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Regional - Cairns23 a friend on the streets of Cairns
CAIRnS
Charity marks 25 years of helping those in need
By Justine Gold nch
“I CAME to Cairns to follow a
dream.”
This was the opening remark by Theresa
Sheppard, the Cairns founder of Rosies – Friends on the Street as more than 150 volunteers came together to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Cairns branch.
Aged 21 and working for the Brisbane of ce of Rosies, Ms Sheppard stepped off the plane armed only with the determination to set up the much-needed Cairns charity.
She said she “was overwhelmed by the sense of family that binds Rosies volunteers together”.
In 1975 Oblate Father Tom Shortall, a priest in Rosebud Victoria, started an outreach called Rosies.
Being homeless can happen very
easily. It can happen to you, to
anyone.
Reaching out: Members of Rosies – Friends on the Street celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Cairns branch.
Family comes first for Tamangs
AUSTRALIAN couple Som and Susan Tamang are living proof that family comes rst, even if it means being apart for months on end.
Founders of the Cairns-based charity, Friends of Himalayan Children, the Tamangs and their three young children are often separated – but for good reason.
In 2015 Kathmandu was shattered by a devas- tating earthquake that took the lives of thousands, including Mr Tamang’s own brother, Amber.
Following the news of his brother’s death, Mr Tamang returned to his home village Batase, located west of Kathmandu, to carry on his brother’s work in providing a future for his town.
On trips back to Batase, Mr Tamang has rebuilt the school and a hostel for children whose parents died in the earthquake or whose families can no longer afford to feed or house them.
The work in Batase is a major focus of Mr Ta- mang’s charity, which started in 2009 as a way of improving the lives of vulnerable Nepalesewomen and children through better access to education.
Mrs Tamang is also involved in the charity from her home in Cairns, creating programs for young village girls on the importance of education and a further program on the dangers of sex traf- cking, which entraps more than 50 girls every day.
Though he is often away for months at a time, Mrs Tamang believes her husband’s work is a valuable lesson about family to their children.
“My children are half Nepali,” Mrs Tamang said. “I understand that need to keep them and all children safe, the absolute need for education and more importantly, the understanding of the ties that bind together family and community.”
Better life: Children from the Nepalese village of Batase play near a school building built by for- mer villager Som Tamang, who is now based in Cairns.
In 1987, another Oblate Father Paul Costello expanded the charity into Queensland where it continues to grow yearly.
The celebration of 25 years was attended by Cairns volunteers, the Brisbane based manage- ment team and local politicians.
The longest serving volunteer, Joyce Coutts, 85, received a standing ovation when she received a Rosies certi cate of recognition for
more than 22 years of service.
Every night 20,000 Queenslanders are home-
less.
“Being homeless can happen very easily. It
can happen to you, to anyone,” volunteer Chris said.
In Cairns the outreach van operates four nights a week with a fth service night to be added soon.
Regarding the additional service, volunteer Emma said: “It is fantastic that we have the volunteers to run a fth outreach evening.
“However, it is sad that it is needed. It’s a double edged sword really,” she said.
While the outreach volunteers hand out food, warm blankets and hygiene packs, they also offer a friendly ear to listen and embrace the motto of the charity – A Friend on the Street.
Obituary
Wilston parishioner called home to God
LONGTIME Wilston parishioner Christopher Leonard Petrie always hoped to return to his home church at St Columba’s after leaving the area in 2009.
He was a bright, intelligent and loving man, the dux of his senior class of 1966 at St Joseph’s College, Gregory Terrace.
Growing up in Windsor, Chris was a well- known gure in the area.
It traumatised him to move from home, but when his mother died in 2009 he went to live in
Paddington, then moved again to Everton Park where he purchased his rst home.
In his new parish at Our Lady of the Immacu- late Conception, Everton Park, he joined the church choir.
“He had a great voice and was also part of the choir at St Columba’s Primary School,” his sister, Anne Murphy, said.
The sixth of seven children born on January 21, 1949 to Hilary and Jane Petrie, Chris was nicknamed Sluggo after his dad shaved his head off to ght head lice.
He was “a dapper dresser” and always wore shoes with pointed toes, something that caused
severe problems for Chris’ feet “squishing and binding them together”.
“Doctors offered to help Chris through an operation to x the problem, however this did not work out and it placed pressure on his hip and spine,” Mrs Murphy said.
“Chris was an active and bright young man and took the failed operation very negatively and became depressed which lead him to a very dif cult time in his life.”
Chris’ prayers to return to his church were answered when on July 19, 2017, he died sud- denly in his home, his sister Anne and brother
Justin by his side.
An hour before he was called to eternal life,
he was on the phone to his two brothers, Leo and Damian, and also a nephew.
“He said he loved them all and passed away an hour later,” Mrs Murphy said.
Chris’ Requiem Mass was held at his home parish of Good Samaritan Parish, Wilston on August 2, 2017.
“You had a troubled life but now you’re troubles are gone,” Mrs Murphy said.
“Rest in peace dear brother, from all your family and friends.”
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The Catholic Leader, August 27, 2017