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Claddagh Report
Crisis Support: 0403 972 265
13/15 Bonner Drive Malaga 6090. Enquiries: 08 9249 9213
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CLADDAGH SENIORS
The Claddagh Seniors group (right) went exploring south in the last two months. In May they ventured to Fremantle where they had a ramble around Fishing Boat Harbour and an excellent fish and chips lunch. In June, the group took a bus trip to Mandurah where they had traditional Irish fare for lunch at Murphy’s Irish Pub. It reminded many of summer holidays spent in Mandurah over the years. Our good friends at the Irish Theatre Players hosted the Claddagh Seniors in June at the matinee of the 2021 One Act Plays. This was the second ITP performance the Seniors have enjoyed this year and they were once again impressed with the great stories and high standard of acting. The Claddagh Seniors group will be meeting up again soon for their traditional Christmas in July meal. If you would like to join them for a great celebration or if you know a senior from the Irish community who would like to attend the group’s events you can register by calling Patricia Bratton of the Seniors Subcommittee on 0417 099 801 / 08 9345 3530 or by contacting Claddagh Coordinator Anne Wayne on admin@claddagh.org.au / 08 9249 9213.
CLADDAGH DIGITAL TRAINING FOR SENIORS
Following last year’s very successful ‘Digital Training for Seniors’ project we are pleased to announce that Claddagh will offer more training in 2021. Participants will learn how to use email, popular messaging apps, social media and video conferencing apps so they can stay in touch with family and friends wherever they are in the world. All senior members of the Irish community are invited to attend these trainings which will take place once a month between June and November 2021. month between June and November 2021. Contact Claddagh Coordinator Anne Wayne on admin@claddagh.org.au/08 9249 9213 for more information and to register for a workshop.
CLADDAGH VISA CLINICS
Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Claddagh have received many requests for help from the Irish community in Perth in relation to migration matters – primarily staying in Australia lawfully or applying for travel exemptions to return to Ireland. We are lucky to have two migration agents amongst our dedicated group of volunteers and they have helped us since March 2020 to answer questions and develop infographics with key information. Funding from the Irish government’s Emigrant Support Programme also enabled us to offer three free visa clinics for members of the Irish community in May and June 2021. At each clinic, Patricia Halley
(right), registered migration agent from Visa4You, based herself in the Claddagh office, offering 30 minute in-person or phone consultations and giving valuable advice on visas, citizenship and travel exemptions.
CLADDAGH WEBSITE
We have been working hard on developing a new Claddagh website which is filled with useful information, easy to navigate and bright and attractive. The new website will also contain a community calendar highlighting upcoming events in the Irish community. If your Irish community group is planning an event, contact Claddagh Coordinator Anne Wayne on admin@claddagh.org.au / 08 9249 9213 to list it on our new website which will be launching soon.
CLADDAGH SAUSAGE SIZZLE
On the 13th of June Claddagh hosted their annual Bunnings Sausage Sizzle. The impact of COVID-19 has meant that we have not been able to hold all our normal fundraising events this year. At the same time, we have seen a big increase in requests for help from the Irish community because of COVID-19. So, this sausage sizzle fundraiser was more important to us than ever before. The proceeds of the sausage sizzle will be enough to cover rent for a homeless person, grocery vouchers for a family struggling because of emergency medical needs or counselling for an individual with mental health issues. A massive bualadh bos to the volunteers who staffed the event and a big shout out to McLoughlin’s butchers who again donated their famous Irish sausages. Everybody loved them!
THANK YOU TO CLADDAGH’S VOLUNTEERS!
Claddagh chairperson, Heather McKeegan opened her home for a National Volunteer Week event in May 2021. She invited all those who volunteered with Claddagh in the past year to a pizza party to celebrate their generous commitment to Claddagh’s work. Claddagh employ only one staff member, Claddagh coordinator, Anne Wayne. The amazing commitment made by our voluntary committee, and our events, project and admin volunteers means that Claddagh can accomplish so much more for the Irish community in WA. If you would like to register on our volunteer list and be notified of opportunities to volunteer, such as the annual sausage sizzle, don’t hesitate to contact Claddagh Coordinator Anne Wayne on admin@ claddagh.org. au / 08 9249 9213. Darren and family at Claddagh’s pizza party
CLADDAGH ORAL HISTORY PROJECT
We continue to share highlights from the Claddagh Oral History Project 2020 with readers of the Irish Scene. In this issue you can read the story of Richard Moloney of Co Cork. He was interviewed by Claddagh volunteer Denise Keohane, also from Co Cork. The interviews from the Oral History Project were edited and collated as a book, From Home to Home: Oral Histories of Irish Seniors in Western Australia. The full book is available as a digital download at the Claddagh website here: claddagh.org.au/claddaghoral-history-project/.
CLADDAGH SUPPORT WORK
If you or someone you know in the Irish community in WA needs assistance, you can contact Claddagh on our crisis line: 0403 972 265. If you are in a position to be able to contribute financially this would be gratefully received for Claddagh’s support work through the year. Tax deductible donations can be made at our GiveNow page: www.givenow.com.au/thecladdaghassociation or via bank transfer to Claddagh’s account. The details are:
