2007 Spirit of Mission Awards

Superintendent's Award

Wesley Mission thanks Mavis and Lakshman Wijesekera – nominated personally by the Superintendent, Rev Keith Garner, for their continued commitment to Wesley Mission.

The Wijesekeras, Methodists originally from Sri Lanka, had wandered into Wesley Mission on Easter Sunday in 1975 as an Easter documentary was showing, thinking that they were in a theatre.

They were, indeed, in the old Lyceum Theatre which was used as a church by the Wesley Mission on Sundays. They heard the renowned former Superintendent, Sir Alan Walker, preach, and had chosen the Mission from then on as their place of worship. In their time, hey have heard the preaching of three Superintendents: Sir Alan, Rev Dr Gordon Moyes and now Rev Keith Garner.

Mavis and Lakshman humbly serve God with all their might as congregation members of Wesley Mission, Mr Garner said. “Mavis must write more letters than anyone else I know,” Mr Garner said affectionately as the SOM audience applauded his choice. “They really share in the pastoral life of the Mission, and the Mission is part of their family life.”

Accepting the award, Mavis Wijesekera said, “I don’t think we deserve this. We are just doing it for God and we will go on doing it for as long as we can.”

Individual Donor Award

Kindly sponsored by Mailroom Express

Wesley Mission thanks Loyla and Richard Hogarth – acknowledging the generosity and kindness of an individual towards Wesley Mission.

Loyola and Richard Hogarth have been loyal donors to Wesley Mission for more than 20 years. They have bought equipment and sporting goods for Mangrove Mountain retreat and also organise regular book sales to raise money for the Hills Family Centre, recruiting the help of more than 30 friends, family and neighbours.

Volunteer Award

Kindly sponsored by Drake International

Wesley Mission thanks Bruce Gordon – an individual who has extensively given personal time to help the Mission.

In an extraordinary contribution to the work of Lifeline Sydney, Bruce has given more than 2500 hours to telephone counselling, taking at least 3000 calls. With skill and care, he has brought understanding, wisdom and support to callers, trainees, telephone counsellors, other volunteers and staff at Lifeline Sydney over the past 20 years. He has served on the Lifeline Sydney Advisory Board.

Community Award

Kindly sponsored by Plutonic Zoo

Wesley Mission thanks Shaun Dunn of Roseville Plumbing. Shaun is a person who has made a substantial contribution to the Mission which has had a positive effect on the wider community.

Shaun is unusual among service providers because of the active and personal interest he takes in all the work he does for the Mission’s residential aged care centres. He is held in great trust and affection by clients and staff because he takes care to minimise disruption to services, being proactive in alerting people to potential problems, and in working well with Mission staff.

Corporate Award

Kindly sponsored by da Vinci Marketing

Wesley Mission thanks Chrisco – a company that has contributed not only financially but given support wholeheartedly in the donation of goods, or volunteering or supporting Wesley Business Units.

Chrisco opened its Auburn warehouse doors to provide a huge range of new household equipment, electrical goods, toys and other goods for Mission centres that care for homeless families and intellectually disabled people. The generous gift from the hamper company was worth more than $50,000.

Media Award

Kindly sponsored by Lighthouse Communications Group

Wesley Mission thanks FOXTEL Studios a media partner which has made a significant contribution to the work of Wesley Mission.

FOXTEL Studios has been a great asset to Wesley Mission for their work with the Rise and Shine program which is broadcast each Sunday on Channel Nine. FOXTEL has heavily discounted the cost of production to meet Wesley Mission’s Media budget and offers excellent advice and counsel to Rise and Shine producers along with equipment and other facilities.

Corporate Citizenship Award

Kindly sponsored by Nexia Court & Co.

Wesley Mission thanks Grant Goldman, Radio 2SM and Super Network Breakfast Presenter for showing an awareness of social responsibility by supporting Wesley Mission with goods in kind, volunteering or program support.

Grant, the host of Radio 2SM’s Breakfast Show, has a genuine interest in community and social issues. He supports Wesley Mission with professional and first-rate coverage of projects including the LifeForce Memorial Service, Easter Mission, the Financial Stress campaign, homelessness, youth problems, drug and alcohol abuse and mental health issues.

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