NEWS DESK
Fusion’s friends enjoy gala night THE Friends of Fusion gala dinner at Peninsula Community Theatre on Saturday 15 May raised $21,000. The theme this year was: “It takes a village” which is about coming together as a community, business and communication manager Caitlin Swanton said. “The idea is that we are better when we work together. The village is everyone having a unique place. No one person or organisation is better than another. We all have intrinsic value.” Fusion is a Christian youth and community organisation, headquartered on the peninsula at Mount Martha, which those involved say emerged as a response to sociallyat-risk young people in Australia in 1960. It is part of a national organisation and international movement of people motivated by the belief that "people matter". Fusion has been running this fundraising dinner for several years and says it is "building" every year. “This year we added some new elements,” Ms Swanton said. “With the support of Paula Creek, of Functioning Together, we brought on board a number of sponsors – some organisations who have not worked with Fusion before. It was wonderful to share our story with a new group of people.” Awards aligned with Fusion’s values of justice, mercy, compassion, respect and industry. “These awards were not about anyone being better than anyone else – there were not levels of award, but rather recognising that we all bring something different to the village that is of equal value,”
AT Fusion’s gala dinner are Bendigo Bank Mount Martha event partner Gary Sanford, Sarah Waterworth, Stacey Wakeman and Narelle Lear. Pictures: Lachy/Really Good Weddings Ms Swanton said. “Being a year of initiatives we also invited three young people to be MCs for the night. Peninsula residents Grace Waters, Lachlan Harrison and Matthew Windsor have a podcast: What’s it like? on Spotify.
They talked about life from their perspective. “Again this comes back to the idea that we are all valuable and have something worthwhile to contribute. They were supported by youth worker
Jess Lowe and did a spectacular job.” Tickets for the evening sold out two weeks beforehand. “We even had regulars miss out,” Ms Swanton said. “It was exciting to see the event building to this level of interest.” Fusion’s Gemma Bell shared the stories of two young people with whom Fusion had worked. “Their stories were different,” Ms Swanton said. “They had different problems, different backgrounds, and connected with Fusion in different ways. “Gemma spoke about the fragile and vulnerable nature of these young people and the need for the village to recognise them, and care for them. “Their worth within our village is not waiting until they are adults or educated, or when their life is more together, but right now with every ounce of fragility they bring.”
Prostate help Continued from Page 1 After raising nearly $5000 in one week, Ms Cowley is leading the Sit-Up 45 fundraiser. “At 60 years of age and after just becoming a grandfather, Mark has a lot more living to do,” she said. “This has been a very challenging journey so far – there are great doctors and some great treatments but lots of missing links. “This cancer desperately needs more up-to-date research and so much more support for patients. It is that simple. And this seems the only way forward. “Sometimes the feeling of hopelessness is so overwhelming, but the Sit-Up 45 challenge is something we can all do. You can do something positive by taking part or by donating.” To support Ms Cowley fundraising efforts visit situp45.org. au/fundraisers/juliecowley or to register for PCFA’s Sit-Up 45 challenge, visit situp45.org.au “By doing 45 sit-ups a day during Men’s Health Week you can help raise awareness and fund vital research to prevent more deaths from prostate cancer,” the challenge’s CEO Professor Jeff Dunn said. “We’re taking action against the disease and we need people to join us. Do this for the men you love – fathers, grandfathers, partners and sons who are at risk of this silent killer.” Visit pcfa.org.au or call 1800 220 099.
Mornington News
15 June 2021
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