Queen of Hearts

2018 Citizen of the Year

The Queen of Hearts CEO is the 2018 Citizen of the Year for Penrith

The Queen of Hearts Community Foundation’s CEO and Founder, Michele Ellery, has been named the 2018 Penrith Citizen of the Year as a part of the Penrith City Council’s Australia Day festivities.

Ms Ellery, the mother of three girls, said this is such a wonderful opportunity and she’s very grateful to be given this opportunity.

“It is so wonderful to be recognised by the people of Penrith for such an award,” Ms Ellery said.

“This gives me the feeling that what I’m doing at Queen of Hearts is valued across the community. It is very gratifying and I’m very grateful for this response.”

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Ms Ellery has been campaigning on the side of domestic abuse survivors and the victims of child sexual abuse since 2014. She wants to use her position as Citizen of the Year to help further her work for Queen of Hearts as well as learn more about the issues facing the people of Penrith.

“There are so many great things about this city we live in and being named Penrith Citizen of the Year means I can use my title to learn and get to know so much more about the things that make Penrith tick,” Ms Ellery said.

Armed with her new 12 month position, Ms Ellery said she wants to help highlight the things that make Penrith such a wonderful city.

“Working with the brave and resilient people at the Queen of Hearts Community Foundation has shown me that Penrith is more than simple statistics,” Ms Ellery said.

“We are strong people with so many stories. Stories filled with hope and light and happiness. I want to help shine a light on these stories and expel some of the stereotypes and stigmas that exist around Western Sydney.

“We have a vibrant community and we should celebrate the fact that we live in Penrith,” she said.

Ms Ellery established the Queen of Hearts Community Foundation in 2014 after she was inspired by her own struggles. Since then she has provided specialised trauma counselling, raised awareness and funds to help provide better survivor services and worked with the Western Sydney University. Her work has delivered to nearly 200 women, including over 350 emergency rescue packages of clothes and toiletries to local families and women in need. More information, please visit the Website www.queenofhearts.org.au or Contact us on 1300856737.

Event and Social Media Volunteers

By Michele

We are looking for Event and Social Media volunteers for the Annual Fundraising Masquerade Ball. The event is taking place on Saturday 21st July 2018 at Penrith RSL function room.

Volunteers should be confident, passionate about fundraising and spoken word, be able to work well in a team, and use their initiative in a fast-paced environment. We will need volunteers for the entire event, On Saturday 21st July volunteers will be needed for the morning to set up, also the evening.

Volunteers will need to be available for two training sessions before the event: an initial volunteer meetup during the week commencing June 15th 2018 and a training session on July 13th 2018.

Event Volunteer Responsibilities
Responsibilities will include helping our guests, answering patrons’ questions, guiding people to their seats, and checking tickets. Selling raffle tickets and various other tasks.

Social Media Volunteer Responsibilities
Volunteers should be able to use Twitter and Facebook proficiently, have a good knowledge of the event and spoken word, be able to respond to events and content quickly and efficiently, have their own smartphone or tablet. Responsibilities will include live tweeting and blogging our events, taking photos during the events, responding to queries online and responding to interactions.

If you would like to be part of the Queen of Hearts event, please send a CV and covering letter explain why you’d fit into the team to [email protected]

Please also include details of your availability for the event. Successful applicants will require a current working with children’s clearance.

Wishes do come true this Christmas

By Michele

Adopt A Family Christmas Appeal is on again in 2017

By Michele

Adopt a Family Christmas Appeal is on again this December

Adopt a family Christmas Appeal is in full swing to deliver food hampers, clothing, Gift cards, Children’s toys for our most vulnerable this Christmas.

The Queen of Hearts Community Foundation officially launched the Christmas Appeal on Friday the 17th November with Minister for Western Sydney Stuart Ayres MP.

The Minister’s Office will be a collection point with one of our boxes so anyone that wishes to donate a toy, gift card or a tin of food. Download the Ladies and Teen Wish List

AGM 2017 stronger than ever

By Michele

AGM 2017, future is stronger than ever!

The committee of 2016 has achieved so much and I feel honoured to pass the baton on to a new committee, at our AGM 2017 full of enthusiasm, new ideas and with the objective to do the best for our Organisation.

I thank the outgoing committee for their hard work, commitment to attending meetings and their friendship.

The one thing that brought us together is that we are all passionate about our Organisation and keeping it part of the Local community.

It is so important for us to have these opportunities to connect with our community; after all – that’s what it’s all about for us: successful community inclusion.

I wanted to start by thanking you for joining us today; your support and presence here is indicative of the steps we’ve made in the right direction, and of the possibilities of what could be as we continue on this path.

Achievements

Last December, 250 ladies received our handbags filled with personal care items as part of our ‘Pack to Give Back Dignity’ Appeal. As a key contributor of that appeal was Lea Hix of the Hix Group dropping off many wonderful bags with towels, shampoo, conditioner, brushes and some had gift cards as well. Thankyou Lea!

This year we embarked on fundraising as a way to diversify our revenue and build stronger connections with local businesses and the broader community. A number of small campaigns and fundraising initiatives were conducted, including the “Friends of QOH’ appeal to provide funding support to over 200 women to participate in our Circle of Security Parenting group for free. is a relationship based early intervention program designed to enhance attachment security between parents/care givers and children.

We also held a highly successful Christmas in July Fundraising night in which was attended by 200 people and raised over $30,000.

407 Women, young people and men walked through our doors. It is here I wish you to particularly note the following;

Every single person that came through our doors was provided ;

Specialised trauma informed practice Counselling for Domestic Violence/and or Childhood sexual abuse.

Case Management that ensured professional holistic and practical tools, resources and referrals were provided.

Thank you to the following Businesses for sponsoring the Queen of Hearts AGM on Tuesday 14th November 2017