FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Irvine Club Raises $30k for Windermere Windermere Child and Family Services have welcomed a generous donation of almost $30,000 from The Irvine Club. The Club originally formed in 2004, to enhance and create relationships, and bring together friends in a social environment to share their love of sport – it has also been generating funds and exposure to local charities to make a real difference. Over 400 guests packed the Members Dining room at the MCG last month, for the Irvine Club’s annual charity luncheon and were provided with an afternoon of entertainment, with guest speakers Sam Newman and Rex Hunt. Windermere were fortunate to be selected as charity of choice for the event from it’s recent involvement with the tragic death of Tyabb boy Luke Batty. Windermere were present to support Luke’s family and the community within hours of this inexplicable crime of family violence. The death of Luke Batty touched the hearts of many, including Irvine Club President Cameron Gray and Treasurer Gareth Flynn, whose son had played cricket against Luke, just the week before his death. “Family Violence affects people all over Australia, it has no prejudices, and with it’s increasing presence in the media, the Irvine Club felt it was important to raise awareness of this issue and help explain how crimes like these could be prevented by an all community approach,” said Mr Gray. “We had heard of the wonderful work Windermere does in their local community, and wanted to take the opportunity to give back and make a difference,” he said. Windermere CEO, Dr Lynette Buoy, captivated the predominately male crowd – revealing grim statistics on Family Violence, and the diverse and important work Windermere does within the local community to tackle this issue. “Two people (children, women and men) die every week from domestic violence in Australia, and specifically there has been an increasing presence in the media during the last five months” “At Windermere we work with 14,000 people a year predominately across the Casey, Cardinia and Dandenong shires. We provide a range of services, both government and a number of Windermere preventative initiatives. Our organisation is certainly diverse and that is what we like most – we believe that everybody is somebody in our community – and when community issues are identified or emerge we seek to act – support through events and organisations like the Irvine Club, enable us to do this”, she said. The Irvine Club luncheon not only increased awareness and support of Windermere, but also raised a substantial amount of money for Windermere’s preventative and wellbeing programs. -Ends-
Page 1 of 2 – CPM0087
About Windermere For over 150 years Windermere has been providing help and resources to people so they can live life to their full potential. Our belief is that for children, families and individuals to find true wellbeing, we need a strong and nurturing community where ‘everyone is someone’. With our head office in Narre Warren and service provision from multiple locations, Windermere is one of the fastest growing independent community service organisations throughout Melbourne’s South-East, and beyond. We offer a wide range of professional services including counselling, housing support, disability services, childcare and more. Many of our services are free. If you wish to know more information please contact Windermere Child and Family Services on (03) 9705 3200 or email info@windermere.org.au
For further media information contact: Maree De George Windermere Child and Family Services Phone: 0414 609 006 maree.degeorge@windermere.org.au www.windermere.org.au
**Photo from left Irvine Club President Cameron Gray, Dr Lynette Buoy – CEO Windermere and Gareth Flynn – Irvine Club Treasurer.
Page 2 of 2 – CPM0087