Engaging Women at Friends of Montefiore Annual Brunch
Jewish Care Victoria hosted 220 guests at the 34th Annual Friends of Montefiore Brunch at Leonda by the Yarra, Hawthorn.
Martine Harte, Delysia Pahoff, Bill Appleby
Sponsored by the Pratt Foundation, the annual event raised more than $80,000 which will contribute towards new services that will enhance the lives of aged care residents of Gary Smorgon House who live with dementia.
The event was addressed by journalist and blogger Martine Harte.
Martine Harte was a senior journalist for Network Ten in 2005, where her coverage of the Bali 9 arrests earned her a Gold Quill Award for excellence in journalism and a Logie award nomination. Also founder of the website and blog ‘Engaging Women’, she spoke about the significance of covering the Bali 9 story and meeting Schapelle Corby, as well as growing up in a household that valued social justice.
Passionate about the advancement of females and their rights, Ms Harte said: “I encourage more women – you! – to put your hand up… to tell stories, to challenge the dominant norm. The absence of women’s voices means a narrow perspective and undermines our power. Silence means everything stays the same.”
Jewish Care CEO Bill Appleby also addressed the audience: “We are carrying forward the vision of your predecessors – your families – to build a community where everyone has a safe place to live, where everyone who wants to work has access to employment, where everyone is included and supported to live independently and with dignity.”
Mr Appleby urged the audience to reflect on the vital and unique role which Jewish Care plays in providing aged care services to the Jewish community.
“When an elderly person has nowhere to turn to for residential aged care, the place they turn to is Jewish Care.”
Delysia Pahoff , Chairperson of the Friends of Montefiore committee who has coordinated the event for 34 years said: “Our goal, as Friends of Montefiore and Jewish Care, is to add some comfort to the lives of those in need in our community. It is our job, and our pleasure, to help these people in need,” said Mrs Pahoff.
