Annie returned from her Raleigh International Professional Development Borneo Program in late December 2008 and being the budding and talented writer that she is requested her own column to talk exclusively with our readers about her incredible experience....

Annie joined the St John of God Foundation Horizon House Project in September 2007 full of enthusiasm and promise, in 2008 Annie was chosen by the same body that organised Vaughn’s trip to go on this 2008 Borneo Expedition!!

Annie shared with us some of her feelings about what the Borneo expedition means to her and what the trip is all about.

Sister Bridie Quinn is the Foundation's very own Mission Leader and "inhouse" St John of God Sister. Sr Bridie was born in the West of Ireland and her early years were filled with the love of parents, brothers, sisters, the local village people and a loving Grand Mother. Bridie attended the local village school, and then went to a High School run by the Presentation Sisters to complete her education. Once Bridie had completed her High School education she commenced a traineeship as a draughtsperson in the UK. To find out how Bridie eventually became a Sister of St John of God please read on!

Vaughn started with the Horizon House Program in July 2006 when Bendat House Geraldton was first opened. As a shy, lonely and unconfident 17 year old coming from a difficult family scenario fraught with transience and irregularity; Vaughn immediately started to shine through the structure and support provided by our devoted Geraldton Carers.

Sophie Hamdorf, Foundation Communications & Marketing Manager, recently visited Let’s Talk Playgroup to see how Ansuya Rajoo’s Merriwa group in Western Australia was coming along. Being the end of second term it proved to be a good time to catch up with some of the parents that have found the service extremely rewarding and beneficial. Sophie spoke with Summer’s mum, Jan, who has had some fantastic results through the program.