500 Supporters’ Group Spring Racing Luncheon
Congratulations to Patrick O’Brien (Chair, The 500 Supporters’ Group) members of the 500 Supporters’ Group committee and to the Group’s many friends and supporters on a most successful Spring Carnival Racing Luncheon held yesterday, October 25, in the Olympic Room at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Close to 400 people attended a most successful function in support of health, education and development projects in some of the most impoverished parts of East Africa, particularly the Ruben Centre in Nairobi, Kenya. Br Frank O’Shea, Director of Ruben Centre, joined the gathering via Skype and was interviewed by Madeleine O’Brien about the latest developments at the Centre. Frank thanked all for their ongoing support, without which the Centre’s services would be severely limited.
The Ruben Centre provides life changing services and opportunities for the vulnerable people of the Mukuru slum about 10 km from central Nairobi. Ruben school accommodates around 1700 children from nursery to Grade 8. The clinic is the only community health facility in the slum and provides a range of medical services. Through training in sewing and tailoring and through a micro-credit scheme, the Vocational and Community Development Units enhance self-employment opportunities for local people.
The Edmund Rice Foundation is again deeply indebted to Master of Ceremonies, Leon Weigard OAM, who has generously hosted these functions for many years. The Foundation is very grateful to Guests of Honour, Colin Madden (part-owner of champion Australian thoroughbred mare, Black Caviar), Michael Burn (Chairman, VRC) and former champion Australian jockeys Pat Hyland, Simon Marshall and John Letts. The Foundation is also grateful to the VRC for making the 1965 and 2011 Melbourne Cups available for display.
More information about the 500 Supporters’ Group visit: http://www.the500supportersgroup.org/
Pictured: Master of Ceremonies Leon Wiegard with former champion Australian jockeys Pat Hyland & Simon Marshall
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