Lance's presentation at the 2008 AGM

Following the 2008 AGM on 16.6.08, a sponsored 'Drinks and Nibbles Celebration' was held with around 50 invited guests coming along to celebrate our first 5 years.

During the evening, Lance made a presentation of our history, and where we're headed. It is summarised in the following:

Communities for Communities (C4C) commenced in June 2002. Since that time, we've held 61 events - which works out at around an event per month. Along the way, 30,000 people have been involved, either as sponsors, committee members, event helpers or attendees. 

At the heart of C4C has been a real desire to experience and celebrate the sense of belonging that comes from a vibrant community. C4C has grown out of a range of connections - from Drummoyne Swimming Club, Abbotsford Soccer, churches in the area, fetes, school events and many more. Lance noted that he could look around the room and see the breadth of the ways we're connected, and how those connections have helped build C4C.

In today's busy world, Lance noted that it can be difficult to maintain connectedness. But his experience during the Sydney Olympics and his time on Survivor helped him to recognise the power of community - that when people come together, an energising sense of belonging will flow that can help generate great things.

His time on Survivor helped him realise how much we have - yet we're not always aware of how rich we are. And despite being deprived of food, water, shelter and contact with loved ones, Lance felt privileged to be connected with the others, and their bonding and co-operation made their survival possible.

Despite his disappointment in being eliminated from Survivor, Lance felt impelled to draw on what he had experienced to make a difference in the lives of others. He wanted to find a way to tap into the richness of the local community, and help other communities for whom the deprivation he'd experienced in the desert - was a way of life.

His early conversations about how to proceed included Derek and Leonie Ebbs. Other friends and family members also became interested in getting involved. The first three meetings were held at Drummoyne Swimming Pool. The idea of community helping community was beginning to take shape.

Soon after, the meetings moved to Derek and Leonie's home. John Murphy and Angelo Tsirekas joined as Patrons early in C4C's life.

From day one, C4C has been thoroughly committed to operating purely by volunteer effort. Lance commented that it is amazing to think how the bulk of our operating expenses sits at 0.7% of funds raised - which is extraordinarily low compared with almost all other charities.

Lance especially noted that whilst an important part of what we do is about supporting other communities - a more significant aspect is that we celebrate our community along the way. He noted that for those who have participated in an immersion trip, one of the most valuable aspects is experiencing the joy that many of the people we are helping find in their daily lives - despite their desperate living conditions. We gain - and learn - by observing their appreciation for the simplest of things.

Lance then detailed the projects with which we've been involved:

2002: Ranong - We raised $190K and with the help of Caritas, we built 9 schools on the Thai Burma border. These schools were unaffected by the recent cyclone, and are self -funding.

2004: Cebu - We've finished raising the funds to build 300 houses and a community centre. Around 40 families will be moving into the completed homes shortly, and we will be handing over the remaining funds as site works allow construction of the remainder of the homes.

2007:  Lucas Gardens School in Five Dock - $50,000 was raised by our inaugural ball organised by Jacque Weaver and her Committee. The funds were given to Lucas Gardens to assist with paediatric physiotherapy and hydrotherapy services.

2008: Vietnam- We've pledged $125,000 p.a. for the next three years to build between 90-100 homes to enable families to move from living on a rubbish tip to safe housing.

Lance then revisited some of the important connections that were forged that helped propel C4C. These included a speech Lance made for Briar's Rugby Club that introduced him to John Shanahan - who served on the Committee and generously agreed to cover the cost of C4C's first film. This film helped to publicise what C4C is about, and to gather support.

Through Chris Kennedy, Lance was introduced to Peter Butt who kindly agreed to make the film - and ended up doing around $50,000 work for free - meaning John Shanahan's donation went directly to our fund raising projects.

Lance observed that some of the most beautiful aspects of C4C's journey have been in the way the community has embraced it. He spoke about All Hallows School in Five Dock who pledged to raise funds for a house in Cebu (around $1800) after seeing the film. The teachers tried to suggest they aim for half a house instead, because it seemed such a daunting target; however the children would not be dissuaded. Each week, a different class would take turns in running a fund raising event. Lance recalls being at the school when the announcement was made over the intercom system that the target had been reached, and hearing all the cheering that rang out from around the classrooms.

He also spoke about one of the All Hallows students who had slept on the floor one night to experience what it might be like to live like the people in Cebu.

Lance described the intent behind our logo. The hands represent a community reaching out to another; the blue represents the water that surrounds Canada Bay, and the ochre, the land. The two 'C's for community are present, and the arms also signify the view that Lance had as he looked down and contemplated the life that many people who are materially poor endure, and the richness that is born out of community.

Lance believes that the formalisation of our relationship with Council is a significant step forward. To date, we've partnered with Council for 8 events.

Lance reiterated that C4C is not about the money but about living by the four pillars - and that in doing so, the fund raising happens along the way.

Lance finished by looking around the room and acknowledging the role that many in the audience have played throughout C4C's journey.

Edwin from the Salvation Army noted that there are many synergies between the two organisations.

The generosity of Janet Parker was also acknowledged, with a significant sum from her estate being bequeathed to C4C.