Community Outreach programs
Menzies College has been at the forefront of outreach and development work both locally and internationally.
Six years ago, students began raising funds to support charitable work both in Australia and in Cambodia. Our vision was of students in college working together to increase their own awareness of the plight of others with fewer of the advantages they perhaps took for granted (such as good health, freedom from hunger, access to education and family) and helping to raise funds for particular projects.
Our highest expectations were exceeded. The college, with its friends and supporters, raised $10,000 for very deserving causes and projects. In 2006, over $8000 has been raised and donated to carefully selected organisations in Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand and Australia.
Community Outreach activities range from cocktail parties, to raffles and 40-hour famines, to auctions of resident services and parties. Proceeds from the College’s annual production, along with donations from parents and friends, help to make a difference.
In addition to supporting overseas projects, the college’s work assists a variety of local causes. Menzies has organised winter sleep-outs to assist the homeless, several blood drives to raise funds for students at risk, and worked for food vans for the city’s disadvantaged.
Several new projects are planned to take place in our local community, including:
Aged Care
We encourage residents to organise links with one or more local aged care facilities. Such a link will facilitate visits, entertainment, social events, excursions and on-going support.
Menzies Annual Appeal
Menzies residents will be encouraged to organise and plan an annual fundraising event for the college’s community fund. This may take the form of a market which would include food stalls, second hand goods stalls, and entertainment.
Teaching English to Migrants
We’d love to organise English conversation programs for local migrant groups, offering access to both native speakers and Menzies hospitality.
