Donations, Events, Fundraising, Newsletter
Term 4 2023
Term 4 2023 Program Highlights
In the final term for 2023, we hosted children from the areas of Granville, Taree, Mid North Coast, Port Macquarie, Lismore, Tweed Heads, Ballina, Campbelltown, Moree, Broken Hill, Sunraysia, Bourke, and the Upper Hunter.
During this final term, we were grateful for the St.George Foundation Community Grant 2023, which helped us fund a cohort of 80 NSW public school children from Lismore, Ballina & Tweed Heads. This region has suffered significant environmental, social and economic adversity due to severe and recurring flooding in 2022.
Reflections for 2023
In closing the year, we reflect on how the Stewart House Program has benefited 1600 children who have participated without cost to their carers.
Our unique residential health and education program aims to boost self-esteem and improve the physical and mental health of the children in our care.
All children were offered medical, dental, and optometric assessments and treatments during their 12-day stay. For those children who needed additional support, we provided counselling.
We hope the children have enjoyed the wide range of rich and rewarding experiences in 2023 and have been inspired to see beyond their present circumstances and to have real hope and positive aspirations for their future.
Fundraising is a top priority to ensure that our program remains accessible to all children in need from across NSW and ACT public schools. To pay for meals, accommodations, transportation, entertainment expenses, and salaries for overnight supervisors, cooks, cleaners, laundry, and maintenance staff, we have needed over $5 million in charitable donations.
$30 will give 1 child healthcare and wellbeing treatment for 1 day
$40 will give 1 child accommodation, transport and catering for 1 day
$60 will give 1 child residential care at Stewart House for 1 day
$130 will give 1 child all the above program benefits for 1 day
$1560 will give 1 child all the above program benefits for their 12-day stay
Please note that these figures represent direct program costs. They do not include overhead, administration or fundraising costs. Donations over $2 are tax deductible!
Thanks to the generosity of our community of supporters, our students enjoy some unique experiences while in residence…
Qantas & Rotary Joy FlightThe Rotary Club of Turramurra and the Qantas Pathfinders invited Stewart House children to travel on the ‘Joey Joy Flight’ on Saturday, 25 November 2023.
Twelve children aged between 9 and 13 years in residence from the regions of Moree and Campbelltown enjoyed a one-hour joy flight over Sydney after departing from Sydney Domestic Airport Terminal.
Qantas has been supporting Turramurra Rotary in creating this unique experience since 1973, and we are genuinely grateful for each invitation!
The Circus was in town!Students from Lismore, Tweed Heads and Ballina were treated to an evening at the Circus. When asked about the show, the consensus was, “The performers were amazing and kept us entertained the whole time”. There was lots of cheering and clapping for the tricks performed by the animals (pigs and dogs).
Our group met the performers after the show, and coincidentally, one circus staff member shared how, as a 12-year-old school child, she stayed at Stewart House and had fond memories.
We thank Stardust Circus for their kindness in providing tickets for what was a wonderful experience for our students.
Kids are good at racing around, so when the Rotary Club of Belrose said they were keen on treating a group of Stewart House children to Hyper Carting at the Entertainment Quarter at Moore Park, we jumped at the chance to (wear them out) deliver the buzz!
They had the entire track to themselves, so it was game-on to see who could circle the fastest. Students from the Mid-North Coast and Port Macquarie enjoyed this exhilarating experience.
Support from the Rotary Club of Belrose is ongoing and highly appreciated throughout the year. In addition to this fabulous Carting experience, valued at $1700, Club members collect gifts for our High Five rewards program throughout the year and at Christmas
School SupportAs the NSW Public Education’s Charity of Choice, we depend on charitable donations to fund our program. In-kind collections of items in high demand help alleviate the financial burden we face in providing essential items to the children in our care.
Chloe & Elise (pictured) delivered a big collection of underwear and socks arranged by our fabulous school supporters at Lindfield East Public School, a school (like many) dedicated to educating their students, staff and community on the importance of philanthropic support of the Stewart House Program. The girls embody the many students in NSW public schools who collect items of necessity throughout the year to support their peers visiting Stewart House.
A comprehensive list of thanks is captured in our Annual Report each year. In this update, we also spotlight the terrific efforts of Barrenjoey PS, Elanora Heights Public School, Mona Vale Public School, Kamaroi Rudolf Steiner School, Beacon Hill Public School, Drummoyne Public School and Dee Why Public School.
Thank you!
In addition to the monetary donations and many instances on top of funding, we receive donations of in-kind goods and services throughout the year. We thank the many individuals, clubs, corporate organisations and social groups for their efforts in providing the extras that are the cherry on top and bring additional cheer to the children.
| A. Cohen | Lindfield East Public School | |
| advancedlife | Lions Club of Manly | |
| Albion Park Anglican Church – “Knit n Natters” Group |
Living Choice Charity Craft Group | |
| Alita Sales | Louis Vuitton Australia & New Zealand | |
| All Saints Albion Park Church – “The Meeting Place” Group |
Marine Rescue NSW | |
| ASCA | Manly Leagues Club | |
| B. & H. Fitzgerald | Manly Sea Eagles | |
| Berkley Village – Craft & Friendship Group |
St Kieran’s Church – “Manly Vale Craft” Group |
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| BioMerieux | Men’s Shed – Breakfast Point | |
| C. & J. Ortlepp | PharmaCare | |
| C. Bennett | St John Evangelist Church – “Pins & Needles” Group |
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| C. McClure | Queenwood | |
| Commonwealth Bank – Manly |
Red Belly Active | |
| D. Ayshford | R. Osborn | |
| Dee Why RSL | Rotary Club of Belrose | |
| Di Jones Real Estate | Rotary Club of Pennant Hills | |
| Dougherty Centre – “Ladies Knitting” Group |
Rotary Club of Turramurra | |
| E. Dewey | Sanitarium | |
| Ecodownunder | SpinMaster | |
| Elanora Country Club | Stardust Circus | |
| Experience Co. | St.George Foundation | |
| Flexischools | Teachers Health | |
| Friends of Stewart House | Teachers Mutual Bank | |
| G. Caris | Telstra Purple | |
| Harbord Diggers – Mounties Group |
The Bear Girls | |
| Harvey Norman | Revesby United Church – “The Knitting Room” Group |
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| K. Grant | W. Cleland | |
| K. Williams | Wakehurst Cricket Club | |
| L. Teiffel |
* A comprehensive list of supporters will be published in our Annual Report for 2023.