Community & Business
1 November, 2021
Pittsworth Mayoral Prayer Breakfast a sell-out
The 6th Annual Pittsworth Mayoral Prayer Breakfast was held at the Pittsworth Golf Club and was a huge success, with tickets selling out the day before the event.
More than 100 people filled the Golf Club building for a morning of socialising, prayer and raising funds for a worthy charity.
This year, the breakfast supported the Pittsworth and District State Schools’ Chaplaincy Service, which includes Pittsworth State High School, Pittsworth State School, Southbrook Central State School and Mt Tyson State School.
The mission of chaplains in these communities is to bring God’s love, hope and good news to children, young people and their families.
Chaplains play an important role in supporting young people in one of today’s most high pressure environments - the school yard.
Not only will proceeds from the breakfast ticket sales go towards these chaplaincy services, but so will funds raised from the lucky door prize and the auction of a clock and painting.
Some proceeds will also go to Emerge Toowoomba - a community-driven, non-government and non-religious social impact business that provides employment, emergency accommodation, mentorship and social opportunities to disadvantaged children in our region.
Founder and CEO of Emerge Toowoomba Jen Shaw was the guest speaker for this years breakfast.
Ms Shaw has an inspiring story of her own as she rose above challenges and disadvantages in her early life to become a food personality and social entrepreneur through Emerge Cafe, which she opened in 2017.
She has channelled her experience into helping young people who are facing their own life challenges.
Ms Shaw’s leadership has seen Emerge provide on-the-job training, mentorship and practical life skills for disengaged and at-risk youth in the Toowoomba area.
Any profits generated by the business go directly back into the enterprise to provide more opportunities for young people to refine their skills and gain additional work experience.
At the breakfast last week Ms Shaw spoke of her story and her journey to founding Emerge, and all who attended were inspired and touched by her speech.
Toowoomba Region Mayor Paul Antonio and a number of Councillors also attended the breakfast, with Toowoomba Regional Council’s Environment and Community Services Committee Chair Cr James O’Shea the M.C. for the event.
Half way through the breakfast, Mayor Antonio presented a welcome speech, expressing his support and acknowledging the work chaplains do in our communities and schools.
Over the course of the morning there was also a Bible reading, a prayer for chaplains, an acknowledgement of country and an auction, among other things.
The auction, which was run by real estate agent and auctioneer Mark Droney, was a great success, with a clock selling for $210 and a painting going for $410.
The lucky draw prize winners were also drawn at the end of the breakfast.
This year’s event was made possible through the generosity and support of businesses and community organisations in our area.
