale has kicked off. Flyers have been place into the Tech Crew, LH & SH Crew
Mailboxes. Advertising is on the Intranet, posters & Friday Flyer.
For each book sold Sydney & North Sydney QCCT receives $13.00 & for Parramatta QCCT
receives $11.00.
The same principal will be followed as last year:
 Display books to be placed at QCB & QCE Receptions.
 Purchases can send in order form or purchase books from onsite sales.
 Onsite Sales will be during lunch times.
website: http://www.qcct.org.au
May 2008 issue
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
The Big Events still to come…
Wallabies BBQ
Wine Sales
Christmas Catalogue
Wallabies BBQ – 10 July 2008
The Qantas Cabin Crew Team have received a privileged invite by the Qantas Marketing
Sponsorship Team to help host a BBQ for the Qantas Wallabies, several players will be
onsite, a big draw card.
All proceeds from the day will go to the Qantas Cabin Crew Team for our projects, so team
let's help play it forward for future working trips and come help on the day. It will be a great
opportunity for us raise our profile and raise money!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The BBQ activates will include the usual sausage sizzle, but also an interactive horizontal
bungee activity, pass the ball game, a raffle and photo opportunities with the Qantas
Wallabies.
If you can spare 1 - 2 hours between the times of 10:00 to 15:00 can you please email me
lbraoudakis@qantas.com.au by 24th June, with preferred times. I will be the main
coordinator and will be onsite the entire time.
For Cabin Crew...if are keen to assist but are on reserve, please provide me with your name &
staff number and we will assist with requesting an X day for you.
We need volunteers to;
Set-up
10:00 - 11:00 setup & cut rolls, 6 volunteers required
Cook
11:00 - 12:00 fire up bbq and start cooking, 3 volunteers required
12:00 - 13:00 cooking, 3 volunteers required
13:00 - 14:00 cooking, 3 volunteers required
Money Collectors
11:45 - 13:00 to collect money, 3 volunteers required
13:00 - 14:00 to collect money, 3 volunteers required
Servers
11:45 - 13:00 to server bbq & drinks, 4 volunteers required
13:00 - 14:00 to server bbq & drinks, 4 volunteers required
Information Stand & Raffle Ticket Sellers
11:45 - 13:00 to inform our work colleagues of the work we do and sell raffle tickets,
3 volunteers required
13:00 - 14:00 to inform our work colleagues of the work we do and sell raffle tickets, 3
volunteers required
website: http://www.qcct.org.au
May 2008 issue
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A roster will be issued on Thursday 3rd July.
Should you have any questions please do not hesitate contact me on:
02 9578 4063.
What is new?
Christmas Catalogue
For the first time QCCT will be producing a Christmas Catalogue giving our members, family & friends
the opportunity to buy gifts that will benefit our projects.
For example school supplies, $10.00, would supply workbooks, pencils, paper to enable a child from a
poor family attending school.
Child Education Sponsorship Updates
Craig Robertson Chiedza Child Sponsorship Coordinator
carob11@bigpond.com
Chiedza Child Care Centre, Harare
It’s been a busy year so far for QCCT Child Sponsorship, the highlight
being the long awaited visit to Australia in March, by Stella Mesikano
from Chiedza Child Care Centre. A friend to QCCT for many years,
Stella launched her tour at a reception held in her honour at the Qantas
Heritage Collection, Sydney Domestic Terminal.
The evening provided many of our QCCT sponsors at Chiedza an
opportunity to finally put a face to the name that so many have heard of
over the years. Given the current tumultuous events occurring in
Zimbabwe, the timing of Stella’s visit couldn’t have been more poignant
and her passionate and emotional insight into the plight of vulnerable and orphaned
Zimbabwean youth certainly touched the hearts of many.
They dug deep in their wallets too! Our sincerest thanks to all those who contributed so
generously on the night.
A very warm welcome also to all our new QCCT Child sponsors at Chiedza who have
signed up since Stella’s visit – we’re very grateful for your support and care.
If you are interested in finding out more about our sponsorship programs, please visit us
at www.qcct.org.au or email me directly.
Best wishes,
Craig Robertson
website: http://www.qcct.org.au
May 2008 issue
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
FLOC (For the Love of Children)
Emma Bucnic FLOC child sponsorship coordinator
emmabuncic@gmail.com
There are 31 Children currently sponsored at FLOC. Thank you to the sponsors who have
committed to sponsoring a child once again in 2008 and for those who continue to donate
through the Workplace Giving Program. The funds raised by the Sponsorship Program are
very much appreciated by the teachers and all of the children at FLOC who directly benefit
from the Program. Please contact Craig Robertson if you are interested in sponsoring a child
at FLOC.
I am currently on maternity leave however I hope to continue with the co-ordination of the
Program with the kind assistance of Lisa Harrison who initially started the Program in 2002.
There are also many other crew members who offer their assistance with taking things over or
picking things up from FLOC whilst on Johannesburg trips – Thank you. These crew
members are instrumental in helping the running of the program and also in maintaining the
relationship between QCCT and FLOC.
Emma Buncic
Matthew Rusike Children’s Home, Harare
Susy James MRCH Child Sponsorship Coordinator
mrch.sponsorship@pacific.net.au
SPONSORSHIP AND QCCT PROMOTION AT THE KANGAROO VALLEY SHOW
FEBRUARY 2008
I moved to the Kangaroo Valley in February 2007, arriving during the middle of the
Kangaroo Valley Show as a spectator, and loving the community spirit. This year I felt
very honoured and proud to be able to be a participant in the Show by having a stall
promoting the Matthew Rusike Children’s Home, Educational Child Sponsorship Program
in Zimbabwe, and the Qantas Cabin Crew Team as a whole.
The stall I was given was located among other community and charity stalls from the
Valley. The rain held back which meant that the weekend event was a success with many
people visiting the Show and the QCCT stall. The purpose of setting up the stall was to
promote the MRCH Sponsorship Program and the QCCT to this community who is always
open to help a charitable purpose in any way possible. Contacts and sponsorship leads
were made, and some of the Tswelopele billboard bags from Johannesburg were sold,
raising funds for the QCCT. My participation in the KV Show was followed by an article in
the local monthly newspaper, ‘The Kangaroo Valley Voice’ further promoting the
Sponsorship Program and the QCCT.
website: http://www.qcct.org.au
May 2008 issue
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
Ten years ago in May 1998, I established the Matthew Rusike Children’s Home (MRCH)
Educational Child Sponsorship Program in Harare, Zimbabwe with a vision to have all the
children sponsored in order that each and every one of them could attend school, have a
continuous education without interruption and a chance to be productive members of
their community.
Depending on the political situation in Zimbabwe, I attempt to visit the children in Harare
at least two to three times a year to see how they are and to ensure the Program is
running smoothly. It is a tremendous joy to stay with the children at the Home and be
part of their every day lives! These special trips fill me with enthusiasm, humility and
great thankfulness for the fortunate life that I lead.
I have been travelling to Zimbabwe for the past 13
years, and along with each visit being a positive
experience for me, it is also terribly sad to witness the
rapid deterioration of conditions within the country,
particularly within the last 8 years. The Home is often
without electricity. Running water is only available on
a rotating 24 hour basis as there are not enough
energy supplies to provide for the entire city
simultaneously. Basic food items are becoming more
difficult to obtain each day. It is hard to imagine how the staff at Matthew Rusike manage
to bathe and feed 140 children daily without these basic necessities. But with great
ingenuity, the
amazingly tireless surrogate mothers to the children, and the rest of the staff, manage to
keep the Home running.
Our long-standing and ongoing funds from the Sponsorship Program as well as the funds
sent to MRCH by the QCCT, help the children in more ways than we can ever imagine.
Without the support of these funds, the children would certainly not be able to be sent to
school, and any food items that may be available for purchase on any given day would
not be able to be bought by MRCH.
If you feel like you would like to learn more about the MRCH Educational Child
Sponsorship Program and/or sponsor a child, you may visit the MRCH Sponsorship
website on home.pacific.net.au/~mrch or alternatively you may email me, Susy James,
at mrch.sponsorship@pacific.net.au for further details.
'THANK YOU FUNDA MORKOS, Administration Assistant, MRCH Child
Sponsorship Program'
I would like to take this opportunity to greatly thank Funda Morkos for having helped
me so much with the MRCH Child Sponsorship Program for the past two years. As
Funda is very happily expecting her first child in June, she has made the difficult, but
smart decision to no longer work on the Sponsorship Program. We wish Funda all the
very best with her final stages of pregnancy and the birth. I have once again taken over
all responsibilities for the MRCH Child Sponsorship Program, so please contact me,
Susy James, on mrch.sponsorship@pacific.net.au with any enquiries. Thank you.
Susy James
website: http://www.qcct.org.au
May 2008 issue
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QCCT Contact Details
If you have any queries or suggestions or you would like to change your address/contact
details please contact the QCCT by:
Website:
cabincrewteam@qantas.com.au
http://www.qcct.org.au
Telephone:
Internal mail:
Mail:
61 2 9691 1374
Mailbox located on QCC/1
PO Box 242, Mascot NSW 2020
Email:
Chairman, Glenn Price
glennprice2002@yahoo.com.au
0414 535999
Finance Manager, Georgia Svourenos
GSvourenos@qantascu.com.au
Administration Manager, Annabelle Mallia
amallia@qantas.com.au
Fundraising Manager, Lucy Broaudakis
lbraoudakis@qantas.com.au
Project Manager South Africa, Jodie Stoyles
jodiestoyles@hotmail.com
Project Manager, Manila, Eamon Quinn
eamonq@bigpond.com
Project Manager Zimbabwe, Bev Stalling
vebkram@tpg.com.au
Project Manager Thailand, Thomas Faber
atfaber@bigpond.com
Project Manager Australia, Steve Baird
sbaird@qantas.com.au
Child Education Sponsorship Coordinator,
Craig Robertson
carob11@bigpond.com