The Valley Weekender

The Valley Weekender
Child carer’s 30 years recognised
FOREST Hill resident Beres Balke’s 30 years of caring for local children
has been recognised with the recent presentation a Kath Dickson Family
Care award.
Ms Balke said she has enjoyed every minute of that time providing a
day-care service for local residents’ children.
“Over the years, I’ve kept a record of all the youngsters who have come
to me,” she said. “I’ve cared for a total of 107 children from 61 families
during that time. Some of them are now the children of children I once
looked after.
“If nothing else, it means I’ve been invited to quite a few weddings.”
Avoiding the limelight, it took a number of friends and acquaintances to
speak of Ms Balke’s achievements, with Ann Ellicott, a Plainland resident
with childcare experience, describing her as a “great day-care mum”.
“She is a lovely down to earth lady who thoroughly deserves her award
for 30 years of ongoing commitment to quality care for children,” Mrs
Ellicott said.
“We are all very proud of her and wish her all the best for the future.”
A camera-shy Ms Balke left it up to her young charges, (back from left Isabel
and Keira, and (front from left) Amilia and Abbie, to display her award.
Photo and story: Jim Nicholls.
Mateship Night
The Rotary Club of Gatton & Lockyer has members throughout the
Lockyer Valley. After the fl oods their focus was on the Lockyer Valley
and assisting youth based sporting groups get back some sense of
normality.
They purchased catering equipment and sporting goods for Laidley
Little Athletics which allowed the Twilight Carnival to go ahead on
time and with little or no disruption.
The Laidley Lions Junior Rugby League Football Club, Laidley Softball
Association and Laidley Soccer Club were also recipients of the Rotary
Club’s tangible & fi nancial support.
Other groups assisted were the Gatton Pony Club, The Withcott Soccer
Club, Upper Lockyer Little Athletics, Laidley-Walloon Quarter Horse
Association & Lockyer Valley Demons AFL Club.
In addition the club has helped a number of small businesses with
advertising costs and fi nancial assistance which contributes to the
fi nancial health of the Lockyer Valley.
The Lockyer Valley Youth Council took a trip to Parliament House Canberra as
a Flood recovery exercise. This was also majority funded by the Rotary Club.
Currently the club is assisting families who didn’t ask for help, as they
felt others were much worse off than they were.
On Friday, August 26th the club held a Mateship night at the Royal
Hotel in Gatton, where the recipients, helpers and club members shared
experiences and expressed thanks to those who assisted.
The highlights of the evening were the induction of the club’s youngest
member Rosie Smith. Rosie was sponsored by Rotary on a 12 month
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Cultural Youth Exchange to Missouri USA. Rosie has a great affi nity
with her Rotary Family both here & in the USA.
Mayor Steve Jones was honoured by
the club with the presentation of a Paul
Harris Fellowship for his courage during
the 2011 fl oods. Steve was honoured
not as the mayor, but as a person who
just did what needed to be done, at
great personal risk, to save lives in
the fl oods.
The Rotary Club of Gatton
(now Gatton & Lockyer)
was charted in 1950 and
is still making a positive
difference to those in
need.
Anyone interested
in Rotary can call
5462 5635 for more
information.Website:
http://gatton-lockyer.
rotaryclub.asn.au
“We Care and it shows”
Mobile: 0438 590 339
Email: offi ce@lockyervalleyrealestate.com.au
www.lockyervalleyrealestate.com.au