The sole purpose of this Friends group, commenced under the auspices of the Glebe Society, is to raise much-needed additional funding for Centipede. As most readers will already be aware Centipede is a not-for-profit Before and After School Care Centre that also provides breakfasts and dinner, educational programs and holiday activities for children aged 5-8 years who attend Glebe Public School. Most of these children (70%) come from the Glebe Public Housing estate, including many from disadvantaged homes where total dependency on Centrelink for income means fees are often beyond their family’s reach, yet Centipede doesn’t turn people away. It is built on the very real understanding that early childhood support can lead to improved learning outcomes and greater autonomy in later years.

The long serving and much respected manager of Centipede, Kim Payne, is leaving this year. All those who’d like to farewell him as he heads off to New Zealand to pursue a new career are invited to gather at the Harold Park Hotel at 6.30pm on the evening of Friday, 7 August to do so. A replacement manager is currently being sought.

Additionally this year the annual ‘thank-you to Friends of Centipede’ Sunset Soiree will take place at the Glebe Rowing Club on Friday 9 October. Please put it in your diary now. It promises to be a pleasant and enjoyable evening, during which the draw for a major Raffle prize, a hand-made queen size quilt donated by an award winning quilter, will take place.

Your assistance in selling raffle tickets prior to the event would be most welcome, as would any help you may be able to offer in preparing for the Soiree. Please contact me by email, community@glebesociety.org.au or mobile 0401 505 657 to purchase tickets, take a book or two to sell or to offer assistance in preparing for the event. Open arms await you!

Centipede Raffle