“Losing a loved one is an experience many people find very difficult to cope with. In this newsletter we bring you the stories of Rona and Lenore, who are “starting over”.
When I think of Karuna, the words “hidden treasure” come to mind. I was lucky enough to have found my hidden treasure when Karuna came into our lives to provide palliative care for my beloved husband,Bill, during the last weeks of his battle with cancer.We were both amazed that such help was available and so willingly given. The nurses were angels who gave compassionate care with a loving, patient, “nothing is too much trouble” manner. They dealt with the practicalities of our situation, showing me the best ways to cope from day to day and offered support when I felt inadequate - they also mopped up some tears! They all have my undying gratitude.
The story doesn’t end there! After some bereavement counselling sessions, all amazing and all incredibly free, I came to see that life does go on and that although recently retired from the workforce, I could still make a useful contribution to the community I had no idea just what form this would take, but the answer soon became clear - volunteer for Karuna! Now, I enjoy the privilege of working on the library in the beautiful Karuna House and helping out with other
office tasks. I have met some of the Family Support Volunteers,who offer respite to families in need of “time out” (more hidden treasure here). I’ve spent time working at the Pre-loved Art Market and the Christmas Market, and have seen the phenomenal effort that goes into fundraising. I’ve seen the staff and other volunteers, all very special people, working till they’re exhausted but always still able to smile - Karuna is addictive and inspiring!
In its own quiet way Karuna’s influence spreads out to those around its people,who, like me, share our stories with family and friends, neighbours and acquaintances. We have received enormous benefits from Karuna’s extraordinary care and compassion, and hopefully the ripples continue spreading outwards… I encourage you to help Karuna in any way you can.
–Lenore Hutson, Karuna Volunteer
We are delighted to acknowledge the recent support of the Brisbane Broncos, through the Brisbane Broncos Charities Fund through a donation of $2,330 for us to purchase an electric bed for the comfort of our home-based patients. On behalf of all our client families, thank you very much and GO BRONCOS!!!
While it has not yet been formally announced, some of you will be aware of the impending visit by His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Brisbane next June. This is a huge, albeit brief, event for the whole Karuna family and we do hope, and intend, that everyone is able to attend at least one of the events that are currently being planned. Perhaps you want to mark the date in your diary - Wednesday June 13 2007.
The Steering Committee will be calling for volunteers to assist with the Brisbane visit over the coming months. Current team members are very excited and honoured to be involved in this special time and very much look forward to welcoming others to the team.
CALLING for assistance. At this early stage, we are seeking to make contact with those who might assist with kindness-related community activities connected to the visit. We are planning some activities to engage the Brisbane, and wider Queensland, community around the idea of kindness, so integral to the teachings of His Holiness. We are taking an inclusive approach and working towards involving school children and the broader community in actions arising from a kind heart.
In particular, right now we are looking for a small band of savvy helpers who may offer the benefit of their knowledge as teachers (current and ex), journalists (current and ex), IT or eventsplanning people. We also need someone with some good organizational skills who has time to assist with co-ordination. Please contact us for more details.
Recent funding from two groups will allow us to upgrade one of our fleet vehicles in which nurses and counsellors visit our home-based clients. The Reuben Pelerman Benevolent Foundation, based on the Gold Coast kindly made a grant of $5,000 to us to support our work with families.
Ikebana International Brisbane Chapter 79 hosted an Open Garden with Ikebana displays on May 13, which raised $4,000. The event was held in tribute to Mrs Esme Dyer, a former Karuna client and Ikebana International Member.
Our sincere thanks to both these groups for their generosity to our community.
Karuna enjoys support from a diverse range of groups and individuals. One group, the Knights of the Southern Cross (QLD) Inc Brisbane Branch 56, has for several years fundraised for Karuna by holding a St Patrick’s celebration night.
We would like to thank our gallant Knights for once again holding a successful evening on March 25th, which raised much needed funds for Karuna.
Our grateful thanks to the Lioness Club of Beachmere, who recently held a fancy dress ball, and donated the proceeds to Karuna, to help provide our service in their area. We appreciate your ongoing support of Karuna very much.
I am delighted to learn from the Tibet Information Office in Canberra that the year 2006 is being observed as the Year of Tibet in Australia and New Zealand.
On behalf of Tibetans, both in and outside Tibet, I wish to express my appreciation to you all for your continuing interest and support in our non-violent efforts for freedom and justice.
I understand that members of the Parliamentary Group for Tibet as well as some other parliamentarians, at both the Federal and State level, actively support the present process of dialogue to produce concrete results for a settlement to the Tibetan issue.
As A Tibetan I have the moral responsibility to make every effort to bring an end to the sufferings of my people. I remain committed in finding a lasting solution that will mutually benefit the Tibetans as well as Chinese peoples.
I also want to thank the Tibetan Support Groups and Dharma Centres in Australia and New Zealand for their support in our efforts for the protection and preservation of our Tibetan identity, culture, the fragile environment, and towards finding a mutually acceptable solution to the issue of Tibet.
As you may have heard, I have accepted an invitation to visit Australia and New Zealand in 2007, and I look forward to it.
If you haven’t dropped by Karuna House lately, you’re in for a very pleasant surprise!
In the space of a couple of months, what was a dry and dusty wasteland at the front of Karuna House has been transformed into a magnificent Queensland garden including hundreds of plants generously donated by John Hawkins of Hawkins Home and Garden Centre. The flora ranges in size from a grand Magnolia tree and splendid Cuban Royal palms to what will be delicate little lotus flowers floating in an attractive central fountain when completed.
Designed by heritage architect Desley Campbell-Stewart and constructed by Lindsay Pratt of Harmony Landscapes, the new gardens provide a truly magnificent setting for our 19th century homestead, Karuna House, formerly known as Rosemount Villa. Of course Rosemount is no stranger to beautiful gardens especially rose gardens from which the property is originally thought to have taken its name. (In fact one of the original heritage listed rose gardens still remains on the property to this day.)
Mr Alfred Jones lived at Rosemount in the 1880’s when the property’s spacious 75 acres sprawled from Lutwyche Road right down to the banks of Breakfast Creek along what is now Cartwright St. He became famous throughout the colony for his impressive bush houses with their fine selection of native orchids, tree ferns and staghorns which were found and collected for him by the local Turrbul aboriginal people from the then virgin bush of adjacent Kelvin Grove.
The grand carriage way which once led up to the front entrance of Rosemount Villa from Lutwyche Road in the 19th century has been partially re-created in the new garden at Karuna House by an avenue of stately Cuban Royal palms.
Poinciana, frangipani and yellow flame trees have been set off with generous plantings of camellia, cordyline, gardenia, mock orange, agapanthus and jasmine throughout the new gardens. A Buddhist Stupa is planned as a feature outside the reception area in the not too distant future. A stupa is a monument common throughout Buddhist culture which represents the qualities of an enlightened mind (eg wisdom and compassion). Such monuments are beautifully crafted and
decorated to inspire and uplift us.
