On Friday 5th April the Sunshine Coast Region of the Order of Australia Association hosted a Morning Tea at the beautiful Serenity Restaurant on Bribie Island. The sun was shining on Pumicetone Passage as the thirty-seven members and guests were greeted by the Region Convenor, Marjorie Voss OAM and her husband Royce Voss OAM. After a time of fellowship, relaxing on the verandah of the Restaurant, the members were invited to partake of a delicious morning tea.
Featured image(above): Guests (some from Gympie) listening to Sonia
There was much talking and laughter, as Order of Australia members and their guests renewed friendships and made new ones. Following the morning tea our guest speaker, Sonia Colvin the founder of “Hairdressers with Hearts” spoke of her vision for helping those suffering from Domestic Violence and Elder Abuse and how it has grown from its roots on Bribie Island. Sonia gave frightening statistics of the number of deaths and cases resulting from these. She also spoke of the wonderful work which is now being carried out to assist the people finding themselves in this situation.
In all, it was a very enlightening and at the same time heartening address. Sonia was thanked by Paula Penfold AM for her presentation and was also presented with a Certificate of Appreciation from the Sunshine Coast Region of the Order of Australia Assn. by the State Chairman of the Association, Prof. John Harden AM. Members from as far away as Gympie and areas in between attended the Morning Tea.
Not only were they keen to hear the Guest Speaker, but also wanted to spend the day on our beautiful Bribie Island. They were not disappointed and were full of praise for the venue and the scenery and for the morning as a whole. The Order of Australia Association comprises those people who have been recognized by receiving an award in the Order of Australia.
The Sunshine Coast Region stretches from Mango Hill to Gympie and comprises approximately 130 members. Functions are held in various areas in the Region.