"Turn a frown upside down - do a good deed today"
Of course, we would all like to think that we are “good” people. But in our increasingly busy lives, are there actually many times where we put some time aside to specifically do something special? When was the last time someone did something special for you that might have changed your life?
Each year there are so many people in our community whose tireless efforts in helping those a little less fortunate than ourselves go unnoticed.
Whether it is one incredibly generous act of kindnes or a continuing string of good deeds, it's time to recognise these stand up people in our community.
This year Samaritans plans on doing just so as part of Good Samaritans Day.
Good Samaritans Day is held on Tuesday October 14th.
Good Samaritans Day, provides a prompt for us to respond to people in our communities at any level of need in a way which is generous, creative and unexpecting of any reward.
In past years, we have held numerous projects around the community light up people's lives in small but meaningful ways. Projects included a free breakfast in Wheeler Place for Emergency Services and early morning passers by, a free concert in the Entrance Park, Primary Schoool children beginning a six week collection of non-perishable food to donate to Emergency Relief and many other inspiring good deeds.
We invite the general community to participate by showing kindness and being a “Good Samaritan” not just on one day, but every day of the year.
Some suggestions are:
- 1. Run a “Backyard Blitz” for an elderly neighbour.
- 2. Morning tea for local volunteers.
- 3. Entertain residents of an aged care home.
- 4. Take a lonely or isolated person on a picnic, shopping or to the movies.
- 5. Organise the blood bank bus to come to your place of employment.
- 6. Have a “garage sale” and donate the proceeds to charity.
- 7. Take some time out to make a conscious decision to donate to a worthy cause on a regular monthly basis.
Pledge Cards and bookmarks are also available and can be downloaded as a PDF document.
To find out more, register your involvement, or tell us a Good Samaritans Day story, contact Samaritans Marketing and Communications Officer.
P 02 4960 7149
F 02 4960 7160
E goodsam@samaritans.org.au
Hunter Good Samaritan of the Year Award Winners 2007
Winner of the Junior Samaritan of the Year Award for 2007 is: BRAYDEN PORTER
Brayden Porter is 12 years of age and has been caring for his older brother with severe autism.
Brayden is one of 170,000 young people in Australia under the age of 18 who provide support for a family member with a disability. This number is underestimated as most of these young carers remain hidden and are not always formally identified.
EDuCARE Support Service provides practical support and information to these young people. This year, EDuCARE has nominated Brayden Porter for the Junior Samaritan of the Year Award.
Samaritans and EDuCARE would like to acknowledge Brayden’s commitment and dedication in assisting his family in the care of his older brother at the expense of his own childhood and social opportunities.
Brayden is an active member of EDuCARE’s Young Carer Action Group whose main aim is to provide input regarding young carers strategies based on their needs.
In June this year, Brayden was a guest speaker at the Carer Workshops and at the RYDON Conference held in Newcastle.
Brayden shows maturity beyond his years, is an excellent role model for all young carers within the Hunter and is our Junior Samaritan of the Year.
Winner of the Good Samaritan of the Year Award for 2007 is: TONY TAMPLIN
Senior Constable Tony Tamplin has been with Newcastle police since 1981 and plays a crucial role as Media Liaison Officer.
He can be the best person to have around in the worst of times, the tragedies, emergencies and disasters that sometimes beset our community, helping to inform and explain matters of public interest and safety.
Tony is also a great bloke to work with in many of the less urgent aspects of community policing and provides very practical help and advice in the Police Conferencing program which helps young offenders gain self respect and often a second chance to make positive contributions to their community.
Tony has a real interest in Newcastle and its people and outside his policing duties gives freely of his time to many charity, service and social groups.
Variety, the Children’s Charity, has for many years enjoyed Tony’s good humour and generous spirit as an MC at many fundraising events and as a very jolly Santa at the annual Children’s Christmas Picnic.
In his spare time, as a licensed marriage celebrant, Tony lends his very kind and jovial character to couple’s nuptials.
Tony and his wife Sonja have six children, one son, with mild autism attending mainstream schooling. The Tamplins share their own experiences of raising an autistic child and offer support to other families facing similar challenges.
Tony Tamplin is one of those people who makes the way a little easier for those around him and personifies the spirit of the Good Samaritan.
Central Coast Good Samaritan of the Year Award Winners 2007
Winner of the Junior Samaritan of the Year Award for 2007 is: BRYCE TURNBULL
Bryce has been attending Samaritans Youth Service drop-in centre, “The Cottage” for the past 5 years. Bryce has grown in to a mature young man and displays many positive qualities. Bryce is honest caring and thoughtful.
Bryce assists youth workers at the centre by sharing his creative ideas for activities, helping with organising and cleaning up afterwards. Bryce always thinks of others and inspires and encourages other young people to have a go.
Specifically, Bryce has helped with school holiday programmes and the installation of artwork on the walls at “The Cottage”. He is a current PCYC Rugby 7’s Competition leader and is excelling in his landscaping course.
Bryce is a valued member of the community. He always lends a helping hand and brings laughter everywhere he goes. He deserves recognition for his contribution to the community.
Winner of the Good Samaritan of the Year Award for 2007 is: TED JAWHARY
Ted has been a tireless worker on the Central Coast for some years as a volunteer with Samaritans and Bateau Bay Anglican Church.
Specifically he has helped Samaritans services, Active Linking Initiative and local Youth Services by being involved in activities such as client Christmas parties, dances, discos, band nights, barbeques and community days.
Very recently, he has been an integral member of Samaritans Disaster Recovery team, assisting with the establishment of the Entrance Recovery Centre during the June long weekend storm.
He also transported aged and flood affected people, distributed food parcels in the weeks following the storm, worked as a volunteer at the Recovery Centre, and door knocked homes in badly affected areas informing locals of the Disaster Relief assistance.
Ted is a leader in his role as a volunteer. The community is enhanced by his outstanding commitment and selflessness.
