Soroptimist Clubs work within the framework of the International Programme of Service. Every four years, Soroptimist International chooses specific issues and concerns for their Programme of Service to focus upon. This means that the clubs throughout the world can concentrate their efforts in common directions and that Soroptimist International can act as a more effective Global Voice for Women. The current Programme Focus is based upon the issues of global concern identified at the United Nations Conference on Women held in Beijing in 1995.
SERVICE TO LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITIES
For many years Soroptimist International of Mount Gambier has provided an annual scholarship for a local secondary student entering tertiary education. The Scholarship is now named the Mim Ingham Award after the late highly respected Charter Member, Mim Ingham of Mount Gambier. In 2002 the SI Mount Gambier elected to award this education grant to ten disadvantaged women so that they could benefit from learning essential life skills that may lead to a brighter future. Gifts of Australian Native plants are given to new Australian citizens at Australian Citizenship Ceremonies, toiletries to a Women's Refuge each Christmas, assistance is also provided to aged care and palliative care facilities within the community. In 2002 the Clubs Program focus has been to enhance the future of disadvantaged youth and money has been raised to support the "Noola Yo Long" Adventure Camp at Rendelsham near Millicent approximately 50km from Mount Gambier. Melaleuca Primary School students were supported in their venture to compete in an Australian Performing Arts event for Primary School Children. Many of these students would not have been able to fund their trip away to Adelaide (our Capital City) and had the opportunity to visit it for the first time.
Voluntary Services by way of tree plantings, provision of furnishings for Aged Care Facilities and social activities for housebound senior citizens are among the activities in which the Mount Gambier Club is engaged. Support is provided to Red Cross, Anti Cancer Foundation and other National and Local Charities. SI Mount Gambier has offered support to the "Look Good Feel Good Program" which assists women who have received chemotherapy to attend to their grooming in a way that helps to raise their self esteem during this difficult time. On an international level an overseas child is fostered through World Vision and Ryder Cheshire's work in India is supported.
Mount Gambier has been very generous in its support of the Soroptimist International of South Australia Regional Project to support the Mobile Bone Densitometry Unit in its endeavour to provide bone density testing for women in rural areas and will be working to assist the Soroptimist International of South Australiašs Project to provide the opportunity for young women affected by autism to attend a camp. In keeping with the close association between Soroptomist International and a number of UN agencies, the club has always paid particular attention to special UN days and years.
In 2002 SI Mount Gambier celebrated 25 years of Charter and entered a float in the Mount Gambier Christmas Parade as recognition of this event.
