It has been a busy few weeks for the Tocumwal Optimists, with an impressive guest speaker and an enjoyable social outing.
The guest speaker for their last meeting was Jacquie Ashton, a former journalist with the Sydney Morning Herald and a former human rights lawyer.
Jacquie advocated for the rights of refugees and asylum seekers.
She has visited numerous countries where there were many displaced citizens (refugees) due primarily to war, famine and floods.
Jacquie also entered several Australian detention centres and said she was appalled at the plight of the refugees, particularly the children. Subsequently, she was interviewed several times for various television programs.
The Tocumwal Optimists appreciated Jacquie’s passion and amazing stories of her experiences.
On a lighter note, Optimist members participated in a social outing to Cobram cinema to see Fly Me To The Moon, followed by afternoon tea. All members attending thoroughly enjoyed the movie day.
The Optimists are preparing for their major garden trolley raffle and street stall to be held in October.
Preparations are also under way for another major fundraiser. Watch this space for details!
Tocumwal Optimists may be contacted via phone by calling secretary Marg Dixon on 0419 438 887 or president Glenda Burns on 0499 311 620.
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The Tocumwal Community Op Shop is holding a massive winter sale with half price on all winter stock.
Profits from sales made on their shop are well-used, with donations being made regularly to local groups.
All funds raised go back into our community and this is a great way to support the Op Shop during this massive sale.
If you have spare time that you may be able to donate to this organisation, please drop in and pick up an application form to complete and return.
The shop is located at 50 Murray St, Tocumwal and is open Monday to Saturday from 9am.
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The team at CED received a simple text message that has now turned into them undertaking a whole new initiative by supporting TradeMutt’s Funky Shirt Friday.
As a business, CED feels strongly about supporting their staff and their families, including those from Tocumwal.
TradeMutt has created funky workwear designed to start conversations about mental health and make the invisible impossible to ignore.
They have also created TIACS, a free and professional text and call counselling service for Australia’s tradies, truckies, farmers and blue-collar workers.
Anyone can call or text 0488 846 988 for free mental health support.
Last week marked the third Friday that CED has participated in TradeMutt’s Funky Shirt Friday, and already they have had staff being asked what the shirts are about.
A few tradies on a large worksite also knew about the shirts, which was also a great conversation starter.
It ties in well with their annual R U OK? Day in September, with plans under way for this year’s event alongside CED’s close work with Southern Riverina Wellbeing Collaborative in the coming year.
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If you have something of interest for inclusion in the ‘Tocumwal Tells’ column or are celebrating a special event, email leonie.smith1725@gmail.com or call on 0432 261 296.