Author: Kerri Lacey

Committee Member: Shirley Mc Donald
By Kerri Lacey

Committee Member: Shirley Mc Donald

Shirley has been a member of the current committee since 2006, working tirelessly to help those in need. As avid supporter of the Mc Grath Breast Cancer Organisation, Shirley set up ties between this organisation and ALVA, showing how two charities can connect for a common cause. 

Congratulations Nicolette Norris AM
By Kerri Lacey

Congratulations Nicolette Norris AM

When you read the Australia Day Honours List, you will see that Nicolette Norris (aka Niki Dene) is now a Member in the general division of the Order of Australia ” for significant service to the community, particularly to the rights, protection and welfare of children.” She is now Niki Norris, AM.

 
CONGRATULATIONS NIKI!!!!
 
From Johnny Pace…… I could not be more delighted that her commitment and dedication to the cause has been so recognised. For the past 10 years she has donated up to 12 hours a day, seven days a week to the cause and I habitually am compelled to feign annoyance about 7.00pm each night to make her close the office and come to dinner. Our weekend evenings are frequently interrupted by phone calls from desperate mothers and never has she told them to ring back on Monday. Instead she breaks from whatever we were enjoying together to listen, advise and counsel – a process that never seems to take less than an hour. Our home is often used as a refuge for Mothers and their children from Intrastate who have to come to Sydney for Hearings etc and who can’t afford hotel accommodation. She is currently working with the State Member for Heathcote, Lee Evans, on the setting up of a Child Abuse Tribunal, with a panel of experts to investigate claims of abuse and to act as what Lee calls a ‘Gateway’ before these cases are dealt with by the Family Court. She has formed a separate group, Young Survivors Against Child Abuse (YSACA), made up of young people who have been returned to the custody of the more protective parent, more often than not, through Niki’s intervention. She arranged a meeting with the Federal Children’s Commissioner, Megan Mitchell, who listened to their stories and is already acting on the issues the children raised. Her many meetings with Government departments dealing with children has seen a marked improvement in attitudes and practice as she makes them understand the underlying flaws that see too many children suffering Court sanctioned abuse. All this just touches on the work she does and the outcomes she has achieved. That all this work is now recognised with an AM for her makes me the proudest man on the planet. Well wishing to: ndene@optusnet.com.au
ALVA’s History
By Kerri Lacey

ALVA’s History

In 1979, ALVA members began raising money by holding Fetes, River Cruises and an Annual Ball.  After ALVA became a Registered Charity, Art Unions were introduced as a way of raising much needed funds. Throughout the early years, Maria Venuti AM began the ALVA Race Days that saw massive support from all members of the entertainment industry. This was during time of Variety television.  In 1986, these fantastic activities raised enough money for ALVA to buy property.  Now, the profit ALVA reap’s from the rental of our properties and the interest earned from our investments is what we use to help people in need in the Entertainment Industry and beyond. We also donate to worthy causes within our wider community.  The profit from our functions contributes to this and to administering our office of Volunteers.

 

ALVA can provide immediate assistance in a range of areas. From the Medical Gap and medical equipment  such as wheelchairs, scooters and frames, to paying for Homecare. We can assist with rent and utilities and even to help with in home nursing when our industry members are going through Chemotherapy, recovering from operations, are homeless or generally in need.

 

IT IS ALVA’S CHARTER TO HELP IN CARING, SHARING AND IN FRIENDSHIP.