Author Archive for josh

Another Successful Christmas Market for 2008

Published
by
josh
on November 27, 2008
in General
. 0 Comments

Hillbrook Anglican Choir

Despite three violent storms earlier in the week and worrying weather forecasts, Karuna’s annual Christmas market sailed ahead with fine weather on Friday and Saturday.

On Friday afternoon, Karuna staff, volunteers and friends gathered in the gardens with a glass of sparkling to listen to the sweet sound of Hillbrook Anglican choir singing carols while shopping for Christmas decorations, presents, food and other goodies was begun in earnest.

Many also spent a quiet moment at the Kindness Tree leaving messages for loved ones, for world peace and for a quiet, restful festive season.

Saturday shoppers browsed to the delicious smell of sausages and onions emanating from the Stafford Rotary BBQ, and the idyllic sounds of acoustic guitar player Jonathan Carr and his friend Tim.

We raised a fantastic $16,000 thanks to the tireless efforts of the Karuna Craft Group throughout the year and our eager band of event volunteers who helped everything go so smoothly over the weekend.

Well done all and thank you to everyone who came along to make it a fabulous weekend!

World Hospice & Palliative Care Day

Published
by
josh
on October 9, 2008
in Community
. 0 Comments

The first ever World Hospice and Palliative Care Day took place in October 2005 with more than 1,100 events taking place in 74 countries. It was launched by HRH Princess Anne in London, supported by Archbishop Desmond Tutu who described it as “an important global event”.

In 2006, high profile figures Bono and Sir Elton John marked the event by expressing their support for hospice care, and in 2007 Dame Judi Dench added her voice to the campaign.

This World Hospice and Palliative Care day coming up on October 11, let’s adjust the light and shade surrounding the issues of death and dying, and consider palliative care as an inspiring, special and precious time for all concerned.

A wise man from our Palliative Care Information Services (PCIS) team here at Karuna once said, “The problem with palliative care is half the population doesn’t know what it is, and those who do know, don’t want to know what it is”.

Dying is an essential part of all life, the only thing not certain is when. Home palliative care gives the terminally ill time with their loved ones in the comfort and familiar surroundings of their home to share stories, celebrate their lives and speak the words of their hearts.

Thousands of people around the world will be staging events to raise awareness and fundraise for hospice and palliative care services locally, nationally and internationally to mark this annual global event.

To find out more, log on to the World Hospice & Palliative Care Day Website or call 07 3632 8300.

Dog

Ride For Karuna

Published
by
josh
on September 29, 2008
in Community
. 0 Comments

Hello Karuna Supporters,

My name is Jennifer and I recently came to Karuna as a marketing officer. Some of my new responsibilities include organising volunteers for our events, helping with fundraising and liaising with the media.

You may have already heard that Karuna supporters can now raise money with Everyday Hero using the fundraising tool of their choice. Many of us are now joining the National Ride to Work Day on 15th October and asking friends and family to sponsor our participation as a way to raise money for Karuna.

And here’s why.

Experience the sense of freedom as you pass others driving to work or cooped up on public transport. Feel the sun beating down on your back while the wind rushes in your ears. Listen to the sounds of the park as you make your way to work. Fill your lungs with fresh air and arrive to work rejuvenated. Sound good? Riding your bike to work each day is wonderful news for your health, friendly to the environment, cheap, and it boosts your mind for the day. Not only this, but riding to work is a brilliant way to multi-task your commute to work with your daily 30 minutes of exercise!

You can get involved by dusting off your bike and registering yourself as a Karuna hero at Everyday Hero, which will set up an account on your behalf so your sponsors can add funds. You can then log on to Ride2Work and join in the fun, knowing that it is all going towards a great cause. Or, if you don’t feel up to it yourself, why not suggest this great activity to any bike enthusiasts you might know?

Nervous about getting back into it? There are some great words of advice on the site, or call me on (07) 3632 8300 with any questions. You can also email me with any questions here.

Happy Cycling!

Jennifer


How to be an Everyday Hero

Published
by
josh
on September 15, 2008
in Community
. 0 Comments

Have you ever wanted to be a part of Karuna’s fundraising team?

Do you want to become involved in Karuna’s work, but don’t have the time to volunteer?

Do you find it hard to give donations through our normal channels, but want to help us make a difference?

I may have an answer for you that can turn your everyday living into giving!

Karuna has recently signed up to Everyday Hero, an innovative website that allows people to raise money for their favourite charity or non-profit through a number of fun and exciting ideas.

You can become an Everyday Hero, set up your own fundraising page and run your own events to raise money for Karuna. This could be as small as a fun run at your local school or a Tux ‘n’ Tails, Diamonds ‘n’ Tiaras ball, complete with silent auctions and raffles.

Once you have set up the page, decided on an event and set a fundraising target, you can email all your friends and encourage them to sponsor you, buy tickets to attend the event or donate directly to Karuna.

If you’re not feeling energetic, you can support a friend, family member or colleague who is running a fundraising event for Karuna. That way you can donate without even breaking a sweat!

If shopping is more your thing, you can register as an Everyday Hero and shop for gifts, services and lots of other fun stuff from the shopping partners listed on the site. These partners have agreed to give a percentage of their profits to the Everyday Hero charities. The idea of registering first is so you can choose Karuna as your charity and ensure a percentage of the money you spend goes directly to Karuna.

So hop on the site and have a look. Once you’re hooked, let all your friends and family know about it. You can even raise money for Karuna by sending them a Hero e-card asking them to join!

It’s a fun, easy way to help us continue to care for the people of Brisbane.

Log on to www.everydayhero.com.au now or call Lisa on (07) 36328317 if you need more information, or some fundraising ideas!

Creating Sanctuary, a new Karuna MindLife Course

Published
by
josh
on September 15, 2008
in Courses
. 0 Comments

We are pleased to announce our final MindLife course for 2008, which aims to help us take time out from the busyness of our lives to replenish our spirit and reconnect with the joy in everyday life.

As we come to the end of another busy year and gear up for the stresses of the Christmas Season, we are offering wonderful opportunity to find ways of creating sanctuary in your life, no matter what the season. You could even think of it as an early Christmas present to yourself!

Over the course of this one day workshop, we will explore the following themes:

  • Transform your barriers to peace
  • Create your own private sanctuary
  • Experience the healing power of silence
  • Identify your pathways to joy

The day will be relaxed and gentle with opportunities for questions and discussions.

About the facilitator:
Priscilla Maxwell is a qualified teacher, health practitioner and counsellor with many years professional experience. Her courses demonstrate how ancient techniques can be applied in the modern world with powerful results.

Cost: $75

Time: 9.30am – 4.30pm

Place: Karuna House, 27 Cartwright Street, Windsor

Download the PDF flyer

Be Green with Karuna & Your Old Mobile Phones

Published
by
josh
on August 19, 2008
in General
. 0 Comments

Did you know there are an estimated 10 million unused mobile phones in cupboards and drawers in homes and offices around Australia? Most of these phones will eventually find their way into landfill, allowing hazardous chemicals such as cadmium to leach into the soil and causing other toxic substances to be generated.

If you are hoarding an old mobile phone, a solution is now at hand! Karuna has signed an agreement with the Aussie Recycling Program to collect old mobiles which will then be shipped overseas for reuse where possible or the materials recycled.

Next time you visit Karuna, you will see a collection box inside our front door where you can place your old mobile phones for recycling. If you have several phones for recycling and are unable to bring them into Karuna, give me a call and I’ll try to make alternative arrangements.

If you can suggest other venues where we could place collection boxes (maybe your workplace or a local library), call me on 3632 8321. Feel free to let friends and family know about this as we would like to make this a successful fundraiser as well as a way to improve the environment.

Thank you for your help.

Evelyn Williames and the Karuna Green Team.

Art Market Memories & Thanks

Published
by
josh
on August 12, 2008
in Community
. 0 Comments

It might have been the lure of another Pro Hart; it might have been the sunshine; it might have been the promise of hundreds of pieces of precious bling at rock bottom prices.

Whatever the combination, the Karuna Pre-Loved Art and Jewellery Market 2008 was an outstanding success. Appetites were whetted by snippets in the local newspapers and magazines, radio announcements and a wonderful piece on Brisbane Extra.

After months of watching the donations roll in and being in awe of the generosity of the community and local businesses, after weeks of logistics, building muscles and worrying we’d forgotten something, after scanning the horizon for dreaded storm clouds, the day finally dawned.

Actually, some of us were up before dawn, but it was with a bleary-eyed smile and the help of an eager band of staff and volunteers that we had the art hung and the bling shining by the time the gates opened at 8am.

The first line of shoppers got the best of the bargains as they walked through hundreds of original paintings, prints, frames and posters. Some headed straight for the jewellery, beads and watches where many a bargain was collected before morning tea.

The Rotary boys had sausages on the go before we knew it; raffle rickets were sold and silent auction bids were rising before our eyes. Right through until 1pm our vollies and staff toiled and smiled, laughing with the customers, negotiating sales and bagging a few of their own as they took well earned rest breaks.

I wish I could name each and every person and local business who helped us out, but I would need more than our small newsletter to fit you all in. Please know that we carry you in our hearts and minds every day. Karuna relies on you and your generosity and good will each and every year, and you never, ever let us down.

Thank you, and thank you to everyone who came along to help us celebrate the day. It raised much needed funds to help Karuna care for the people of Brisbane. And we had some great fun along the way!

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It’s Cool to be Kind

Published
by
josh
on July 10, 2008
in General
. 0 Comments

Reminding kids that it’s cool to be kind was the theme for an innovative partnership between Karuna and QPAC’s Out of The Box Festival in June.

Although coming together at short notice, QPAC and the Backbone Youth Arts Group developed a series of fun workshops for children aged three to eight which were then held in the foyer of the Lyric Theatre over the 6-day festival.

Backbone Youth Arts under the guidance of Artistic Director Fraser Corfield, and his team Lucas Stibbard, Frankie Savige and Rachel Apelt worked with Mark Radvan at QPAC and a band of wonderful Karuna volunteers to bring this to life.

More than 250 children (and many parents) took part in 20 workshops full of storytelling, interactive games and artwork. The children were asked to explore ways of how to be kind to each other and themselves and participating parents created an opportunity for kindness conversations with their children and others in the group.

All the fun and creativity was captured in photos, artwork and comments from the children which was then scanned into a computer with the children’s’ help, and downloaded at the end of each day at the teachings of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Sydney.

In Sydney the artwork, posters and comments were displayed for His Holiness and PowerPoint slides of the work were viewed by 5000 strong audience.

Despite his very hectic schedule, His Holiness took time to look at the artwork and acknowledged Karuna’s initiative to encourage kindness in our community.

Here are some of the children’s thoughts on kindness:

  • Kindness is light blue, because you can get to swim in the ocean and see all the beautiful animals
  • Lollies make me happy, and I share them
  • The first aid kit is a kind thing
  • You can help people plant a garden
  • My friend was really nice to me when some girls were being mean; she told them to go away
  • Ask someone to play with you if they look lonely.

This is the second year Karuna has undertaken the Youth for Kindness project timed to coincide with His Holiness’ visits to Australia.

Our culture of kindness was very well displayed at the event by our dedicated volunteers and Karuna staff.

Thank you to Leesl Ross, Jenny Birt, Jess Frost, Lisa Perry, Josh Birtles, Lorna Edrich and Roshi and Sangeeta Akhil.

Your efforts produced some wonderful material for the State Library Archives and for Karuna’s history of kindness and compassion in our community.

If you would like to know more about the festival or assist Karuna in it’s activities as a volunteer please don’t hesitate to contact our Marketing Manager Lisa Perry on (07) 36328317 or lisa@karuna.org.au

Bridget's Sunflower

Professors

Digitising Kindness

Kind Drawing

Mowing the Lawn

Kind Colouring

Reading to Sister

Ella on Kindness

Ella's Story

Forgiveness

Website Difficulties

Published
by
josh
on June 3, 2008
in Updates
. 0 Comments

Hello there, just a quick update from website admin.

Lately, some of you may have noticed the Karuna Website has been experiencing some technical difficulties. We have restored basic site functionality now, and hope to have it fully operational by the end of the week.

Thank you for your patience.

Josh

4th Annual Karuna Christmas Market

Published
by
josh
on October 15, 2007
in Events
. 6 Comments

Download the Karuna Christmas Market 2007 flyer

The festive season is fast approaching and Karuna’s creative and dedicated team of craft volunteers have been preparing since autumn for the annual Christmas Market in early December.

A sumptuous array of hand-made Christmas treats, decorations, festive food and gifts will be available to decorate and enhance your Christmas celebrations… and best of all your purchases will help to support the work of Karuna, your favourite Brisbane charity.

So mark these dates in your diaries now!!

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