By Paul Dobbyn
BRISBANE youth leader Anita Hendrie has given the name “Eddiefy” to dinner and discussion nights for young adults belonging to the Edmund Rice Network.
The regional mission team consultant for the Christian Brothers Oceania Province Mission Directorate coined the catchy name to capture the uplifting intent of the events.
“The nights were born out of a need to provide opportunities for young people who are connected to the Edmund Rice Network,” she said.
“They can come together to discuss current justice and advocacy issues and be inspired by guest speakers who are living out the Gospel-centred values of Blessed Edmund Rice of presence, compassion and liberation.
“The name was inspired by the definition of the word ‘edify’ – to improve the mind or character, and of course from Blessed Edmund, founder of the Christian Brothers, affectionately known as ‘Eddie’.”
“Inaugural speaker last year was Ben Zammit who spoke of his work as a skilled volunteer physiotherapist with the Edmund Rice Ruben Centre, a Christian Brothers’ ministry in the Mukuru slum in Nairobi, Kenya.
“Ben, a graduate of St Joseph’s College Gregory Terrace, has volunteered with Edmund Rice Camps and is now working as a physiotherapist for the Cerebral Palsy League.”
Nicholas Marchesi and Lucas Patchett, co-founders of Orange Sky Laundry, were first Eddiefy guest speakers for 2015.
“We heard how their passion for social justice was sparked during their time at Gregory Terrace, an Edmund Rice school,” Ms Hendrie said.
“It was here they became involved in Eddie’s Van, the school’s food van that serves the homeless of Brisbane.”
Kyra Truasheim and Amy Chan were among Edmund Rice Camp volunteers inspired by the Orange Sky Laundry story.
“People, like Nick and Lucas, who are similar to me, do amazing things,” Ms Truasheim said.
“I think to look to the community and see a need that could be filled is one thing.
“But to develop a company, vans, policies, volunteers, grants and funding is a real challenge they have succeeded in.
Ms Chan said she “loved everything about Eddiefy nights”.
“The decision to attend these was probably the best thing I did last year,” she said.
“The meetings have given me a message and a strong understanding about life and values.”
Eddiefy meets at Mu’ooz, an Eritrean restaurant and not-for-profit social enterprise, set up to give work experience, training and employment opportunities to African refugees.
Eddiefy on March 17 featured guest speakers Jess Schofield and Bethany Snow, Edmund Rice Camps volunteers, who will speak about the East African immersion project from which they have just returned.
“April will see inspiring Christian Brother Damien Price and young Canossian Sister Monique Singh speaking about being religious in a secular world,” Ms Hendrie said.
“These events are targeted at senior students and young adults, but anyone who is interested in attending is most welcome.”
To find out more visit www.facebook.com/ERNQld or email Anita Hendrie at athendrie@edmundrice.org.
