Cameron Fairfield-Smith, Charlotte MIddleton, Lynn Douglass (HDEF), Dominika Longbottom, Stewart Bruce (Flexi), Christopher Longbottom. Two lots of $7,676 cheques fundraised from the recent Casino Royale were presented by the Harden Country Club to Murrumburrah-Harden Flexible Care Services and Harden District Education Foundation last Wednesday.
The cheque will be used to support the various social programs conducted by Flexible Care Services. This include the well-attended monthly social lunches by many of their clients, drawing on popular eating venues. Although MHFCS receive government grants from time-to-time, Chairperson Stewart Bruce said it is fundraising that has been crucial in the organisation more recently. “Fundraising is becoming more and more important to meet the need of our expanding services,”
Mr Bruce said. “We are more than grateful to the Harden Country Club for their support towards us. Funds raised from the Casino Royale games night will be put to good use in supporting the work we do with the vulnerable, frail-aged and disadvantaged people of our local community.” Another noteworthy program is the excursion program, where the FCS transport coordinator organises trips to interesting locations using the Services’ two buses. This includes visiting silo artworks in other towns, the rustic maze, historic Jugiong environs, and exhibitions in Canberra to name a few.
MHFCS Chairperson Stewart Bruce added the cheque will help their social programs go a long way. “Our social programs are especially important at this time as many are coming off the year it was in 2020 and are looking to interact socially with others,” he said. “This is crucial for those with limited mobility who really enjoy our lunchtime experiences.” For the Harden District Education Foundation, the cheque will go towards assisting Harden’s youth, primarily students going on to tertiary studies as well as onto apprenticeships.
HDEF Secretary and Bursary Coordinator Lyn Douglass said the Foundation recently instigated a new program for Murrumburrah High School students, based on their conduct and not necessarily on academic results. The program will run through MHS students’ high school years and it culminates in a one-off prize of $10,000 to be received at the end of Year 12 to facilitate their future career choices. This award is titled “The Alumni of Distinction Award” and it was claimed in 2020 by Abbey Wade. Additionally, the Foundation assists every primary school in the area with funding for their school camps, sometimes for new academic programs, and any other extraordinary expense they may have. “We assist Bunyip Preschool by paying the fees of those disadvantaged children whose parents could otherwise not afford it,” Lyn said. “We assist the Jugiong Writers Festival as it directly benefits the youth of our community. “We are always open to providing financial assistance to further students prospects for a good future.”
