SI Torrens Inc
SI Torrens Inc, originally chartered as SI Northern Districts, was founded in 1957 and drew most of its membership from the northern areas where the River Torrens flows from the Adelaide Hills across the plains to the coast. It has a long history of active involvement with an emphasis on hands on projects to provide assistance to not only its local area but also to the Region and Federation.
With a membership of 16 the club is actively involved in Region deliberations and has representatives at the Federation level. Members involve themselves in advocacy issues where the interests of women and children are involved and are currently supporting ongoing projects to promote improved health and education outcomes for disadvantaged women in both rural and urban areas.
The extensive work of the club, which can be further investigated under Projects, has been recognised by four Federation Best Practice Awards and one International Best Practice Award as well as several awards from the Premier's Association of Community Service Awards.
Club meets at Irish Hart Room, Prospect Town Hall on the second Monday of the month at 6.30 for 7.00 pm. Contact us at Email: sitorrens@siswp.org
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CONGRATULATIONS
A warm welcome to incoming president Melanie Humphrys for 2021-2022, we look forward to excitings years ahead.
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Susan hand over to Melanie
63rd Anniversary of Charter -August 1957
Feminine strength and longevity was the theme of the dinner to celebrate 60 years since Charter for the SI Torrens club. It was held at Sfera's and attended by more than 60 guests. Our special guest speaker was the Lady Mayoress of Adelaide, Genevieve Theseira-Haese, whose entertaining talk was on the topic of the impact of women, often quietly, on the development of South Australia. We were also fortunate to host both the Federation President, Theresa Lyford and the Australian national representative to the SISWP Board, Ralda Forzin.
Other guests included SISA President, Allison Hobbs, Immediate Past President, Dianne McCarthy, as well as the incoming Australian national representative, Katherine Gribble. Members of Torrens were also pleased to welcome members of Eastern Districts, who celebrated 49 years since their club's Charter, as well as Soroptimists from other SISA clubs. Not forgetting, of course, partners and other family members or friends who celebrated with us.
SI Torrens Club Projects and Activities
SI torrens Mary Whitehead Award
The Mary Whitehead Award is given to students who demonstrate and meet the criteria for this Award each year. This year two recipients were presented with the award, Ashley Carey and Emma Price, who have gained the qualifications that will support their further studies in Stem related occupations.
The focus on STEM at Golden Grove High School is driven by evidence that the demand for skills in STEM, especially in our growing defence, mining, bioscience, clean tech and food industries is outpacing the supply of skilled men and women. Current trends indicate that the number of jobs requiring STEM skills in SA will increase significantly by 2020. These jobs will be most specifically in the areas of construction, engineering, mining, food production and advanced manufacturing. Click on this link to read more about the Science Technology Engineering & Mathematics (STEM).
Mary Whitehead
The late Mary Whitehead, was a gentle and visionary lady and a devoted Soroptimist member. Mary was awarded the Member of the Order of Australia on 11 June, 1984 for service to the community, particularly women’s affairs.
Click here to read about her remarkable life.
The Peggi Williams Award
Every year the Soroptimist Organisation presents the Peggi Williams Award to a student from Our Lady of Sacred Heart, Prospect, SA; who demonstrates the values of the organisation and Dianne Potter presented the Peggi Williams Award on behalf of the Soroptimists International of Torrens.
Soroptimist International is a Service Organisation for all women who want to make a difference. Soroptimists work on many levels of civil society, local, national and international in projects that advance human rights and the status of women. They work together in a spirit of friendship and fun to make the world a better place for all.
Peggi Williams was a member of the SI Torrens Group. She was a woman who believed in working with the community to raise the status of young people and to advance human rights for all. Peggi Williams died tragically in a road accident in 1998. Her compassion and tireless efforts towards social justice are acknowledged through this award.
Golden Grove High School Dux Award
Each year the student with highest academic acheivement is awarded the above award.
Fundraiser: People First Community Lottery
New Members
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Congratulations to Jenny Hart and Fiona Wirth who have both joined SI Torrens as new members , President Melanie wecolming them at recent meetings.
SI Torrens News
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Zetta Karay celebrated her 90th birthday with a lunch attended by our members and NCWSA members.
Zetta has been a member of Torrens for 53 years and held many positions in the club and region of South Australia. At NCWSA she is also a long serving member of many years. She is a life member of both organisations.
Save the date/ a successful evening
it was a great to have our banquet and enabled us to have fundraising money to meet our annual committments for school scholarships.
Our annual Fund raiser, a chinese banquet at Ming Palace, unfortunately was cancelled in 2020 due to Covid 19. So trying for another banquet this year on June 21 (take 2) bookings at sitorrens@siswp.org
Advocacy Action
Torrens club members have been busy with advocacy research and action. Letters have been sent recently to Federation ministers and representatives, about backpackers and migrant legislation. Members are also researching homelessness prior to engagement with a new state strategy on housing.
Peggi Williams Award 2019
Each year the SI Torrens presents the Peggi Williams Award. This years winner is Suraya Haidari, a student from Our Lady of Sacred Heart, Prospect, SA; who demonstrates the values of the organisation. Dianne Potter (Right) presented the Peggi Williams Award on behalf of the Soroptimists International of Torrens read more about this award.
Dux of school prize
Susan Newton presents Golden Grove High School student Carly Sisto with the SI Torrens award for Dux of School.
Mary Whitehead Award to S.T.E.M. students
SI Torrens members present the Mary Whitehead Award to a student who demonstrated and met the criteria for the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) subjects.
Share the Dignity project: "Its in the Bag". Torrens members collected personal items and packed 45 bags for the above project
Christmas donation
Members decided to donate to Food Bank at this years Christmas meeting.
A tour of their premises was arranged and a very informative morning was had by attendees followed by morning tea.
Recent Project
Congratulations A best Practice Award 2018-19 received for this project at the recent Interim Board meeting
The over-subscribed day whose attendees included 2 State Ministers and a Federal Senator, was opened by Natasha Stott-Despojia, chair of Our Watch. It had diverse speakers from violence survivors and ex -prisoners to indigenous run courses for males, in-school programmes for respectful relationships and information on the impact of homelessness on women and children.
SI Torrens members during a workshop session
NAIDOC Week celebrations 2018 in Port Augusta.
