ABM Strikes Gold with Giaan Rooney

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June 2006

ABM Strikes Gold with Giaan Rooney

Olympic Gold medallist. World record holder. Captain of the 2006 Australian Commonwealth Games swimming team. At 23 Giaan Rooney has fulfilled more dreams than most people ever have.

Having just retired from swimming she’s signed on as an on-air (TV) presenter. Not the sort of person that you’d imagine would have time to spare for making right the wrongs of the world. You’d be wrong.

This year Giaan is launching the Anglican Board of Mission’s Water Appeal, aimed at raising money to install clean water systems in remote and poverty-stricken communities in the Philippines. To make sure that she’s clear about the aims and needs of the projects Giaan is also giving her time to visit those communities in Northern Luzon where fresh water can be a real life-saver. Accompanied by her manager, Lisa Stallard, and an ABM staffer, Giaan will confront a developing nation for the first time.

‘I have no preconceived notion of what it’s going to be like. The one thing that concerns me is that, like most Australians, I have lived my life isolated from the rest of the world.’

Giaan goes on to explain why she’s taking this trip with the ABM.

‘For someone who spends so much time in and around water, the notion of not having enough rarely enters my mind. More importantly, I’m doing this because I have been very fortunate. I want to give back in some way by aiding those less fortunate than myself. In any high profile job like swimming you sign on to be an ambassador or role model and by doing this I may inspire others.’

Admirable sentiments indeed in the age of ‘Big Brother’ and the ‘me-first’ ethic. Giaan, however, has other reasons for thinking deeply about her place in the world. A practising Christian, she credits the influence of her grandfather for helping her to think beyond herself.

‘Religion has played a big part in my upbringing. If everyone in the world lived their life according to the teaching of Christianity the world would be a better place.

‘My grandfather lived his life according to Christian teaching. He’s an example to me – the most honourable man I’ve had contact with.

‘The fact that the church decides to use its spiritual and organisational power for the purpose of bettering the lives of poor communities – to enliven their existence – delights me. For me, this is religion doing what it’s supposed to do.’

ABM is thrilled to have Giaan on-board for the Water Appeal and excited that she’ll be able to encourage many of her generation to think about justice and hope for the poorest of the poor.

From Steve Daughtry, Communications Officer ABM. To make a tax-deductible donation to the ABM Water Appeal 2006 please call 1300 302 663, write to ABM Level 6, 51 Druitt St, Sydney, 2000 or donate online here.

Olympic swimming champion Giaan Rooney pictured in her new role, launching ABM's Water Appeal.

	The Anglican Church in Tasmania Search
	a healthy church...transformingLIFE
	Home About Contact us News Issues Parishes Prayer Calendar Youth Resources

				June 2006

		ABM Strikes Gold with Giaan Rooney Olympic Gold medallist. World record holder. Captain of the 2006 Australian Commonwealth Games swimming team. At 23 Giaan Rooney has fulfilled more dreams than most people ever have. Having just retired from swimming she’s signed on as an on-air (TV) presenter. Not the sort of person that you’d imagine would have time to spare for making right the wrongs of the world. You’d be wrong. This year Giaan is launching the Anglican Board of Mission’s Water Appeal, aimed at raising money to install clean water systems in remote and poverty-stricken communities in the Philippines. To make sure that she’s clear about the aims and needs of the projects Giaan is also giving her time to visit those communities in Northern Luzon where fresh water can be a real life-saver. Accompanied by her manager, Lisa Stallard, and an ABM staffer, Giaan will confront a developing nation for the first time. ‘I have no preconceived notion of what it’s going to be like. The one thing that concerns me is that, like most Australians, I have lived my life isolated from the rest of the world.’ Giaan goes on to explain why she’s taking this trip with the ABM. ‘For someone who spends so much time in and around water, the notion of not having enough rarely enters my mind. More importantly, I’m doing this because I have been very fortunate. I want to give back in some way by aiding those less fortunate than myself. In any high profile job like swimming you sign on to be an ambassador or role model and by doing this I may inspire others.’ Admirable sentiments indeed in the age of ‘Big Brother’ and the ‘me-first’ ethic. Giaan, however, has other reasons for thinking deeply about her place in the world. A practising Christian, she credits the influence of her grandfather for helping her to think beyond herself. ‘Religion has played a big part in my upbringing. If everyone in the world lived their life according to the teaching of Christianity the world would be a better place. ‘My grandfather lived his life according to Christian teaching. He’s an example to me – the most honourable man I’ve had contact with. ‘The fact that the church decides to use its spiritual and organisational power for the purpose of bettering the lives of poor communities – to enliven their existence – delights me. For me, this is religion doing what it’s supposed to do.’ ABM is thrilled to have Giaan on-board for the Water Appeal and excited that she’ll be able to encourage many of her generation to think about justice and hope for the poorest of the poor. From Steve Daughtry, Communications Officer ABM. To make a tax-deductible donation to the ABM Water Appeal 2006 please call 1300 302 663, write to ABM Level 6, 51 Druitt St, Sydney, 2000 or donate online here.		Olympic swimming champion Giaan Rooney pictured in her new role, launching ABM's Water Appeal.