Archive for the 'Updates' Category

5th Annual Karuna Christmas Market

Published
by
jenny
on October 22, 2008
in Community, Events and Updates
. 0 Comments

By supporting Karuna’s 5th Annual Christmas Market on November 21 and 22, you too can join the ranks of the truly organised and have your Christmas tree up, decorated and presents underneath before December arrives!

Our display rooms will include: decorated front door wreaths, swags,  table centre pieces with candles,  Christmas cards and gift tags, all sorts of handmade Xmas decorations, jams, pickles, biscuits and Christmas cakes, Karuna’s famous cranberry sauce, handmade toys, coat hangers, aprons, fun shower caps, tea towels,  cupcakes, Christmas trees, Christmas puddings, hand towels, beautiful handbags, purses and jewellery bags to name a few. There will also be a bumper Christmas raffle with prizes including a unique handcrafted dollhouse and adorable porcelain doll.

Safe in the knowledge that you can stock up on gifts and lovingly handmade decorations, why not reward yourself?  On Friday evening you can immerse yourself in the sounds of the Hillbrook Anglican School choir while you enjoy some scrumptious Christmas cake and a glass of chilled sparkling wine. On Saturday you can enjoy some equally delectable cake and cool fruit juice in the sunshine.

There will also be a kindness tree where you can leave messages in memory of a loved one, or messages for world peace and goodwill.

All proceeds from the Christmas market will go towards Karuna’s free home hospice service and various community programs.

Karuna’s 5th Annual Christmas Market

WHERE?

27 Cartwright Street, Windsor

WHEN?
Friday 21st November from 3pm-7pm

Saturday 22nd November from  9am-3pm

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Jennifer Bligh

07 3632 8300

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

Mandala Books Specials

Published
by
karuna
on February 28, 2008
in Updates
. 0 Comments

Mandala Books has a limited number of hard back editions of the Dalai Lama’s Stages of Meditation selling at the paperback price of $24.95!!! This is the main book for his teachings in Sydney in June so they will sell quickly! Call Mick at Mandala on 3632 8380 to place your order.

Mandala Books is now open every 1st Saturday of the month from 10am to 1pm, starting on the 1st of March. Come along on Saturday to catch some opening specials!

Director’s Message on the 2007 Visit

Published
by
karuna
on September 19, 2007
in Updates
. 0 Comments

With so much going on at Karuna over the past twelve months, it has been one of the most memorable years in Karuna’s history.

One of the most significant developments has been the implementation of a new management framework designed to support the expansion of our existing services and the enhancement of our counselling and spiritual care services to benefit more people in the community. A major focus will also be on developing our marketing and fundraising plan to strengthen the development and expansion of our services.

These initiatives are the result of a recent strategic review which highlighted the opportunity to provide our services to the broader community in response to the growing community need for specialized palliative care programs, including grief and loss counselling and spiritual care.

We are all very excited about the changes that are taking place and we are confident they will improve our ability to continue to provide support for people in the community for many years to come.

Of course we wouldn’t be able to continue our work without the wonderful support from our donors and volunteers. Thank you to everyone who contributed to our June appeal; you have helped us raise in excess of $100,000. We are so grateful for your support and appreciate the kindness you continue to show Karuna.

I am happy to report on another significant highlight for Karuna this year, which was the much anticipated visit from His Holiness the Dalai Lama. During his visit, His Holiness graciously accepted our request to become Karuna’s Spiritual Patron. His Holiness’ patronage will strengthen our spiritual foundation and continue to provide inspiration in our work.

On a final note, I would like to thank Karuna’s co-founder Hilary Clarke for her dedication in helping to build Karuna and in particular the Karuna Community over the past 15 years. We all look forward to her continued support as a valued Karuna volunteer.

Yeshe Khadro

Farewell from Hilary

Published
by
karuna
on September 3, 2007
in Updates
. 0 Comments

‘Our new logo shows ripples quietly flowing outwards within circles of water, emanating from the word Karuna.’

Since 1991, I have had the privilege of working within the team at Karuna, firstly under the Directorship of Ven. Pende Hawter, and since 1996, with Ven. Yeshe Khadro. Both of these inspirational figures have led the growth of Karuna from a small, unfunded and largely volunteer service, into a well-known, highly professional world’s best-practice hospice-at-home service.

Along the way, staff, volunteers, the Board, and our financial supporters have ensured that we have always sought to benefit more families, to extend our model and our range of services, and to positively influence the way our society views and faces loss.

During my time at Karuna I have been fortunate to encounter an amazing array of people, particularly our clients and their families. Over the years, I have taken on a range of roles within the organisation and as a result I have experienced life and death in ways which would just not otherwise have been possible and it has been priceless learning.

As I prepare to take up a position in a new organisation in early September, it is wonderful to see that the Karuna “ripples” continue to flow out into our community, comforting and assisting all those who need reassurance and care.

I would like to thank our past and current Director, Board Members and staff, plus our amazing clients, donors and volunteers, for all you have been to me in my time at Karuna.

Thank you for your ongoing support of Karuna’s work. I wish you all the very best for the future.

–Hilary Clarke

Donation From Australia Zoo

Published
by
karuna
on August 30, 2007
in Updates
. 0 Comments

Karuna Director Yeshe Khadro accepts $15,000 Kindness Week donation. Kindness week was launched at Australia Zoo by His Holiness The Dalai Lama in June. Karuna appreciates this wonderful support from Australia Zoo.

Australia Zoo Donation to Karuna

Welcome Shyla

Published
by
karuna
on August 20, 2007
in Updates
. 0 Comments

I grew up in Adelaide and completed my RN degree there. I’ve nursed in Perth, Melbourne & Adelaide, mainly in paediatric oncology and more recently in paediatric palliative care as a clinical nurse consultant for South Australia and the Northern Territory. This year I’m finishing a masters in Palliative care. I also spent 3 years volunteering, working & travelling in India, Nepal & Mongolia, mainly at FPMT centres. Since 2004 I have been setting up a new international peace organisation for young people (founded by Lama Zopa Rinpoche), LKPY: Loving Kindness Peaceful Youth, which was launched in 2007.

I have grown up as a Buddhist (my father is an old student of Lama Yeshe’s) and Lama Zopa Rinpoche is my main teacher. I’m new to Brisbane and am excited to be a part of the Karuna Team and look forward to meeting everyone. (I’m here until mid September, then I will be overseas for 3 months to finish launching LKPY internationally then from December I will be back at Karuna full-time.)

Shyla.

Welcome Aboard Sharon

Published
by
karuna
on July 23, 2007
in Updates
. 2 Comments

Who knew at the beginning of the year a phone call would change my life, give me the opportunity to meet His Holiness the Dalai Lama and work with such an amazing group of people? After spending much time at home recuperating, I decided to call Karuna and offer my services as a volunteer. To my surprise they said yes.

The first day I walked down the corridor of Karuna, tears welled in my eyes, I felt an overwhelming sense of coming home, I knew I was in for many changes and the beginning of a new chapter in my life. Who new just how much would change!

So I found myself working with the amazing Priscilla and assisting her in organising the volunteers for the big event, His Holiness’s public talk at Boondal. Wow, what an honour to work with Priscilla, a fountain of knowledge and at times my rock and shoulder, I can’t begin to thank her enough for all she has given me.

And now I have been given the honour of staying on as a fulltime staff member, working in clinical administration, thank you YK, Kay, Priscilla and everyone for giving me this opportunity. Here’s to becoming a member of this great Karuna Family.

Love and blessings,

Sharon.