Soroptimist International South West Pacific

Each year, Soroptimist Clubs are invited to nominate a project for the Best Practice Award. The projects need to demonstrate their excellence in planning, administering, execution and evaluation of the a project to transform lives for women and girls around the Federation, This is a prestigious award, showcasing projects which have achieved results.

These are the winners for 2025 for projects undertaken and delivered during 2024.

Education

WINNER - SI Joondalup - East Timor '24
Report ID: 20240607102648

SI Joondalup for their East Timor '24 project, a project focused on Leadership, Skills Transfer and building partnerships.

SI Joondalup had for many years built up a professional association with two young academics from Timor Leste (previously East Timor). SI Joondalup funded Pascoela Barreto and Maria Guterres, both women had been working in their chosen professions for 10 years, The women were previous scholars recipeients from SI Joondalup.

Pascoela Barreto is a leading educationalist in women's cancer in Timor Leste, where there are no mammograms, radiation or chemotherapy with the only option open for women with cancer being surgery after which they are sent home. While in Western Australia Pascoela visited hospitals, hospices, breast cancer clinics and medical research institutes. This resulted in numerous connections and professional support including a number of medical professionals offering to travel to Timor Leste to assess where help could be provided.

Maria Guterres manages the main library in Dili and was faced with lack of literacy in adults and children, limited books, at least four major languages spoken and many dialects. Maria was able to visit a number of local libraries, The State Library of Western Australia, The WA Museum and the Noongar Boodjar Language centre. Funding from the Brilliant Futures Fund was sourced to help undertake this project.

Read a more details report on the project at the Brilliant Futures fund project page Brilliant Futures Fund

Image is of Pascoela Barreto and Maria Guterres with Professor Andrew redfern at The Harry Perkins medical research Institute

HIGHLY COMMENDED - SI Moreton North - SIMNI 2024 Shining A Light on Invisible Illnesses (SAL) Project
Report ID: 20241207105744

SI Moreton North project focused on SDG 3 (Ensure healthy lives and promote well being for all at all ages).

Project aim was to remove the sitgma associated with invisible illnesses. This includes people living with an acquired brain injury and other related mental health and wellbeing issues and their carers. They wanted to promote a greater awareness and understanding of the challenges that they face on a daily basis.

The project paid particular attention to Vetfordia to support Veterinarians (who have the highest suicide rate of any profession) and organisations like SMEAC Inc. that support Veterans who live with PSTD. The club had many community partners, including significantly Civic Solutions. All worked together to reach across their community capturing many demographic groups.

Elimination of Violence

WINNER: SI Melaka - Personal Safety for Children Project
ID 20241203084029

SI Melaka project addressed SDG 5(Gender Equality) Target 5.2. The goal was to educate young children about their right to personal safety and bodily autonomy. With an aim to empower children with the knowledge and tools to recognize boundaries, understand the importance of consent, and speak up if they feel unsafe. Additionally, the project which consisted of a series of workshops which seek to raise public awareness about the importance of teaching children these fundamental rights, fostering a community that supports and protects children.

The project was adopted from SI Club of Bangsar which had been conducting the project in English for many years; however, SI Melaka decided to duplicate this programme in Chinese to cater to the large Chinese-speaking community in Melaka. This project impacted 24 women and 75 girls

HIGHLY COMMENDED - SI Moreton North -2024 Maprik Papua New Guinea - 16 Days of Activism Forum Orange the World
Report ID: 20241219061913

SI Moreton North project focused on SDG 5 (Gender Equality) Target 5.1.

Family violence in Papua New Guinea is an emergency. Women across the country are enduring brutal attacks. Officials neglect survivors’ needs for safety, services and justice. SIMNI Members in Maprik wanted to raise awareness and participate in the global Orange the World and 16 Days of Activism to Eliminate all Forms of Violence by organising a community forum. This was a continuation of the successful 16 Days of Activism organised in 2023.

This year they held a community forum with keynote speakers raising awareness of family and domestic violence and sexual assaults. The forum was attended by the Mayor, a Community Development Officer. Several people attended including young men and everyone was encouraged to wear orange. Local Church Groups, Universities, Schools and Businesses, Government Official Law Enforcement Officers, and Nana Kundi Crisis Centre Support Workers were part of the organising committee.

Number of women helped: 100, No of Girls helped 30 and others 55

Economic Empowerment

WINNER - SI Adelaide, Fix Child Support Campaign Phase 2
Report ID: 20250104120524

This advocacy report addressed SDG 1 (End Poverty) Target 1.4

1 in 6 Australian children currently live in poverty; many in Single Mother families (SMF) The issue of Child Support (much of which is unpaid) within Australia, has deep impact on SMF and their Children. Unpaid Child Support currently stands at $1.7BILLION owed to 500,000 Australian children. https://fixchildsupport.com.au/

In 2022, SI Adelaide became acutely aware of the child support crisis in Australia during their 2022 advocacy work for Single Parent Payments. While successfully campaigning to extend these payments until children turn 14 (instead of 8), they uncovered deeply troubling systemic failures in Australia's child support scheme and the multiple burdens this puts on single mother families

In their Phase 2 campaign, they sought to separate Child Support from Family Tax Benefits, preventing financial manipulation of vulnerable families.

Next, they advocated for involving survivors of financial abuse in redesigning the system to close exploited loopholes. Thirdly, they pushed for centralizing all child support collection through the Australian Taxation Office to ensure consistent enforcement and making the government responsible for collecting unpaid child support.

Health

WINNER - Moreton North - 2024 International Gynae Awareness Day (IGAD) - Vulva Cancer Education
Report ID: 20241215111422

The project addressed addressed SDG 3 and Target 3.7

Women are generally reluctant to talk about their gynaecology health issues - that includes with each other, their family and also with their local doctor due to age old taboos surrounding womens genitalia including self-examinations and seeking medical assistance and early intervention. The club members attended a Queensland Government Community Cabinet Meeting with their local MP and other relevant ministers in the state to raise awareness of this project and to discuss the funded research into vulva cancer that is being piloted.

Club research revealed that there is very little literature available, or conversations had, about women’s genatalia including female genital mutilation (FGM). By working in partnership with others, they facilitated and organised live events, and undertook research into what the government funds regarding women’s gynae cancers.

With the knowledge and expertise of their club member, Kath Mazzella who is ecognised Internationally as an advocate and investigative associate for Women's Gynae Health the club has been able to link up with several women's groups and medical associations. Outcome is that some practical resources will be created under the guidance of Kath Mazzella to reduce the stigmas associated with talking about vulva cancer and other related gynae health issues. Kath Mazzella a keynote speaker at a Zoom Meeting presentation on International Gynae Awareness Day (IGAD). The presentation was turned into a YouTube to share with other people. They also extended the invitation to SI members globally and had attendees from Albania, UK, PNG, Japan and Germany.

HIGHLY COMMENDED - Launceston - Pamper Day for Women with a Disability 2024
Report ID 20240403014557

This project addressed SDG 10 Target 10.2

The club identified limited social inclusion opportunities for women with a disability within the community. These women are often excluded from activities that other women take for granted, such as attending a day spa or beauty salon. It is difficult for this group of women to make connections and friendships and to experience acceptance and belonging. There are also limited opportunities for women with a disability to play an integral role in planning projects that will make a difference in their lives, leading to feelings of disempowerment.

This project was an opportunity to do something ‘with’ them rather than ‘for’ them. The aim was to develop a pamper day specifically for women with a disability and their citizen advocates, and to place women at the centre of planning the activity. They planned and organised the pamper day, accessed funding; liaised with Citizen Advocacy ; on the day they served food and drinks; offered nail painting and provided arts and crafts activities; assisted professional providers; provided wellness bags for each participant; chatted with participants and ensured a positive experience for everyone; providing at least 75 volunteer hours to make the day a success. This project helped 19 women and 1 girl.

View a video of the activities here

Food Security

WINNER - SIROM - Sustainable Food Security for Rural Communities
Report ID: 20241223122040, 20241116075612, 20241228032353

The project addressed SDG2 and several others

SDG’s along the way. The project has taught indigenous families in 3 villages to grow vegetables and aquaponic farming . The project helped approx.130 women and 60 girls.

Goals obtained:

Empowerment of the women villagers

Generated sustainable economic activities and was able to generate income for the beneficiaries as they are also paid a daily wage for their services.

Empowered to sell their produce/ products and improve entrepreneurship. Sales and earnings were monitored.

Housewives, are now successful farmers who have become breadwinners of their families and can independently improve their families’ farms and livelihoods.

For the girls who did not complete their formal schooling, the project gave them an opportunity to learn new skills and expose them to entrepreneurship.

HIGHLY COMMENDED - SI Moreton North - 2024 Seeds of Friendship Darapap Village PNG
Report ID: 20241217074323

Seeds of Friendship Community Garden Project is creating an Above Ground Community Garden to combat food insecurity caused by rising sea levels. we’re working with local women to grow vegetables for sustenance and income . Running through 2024 and beyond, This initiative fosters food security, economic empowerment, and resilience for the community with plans to include a solar powered desalination plant through a separate funding proposal. So far 87 poles have been installed with construction of the garden platform over the tidal land to start once the remaining materials can be transported to the build site. The existing 120 vegetable gardens in the village are thriving and continue to provide each household in the village with food and excess produce to sell and trade. 400 women and 75 girls have benefitted. This project was enabled by a $10,000 grant from the Brilliant Futures Fund. Read more on this project here https://www.siseap.org/projects/federation-project-new.html

Disaster Relief

HIGHLY COMMENDED: SI Moreton North - PNG Disaster recovery after the earthquake.
Report ID: 20241222111750

SI Moreton North members who reside in Maprik PNG, undertook this project is response response to the 2024 6.9-magnitude earthquake in Maprik, East Sepik Province, our SI Club collaborated with local government on a year-long disaster relief initiative, assessing impacted families, delivering emergency supplies, and distributing relief payments to enhance community resilience and mitigate long-term impacts.

Environmental Sustainability

WINNER: SI Penang - Rehabilitation of Abandoned Shrimp Ponds to Seaweed Farming for Climate Mitigation, Food Security, Education and Local Community Development
ID 20240910085954

This environment project promoted ecosystem-based mechanisms to help a coastal community in the northern coast of Malaysia. The objective is to help the environment and the community plan and manage their marine resources effectively. This community is living in an environment which is heavily challenged by climate change such as unpredictable rainfall and storm surges and negative side-effects of shrimp farming such as habitat loss and degradation to land and water. This project repurposes abandoned shrimp ponds which are no longer functional into sustainable seaweed farms. Seaweed has the ability to sequester carbon dioxide and restore contaminated seawater thus contributing to climate mitigation efforts. This project focuses on the local women and local fishermen who are affected by lack of economic opportunities and lack of productive farming infrastructure. Seaweed cultivation has shown to conserve marine resources in affected areas using nature-based solution and encouraging a shift to sustainable seaweed farming that empowers farmers and improves livelihoods.

HIGHLY COMMENDED: SI Logan - Sustainable Styles by Soroptimists
ID 20241118111940

The aim of this project was to bring awareness to the increasing amount of clothing that goes into landfill and the sustainable practices used to reduce waste through prevention, reduction, recycling and reusing and fits with SDG 12 Target 12.5. According to the Australian Institute Research the amount of clothing items that are disposed of yearly is ever increasing which is fuelling a fast fashion waste process. The project focused on the effects on the environment because of the clothing industry; the commercial attempts to deal with the problem and fundraising held through the sale of preloved clothing and accessories. It also acted as an opportunity for women and small business owners to be actively engaged in the event.

HIGHLY COMMENDED: SI Waimea - Repair with Flair
ID 20240901052855

The target audience was 7 - 13 year students, who were given the challenge to repair, reuse, upcycle, reinvent unword or discarded clothing. Club members were approached by college aged students at their 2023 event called "The Clothing Revolution" to hold a similar event the next year 2024 and target specifically for their age group. After this approach the club decided to hold another event specifically for college aged students, years 7 to 13 to raise awareness about their clothing and challenge them to repair, reuse, upcycle, reinvent unworn or discarded clothing culminating in a fashion parade and offering prizes for different categories. They contacted their sister club; contacted all the colleges and schools in the Nelson/Tasman area and collaborated with the Nelson/Tasman climate forum to run the event as part of their Climate Action week. This project fits with SDG 12 Target 12.5 By 2030, substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse.

The image depicts the students modeling their upscaled used clothes

These are the winners for 2024 for projects undertaken and delivered during 2023.

Education

WINNER - SI Penang : Girls in Stem
Report ID: 20230919102648

SI Penang for their project STEM 2.0: Journey of Young Tech Professionals.

The core objective is to inspire Form 1 female students to develop their interest in studying science subjects and to motivate them by showing the various career options as there is a decline in number of females in the STEM career. STEM 2.0 in 2023 was the second enhanced workshop with the additional feature of 4 young female engineers from Micron Semiconductor sharing their personal stories and challenges in their journey with study and work. They developed their own workshop and incorporate STEM in the activities. This is an interactive workshop and we want to engage the students in a fun and unconventional manner and from there to introduce the basic concept of science subjects and problem-solving skills. The ultimate goal is to cultivate their interest in STEM subjects and to inspire them by showing the job opportunities out there with better prospect if they choose to study science. We hope to achieve gender equality by empowering these girls in the field of STEM as a career. SI Penang devlopoed a interactive workshop to engage the students in a fun and unconventional manner and from there we introduce the basic concept of science subjects and problem-solving skills. View this video of one of the girls being interviewed

HIGHLY COMMENDED - SI Bangsar: Scam Alert Advocacy Project
Report ID: 20231108125130,

SI Bangsar's advocacy project aimed to raise awareness about scams and advocate for the prevention of scams. The project involved various activities and campaigns designed to provide accurate information about different types of scams, their characteristics, and methods used by scammers. This advocacy information is important to equip people in different communities with knowledge and resources to recognize scams. The ultimate goal of this project is to empower individuals to recognize warning signs, common tactics used by scammers, and to protect them and others from being scammed.

Elimination of Violence

WINNER: SI Torrens - Lets Build a Community
ID 20231212124150

SI Torrens project Lets Build a Community that makes a Difference: End Domestic Violence project, in partnership with Rotary Club of Mawson Lakes, Zonta Club Para Districts, Salisbury Council and John Fullbrook MP, they formed a committee, known as RoZSI’s Voice for media purposes, to promote the 16 Days of Activism in the local community with several events and campaigns. Local events provided an opportunity for closer interaction with the public while media activity addressed the wider public in the area. Coercive control was selected for particular emphasis as many in the public were unaware of it. Read more on the facebook page

Economic Empowerment

WINNER - SI Moreton North - Be Inspired Awards IWD 2023
Report ID: 20231101073813

When you can see it, you can be it! Women live busy lives. Many contribute significant voluntary hours to
support others in the community without any recognition. Hosting our annual SIMNI Be Inspired IWD
Awards is our opportunity to recognise these community heroes and to also highlight the work that SIMNI members are involved locally and internationally. It showcases to the women and girls in our local region, mentors and role models, who are just like them. Volunteers do not necessarily have the time, they just have the heart. It is possible to make a difference, regardless or age, race, or financial circumstances. By hosting an IWD event in a local and disabled friendly facility gives the local community an easier opportunity to attend an International Women’s Day Event.

Food Security

WINNER - SI Shah Alam - Food Waste Management Project
Report ID: 20231228020708

SI Shah Alam in collaboration with Asia Pacific University, student volunteers, together with The
Lost Food Project (food waste collection and distribution center), and Pusat Kreatif Kanak Kanak Tengku Bainun are children from all walks of life (regardless of income, gender, religion, language or ability) have joined forces to address food waste by educating children, yound women and mothers on repurposing overripe or surplus fruits and vegetables into products like sauces and jams. This initiative aims to reduce waste and promote sustainability by integrating practical food management with an educational program. Key tasks include sorting food, developing a curriculum on waste management, conducting hands-on teaching sessions, and evaluating the project's impact through established KPIs. Objectives are realistic, agreed upon by stakeholders, and aim to significantly reduce food waste while educating numerous children on sustainable practices.

HIGHLY COMMENDED - SI Lautoka - Food Security for Jasper Hostel Students
Report ID: 20231220113706

The project evolved after a request from Jasper High school to assist with food source for their hostel students (approx 100 female students) as it was becoming expensive to provide daily meals for the students due to the rising food cost. The club members discussed the most innovative way to assist and decided to do a sustainable project to provide food for the students. The club members planted vegetables (egg plants, cabbage, tomatoes) and root crop (cassava) at the Jasper High school hostel gardens. Cassava is a staple food in Fiji, its production is increasing, and it is slowly replacing other traditional food crops in the diet. The potential for this crop is enormous; a surplus could be easily produced and made into flour to replace part of the wheat four used for baking. Generally, cassava can be grown throughout the year.

Healthcare

WINNER: SI Albany - Multi-Sensory Time Project
Report ID: 20231204041330

Multi Sensory Time Kits were developed to meet a community need. People living with dementia suffer
from social isolation, depression and loss of self worth. Under the direction of Club member Rosalind Sawyer, (retired Occupational Therapist), a club sub committee was formed to investigate how we could improve the lives of people with neurological disorders and their carers. We conducted a literature review and researched what other tools were available through IP Australia. We discovered that available items were generic and predominantly focused on sight, hearing, or touch (e.g. fiddle cushions) and did not promote social inclusion and discussion. We developed Multi-Sensory Time Kits with 5 themes to achieve our goal of ensuring healthy lives and promote well-being for all ages. In 2022-2023 our main goal was to promote and distribute 100 Multisensory packs . Read more here

HIGHLY COMMENDED : SI Townsville Breakwater - Safe Nights Project
Report ID: 20230818083043

The SI Townsville Breakwater Club acknowledge the ongoing and emergent need for crisis accommodation for women and their families in the community who are the victims of domestic violence and homelessness. The club made a commitment to partner with the Townsville Women’s Centre to assist in this significant area of need. The ‘Safe Nights’ project was born and has rapidly become a project of high priority for the club and is linked to a majority of current and past activities undertaken. Donate to the project here

Environmental Sustainability

WINNER: SI Beenleigh and SI Logan - Federation Art Competition Living with Nature
ID 20231201064116 and 20231221011025

The Environment is at the forefront of world endeavours in current times. It is of particular importance to youth as they will inherit the world in which we live. The project emphasised the biennium theme ‘A Voice for Change” and one of the Federations Presidents 5E’s- Environment. Youth are seen as the way forward in issues concerning the environment. The Art competition provided them with a platform to research issues, use their voice to express ideas in raising awareness.

SI Beenleigh and SI Logan partnered on this project which was multi focused, various schools, art schools were invited to participate as well as a information booth at the LEAF festival at Griffiths University campus.

HIGHLY COMMENDED: SI Torrens - Blister Pack Blitz
ID 20231211091823

After the success of our recycling programme the club undertook a plan to extend this to focus specifically on Blister Packs. The success of the club members in recycling led a member currently living in Lutheran Homes Glynde (LHG) to suggest an extension of the project by an investigation into whether LHG would partner the club in recycling for their residents. Using specialised recycling technology, located right here in Australia, Pharmacycle ensures that blister packs collected for recycling are actually recycled. Once collected, blister packs are transported to one of their processing facilities. Here, they are put through a series of mechanical recycling processes to separate the aluminium from the plastic. Finally, the separated aluminium and plastic materials are sent to end-users to be turned into a range of new products

Each year, Soroptimist Clubs and Regions are invited to nominate a project for the Best Practice Award. The projects need to demonstrate their excellence in planning, administering, execution and evaluation of the a project to transform lives for women and girls around the Federation, This is a prestigious award, showcasing projects which have achieved results.

These are the winners for 2023 for projects undertaken and delivered during 2022.

Education

WINNER - SI Griffith : Moorambilla Magic Evening and Workshop
Report ID: 20221130011019

SI Griffith invited Moorambilla Voices, a children and Youth Choir that provides tuition and performance opportunities to young people in rural and remote communities in North Western New South Wales, to come into Griffith and conduct two workshops The attendees were encouraged to ‘think big, dream wildly and connect with Country’ through the power of movement and music. One of the project goals was to provide an opportunity for the students in this regional area to be able to access high quality creative arts education and performance opportunities. There was to be a special emphasis on Indigenous students. This project was also seen as a first step to address some of the negative effects from social isolation and anxiety following COVID lockdowns.

CONFLICT RESOLUTION

Highly Commended: SI Bangsar - SICB Teenage Survival Kit
ID 202211106095344, 20221107091114, 20221018034414

The Teenage Survival Kit program aimed to create awareness and provide knowledge to teenagers through 4 modules - Teen Sexuality: Teen Health; Teen Safety and Teen Empowerment. The program takes a holistic approach not only to providing the information to teenagers but also to parents, grandparents, caregivers, guardians, teachers and counsellors. The programme was developed by a group of Soroptimists who were also doctors, lawyers, counsellors, trainers and lecturers and parents of teenage children. This was then enhanced and refined by experts in a number of associated fields.

HIGHLY COMMENDED - SI Brisbane Water: The Aspire Project
Report ID: 20221114103106
The Aspire program aimed to lift the self- esteem and aspirations of teenage girls, especially those from dysfunctional families and or experiencing relationship difficulties and those girls who maybe disengaged from learning. It focused on areas of mindfulness, confidence building, positive body image, building positive relationships, goal setting and career path planning

The program was developed as part of a coursework project by third year university students, reviewed by 2 private welfare counsellors and piloted in a school setting. Subsequently through a number of avenues the programme was made available to Central Coast schools.

Image: Brisbane Waters members presenting a cheque to Brisbane Water Secondary College, the seventh school this year to receive funding from SI Brisbane Water to run The Aspire Program when we presented a cheque to Student Support Officer, Alisha

Economic Empowerment

WINNER - SI Brisbane Water - Older Women's Housing
Report ID: 20221201083606

Women over 55 were identified to be the largest growing population of homeless people in NSW. SI Brisbane Water worked in partnership with Zonta Central Coast and Elderslee Foundation and homelessness service providers, Women’s Community Shelters and Pacific Link to provide interim housing for up to 3 years for 14 older homeless women.

The project was well researched, and addressed a real and immediate need in the community. Soroptimist members were involved in fitting out the units with linen, microwaves and gifts as well as fund-raising and purchasing equipment.

Healthcare

WINNER: SI Penang - Period Poverty and Sustainability
Report ID: 20221013105840

This project addressed the problem of girls missing school each month when they had their period, as they could not afford disposable pads. A workshop on the usage of Reusable Pads was introduced to first year Secondary Girls from low income families in a local school. The workshop also touched on topics such as puberty, personal care and environmental sustainability. Money was raised to buy the girls the re-useable pads, the workshop held, and 70 girls were helped.

Environmental Sustainability

WINNER: SI Brisbane Water - Reducing Our Carbon Footprint
ID 20211215085412

Members were challenged to commit to reducing their carbon footprint in their daily habits. Members shared ways to reduce, repair, reuse and recycle. Speakers were sourced on various topics such as composting, eco friendly cleaning, club members introduced meatless Mondays to their families and the CO2 emission reduction was monitored with over 212 kg reduction for the Month. Recycling of items increased. Awareness and knowledge increased. Members shared their knowledge and experiences with each other. A bonus outcome has been the influence on family and friends as a result of the action taken by our members during the project. We will continue to impart any more ideas and innovations as they come to our notice with club members. Our club passed a motion that "SI Brisbane Water members commit to using eco-friendly utensils and decorations where possible when holding a function"

HIGHLY COMMENDED: SI Queensland South - Project Lead SI Bayside - Recycling- Advocacy, Awareness, Action
ID 20211231094459

Reducing our Carbon Footprint Project was devised as a response to Climate Change. It was designed to educate all of our members, their families and friends in a project that would encourage all members to reduce their carbon footprint both in the home and at their workplace by engaging in incremental change in their lifestyle and daily habits. Research was done and goals set for 12-month project. The project concentrated on FOOD, TRANSPORT, ENERGY and RECYCLING, identifying realistically attainable goals. We provided a list of 59 suggestions and 30 were actioned by one or more of our members. Members recorded their changes and we measured/evaluated our success. e.g. In one month the members saved 212kg of CO2 emissions by introducing at least one vegetarian meal per week. In addition, we planted 300 trees in our local area. We engaged the members by using videos, guest speakers, and member presentations on their research and action.

Conflict Resolution

WINNER: SI Nelson- Project Blooming Great Fundraiser
ID 202212280447

This humanitarian relief project undertaken by SI Nelson. Soroptimist International Krakow was supporting the Ukraine humanitarian relief work. To raise funds to send to SI Krakow, the club undertook a project to riase funds. The project was to package, label and sell 1000 tubers of Coral Sunset Poeny. These were sold over a number of week at $20.00 a tuber (bulb), $20,000 NZD was donated to SI Krakow so they could continue to provide practical programmes to assist Ukraine refugees in Poland.

Disaster Relief, Mitigation & Resilience

WINNER: SI Bangsar - Post Flood Relief Project
ID 20221129023546

SI Bangsar project was to carry out post relief work after the disasterous floods of December 2021.

Phase 1 was to source and work with partner for the storage and distribution of household goods which could be distributed directly to the target communities.

Phase 2 was in collaboration with The Orang Asli (Native) Community Development and the Catholic Church to assist 9 native families rebuild their badly damaged homes.

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Region of Malaysia - Flood Risk Reduction in Rural Communities
ID 20221230090948

The clubs in the Region of Malaysia choose to focus on ways to assist flooded communities post December 2021, the floods impacted more than 125,000 people. SIROM conducted a workshop on Flood risk reduction and Mitigation for the villagers of Long Tanyit. The main objective was to educate and empower rural women to become more resilient in the face of disasters and improve food security. Four clubs collaborated in delivering the workshop: SI Damansara, Bangsar, Shah Alam and Kota Kinabalu. They partnered with Heineken Malaysia and its CSR arm SPARK, the Malaysian Water Partnership, Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID) of Malaysia and the frangipani Organic Farm. Engineers from DID provided expert advice and training on Flood Risk Reduction and Mitigation and what to do before during and after floods. After the Workshop the women felt they were better equipped to handle further disasters. Funds from Heineken rebuilt greenhouses on higher ground, repaired tanks and irrigation, reinforced the dam, built a culvert with work undertaken by the villagers. The villagers also introduced more hardy plants to their farms, providing a pathway to adding to their income and improve health. The village project coordinator provides regular updates to the club.

East Timor '24 project

The aim of this project is to bring two qualified professional young women, Pascoela Bareta and Maria Guterres, from Dili in East Timor to Perth for a educational skills transfer visit, where they will visit hospitals, cancer treatment clinics, libraries and educational facilities to observe modern practices, the learnings gained from the educational visit will empower them to increase their potential and to improve the lives of women and children in East Timor. These young women are already leaders in their communities, one in the field of education and the diagnosis of cancer in women and the other in inclusive library management and the implementation of education scholarships, by expanding their knowledge, and observing modern methods and ideas, they will take these learnings back to East Timor to improve their own practices and empower the knowledge to others.

SI Joondalup the sponsoring club, has a long term relationship with both these women, who they met in 2010 as young village girls, who through poverty or lack of opportunity had no hope of tertiary education. With the assistance of SI Joondalup, both women graduated with honours in science.. Their visit to Perth was to allow them skills transfer and learning opportunities.

Images below are from the Xanana Gusmao Reading Room where Maria is the Manager.

SI Joondalup project lead Jennie Van Driel arranged visits with the following facilities.

Harry Perkins Research institute hosted by Dr Andrew Redfern, Medical Director
The Western Australian State Library, tour by head librarian
Kalamunda Hospice
St John of God Oncology Department visit hosted by team manager
Aboriginal Language Corporation meeting with chief linguist and tour of facilities
McGrath Foundation for Breast Cancer Care

Highlights and takeouts on the visit by Pascoela Bareta :

On visiting the Harry Perkins Institute, I was overwhelmed with everything – the generosity of the Institute, and Prof Andy in particular for giving up so much time, the size of the facility, the speed with which they can process pathology. Oncology department, the literature available for patients, the availability of access to collaborative effort in education and medical knowledge was wonderful.

What I gained from my visit:

1. Possible colloboration with Professor Andrew Redfern possibility will collaborate with Medical Oncology department in the future Maybe he can share his specialist on researchers on Cancer or other diseases to our medical Oncology doctor in Dili National Hospital

2. Also, will collaborate with Harry Perkis Institute may they provide training to our health worker in Timor Leste.

3. Feeling blessed that I had this opportunity to visit Harry Perkins Institute.

Thank you once again for a spectacular presentation and tour. The generosity of all involved was amazing.

My visit to the Kalamunda Hospice

That was one of my favorite places to visit the staff were very kind and generous in giving of their time to explain all detail to us. Actually, it’s my first time visit to Hospice, in Timor Leste we don’t have any. Really appreciate that Judy spent her time explaining all the details of the set-up of the Hospice. Such valuable practical information to me to bring home when we establish a Centre this year.
What am gain here during my visit:

1. Connection medical doctor and Nurse at Kalamunda Hospital ask their support to provide us with their knowledge.

2. Dr. Yamin also sharing Connection on Mentorship, awareness and fostering link in the Asia Pacific region. Will write an email to the president to provide online class on Palliative Care for nurse students

3. Also, received valuable information and ideas on how to set up HALIKU women’s cancer support Center

4. Impressed with how patients use creative activities every day with nurses, this provides me with inspiration maybe in the future our center will use this knowledg.

Highlights and takeout by Maria Guterres on her visit:

1.. The management of the book collection at the City of Joondalup and Wanneroo Library and Cultural 2entre is very well organised and this could be one of the ideas for me to adapt the management of the book collection in the XGRR library to make it look attractive and easily accessible to visitors.

2. Possibilitity that the Joondalup City library will make a book donation to the XGRR library in the future.

3. Book donations from: Harry Parkinsh, Kalamunda Hospital, Breast Cancer Care, and ASeTTS.

4. Kate Van Driel and Jennie Van Driel have agreed to support the scholarship programme at XGRR. They are committed to transfer money annually to support one student until the student graduates.

5. I also learnt about the importance of preserving local languages and one of the things I learnt from the visit to the Noongar Boodjar Language Centre was how they make dictionaries for local languages using objects in the environment. I received an aboriginal language dictionary donated by Mr Kate Van Driel and this dictionary will be very important as it will serve as an example for the local language preservation programme in XGRR.

Below: Pascoela Barreto and Maria Guterres with Professor Andrew redfern at The Harry Perkins medical research Institute.

Project Lead Jennie Van Driel, reports on outcomes achieved since the visit:

Professor Andrew Redfern from the Harry Perkins medical centre has since visited Dili, and has written on suggestions of how he could help with the cancer clinic in Dili.
The things that come to mind are:

working out some kind of data collection process so cases can be measured, at least to an extent.
suggestions on screening engagement and delivery
possibility of a pathology service, even if specimens are taken and prepared locally and then slides are assessed in WA
a simple compendium of the most essential anti-cancer treatments that are off-patent or not vastly expensive.
Some form of negotiation with various pharma companies might help.

Pascoela Barreto was also put in contact with the International Arm of St John of God Medical Services which had an agent in Timor Leste. This was arranged by staff at St John of God Hospital in Perth which they visited.

The Australia Hospice Association has provided a workshop on end of life care to Dili and medical services in the hinterland This service was instigated by the Kalamunda Hospital and Hospice which they visited while in Perth

Back here in Perth we have had an enquiry from another Soroptimist club who would like to continue to work with us on the Timor Leste project.

Local member of Parliament Emily Hamilton with Pascoela Maria and Jennie Van Driel
West Australian breast Care office. Maria and Pascoela with Soroptimist Jennie Van Driel and McGrath Breast Cancer nurse and office manager
Maria and Pascoela with staff members at St John of God Hospital in Perth