Minister for Family
and Community Services, Kay Patterson, made the future
of 106 Balinese child victims of the Bali tragedy brighter
on December 4, 2003 when she handed over a cheque for
more than AUS $35,000 to help them receive an education.
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From
L to R :
MInister For Children and Youth Larry Anthony,
Lou McLennan (Centrelink) , Cheryl Jenkins
(heads up Bali Hotline in Sydney), Senator
Kay Patterson (Minister for Centrelink),
Ross Tyso, former Australian Consul in Bali,
David Norris (attached to Bali Hotline);
Desley Hargreaves (National Manager of Social
Work Services for Centrelink), Josie Bryant,
organizer of Casual Day in Australia |
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Senator Patterson presented the cheque
to Ross Tysoe, Australia’s Consul-General to Bali
at the time of the tragedy. Centrelink staff across
Australia raised the money in a casual day, held specifically
to assist the Balinese victims of the tragedy.
Funds raised will go to YKIP, which established the
YKIDS Children’s Education Fund immediately after
the Bali tragedy to help meet the educational needs
of children who lost parents or whose parents were seriously
injured in last year’s tragedy.
There is no free education available in Indonesia and
it can cost up to approximately $AUD400 to educate a
student each year, including books and uniforms. “This
is one of the positive stories to come out of the Bali
tragedy,” Senator Patterson said.
“Centrelink has played an important
role in helping Australian survivors and families of
victims, both with support on the ground in Bali through
social workers and through the Bali Hotline, administered
by Centrelink to coordinate support for survivors and
families of victims.
“I am delighted to have the opportunity
to present the proceeds of the casual day to Ross Tysoe,
who will ensure the funds are passed on to the YKIP/YKIDS
Children’s Education Fund,” she said.
YKIP thanks all of the people of Centrelink for their
generous contribution to this fund.
Information about the charities benefiting from the
Centrelink fundraising activities is available at:
http://www.humanitarianprojectsindonesia.org
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