Would you like to win a $50 gift voucher?
We’re offering all actively signed up buddies and volunteers the chance to win one of three prizes.
All you have to do is submit a Google review about Gig Buddies Sydney. You have until the end of the month (Thursday 31 August) to enter.
To submit a review, load up this link and click on the ‘love Gig Buddies’ image.
Everyone who submits a review will go into the hat. At the end of the month (Thursday 31 August) we will draw three names. One submission per person, and the winners will be notified on the day. To be eligible for a prize, the reviewer must be a current service user (either buddy or volunteer).
Happy reviewing!
Are you looking to volunteer?
We need volunteers! Click on the image above for current roles on the Central Coast and the graphic below for opportunities in Sydney.
If you have any questions or would like more information, contact us via Facebook or email: info@gigbuddiessydney.org
Spring loaded
Bites out to eat, live music, outdoor catch ups, crazy shakes: we’ve plenty of variety on offer for our September socials.
We advertised our forthcoming gatherings last week - and the uptake has been great. To join us in Oatley, Warnervale, Auburn or Campbelltown, load up the links below.
Please note, our dinner and band night in Crows Nest and the axe throwing in Marrickville have both sold out.
Quadragenarians unite
On the subject of our socials, this is your last chance to sign up for Saturday’s 40+ gathering in Eastwood.
Meeting for midday, we’re off to the Eastwood Hotel for a bite to eat. If you’re aged 40 and over and would like to join us at our second ever such event, load up the link below:
And if you have any questions about our forthcoming gatherings, get in touch: we can be reached via Facebook Messenger, email: info@gigbuddiessydney.org or via text or phone call on 0411 252 228.
Each and every week we invite buddies to connect with us for our weekly chat.
Our chats take place via Zoom. To attend get in touch via text: 0422 061 990 or Facebook Messenger.
Good news of the week
We’re always on the lookout for good news stories, especially if they involve someone from our community of buddies and volunteers.
Julia (below) is just that. Fresh from her return from the Global Games in Vichy, France - where she bagged an incredible nine medals and set two world records - she tells us more about her involvement in the sport of rowing and representing Australia.
How long have you been rowing?
I’ve been rowing since 2002, when I turned 17. My mum pushed me to go - like mum’s always do, but i’m very happy that I did it.
I’ve joined six rowing clubs since I started, and I’m currently happy at Drummoyne Rowing Club. The team in Vichy was made up with others from Australia, including my awesome coach Kathleen (below right).
Tell us about being selected to represent Australia
I was at school and at the time was training ten times a week; I rowed at Penrith then and they needed another female for the team - and I was around. That was in 2003 and I’ve been representing Australia ever since.
I have represented Australia five times now: at the World Championship in 2003 in Milan, where I got a world record, and in 2006 at the World Championship in Eton, England. In 2019 I went to the Global Games for the first time. This was in Brisbane - as was the Oceania Asia Games in 2022. Then lastly I went to Vichy in France.
And tell us about the recent Global Games in Vichy
We had lots of selection trials because we could only take four rowers. The Australian Global Games team for France included the Head Coach, Michael Russell from Queensland, plus my coach Kathleen Hextell, and four rowers: two females from NSW, Bronte Marshall and myself, and two males: Mac Russell from Queensland and Aaron Skinner Victoria.
It was very hot and I hated the food as it was all covered in sauces, including the salads so I couldn't eat it! But I enjoyed the games and meeting new people. I also won nine medals: five golds, three silver and one bronze - plus I set two world records and two Australian records in indoor rowing. I was the only person to win a medal for every single race they entered.
It was good to row with the team.
My mum, family and friends came and supported me. It was good having their support - it makes you go faster!
How does it feel to be a world record holder?
I was very pleased that I got the world records. The records were in Indoor Rowing in the 1000 metre ergo and 500 metre ergo, both individual races.
I also came first in both my singles races of 500 metres and 1000 metres, and then I rowed in the mixed crews of pairs and coxed fours, which we all did well in.
Is this your greatest sporting achievement?
Well, I have six world records in total. My other records were set at the World Championships in 2003 in Eton, also in the Indoor Rowing on the ergo in the 2km, 1km and 500 metres.
I beat some of my own records in France.
What would you like to do next?
The next Global Games is four years away, and I’m not sure where yet. There are no other events coming up, but I’m happy to take it one week at a time.
I want to enter the next Global Games, but only if my coach wants to train me for the next four years.
Thank you, Julia, for sharing your story. It’s not every day we hear from a world record holder!
If you have a good news scoop that you’d like to include within the Gig Buddies newsletter, get in touch: reach out via email, matt@assistcom.org, or by phone: 0402 708 814
Prepped and ready to go
Last Monday we held our latest volunteer training session.
Here’s us saying “thank you" to Olivia and Liam (above, L - R) for joining us on Zoom.
All mapped out
And finally, for those wanting to know more about the areas we service, we’ve put together a map together that showcases the areas Gig Buddies covers and the best contact in each region.
If you would like know more about how we tackle social isolation for adults with mild to moderate learning disabilities and/or autism, or if you’re interested in volunteering with us, you can get in contact with the following hub coordinators:
Bec: Sydney coordinator (0411 252 228)
Aylin: Western Sydney coordinator (0466 389 961)
Lara: Greater Western Sydney coordinator (0478 045 121)
Sandon: Southern Sydney coordinator (0478 043 996)
Matthew: Central Coast coordinator (0402 708 814)
Alternatively, we can be reached via email, info@gigbuddiessydney.org, Facebook Messenger or by calling us at the office on: 02 9419 6951.
Matthew: Central Coast coordinator (0402 708 814)
Carol: CEO (02 9419 6951)
Chelsea: NDIS coordinator (0412 145 819)
Tony: Funding and sponsorship coordinator (02 9419 6951)
Bec: Sydney coordinator (0411 252 228)
Aylin: Western Sydney coordinator (0466 389 961)
Lara: Greater Western Sydney coordinator (0478 045 121)
Sandon: Southern Sydney coordinator (0478 043 996)
Would you like more information about Gig Buddies Central Coast? You’re only a click away. Connect with us via the links below.
Fancy revelling in legendary status? If so, please support us in our cause to get more people out to live events in Sydney.
Donations over $2 are tax deductible and all are gratefully received.
Gig Buddies Central Coast is an initiative of ACL Disability Services.