NORTHERN SYDNEY WELLBEING OFFICERS HIT THE AIRWAVES

Through the cooperation of Stephen Sim ( Foundation Member), a radio host with Northside Radio FM 99.3, Northern Sydney Wellbeing Officers Norm Pounder and Ken Vessey willingly accepted an invitation to be guests during Stephen’s two hour Friday afternoon program. It was recognised that this invitation presented a huge opportunity to convey to a large listening audience just exactly what a tax-deductible charity the Men of League Foundation was all about.

It was surprising just how quickly the two hours expired but in our given time we were able to explain:

– Since being established in 2002 the Foundation has remained committed to it’s charter to assist the men, women and children of the rugby league community, who find themselves in difficult and necessitous circumstances.

– In 2018 the Foundation provided a record $1 million plus assistance to the rugby league community, to those who were doing it tough and needed physical, financial or emotional support; in 2019 YTD assistance provided already eclipses $500 thousand dollars.

– There are over forty Foundation Committees throughout Australia with a Volunteer workforce of approximately five hundred persons all responsible for the ongoing success of the Foundation.

– We are able to undertake our expansive wellbeing activities through the generosity of sponsors, donors, funds raised through a variety of functions held by local Committees and Head Office including Sports Luncheons, Fundraising Events, Gala Dinner, Golf Day, Kick Off Clubs (BBQ events); these events are open to Foundation Members and Non Members.

– We rely on our Membership base through the fees paid and increased membership numbers to continue to support the rugby league community.

– To join the Foundation, membership packages start from $20 per annum, please contact our Head Office on phone 02 8756 7180 or email admin@menofleague.com to join or renew.

– Our wellbeing activities entail visits to persons in nursing/private homes, hospitals, rehabilitation centres, meetings for a coffee/chat, outings to sporting events with the overall aim to let the person know there is a group of people who do care.

– There is a Grant Scheme based upon the necessitous circumstances of each applicant and if considered eligible assistance can be given in many forms such as providing mobility support, home modifications, connecting families affected by relocation for medical treatment, assistance in financial support with essential services and day to day expenses ( such as rent, food, petrol, utilities), but it was emphasised that no actual monies are given to applicants.

– The need for people especially our younger generation, to consider joining the Foundation to ensure it is able to carry out its charter in coming years and benefit from helping those less fortunate than them.

Naturally we spoke about our very active Northern Sydney Men of League Committee , highlighting the various events we hold during the year like a Golf Day, Kick Off Clubs’, Sportsmen’s’ Lunch, Fundraising Event, Volunteer Awards for Junior Rugby League Clubs , attendance at rugby league matches, marquees at local junior rugby league matches and spoke on the high number of wellbeing activities we undertake in our Committee Territory, providing support and grant assistance to many needy men, women and children of the rugby league community.

Our final comments emphasised that listeners should consider joining the Foundation as a Member for as little as $20 per annum and/or volunteering to become involved in a rewarding organisation that plays an important role in alleviating hardship in the rugby league supporters, donating if able to and lastly doing good and giving back to the game of rugby league.

Our sincere thanks go out to fellow Member, Stephen Sim for his kind invitation.
By Ken Vessey
Wellbeing Coordinator Northern Sydney Men of League Committee

Photo – Ken Vessey, Norm Pounder, Stephen Sim

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