The Catherine Freeman Foundation

LATEST NEWS

September CFF Newsletter
Sep 15, 10:23 AM

Hi everyone
So much has happened this year its hard for me to know where to start. We held the first joint initiative between CFF and Cottage by the Sea in June, with 7 young girls and 2 teachers from Palm Island travelling down to Victoria to stay at the cottage and to experience a week of amazing and eye opening experiences.

The CFF held the inaugural fund raising and awareness event at the MCG in June, which was supported incredibly well. The National Sports Museum has assisted by organising a dedicated Catherine Freeman display, with all proceeds being donated to the CFF.

Westpac Women’s Markets Group, who have nominated CFF as their charity of the year are halfway into the target set for 2008 and have presented up with the first cheque. This will assist funding young girls at boarding school in 2009. We are currently in discussion with Australian Indigenous Education Fund and are shortlisting the most suitable school to partner with for the Catherine Freeman Foundation scholarships for young ladies from Palm Island.

We are in the planning stages for the end of year presentations for the non-truancy bike program and are very much looking forward to attending. I would like to thank all supporters for their encouragement, their offers of help and their kind donations.

All the best,

Catherine

CFF Launch Event – MCG June 2008
The Catherine Freeman Foundation inaugural fundraising event was held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on June 12 2008. A guest list of 100 family foundations and corporates attended the launch. The event was presided over by CFF Board Member Ann Sherry, who shared with the audience the vision of the Foundation. In addition, the opening of the dedicated Catherine Freeman display at the National Sports Museum, will all donations and proceeds from the display and of the Catherine Freeman merchandise on offer in the souvenir shop to benefit the Catherine Freeman Foundation.

CFF and CBTS Educational and Aspiration program June 2008

In conjunction with Cottage by the Sea, the Catherine Freeman Foundation organised for a group of 7 girls and 2 teachers from Palm Island to fly to Melbourne and attend a Cottage Camp at Queenscliff from 9 -16 June. Activities included: a Qantas tour of the airport; meeting AFL Essendon players and attending a game; a tour of the Herald Sun headquarters – how to become a journalist, and fun activities including surfing and visiting the Queen Victoria Markets. The experiences were designed to expand their horizons. The kids loved every minute of their stay as the following quotes convey. “…at school I feel annoyed and challenged, sometimes cause the work is hard and I just want to go home to play with my baby brother…but here I love it cause everything is fun and I don’t know if I am learning anything but I just like it all, especially the shopping and the cottage.” Palm Island child “It was heartening to see these wonderful children venturing into unfamiliar experiences with such enthusiasm and interest. To see the smiles on the faces and hear the excitement in their voices as they explored new horizons was just so pleasing for us all.” – General Manager – Cottage by the Sea.

“Seven lucky young girls from Palm Island and their teachers had an experience of a lifetime last month when they were chosen to travel to Melbourne and spend a week at Cottage by the Sea and attend the launch of the Catherine Freeman Foundation at the MCG. These young girls saw a very different view of Australia during their week away. They wereamazed at the sights and new experiences. They were bubbling with enthusiasm and stories when they returned home. Apart from all the excitement of surfing in the freezing water, seeing the bright city lights, visiting the famous MCG , the fact that they were made to feel special and important by all the personnel involved was what made their experience a powerful one. We have seen these girls grow in self confidence and pride in who they are through this experience. It is not only the holiday aspect of the trip that was of importance – anyone can provide a holiday , but it takes committed, professional and sincere organizations to provide what was provided for our girls – acknowledgement, respect, dignity, trust and love. For this we say a huge thank-you to our friends at Cottage By the Sea and the Catherine Freeman Foundation.” – Lil Myrtl – Principle St Michael’s School Palm Island.

Community Spirit – Palm Island November/December 2008

The team from CFF will visit Palm Island in November/December to present all awards for 2008 and to announce the recipients of the Catherine Freeman Foundation scholarships for young ladies to commence in 2009.

Westpac Women’s Markets Group

Westpac Women’s Markets Group will stage an additional 4 women’s business events around Australia, with all funds raised going directly to CFF’s scholarship initiative. To date, $20,000 has been donated, with funds going directly to the scholarship initiative. At the recent WWMG Ruby Connections website launch in Brisbane on 3 September, Catherine Freeman presented to the ladies on her vision for the CFF and was astounded by the generosity of the ladies, with some significant pledges for programs received on the night.

AIEF /CFF scholarship update

The Catherine Freeman Foundation has donated $40,000 to Australian Indigenous Education Foundation, with details of the best utilisation of funds being determined and to be reported in the next newsletter. CEO of the AIEF, Andrew Penfold and Catherine Freeman plan to visit Columba School in Charters Towers on 17th September to investigate the possibility of a partnership.

Friends of the CFF

We would like to thank the following supporters for offering assistance.
Westpac Women’s Markets Group, Carnival Australia – for choosing CFF charity of the year 2008
Other friends include: McKinseys & Company, Melbourne Cricket Ground, Townsville Bicycle Centre, Badgar Ogilvy, Getty Images, Thunderbox Productions, National Sports Museum, Essendon Football Club, Rosehill College (Niddrie Secondary School), Cottage by the Sea, Giant Bicycles, Lighthouse Investments, Sue Elliot, Deborah Morandin, Elena Gosse. Also those individuals who volunteered their time to assist the CFF MCG event in June.

Catherine Freeman Foundation – Summary of Goals 2008/2009

The Catherine Freeman Foundation plans the following activities in Palm Island in 2008/2009.
• Non – truancy bike program – 20 mountain bikes and helmets to be presented in December 2008
• After Schools Activity program – A regular activity program designed to give children healthy lifestyle choices after school To include music, crafts and sea kayaking. To commence in 2009.
• Collaboration with Cottage by the Sea to provide another group of 7 Palm Island students an opportunity to travel to Victoria for a 7 day aspirational holiday in Queenscliff in January 2009
• Collaboration with Australian Indigenous Education Foundation. CFF scholarships to beawarded to indigenous girls. To commence 2009.