It is again with considerable pleasure that I present my third Annual Report as Chairman of the Foundation and to be able to report on another successful 12 months to 31 December 2007.

Our Foundation was established in 1982 to assist in managing the loan debt of the Don Bosco Youth Centre and Hostel, and to fund the operating deficits of the Centre.  Our task of supporting the Youth Centre and Hostel has been made easier by the wonderful support of many generous organisations, philanthropic trusts, Government entities and benefactors over these many years.  We thank them sincerely for their support.

The Don Bosco Centre, now in its 68th year of unbroken service, continues to play an important role in the lives of the multiculturally diverse youth of the inner northern suburbs of Melbourne, as well as providing low cost accommodation to young students from rural Victoria and overseas.  We, as a Foundation, are very pleased to play an important role in supporting the operations of the Centre.

Our two major events in 2007 were the Film Night held on 18 July 2007 at the Palace Cinema Centre, Balwyn and the Fun & Food Festa held on 24 November 2007 at the Coburg Town Hall.  Both events were a great success and I sincerely thank all who helped in the many tasks associated with these events.  Appended to my report is an article by our Administration, highlighting the major aspects of the Fun & Food Festa.

The Foundation’s Opportunity Shop, located at 368 Sydney Road, Brunswick, opened in June 2001, continues to be an outstanding success.  Mr. Joe Richardson and fellow Directors are supported by many dedicated volunteers.  I thank them all most sincerely for their commitment and enthusiasm in support of the Opportunity Shop.  I would also like to commend the Managers of the Opportunity Shop who support the use of disabled volunteers wherever possible thus further benefiting the community.

Funds distributed in 2007 by the Opportunity Shop were as follows:

• $30,000 Don Bosco Youth Centre and Hostel
• $30,000 Australian Salesian Missions Overseas Aid Fund.

Mr Richardson’s report on the year’s activities follows later in this Annual Report and provides interesting details of the year’s Opportunity Shop operations.

The Don Bosco Youth Centre, and the Hostel, are both high maintenance areas requiring regular replacement and updating of equipment and facilities, particularly with the need to comply with stringent health and safety requirements.  Significant projects completed this year, or to be undertaken early next year, include the resurfacing of the outdoor multifunction sports court, total refurbishment of the outdoor swimming pool and surrounds, upgrading of the communal kitchen and surrounds to incorporate up-to-date occupational health and safety requirements.  Other projects, such as the upgrading of hostel rooms are proceeding and are expected to be completed by mid 2008.

The following philanthropic organisations are gratefully acknowledged and thanked most sincerely for their financial support in year 2007:

• The William Angliss (Victoria) Charitable Fund
• The IOOF Foundation
• The Trust Company of Australia
• The Melbourne Newsboys Club Foundation.

We also thank the Try Youth Organisation which has incorporated the Don Bosco Centre in its fundraising activities; and helps keep the name of ‘Don Bosco’ in the minds of the travelling public of Melbourne.

The Moreland City Council again provided their generous annual Community Grant of $10,000 to the Youth Centre which significantly helps the Youth Centre provide many services free of charge to the culturally diverse youth of Moreland.  In addition support is received from Moreland City Council in the running of the Fun & Food Festa and by holding its annual Moreland Community Raffle to support local organisations.

It is with great pleasure that I report on the successful visit by our Patron, the Governor of Victoria, Professor David de Kretser, AC and his wife Mrs Jan de Kretser on Wednesday 29 August 2007.  Other special guests included:

• Mr Mark O’Brien, Mayor of Moreland.
• Ms Karina Woolrich, Secretary, Charitable Trust Committee, The William Angliss (Victoria) Charitable Fund.
• Ms Sandy Shaw, Executive officer, Melbourne Newsboys Club Foundation.
• Ms Cheryle Landolina, President, Rotary Club of Brunswick.

We thank them all for their attendance.

At the close of year 2007 there was a significant change in the Salesian Community which administers the Youth Centre & Hostel.  Fr John Prest, is to be replaced as Rector by Fr John Murphy who will also continue his role as Hostel Coordinator.  We wish Fr John Murphy and the rest of the Salesian community at Don Bosco Brunswick all the best for the upcoming 2008 period.

We thank Fr John Prest for his support and leadership over the past year.

I am pleased to report that Mr. Malcolm Dubock accepted our invitation to join the Foundation.

I am also pleased to report that on the 8 August 2007 our Treasurer Mr. S. (Nino) Romanin received from the Governor, Victoria’s Award for Excellence in Multicultural Affairs, for Meritorious Service in the Community.

In closing I refer you to the accompanying reports by the Rector, the Co-ordinators of the Hostel and the Youth Centre, the Manager of our Opportunity Shop, as well as the financial statements of the Centre for the year ended 31 December 2007.

 

As Chairman of the Foundation I offer my sincere thanks to our Secretary, Mr. Martin Seear, and our Treasurer, Mr. Nino Romanin for their stirling work and to my fellow Directors for their continued commitment to the Foundation and to the wellbeing of the Don Bosco Youth Centre and Hostel.

Greg Walters

The Don Bosco Brunswick Youth Foundation’s

Annual ‘Fun & Food Festa’

on 24 November 2007 at the Coburg Town Hall

Report by M.R. Seear

 

The 2007 ‘Fun & Food Festa’ was the Foundation’s 14th Community Celebration of its kind.  The first ‘Festa’ was held in the Don Bosco Brunswick Youth Centre in 1994 as a thank you and celebration for all our wonderful supporters of diverse cultural backgrounds, whose efforts enable the Youth Centre and Hostel to succeed.  The nights have always been highlighted by the drawing of our Major Raffle.

Our Major Raffle tickets were distributed to our supporters throughout Victoria and offered the following excellent prizes:

1st Prize:

Airline tickets to the total value of $2,000, plus $500 spending money.       Supplied by Pan Australian Travel.  Valued at $2,500.

2nd Prize:

Trawool Valley Resort – Relaxation Package for two nights for two people in the ‘Grand Master Suite’.  Valued at $1,350.

3rd Prize:

Rupertswood Mansion (Birthplace of the Ashes) – Accommodation for two people in superbly appointed suite.  Valued at $495.

4th Prize:

Christmas Hamper.  Supplied by Piedimonte’s Supermarket. Valued at $350.

5th Prize:

Dozen bottles of ‘Fairbank’ Cabernet Sauvignon 2003.   Compliments of Sutton Grange Winery.  Valued at $300.

Our 2007 Festa commenced with a blessing from the Youth Centre’s Rector Fr John Prest and was hosted by our Foundation’s Chairman
Mr Greg Walters.  The 300 plus guests and helpers proceeded to enjoy a sumptuous meal of traditionally cooked ‘Porchetta’ (expertly prepared by Peter De Cinque and his team), volumes of king prawns, pasta, salads and vegetables followed by cassata for dessert.

The music this year was provided by Tony d’Amore and friends who kindly stood in for our usual staunch supporters Enrico and Rita Constantini and their wonderful band ‘Speedway’.

Other entertainment provided throughout the night included auction items (highlighted by Shane Warne’s autographed limited edition print of the Sydney Cricket Ground), spinning wheel segment and towards the end of the night the very popular lucky envelopes for some great prizes.

The last major event of the evening was the drawing of the Major Raffle which, in addition to prior sales, was very well supported on the evening.

To enable high attendance on the night from our diverse multicultural groups, we have kept our admission fee as low as possible ($40 this year).  We could not put on a major raffle and community celebration without the wonderful work of many volunteers, sponsors and support groups.

The Victorian Multicultural Commission (VMC) who through their Community Grants Program, awarded the Foundation a grant to pay for buses to safely transport a large number of our Italian supporters from the South Eastern Suburbs.  The VMC is always looking to support and encourage diverse cultures and we thank the Commission for its support this year.

The Moreland Council and the Don Bosco Brunswick Youth Foundation have formed close ties over the years to support and service the culturally diverse communities of Moreland and in particular its youth.  Moreland Council’s continuing support is acknowledged with appreciation.

Special mention to our Vietnamese community who through our ex-officio Fr Anthony Quang organised the sound system for the evening.

Our sponsors on the night, many of whom have supported us over many years are mentioned below and we ask that readers please note and support their services wherever possible

 Abruzzo Club                               Brunswick                     9387 5955

·         Alepat Taylor P/L                          Brunswick                     9380 6199

·         ALD Linen                                    Thomastown                 9465 2200

·         Bellino Café Bar                            Brunswick                     9380 5900

·         Bergerac Restaurant                     Melbourne                     9629 2868

·         Bertocchi Smallgoods                    Thomastown                 9355 5100

·         Brunetti                                      Carlton                         9347 2801

·         Cecconi’s Cantina                         Melbourne                     9663 0222

·         Chelston Pty Ltd                           Melbourne                     9500 9923

·         Coburg Lighthouse                        Coburg                         9386 4689

·         Coffee Mio                                   Thornbury                    9484 0776

·         Dan Murphy’s                               Ascot Vale                    1300723388

·         Enoteca Sileno                             Carlton North                9347 5417

·         Fabbris Meats                              Airport West                  9338 3894

·         Georgelin’s Florist                         Coburg                         9386 2827

·         Grollo Australia                             Thornbury                    8480 0400

·         Incani Imports                             Coburg                         9383 1166

·         Jerome Gauder                            Prahran

·         Joe & Daughters Fruit Supply          Brunswick                     9386 3080

·         Kyneton Springs Water                  Campbellfield                 9359 6000

·         La Manna Fresh                            Brunswick                     9380 1909

·         Montal Printing                             Coburg                         9386 1766

·         Moreland Council                          Moreland                       9240 1111

·         Mulqueen Services                        North Coburg                 9354 3215

·         Palace Cinemas                            Balwyn                          98161777

·         Pan Australian Travel                     Melbourne                     9347 9677

·         Paul Unicare Salon                         Coburg                         9383 5592

·         Piedimonte’s Supermarket             North Fitzroy                  9481 1600

·         Primo Detergents                         North Coburg                 9354 9688

·         Romano’s Service Centre               Coburg                         9354 2217

·         Rupertswood Mansion                   Sunbury                        9740 5020

·         S & S Fruits                                Brunswick                      9386 8463

·         San Marco Restuarant                  Coburg                          354 1488

·         Savor Smallgoods                         Carlton                                     

·         Sutton Grange Winery                   Sutton Grange               5474 8277

·         The Office Cafe                           Brunswick                     9386 9669

·         The Shane Warne Foundation         Middle Park                   9645 8896

·         Tibaldi Smallgoods Aust                 Coburg                         9354 9363

·         Trawool Valley Resort                   Trawool (Seymour)        5792 1444

·         Victorian Multicultural Commission  Melbourne                     9208 3180

·         Vinnie’s Fruits                              Coburg                        9354 1201

·         Whelan Kartaway                          North Melbourne            9329 0800

•   Classy Colour Copy                        Brunswick                    0432128234

 

 

 

For any enquiries about the Don Bosco Brunswick Youth Foundation, Foundation Opportunity Shop or Youth Centre and Hostel please refer to either our website www.donbosco.org.au, phone direct on 03 9383 5333 or contact our Secretary, Mr. Martin Seear on 03 9380 8759, mobile 0428 195544 (specifically regarding the Foundation).

 

Although I have been Rector of the Don Bosco Brunswick Youth Centre and Hostel for only one year (2007) and have been assigned to other activities in 2008, I have been immensely impressed and grateful to the commitment and support provided by the Don Bosco Brunswick Youth Foundation to the Don Bosco Youth Centre and Hostel. 

Since the Foundation was established in 1981, to raise funds for the rebuilding of the Youth Centre and other major capital works, and provide ongoing financial assistance to the Centre, it has given wonderful service not only in respect of the financial aspects of the Centre’s operations but in its active role in helping promote the good works of the Don Bosco Centre in the public domain.

It has been very satisfying to now reflect on another successful year at Don Bosco Brunswick.  I am grateful that during 2007 Don Bosco’s ideals were well served and have fostered those ideals throughout the community; in particular to the 40 young men who live at the Hostel and the over 50,000 children and parents who attend our Youth Centre and use the facilities each year.  Those who attend the Centre come from varying backgrounds and cultures and religious beliefs, but under the umbrella of Don Bosco they socialize and exchange ideas in a co-operative and peaceful environment.

As I was heavily involved with other commitments in 2007, I deeply appreciate the support provided by Fr. John Murphy – Hostel Co-ordinator. Br Michael Lynch – Bursar and Co-ordinator of the East Timor Mission and Overseas Aid, Fr. Peter Kerin – Youth Centre Co-ordinator, Br David O’Brien - Youth Centre Assistant, Fr Anthony Quang – Vice Rector and Parish Priest (St. Margaret Mary’s Parish) and Fr. Elio Proietto - Parish Assistant (St. Margaret Mary’s Parish).

Don Bosco Brunswick owes an enormous debt of gratitude to the Don Bosco Brunswick Youth Foundation.  Their dedication to help those in need is admired greatly and particular thanks should go to Mr. Greg Walters, Chairman, Mr. Nino Romanin, Treasurer, Mr. Martin Seear Secretary and all the Directors who negotiate and liaise with philanthropic trusts, governments and the public in general, as well as raise funds themselves.

The Don Bosco Opportunity Shop at 368 Sydney Road, Brunswick initiated by the Foundation in 2001 continues to be a great success.  I thank all the volunteers and in particular my fellow Directors – Messrs Joe Richardson, Tony Frigo, Jim Soulsby, Tony Menhennitt, Owen Peters and Nino Romanin.  The funds raised by the Opportunity Shop are distributed equally between the Don Bosco Youth Centre and to Salesians Overseas Missions in East Timor.

As I take on new responsibilities in 2008, I wish my successor Fr John Murphy and the rest of the team all the best for the future.

 Fr. John Prest sdb

Rector

 

It is wonderful to be back again at the Don Bosco Youth Centre, Brunswick, after some sixteen years working with children, teenagers and families in western Sydney.  I previously worked at the Don Bosco Youth Centre from 1977 to 1990.  Br David O’Brien, our other full-time staff member, also returned here at the beginning of 2007 having worked here previously from 1993 to 1998.  One of our great delights this year has been to meet some 60 or more parents whom we knew as children.  They now bring their own children to our Centre.

The heart of “Don Bosco Brunswick” has always been the Week-end, the After School and the Holiday Programs which we run free of charge to all local children, teenagers and families.  These 100’s of “regulars” are the ones who have come to consider the Centre as their own.  They represent a wonderful and exciting mix from different cultural, religious and social backgrounds.  These Programs are always filled with good fun, joy and friendship, as Don Bosco himself would have wished, in a safe and well supervised environment.

Our Don Bosco Youth Centre reaches out widely to the local community by making our great range of recreational activities available to any local school, youth group and sporting club which wish to use our facilities.  A very wide range of organizations avail themselves of our programs including our Holiday Programs.  These groups include the Local Councils, Princes Hill Secondary College, Box Forrest College, Fitzroy High School, Northern Support Services, Brunswick English Language Centre, Kensington Community High School, St Margaret Mary’s Primary School, Doxa School (Marist Transition Centre), University High School, Coburg West Primary School, Pascoe Vale Girls College, David House, Penola College, Trinity College, to name a few.

As usual, in 2007 Birthday Party bookings for children and teenagers filled up very quickly.  We began taking bookings for 2008 on the first Tuesday in September 2007.

Also in 2007, ten Year 11 and 12 students from various Secondary Schools undertook their Social Awareness Placements here.  Also four Youth Work students from various TAFE Colleges completed their Work Experience Placements at our Centre.

We are very grateful to the Melbourne Newsboys Club Foundation for enabling us to buy a new gymnastics tumbling and “crash” mat, a table soccer table, 4 division nets, a drinking cool water bubbler, an air board springboard and 3 large storage cupboards.  

 

 

In 2008 we plan to open up Friday evenings to the public and to visiting youth groups.  We will also begin a Youth Leadership/Adult Volunteer Training Program in the new year.

We wish to thank the Philanthropic Trust Funds, Moreland City Council, our Adult Volunteers and Youth Leaders, and others who enable us to continue our work for local youth and their families.

Fr. Peter Kerin, SDB

 

It is pleasing to report that 2007 was another successful shop year, with sales at $146,183, a small increase from 2006.

This year at the Christmas Luncheon we were able to present cheques for $20,000 each to the Don Bosco Youth Centre and Hostel and to the Salesian Overseas Mission for East Timor.  With the mid-2007 year distribution a total of $60,000 was distributed for the year.

The total distribution since the shop was opened in 2001 is $297,150; in addition $11,150 was given in 2007 to the Salesian Tsunami Appeal, making a total distribution of $308,300 to-date.

These results could not have been achieved without the ongoing support from all our volunteers who spend many hours on the various activities re