Projects

RCNS participates in a number of projects. Our projects focus on community service as well as fundraising for charities, larger causes and the Rotary Foundation.

Projects are identified through other Rotary clubs and districts and through our community. Cub members are encouraged to put forward their ideas for projects that they may be passionate about. Each year the RCNS board reviews its commitments for the incoming year.

This club has been active in contributing to both the organising and delivery of various Rotary Youth initiatives.

The Community Kitchen (Merewether)

Helping with preparation, Peter and Joeline Sewakiryanga with Wendy Hawthorne at Merewether Community Kitchen on Tuesday 17th March.

The Community Kitchen (Merewether) provides a free 3 course meal to more than 80 people each Tuesday, February to Christmas.

The meal is provided for all who are in need of food and/or companionship and food is given to take home. Those who attend include unaccompanied teenagers, young families, adult singles and couples who would otherwise be isolated and undernourished. This project has been added to our calendar in February 2015 and we will assist on five occasions from March to November.

Uganda Special Project

Child with Peter Sewakiryanga

In July 2013, a visitor from the Rotary Club of Kampala Muyenga Breeze attended one of our RC Newcastle Sunrise breakfast meetings. Rotarian Pastor Peter Sewakiryanga was accompanied by Allan Semeatya. Allan survived an attempt to be sacrificed, and required corrective neurosurgery as a result of wounds inflicted by a witch doctor. Read more in The Newcastle Herald about neurosurgeon Dr John Christie and plastic surgeon Dr Nick Moncrief donating their time to insert a plastic plate into the space to repair Allan’s scalp so hair will cover his scar.

In Uganda, children live in fear of child sacrifice, driven by unscrupulous witch doctors and their accomplices or fraudulent traditional healers who claim they can bring power, prosperity and money.

Peter attended meetings on two or three more occasions while in the Newcastle area.

Peter attended meetings on two or three more occasions while in the Newcastle area, and so after further liaison with Peter Sewakiryanga and the Rotary Club of Muyenga Breeze in Kampala, Newcastle Sunrise is now developing a project to help publicise and prevent child sacrifice under the auspices of the Kyampisi Childcare Ministries.

Our fund raising dinner on 17 September raised over $2400 for the above project.

In late November 2014, Dr Christie will be in Kampala donating his time and services to a “neurosurgery camp” supported by the Rotary Club of Kampala Muyenga Breeze.

The School of St Jude

In February 2002, Gemma Sisia (nee Rice) from Northern NSW in Australia, founded The School of St Jude in Arusha, Tanzania, East Africa. The classroom doors at The School of St Jude have been open for ten years now. As a charity-funded school, St Jude’s provides a free, high-quality education to over 1,500 of the poorest children of Arusha Region, Tanzania, while also providing boarding for over 1,000 students.

RCNS has provided resources to The School of St Jude. Pictured above, two young students with a plaque acknowledging our support.

Hunter Wetlands

At an intervals of about two months, members of RCNS spend a Saturday morning at the Hunter Wetlands centre at Shortland. This haven for water birds is a not-for-profit initiative that is one of the Hunter’s virtually unknown gems. The team has a gardening task, such as weeding, planting or mulching and it always is a case of many hands make light work. A social cool drink or a coffee on the viewing deck completes the session.

Ronald McDonald House

RCNS provides the food and members prepare the evening meal for the guests at the Ronald McDonald House, at the John Hunter Hospital campus, around five times through the year.

Ronald McDonald House is an affordable home-away-from-home for the families of seriously ill children being treated at nearby hospitals. Rather than spend the night in a hospital waiting room, family members can stay in comfort at a Ronald McDonald House and receive support from staff, volunteers or other families who are sharing similar experiences. Facilities include private family rooms with en-suites and common kitchens, lounges, quiet rooms and play areas.

Bald & Beautiful

An annual day of pampering for adults with cancer and their carers. It is held at Wests Leagues Club in early May. Read more on the Bald & Beautiful website.