Issue 2 2013
Christchurch schoolchildren’s grant
A
new grant to support Christchurch schoolchildren experiencing earthquake-related challenges that impact on their health and well-being has been launched. The $9.3 million allocated for the grant will help primary and secondary school children deal with earthquake-related anxiety, stress or behavioural problems
Parkview Primary principal Les Gray with pupils.
and to assist those whose access to their own sakes and for the future of activities and resources has been limited Christchurch. We’re partnering with by earthquake-related financial hardship. schools to distribute this grant because they are uniquely placed to identify and School principals and teachers in respond to the challenges their students Canterbury say they have noticed an are facing, whether these be well-being or increase in anxiety among children since hardship related,” he says. the earthquakes. The president of the Canterbury “There’s a greater need for access to Secondary Principals Association, Neil specialised counselling support. Solving Wilkinson, says the problems becomes “Schools are delighted with grant offers a large much more difficult due to the emotional this grant – it’s fantastic.” number of students, still affected by the and psychological state of those involved, both parents and impact of the earthquakes, a wide range children,” explains Canterbury Primary of options. Principals Association representative “Schools are delighted with this grant – Graeme Barber. it’s fantastic. It says to the young people Applications for the grant must be made of Christchurch that their needs have by schools and used to provide resources not been forgotten and we just hope and assistance directly to students, not they take advantage of this opportunity,” operational or capital costs. he says. It is envisioned the grant will help The grant aligns with New Zealand children access things like counselling, Red Cross’ messages for Cantabrians school camps, field trips, group activities, last month on the second anniversary, uniforms and life skills programmes. encouraging the people of Christchurch New Zealand Red Cross 2011 Earthquake to make their personal happiness and that Commission chair Sir John Hansen says of their family and friends a priority. Red Cross wants to make a positive MORE INFO AT difference to the lives of these children. www.redcross.org.nz/what-we-do “We want to foster resilience, both for
New Zealand Red Cross’ new website Many of you have already had a look around our brand new responsive website. Launched in mid-January, the intention of the new website was to be a user-friendly, seamless and professional platform for donors, first aid clients, members, volunteers, staff and the general public. The result was exactly that and more. The best thing about it? It’s only phase one; phase two will increase functionality, making the interactive systems even better.
Message from Jenny What a busy few months it has been, with some very notable achievements already this year, including the much needed and appreciated Christchurch Schoolchildren’s Grant. The first school to take up the grant was Sacred Heart – a decile 3 school in Addington. The school used the money to bring in a music teacher to help the children prepare for a multi-cultural festival, and to send some kids on a three-day school camp. It was great to hear that these activities went some way towards helping the children relax after a stressful two years post the February 22 earthquake. I’d like to congratulate two of our hard working volunteers – Craig Titheridge of Christchurch has received an Earthquake Award, and Evelyn Norvill from Cambridge a Distinguished Service Award for her 65 years’ service. Finally I would like to acknowledge the hard work over the last six years of our chief executive John Ware, whose last day will be April 26. John volunteered for many years before becoming CEO, including in the position of National Treasurer. We wish him well. Andrew McKie will fill in for John until we can recruit a new Secretary General, and I’m anticipating business as usual.
Jenny McMahon National President
New Zealand Red Cross Link Newsletter
CHECK OUT THE NEW SITE AT
www.redcross.org.nz
Tim Finn is seeing red The annual appeal is just around the corner and our new competition, with the support of Tim Finn, is helping school children across the country ‘see red’. Tim Finn is backing the Red Cross annual appeal for schools by offering his services as a judge and special guest to schools across New Zealand. The competition asks schools to create their own music video to Split Enz’s ‘I See Red’. The entries will be judged by Tim Finn who will then head to the winning school for a special performance of that school’s rendition. Although singing and dancing isn’t for everyone there are plenty of other ways to help your area ‘see red’. If you haven’t signed up for the annual appeal already, check in with your local service centre to see how you can help. The appeal week is May 6 –12.
Craig’s Christchurch Earthquake Award National Disaster Response Team (NDRT) member Craig Titheridge has been awarded a Christchurch Earthquake Award for service to the community. Craig was working in central Christchurch when the 22 February earthquake struck. He and his co-workers were among the first to reach the crushed buses on Colombo Street. Craig helped pull three people out, only one of whom survived, before heading through the city freeing people from buildings. In the following days, Craig borrowed a four-wheel-drive to distribute food and water, at times welcoming complete strangers into his home. The experience inspired him to join Red Cross and soon after he passed rigorous trials to become part of NDRT. “I’m absolutely stoked and honoured to receive the award. Thank you,” says Craig.
21,291
Total number of visits to the website in February
60%
were visiting the website for the first time
3:55
Time people spent on the site on average
795 first aid course bookings made online
3 most popular pages First Aid – www.redcross.org.nz/first-aid/courses/ Canterbury – www.redcross.org.nz/canterbury/ What We Do – www.redcross.org.nz/what-we-do/
Who Am I
Sandi Champaneri Volunteer Programme Team Leader/Trainer for Greater Wellington
How long have you been with Red Cross? Fourteen years with Refugee Services, part of Red Cross since December. What do you do? I support the Greater Wellington volunteer supervisors, advise on regional volunteer issues and run the volunteer training courses for the Refugee Services programme in Greater Wellington. What’s your favourite part of your job?
One of our new families. Photo: Neil Mackenzie.
New Zealand Red Cross Refugee Services staff welcome their first intake On 22 February, a group of 160 former refugees from Colombia, Myanmar, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Iraq and Ethiopia completed their sixweek orientation at the Mangere Refugee Resettlement Centre and made their way to new homes around the country. The latest intake was not only the largest since before the September 2010 Canterbury earthquake, it was also the first intake since the merging of New Zealand Red Cross and Refugee Services Aotearoa. New Zealand Red Cross Refugee Services staff and volunteers around New Zealand joined members of local communities to welcome new families and individuals into
Auckland, Hamilton, Manawatu, greater Wellington and Nelson. New Zealand Red Cross chief executive John Ware welcomed new arrivals at Wellington airport. He describes the day as a very rewarding experience. “There was a real buzz of activity with staff, members of refugee communities, caseworkers and, most importantly, the volunteers who will be helping the families settle in New Zealand,” he says. To learn more about the intake and the programme that former refugees undertake, follow the below link to our website. VISIT
http://bit.ly/YswwME
I love meeting and training the volunteers and hearing about their experiences and the impact it has had on their lives. It’s not unusual for volunteers to form life-long bonds with their ‘new friends’. You really can have a cultural experience without leaving the country! What drew you to Refugee Services? After working for government for about 15 years, I realised how awesome it would be to fully utilise my skills and really help people. I started with a temporary project and soon got offered a position. Biggest indulgence? I’ve just discovered 85 per cent dark chocolate. I’m investigating guitar lessons (after selling my drum kit), and I enjoy zumba classes and good movies. DO YOU WANT TO NOMINATE SOMEONE WE SHOULD ALL KNOW ABOUT?
communications@redcross.org.nz
Issue 2/2013 | www.redcross.org.nz
Local Highlights
Social Media What was popular in February 2013
evacuees in 1931. Karla Sewter, Red Cross programmes coordinator, describes it as a great event where New Zealand Red Cross volunteers dress up and some of the survivors wear art deco to celebrate their area.
Canterbury New Zealand Red Cross national president Jenny McMahon presents Evelyn with her Distinguished Service Award.
Waikato Evelyn Norvill has been awarded a New Zealand Red Cross Distinguished Service Award for her long and valuable contribution. Since joining the Cambridge branch in 1948, Evelyn has received an Honorary Life Membership, been president for 10 years, convenor of the sewing group, meals-on-wheels driver and a volunteer tutor. National membership services manager Peter Scott was there when Evelyn was presented with her award by national president Jenny McMahon, describing it as inspirational. “At 101 and regularly attending branch meetings, Evelyn embodies the long and dedicated service that Red Cross members exhibit across the country.”
Comments “amazing people and organisation!” “you guys rock...warm appreciation and thanks for all you give our city” “thanks volunteers”
Branch members gather around their cake prepared by branch member Carole Francis-Miller
The Little Akaloa Chorlton Branch turned 60 and had a fundraising BBQ at Ginnie Mayo’s (one of our members) garden to celebrate raising $2,000. Canterbury and West Coast area manager Carol Ball sent through this picture of the branch members around a fantastic Red Cross cake made by Carole Francis-Miller.
Otago
Hawkes Bay
A collection of memorabilia. Photo: Mike McQueen
New Zealand Red Cross volunteers register attendees.
New Zealand Red Cross volunteers were on hand at the annual 1931 earthquake survivors’ afternoon tea to help with registration. The event is an opportunity for people who survived the 1931 earthquake to share their memories and catch up with old friends. The name tags may also have brought back some memories as they were replicas of the ones used for the
Facebook: New Zealand Red Cross On the 2nd anniversary of the Christchurch earthquake our thoughts are with the people of Canterbury, including our members, volunteers and staff who work tirelessly to support others despite being affected themselves.
Professor Margaret Tennant was a guest speaker at the Otago area council forum. As she is currently writing a history on New Zealand Red Cross, Otago had the chance to showcase some historical memorabilia. The service centre’s ‘Old Shop’ was transformed with displays of historical items such as old Red Cross nurses’ uniforms, badges, photo albums and more. Area manager Karen Clements mentioned a minute book from 1915 was a great find and offered some very interesting reading.
Twitter: New Zealand Red Cross Congratulations to Craig Titheridge, one of our amazing response volunteers, on his #chch Earthquake Award. very well deserved!
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Aid Worker Where in the world are our aid workers? Taking off: Barbara Turnbull – North Korea as a hospital project manager Rebecca Barrell – South Sudan as a hospital project manager Deployed in response to Cyclone Evan: Samoa – Douglas Clark, Colleen Ruru, Anne Maree Delaney, Chris Harrison, Graeme Langford, Dean Manderson Fiji – Matthew Poole, Greg Johns VIEW CURRENT AID WORKERS AT
www.redcross.org.nz/what-we-do
National Office PO Box 12-140, Wellington 69 Molesworth Street, Thorndon Wellington Phone: 04 471 8250 Fax: 04 471 8251 Email: national@redcross.org.nz www.redcross.org.nz