Christian Outreach Centre/Global Care. CANBERRA LAUNCH FOR 2013 GLOBAL CARE’S NATIONAL OTHERS WEEK The second annual National Others Week will be officially launched at 11 am on June 27 in Parliament House, Canberra, by the Shadow Minister for Families, Housing and Human Services, Hon Kevin Andrews MP, representing the Opposition Leader Hon Tony Abbott MP. Mr Andrews also launched the inaugural National Others Week last year, describing it as a means of developing a greater awareness of, and appreciation for, the people around us in our community. He said: “National Others Week grows out of the Global Care motto, ‘mates helping mates’, and during this very special week, beginning on the first Sunday in November, I want to encourage people all over Australia to look beyond their own four walls and to be a ‘mate’ to someone else. “It is all about others – putting others before ourselves – and for just one week, let’s all get together to bless others, because we know that in helping others, we also help ourselves in so many ways.” Global Care’s National Director, Peter Pilt, said last year’s National Others Week had surpassed all expectation, lighting a fire that had spread not only across this nation but into several others including the UK, NZ, Chile and the Pacific Islands. “This has obviously touched a nerve in the psyche of people – in spite of lives that seem busy and often self-obsessed, the truth is that in all of us there is an underlying spark of goodness and generosity that is only waiting to be released and activated. “Last year, we had reports pouring in of National Others Week activities, ranging from a High Tea for women with breast cancer and encouragement for anti-bullying groups at schools, to someone anonymously paying for a family’s groceries and school fees, and some kids weeding an old lady’s garden. “It doesn’t matter whether it’s large or small, personal or corporate – as long as it is from the heart, and helps someone else. “Kindness is the manifestation of goodness within humanity. Kindness has an immense power to bring out the good in the character of others. Kindness is love in action, love in shoe leather. “John Wesley said: ‘Do all the good you can by all the means you can in all the ways you can in all the places you can at all the times you can to all the people you can as long as ever you can’. “What if we all lived like that? What if that creed informed our very life? It would prove in a very real way my oft-repeated admonition that life is, indeed, a team sport. “National Others Week is all about putting others and kindness back onto both our national and personal agenda. “Global Care, as the National Others Week founder and organiser, is working with local councils, schools, universities, service clubs and other community and corporate groups to get behind this great initiative in every possible way. “Westpac, our major corporate partner, is actively promoting National Others Week through all its branches, and will be represented at the official launch in Canberra by Andrew Buttsworth, a senior member of Westpac’s Institutional Banking team in Canberra. “National Others Week will build further on the momentum of last year, both in Australia and overseas – National Others Week will be launched in the UK by Hon Tom Brake, the Deputy Leader of the House of Commons. “Global Care is the social justice and disaster relief arm of Christian Outreach Churches, and has been honoured publicly by the Governor-General, Prime Minister, Federal Opposition Leader and three State Premiers for its work in the Kinglake bushfire disaster and Queensland floods,” he said. (See 1 below). Speakers at the National Others Week Launch at Parliament House, Canberra, at 11 am on June 27, will include guest of honour Hon Kevin Andrews MP (officially representing the Federal Opposition Leader Tony Abbott MHR), Global Care National Director Peter Pilt, Westpac’s Andrew Buttsworth, and Global Care Bundaberg Coordinator Heather Boon, who will talk about Global Care’s role in the recent tornado and flood disaster recovery there. Global Care’s ever popular and iconic mascot “Bluey” will also make a special appearance and make some new “mates” in Canberra. (1) … Global Care is the social justice and natural disaster arm of Christian Outreach Centre churches (COC). National and State leaders have praised the work of Global Care in messages published in recent COC Annual Reports, including: The Governor-General, Her Excellency the Honourable Quentin Bryce AC CVO: As you champion Christian values, your devotion inspires goodwill and provides a source of support to people in times of stress and difficulty. We saw this as your members gave assistance during the Queensland floods as Global Care volunteers. They were there, responding to calls for help, rebuilding homes and the lives of those affected, maintaining a reassuring presence of compassion and hope (COC 2011 Annual Report). The Prime Minister, Hon Julia Gillard MP: Australia’s long Christian heritage stems from our earliest years as a nation. From those earliest years, the Christian values of altruism and service to others – charity and loving-kindness – have been a light to our nation … I particularly commend the volunteers of Global Care, your disaster recovery arm. In recent times we have known an unprecedented number of natural disasters. The Global Care motto of “mates helping mates” is a marvelous illustration of the connection between Christian charity and the Australian way. Through flood and fire, Global Care volunteers have helped countless Australians (COC 2012 Annual Report). The Opposition Leader, Hon Tony Abbott MHR: Christianity has been central to human history for the past 2,000 years. In Australia, it has underpinned our laws and institutions, particularly the important principle that the rights and dignity of an individual must always be respected. I also congratulate you for the work of Global Care, the disaster relief arm of the Christian Outreach Centre. From the aftermath of the floods in Queensland to the Victoria bushfires, Global Care volunteers have been there to provide a helping hand to people and communities in trouble (COC 2012 Annual Report). The NSW Premier Hon Barry O’Farrell MP: Congratulations on another successful year … the growth over the past year of both the Christian Outreach Centre and Global Care is evidence of not only your successes but also reflects on the effectiveness of your mission. I am proud to see an Australian organisation which has spread worldwide and has such a global impact … On behalf of NSW I commend the fantastic work done through the Global Care disaster relief initiative and wish the Christian Outreach Centre another successful year (COC 2012 Annual Report) The Victorian Premier Hon Ted Baillieu MLA: Christian Outreach Centre Australia has completed another year of service and ministry to people in need across Australia. The important element about COC Australia is that apart from providing spiritual support and care, their work is practical, direct and important … In short, the outcomes outlined in this annual report show achievements and help on the ground, rather than aspiration. This is especially evident with the continuing help given to Victorians faced with the results of devastating bushfire and flood. I congratulate you for a year of engagement, support and nurture – and for simply being a friend to those facing adversity (COC Annual Report 2012). The Queensland Premier Hon Campbell Newman MP: In a world of constant change, it is reassuring to know that faith communities like Christian Outreach Centre (COC) Australia are growing strong. Your global network of churches administers an antidote for the mounting stresses and complexities of this modern age. I’m proud that COC and your disaster relief arm Global Care started in Queensland, but even more proud that your ministry and charitable works now extend way beyond State lines. Several members of my Parliamentary team belong to your 150,000 strong congregation, so I am familiar with your mission to provide comfort and relief to those in need throughout the world, and, here in Australia, to deliver a quality Christian education to our young people … I welcome and highly value your efforts in building up the spiritual and emotional health of our people, which is, after all, where true prosperity lies (COC Annual Report 2012).
Posted on: Tue, 25 Jun 2013 11:59:41 +0000
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