At tonight's meeting we had the pleasure of hearing from Claire Niven who spoke about the STARTTS program.
STARTTS (NSW Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors) is a specialist, not‑for‑profit organisation providing psychological treatment, community support, and rehabilitation services for people affected by torture and refugee trauma across New South Wales. It operates multiple offices including Carramar, Fairfield, Auburn, Liverpool, Blacktown, Coffs Harbour, Newcastle, Wagga Wagga, Wollongong, Armidale and Albury.
What STARTTS Does
Provides culturally relevant psychological treatment and counselling for survivors of torture and refugee trauma.
Offers community development programs, youth support, and school‑based interventions.
Uses innovative therapies such as neurofeedback and somatic regulation to support trauma recovery.
Supports individuals from over 180 countries and has assisted more than 105,000 people.
Who STARTTS Helps
Refugees, asylum seekers, and people with refugee‑like backgrounds
Individuals who experienced persecution, war, violence, or human rights violations before arriving in Australia
Albury Wodonga has a large refugee community and STARTTS is working with several local services including PCYC and MRSRG to help make refugees welcome into the community. Providing homework support at the Lavington library on Wednesday afternoon, promoting sport, craft, gardening, friendship and support to young refugee willing to participate. One of the biggest challenges is transport to and from activities - PCYC can offer the facility but getting there is a problem because many families do not have a car or have working parents. Breaking down the barriers and promoting inclusion are key drivers for STARTTS. Gaining trust to have children out playing sport, attending camps and building confidence for young girls to participate are hurdles STARTTS encounter.
Volunteers are needed to help with transport, coaching sport, teaching crafts - sewing, artwork etc. Taking a group on a special outing like ten pin bowling, swimming or a visit to a park. Hosting an end of term BBQ is another option Rotary may consider.
Anyone interested in helping the STARTTS program at PCYC on Thursday afternoons 3.30 - 5.30pm is most welcome.
We thanked Claire for the informative and eye-opening discussion about some of the issues local refugee face and how Rotary may be able to assist.
Time on Air
Charlene: Provided an update on the CQ grants offered to local schools and special needs organisations. Funding has helped a team from Hume Public attend a ten-pin bowling tournament in Sydney, will assist Mercy Connect with it upcoming Community Fair, paid the travel costs for AHS students to attend the STEM Challenge in Sydney as well.
Jean: Morning tea with Ken at Clarries - Della Court West Albury Wednesday 28th Oct at 10.00am. All welcome.
Murray & Karen - have been recruited to join the interview panel for prospective medical students to attend NSW rural medical campus next year. Furthermore, they will present the Graham Turner bursary to 5th year students at the upcoming presentation night.
Peter: Informed members of his recent trip to Nepal and the funding provided from RCAF towards a small earthquake recovery project with RC Sth Wagga and RC Kathmandu.
A recent donation of books and bikes by Chris look likely to be destined for Fiji - these along with playground equipment and hospital beds for an aged care facility being built at Koroipiti - the Blue house project in Lautoka.
RYDA is fast approaching and volunteers are needed. RSVP to Peter if available.
froM THE President BERT
Bert circulated a printed President's Report outlining current projects the Club is working on and what's being planned for the future.
Who Would You Like to Hear From Any suggestions for Guest Speakers would be warmly welcomed -- RSVP to Bert.
