new zealand red cross
Issue 1/2013 In this issue: new zealand red cross youth panel red rose day exercise tongariro 2012
WELCOME REFUGEE SERVICES
¡ Photo by Sushrutha Metikurke.
Staff and volunteers of Refugee Services Aotearoa New Zealand have been welcomed to the New Zealand Red Cross team, bringing together the expertise of Refugee Services and the resources and knowledge of New Zealand Red Cross and the international Red Cross Movement. Working with former refugees and their families is one of the long-standing activities of the Red Cross Movement, and a number of sister National Societies such as British Red Cross, Austrian Red Cross and Finnish Red Cross already lead the resettlement of quota refugees in their countries. The partnership reflects the aims of Strategy 2020, with particular connection to promoting a culture of social inclusion and ensuring vulnerable people can effectively participate in society. The New Zealand Red Cross Refugee Services programme, called Pathways to Settlement, is a strengths-based approach to support. It focuses on empowering former refugees to become independent, fully integrated members of the community while working toward their goals and aspirations.
Settlement support is provided by qualified social workers, refugee background caseworkers, cross cultural workers and trained volunteer support workers. Much like Red Cross, the volunteers and members are the heart of the organisation. They work in teams to
¡ Photo by Brittany Smith.
support the new arrivals for their first six months in New Zealand. Volunteers link former refugees to their new community and carry out many of the practical tasks, like setting up the home and registering with a GP, while the cross cultural workers, caseworkers and social workers provide additional support.
Message from Jenny With the dawn of the New Year I am excited by what 2013 will bring for New Zealand Red Cross. Much of our work around natural disasters and conflict is difficult to predict, however there are a number of new projects this year that will galvanise Red Cross behind Strategy 20/20. On this note I would like to welcome Refugee Services New Zealand to the Red Cross Movement. It is great to have new faces around the organisation that bring with them a wealth of knowledge in refugee resettlement. In this column, I also must touch on Tropical Cyclone Evan. As you will
know, the cyclone has devastated parts of both Samoa and Fiji. I was very proud of our response. New Zealand Red Cross was first to deploy aid workers to Samoa and our expertise in logistics, information technology and sanitation made a real difference in the immediate aftermath of the storm. I trust you have all enjoyed a restful Christmas and New Year period and you are ready for the challenges that 2013 will bring. Jenny McMahon National President
New Zealand Red Cross national youth panel
red rose day New Zealand Red Cross’ annual Red Rose Day was enjoyed by many across the country. Branches got into the spirit of things remembering to stop and smell the roses whilst doing their busy preparation work. These photos were sent to us from the Western Bay service centre in the Bay of Plenty showcasing what their volunteers got up to.
¡ Members of the National Youth Panel from left to right: Jason Sebastian, Mat Darling, Alix Jansen, Mike Nuth and Aaron Turner. Photo by Nurain Janah.
Nurain Janah shares with us what the National Youth Council is all about... The National Youth Panel or NYP, as we like to call ourselves, is a representative body of all youth within the New Zealand Red Cross Movement, elected to support youth involvement at a grassroots level and advocate for greater youth connection at a governance level. We’d like to share with you some highlights of what we have been up to: Grassroots Youth Involvement One of our biggest on-going endeavours is supporting youth involvement at a grassroots level. In the last few months, we have supported the various Youth Groups across the country, as well as helping some of the National Youth Forum attendees in setting up their own youth groups in Dunedin and Wellington. In the coming year, we hope to further support these groups and help open up youth involvement at all levels and all programmes within the organisation. Area Council Engagement & Youth Presence at National Council 2012 Four times a year the panel connects with staff and reaches out to the various area councils. We extend our sincere appreciation and gratitude for the support and welcome of the national management team staff, service centre staff as well as the area councillors who give up their Saturdays to engage in discussions with us.
KEY DATES january
These conversations enabled the Panel to develop a simple toolkit that aims to help area councillors bring on board youth volunteers. The toolkit includes quick tips, different ways to target tertiary institutions and schools and a number of ‘best practise’ youth engagement case studies. Social Media A continuing theme of developing New Zealand Red Cross’ social media presence to engage youth in the organisation is evident. The NYP is doing their part with social media and have kept up communication with the National Youth Forum participants through our private Facebook group. The Panel has also started conversations on Twitter, engaging not just youth in New Zealand but also some in Australia! 2013 and Australia General Assembly As we embark on 2013, we are already putting in motion our work plan action points. One exciting action point is working together with the Australian Red Cross Young Humanitarians to ensure that New Zealand Red Cross’ youth voices are heard at the 2013 General Assembly to be held in Sydney. Watch this space for more on this! If you’re keen to know more on any of the above – or youth related matters in general we would love to hear from you. Email us at youth@redcross.org.nz.
21 WELLINGTON ANNIVERSARY
Western Bay wasn’t the only one in the spirit. The photo below was sent into us from the Tauranga area and we thought it was too good not to share!
NTERNATIONAL DAY OF 27 ICOMMEMORATION IN MEMORY OF THE VICTIMS OF THE HOLOCAUST
WHO AM I? Do you want to nominate someone you think we should all know about? Email communications@redcross.org.nz and let us show them off! Who am I?
Who am I? Kate Campbell, community trainer for Manawatu/ Wanganui Region. How long have you been with Red Cross? Since February 2012. What do you do? I coordinate and deliver community programmes both in schools and the wider community. At present, these are the People Savers, and the Save a Mate programme. Such a cool role! What is your favourite rainy day activity? Hanging with my kids playing board games, baking or watching movies – Pyjama Days! Why New Zealand Red Cross? I have a passion for helping people and making a difference, even in some small way. I feel privileged to be a part of an organisation that does this not only at a local level, but also nationally and internationally. And to top it off, my position is a culmination of several of my interest areas- for me this is the perfect position in a fantastic organisation. Biggest Indulgence? Hanging out with my closest girlfriends… could indulge in this for hours especially when gin, tonic and yummy nibbles are involved!!
Helen Heesterman, a first aid administrator, married to Rex with three sons and one daughter (all now adults living in various parts of New Zealand). We live in the sunny Hawkes Bay and have a small cherry orchard. How long have you been with Red Cross? 10 years, WOW! What do you do? Administration for first aid training in the East Coast area. What is your favourite rainy day activity? Watching a good movie and doing puzzles. Why New Zealand Red Cross? I was excited about working for an organisation that was world renowned. Also the hours that were offered when I first started suited me while I still had kids going through school. Biggest Indulgence? Buying a boat as the whole family loves going fishing.
have you checked out address the stress?
When Andrea Sutton, meals on wheels coordinator for the Auckland area, began her role in 2006 she noticed many of the contact details for volunteers were out of date. When she saw a Doris Fiddell had been a volunteer since 1962 she thought she better call to confirm the details were correct. Andrea’s call was answered by Doris’ sister Jeanette who confirmed that she had begun in 1962 and that they had both received their 40 year awards. Late 2012, Andrea was present as Doris received her 50 years of service award. Doris originally began volunteering on advice from her sister. Initially she took her younger children with her when she did deliveries and later her sister became her co-driver. But since 2007 Doris has been delivering solo and currently delivers for the team on a fortnightly basis in the Panmure/Pt England area. Andrea says that Doris is always available for additional deliveries and that her service award was very impressive. Andrea recalls one of Doris’ stories about her meals on wheels deliveries: “Although the containers are now disposable, Doris remembers the meals that were packed into metal containers. These were reused and she had to collect them from recipients. She recalls one recipient used to leave the container from the previous day out for their cat to eat from, but Doris would still have to collect it and take it back. I do hope they were thoroughly sterilised before being reused!”
New Zealand Red Cross released their new website to help young people deal with the aftermath of the Canterbury earthquakes in late October. The website aims to give Canterbury teenagers the coping skills to help them through uncertain times with messages from some of New Zealand’s top sports heroes, musicians, comedians, actors and experts. If you haven’t already checked it out it is a must see www.addressthestress.co.nz.
28 AUCKLAND ANNIVERSARY
50 years delivering meals on wheels
KEY DATES FEBRuary
02 WORLD WETLAND DAY
ELSON ANNIVERSARY; 04 NWORLD CANCER DAY
NEW ZEALAND RED CROSS exercise tongariro 2012 A volcanic eruption occurred in the central plateau which has resulted in a large ash fall event in the Rotorua area. A Local Civil Defence Emergency has been declared by the Rotorua City Council. Local emergency services have been overrun with associated incidents. New Zealand Red Cross has been asked to provide 110 volunteers for anticipated, but as yet unknown tasks in the Western Bay area. This was Exercise Tongariro 2012. The practical scenario involved Red Cross volunteers from throughout the North Island DWST teams. The aim was to create a practical scenario which would cement skills and provide a further opportunity to learn by exposing teams to response conditions and stresses. Activities undertaken included secondary triage of “passengers” on a flight to Rotorua Airport, scenarios of welfare centres, rubble piles, evacuating an isolated community, cooperation with coastguard and much more.
¡ A selection of photographs taken throughout Exercise Tongariro 2012 catches the volunteers in action.
06 WAITANGI DAY
ORLD DAY OF THE SICK 12 W
New Zealand Red Cross emergency management officer Graeme Langford explained that the exercise is about showing people their current skill level and giving them the opportunity to try things and make mistakes in a learning environment.
20 WORLD DAY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE
royal visit
tropical cyclone evan In early December the Pacific was hit by tropical cyclone Evan. The damage was extensive with many people still without the basic necessities. New Zealand Red Cross deployed a specialist team of five aid workers to Samoa and set up an emergency grant of $10,000.
Many of you will know that Canterbury recently had a visit from the royals. Here are some more pictures of the hard working New Zealand Red Cross volunteers lucky enough to meet them.
This team worked alongside the Samoan Red Cross to provide expertise in logistics, water and sanitation, and information technology. This deployment is part of the Pacific Tropical Cyclone Plan explains international operations and emergencies manager Andrew McKie. The Fijian government and Fijian Red Cross worked together to set up 242 evacuation centres, providing assistance to more than 13,000 people. Those wanting to donate should go to www.redcross.org.nz and select the Pacific Disaster Response Fund.
¡ L orraine Waters area councillor for North Canterbury meets Prince Charles.
¡ P ictures were taken by International Programmes Manager Glenn Rose, showcasing just some of the destruction in Samoa.
saifi family eight years on In 2005 we met the Saifi family. They came to New Zealand from Indonesia with the help of New Zealand Red Cross and other organisations to give them a fresh start after the devastating Tsunami. The family had just lost their mother, and Faisal his wife. He was left destitute with his two young daughters, their house destroyed and no job.
With family in New Plymouth he looked to New Zealand to start their new life.
¡ O utreach volunteer Allan Wills talks with Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall.
Red Cross were involved with the Saifi family right from the beginning arranging travel documents. Upon arrival they met with Taranaki area manager, Karen Lawson and have maintained contact ever since.
¡ T he Saifi family at their citizenship ceremony with Taranaki area manager Karen Lawson.
NTERNATIONAL MOTHER 21 ILANGUAGE DAY
Late last year Karen was invited to attend their citizenship ceremony at the local council. She was pleased to tell us they are very happy here in New Zealand, Faisal has remarried with a five month old baby, they have bought their first house and both the girls are doing very well at school. ORLD PEACE AND 23 W UNDERSTANDING DAY
¡ L orraine Waters, along with volunteers Athalie Lyon and Maureen Wells are soaking up their fifteen seconds of fame being interviewed by Prime News on Sky TV about their experience.
NEW ZEALAND RED CROSS LINK
area round-up
gore
te puke The Te Puke Red Cross branch sent this photo in from their one day raffle. All proceeds from the raffle went back into supporting the branch.
oamaru
Jean Ramsay and Jeanette Kerse (pictured above) of the Gore Branch were both awarded life membership at a recent function. Both ladies also received certificates of appreciation and service awards for 60 years of service. Late last year a celebration was held for the Oamaru Red Cross branch, acknowledging their work and commitment to Red Cross, the Waitaki District and Oamaru over the past 73 years. Otago area manager Karen Clements says the Oamaru Red Cross members have worked tirelessly over the years to provide services to the community since 1915, when a Red Cross group was formed. So although the branch is officially 73 years old, members have been very active for nearly 100 years. Now, although the branch has closed a group remains and so too does the good work they do. Since World War Two, the Oamaru Red Cross members have been involved in many activities and services. For the war effort they knitted, made up food parcels, and rolled bandages. After the war, and continuing to today, the branch has provided bedding and clothing for the vulnerable, provided meals on wheels since 1955 and fundraised for Red Cross programmes and international disasters, including the recent Christchurch earthquakes and Pike River mine disaster. They have laid posies at the soldiers cemetery every year the day before ANZAC day, delivered library books to housebound people, and provided volunteers for the New Zealand Blood Bank service, Karen explains. “The list goes on and I am sure they have supported their local community in many other ways. It’s great we can acknowledge their work over the years.”
These awards were presented by Red Cross nurse Barbara Turnbull and local Mayor Tracy Hicks who had a surprise of their own. After presenting the Red Cross awards they presented both Jean and Jeanette with a certificate of recognition from the Gore and Districts Council.
¡ F rom left to right: Maxine Shanks purchases a ticket, Marie Clark and Vickie Holland look after the stall. Photo by Te Puke Times.
bay of plenty
auckland The Auckland branch has celebrated one of its former volunteers, Lil Langton’s 100th birthday. Lil retired as a meals on wheels volunteer only last year and to mark the milestone she appeared on the front page of her local paper, the Auckland City Harbour News. Karen Clare, meals on wheels coordinator for the Auckland Area, describes Lil as very humble about her many years of service. She even told the newspaper she responded to an advertisement in the local newspaper as she wanted a bit of a challenge and she really enjoyed being out in her car. Lil was also presented a special award for her 34 years of service where Karen explained that Lil has been a tough act to follow. “She was very, very good at it. Nothing was ever trouble.”
The Western Bay Service Centre end of year function was enjoyed by all with the highlight of the function being Red Cross aid worker David Easson’s presentation (pictured above). Events Co-ordinator Heather Dabrowski said it was a fantastic opportunity to win some spot prizes, be acknowledged for all their work throughout the year and meet the other local volunteers. National Office PO Box 12-140, Wellington 69 Molesworth Street, Thorndon Wellington This edition written by Olivia Cramond. Phone: 04 471 8250 Fax: 04 471 8251 Email: national@redcross.org.nz www.redcross.org.nz