By GEORGIA WESTGARTH
CATHY Wieckmann provides a fun and happy sanctuary for children at their toughest of times.
A husband and wife team, Eric and Cathy have been doing what they love for the past 17 years, and after this year’s Australia Day, both have Casey’s highest of honours.
Cathy was awarded City of Casey Citizen of the Year on Australia Day for her work behind the scenes at CHIPS, Christians Helping In Primary Schools.
Cathy calls herself the background figure to her husband’s public approach to their not-for-profit organisation.
“Eric was awarded in 2005,” she said.
“I was very shocked to receive one, too, I’m happy to be in the background- they said I was the brains behind it, but I wouldn’t t go that far.”
The organisation has been taking children who have or are in the midst of highly traumatic experiences on a camp to Phillip Island, where they each have their own buddy who volunteers their time.
“Our aim isn’t to fix children we just want parents, carers and children to realise that they are of intrinsic value and whatever the gifting and capabilities of that child is, we want to encourage it,” Cathy said.
“We believe that healing from trauma and grief can come from spending time with groups and in a community environment.”
The CHIPS Chaplaincy program is now in 17 schools across Casey, Cardinia and Knox and liaises with 14 chaplains along with their beloved camps, which has a waiting list.
“We take everyone no matter their needs and we have a registered nurse on all our camps, parents are also welcome to come and the effects are far reaching,” Cathy said.
“One story that stands out to me is when a mum brought her children to one of our camps a couple of years ago after their dad died and they were in shock and grief.
“Years later she wrote to us to say how well they are going now and that she felt the ‘life gets better camp’ was a turning point in their healing.”
Extremely humbled by Casey’s recognition of her inspiring organisation, Cathy put the award down to her volunteers who make their work possible.
