October 9, 2014
Your news from across the Archdiocese of Perth
Edition #2
Cultural food night fosters diversity A COMMUNITY food night proved to be an exciting demonstration of the benefits of the diversity of Perth recently. On Friday September 26, Personal Advocacy Service partnered with Infant Jesus Parish Morley and local community members to hold “Hoppers Night” – a fundraising night bringing together people of all ages and abilities to experience cultural diversity through food and dance. Hoppers are a Sri Lankan-Indian speciality that consist of a bowl shaped rice pancake eaten with curry. Personal Advocacy Service Director Anabelle May said people of all abilities joined in the fun, food and entertainment. “The event brought
A classical Indian dancer, above, entertained those who attended the “Hoppers Night”, while Bollywood dancers helped with crowd participation. PHOTO: SUPLLIED
about a deeper awareness of peoples willingness to taste food of traditional Sri Lankan and Indian origin. “Many of those that attended also got into the mood by dressing in dif-
ferent ethnic clothes and were well entertained by an accomplished classical Indian dancer,” Ms May said. Bollywood dancers were also part of the event and
helped the crowd to join in the dancing. “Many who attended wanted to know when the next Hopper night was being held and were eager for a little more spice,” Ms May said. Personal Advocacy Service, an agency of the Catholic Archdiocese of Perth, was established in 1989 in response to parents who were seeking ways to enrich the lives of their sons and daughters with intellectual disabilities. They wanted opportunities for their sons and daughters to be included in community life and valued for the contribution they could make to the local community. To find out more about Personal Advocacy Service visit www.paswa.org.au.
Irene McCormack students win IT competition IRENE MCCORMACK Catholic College Just Start IT Team are the winners of the inaugural Curtin University Just Start IT Competition. Competing against 16 other schools, IMCC’s team were awarded with the best start-up business proposal. The Year 10 student team consisting of computer programmers, web graphic designers and analytical market researchers, designed ‘Penny Pledging’, EDITION #2 | OCTOBER 9, 2014
a web application that combines social networking and saving money to create the ultimate ‘kickstarter’ for saving towards financial goals. The judging panel included investors from Bankwest, Microsoft and Informed Technology. The students were mentored by teachers Rob Blair and Lauren Lerace. The team were delighted to be presented with the Just Start IT Trophy and a $5,000 cheque.
L-R – Jessica Jacob, Mr Rob Blair (Head of IT), Ryan Delaney, Ciaran Engelbrecht, Cohen Dennis, Tyler Walsh, Sarah Ayres, Miss Lauren Ierace and Steve Weiser. PHOTO: SUPLLIED