Testimonials
Your gift to Soul Hub of first aid supplies
Dear Grey - Let’s Break Bread
Thank you so much for your incredibly generous donation to Soul Hub. Your support has been greatly appreciated by our guests and will significantly contribute to our day to day operations serving the vulnerable people of Newcastle.
We always describe Soul Hub as “a compassionate community response to some deep community needs”. With no government funding Soul relies on the generosity & compassion of the Newcastle community for our existence. It is people like you that fuel Soul Hub and support our mission of serving all who walk through our doors.
Every donation of baked beans, every monetary donation, every act of volunteerism all adds a bit more Soul to Soul Hub. Each week Soul Hub provides hundreds of free meals to some of the most vulnerable in our community and connects our Guests to critical support services including our Soul social work and medical clinics, podiatry, audiology, chiropractic, legal and accommodation services, Centrelink, hairdressing, Service NSW and NDIS.
We would like to take this opportunity to extend an invitation to you to join us for lunch or coffee sometime, to meet the team at Soul and to see our operations firsthand.
Please don’t hesitate to contact us on 4926 1758 or community@soulhub.org.au to arrange a visit. Thanks once again for your generous support. We look forward to connecting with you again soon.
Kind Regards, Matthew Ortiger
General Manager | Soul Hub
Phone: 02 4926 1758 |www.soulhub.org.au
437 Hunter St, Newcastle NSW 2300
ABN: 67 385 398 045
“Grey and I first met in 2017 when we were both supporting the Newcastle Night Angels serving the homeless community of Newcastle. Late in 2018 I co-founded StreetCare a registered charity providing care for the ever-increasing population of homeless in the community. Grey was instrumental in giving guidance, advice and his experience in our early days and continues to help us in many ways, along with providing all our first aid supply needs and some financial assistance.
He is currently formalising “Lets Break Bread” which is a cumulation of his charitable endeavours, rolled into one structure. We look forward to working with him into the future and have no doubt as to its imminent success.”
— Kirsten Engert
President, StreetCare Homeless Support and Crisis Care Inc
I am deeply moved by the mission and impact of Let's Break Bread, a charity truly born from love and dedication to helping those less fortunate. This unique charity, under the passionate leadership of Grey Norman, has created a model where discarded or surplus medical supplies, essential first aid equipment, and bedding from Hotels, are given new purpose and a home among those who need them most. In a world where waste often prevails, Let's Break Bread has turned it into an opportunity for compassion. Recently, through our work with Into The Wild and Soaring into the Wilderness, we had the privilege of meeting Grey, who selflessly donated thousands of dollars worth of first aid gear for one of our upcoming projects. These supplies will be used to assemble first aid kits for the homeless and vulnerable in the Manning Great Lakes community, a gift that is beyond words of gratitude. Let's Break Bread operates on a barter system—an even exchange that ensures the focus remains on generosity rather than financial gain. Grey and his team embody a refreshing approach, one based on helping others purely out of kindness and respect. I cannot recommend Let's Break Bread highly enough to anyone who wants to support a charity that is sincerely dedicated to changing lives. Thank you, Grey, for all that you do to uplift and provide for those in need.
Aaron Dodds
Soaring Into The Wilderness
It is with great pleasure and heartfelt appreciation that I write this character reference for Grey Norman. As a dedicated member of the Diabetes Alive Charity Foundation, Grey has been an unwavering pillar of support, demonstrating an extraordinary commitment to our cause and the well-being of children affected by diabetes. Grey's contributions to our foundation have been nothing short of remarkable. Through tireless fundraising efforts and exploring numerous avenues for support, Grey has played a pivotal role in enabling us to provide insulin pumps to children from lower socio-economic backgrounds. These children, who once faced significant challenges in managing their diabetes, now have a better chance at a healthier, more manageable life, thanks to Grey's dedication and hard work.
- Fifi Hazouri
Founder & Director
Diabetes Alive Charity Foundation
As the program founder/director of Connect Global Limited (CGL) Drug & Alcohol Rehabilitation Education & Training Centre it is my pleasure to write a character reference for Mr. Grey Norman.
I had the pleasure of meeting Grey in 2008 (14 years ago) whilst CEO of City Care Newcastle Inc.
‘Let's Break Bread’ is a cumulation of the various charities he has been involved with such as Newcastle Night Angels serving the homeless community of Newcastle in 2016, Street Care in 2017, along with the distribution of first aid supplies, both nationally and internationally (serving remote Australian communities in particular indigenous people).
Grey is bringing these various causes together under one structure enabling Grey and his team to act as a supply chain management for both goods and services to the needy.
I absolutely endorse his qualification, integrity and skill set and I am continually impressed by his dedication and knowledge in this field. I have found Grey to be a valuable team player, optimistic, engaging, and easy to get along with.
He is extremely competent and efficient in his communication skills allowing him to connect with all kinds of people and inspires them to put forth their best effort.
In summary, I am confident in my recommendation and believe that Grey will excel in expanding and growing ‘Let's Break Bread’ into his future endeavours.
— Ross Pene.
Program Founder, Connect Global Ltd
Over the past 10 years I have been greatly impressed by Grey Norman's commitment to helping the needy in our region and beyond. He has brought comfort to many homeless in the Hunter Region by providing thousands of hot meals through his involvement with the Night Angels. He has also done much to support indigenous communities and has also provided first aid kits, free of charge, to countless people and organisations at home and abroad. Grey has a generous spirit and is committed to helping the disadvantaged where ever he has the opportunity to do so. I am confident that his initiative. Let's Break Bread will do well as it reflects his compassion for those who are less fortunate. I wish Grey every success in this endeavour.
— Pastor Bob Cotton OAM,
Maitland Christian Church
My name is Dr Peter Rallings. In the last 6 years I have made 3 trips to Vanuatu to help out at a school 20-30 minutes out of Port Vila. One of the difficulties the young children have is developing tropical skin ulcers on their lower legs. These are quite painful, slow to heal, and this interferes with their ability to concentrate on their learning. I met Grey Norman at a function held by the Longriders Christian Motorcycle Club, and as we talked, I discovered he ran a charity that supplied first aid kits to the homeless and the indigenous community. Grey had a large store of bandages and dressings filling a room in his home. Since 2018 we have sent 2 large deliveries of bandages and dressings to the school in Vanuatu for their dressing clinic. The last one in 2020 included approximately 14,000 Band-Aids. These have been such that the clinic has not had to buy bandages and dressings for the last 2 years which has been wonderful for the school. These dressings have helped 400 children in Vanuatu to heal and learn. We plan to continue to supply what we can to help these children. Thank you, Grey!!
- Dr. Peter Rallings
I have known Mr. Grey Norman for approximately 13 years and during that time had several direct working relationships with him.
In my position as a Whangamata Community Board member and as a Thames Coromandel District Councilor my initial association involved Mr. Norman's work with Pacific Farm Park at Ohui, just North of Whangamata, where he successfully operated the summer seasonal camp and Easter Music Festivals. This association extended to his involvement in the Coromandel with Ratepayer groups and coastal protection. He led the Coromandel Combined Ratepayers Association for 8 years and then the extension to this organisation, the Combined Coastal Management Trust which worked with District and Regional Council on harbour and coastal management issues particularly in relation to Companies with local forestry interests.
As Chairman of the Whangamata Summer Festival Committee I again had a close working relationship with Mr. Norman. This Committee was set up to address youth problems in the town over the Christmas/New Year period. A programme of day and evening entertainment was established and Mr Norman took full responsibility for security at the event. His successful operation including management of intoxicated youths, working with the Police and general security work was an essential factor to the success of the festival over the two years of my involvement. This festival is still going and from the initial set up years has continued to be successful in its goals for the Whangamata Community.
I have always found Mr. Norman amenable and thoughtful in the various activities we have been involved. He has always carried out the work and projects either asked of him or of his own volition with complete success.
- Bruce Scott. J.P. 22 May 2004
I write in reference to Grey James Norman, to my association with him in both the political and events field and to express my personal opinion of his attributes and abilities. My first association with Grey occurred within local government politics where I was a District Councillor and he as the Chair of the Combined Coromandel Peninsular Ratepayers Association. I always found Grey articulate and very perceptive in rationalising the issues and inherent problems of some Council policies.
At this time Whangamata was experiencing serious youth and vandalism problems at the Christmas / New Year period. The Whangamata Community Board resolved to support a "Summer Festival" aimed at providing entertainment for a variety of age groups for various nights leading up to and following New Year's eve.
A group was set up to develop the event programme, book artists/bands and to provide the appropriate facilities and infrastructure etc. Grey, as an active member of this group, took the initiative and responsibility for organising the programme and security for the total event. During the next several years Grey's support, expertise, and ability to negotiate and work with Police and local government personnel proved extremely valuable. During the time Grey and I were involved with the Whangamata Summer Festival there were no problems with security, crowd control and the programmes were enjoyed by all. The Police maintained a low profile and the event concept proved very successful.
I personally found Grey to be enthusiastic and very constructive in developing the annual event. Whilst his appearance can be deceiving his articulate and productive nature enable him to encourage others to participate and achieve the goals required to produce successful events.
I personally found Grey easy to work with, honest and forthright in all my dealings with him
- Bruce Scott J.P. Past Councillor & Deputy Mayor
Thames Coromandel District Council 12 February 2004
I am Graham’s sister.
We grew up in a little community in New Zealand with parents who were always giving, so we learnt that it didn’t matter the amount of money or time, the important thing was to give.
When our Mother passed away in 2009, Grey and I moved our Father to Australia to live with us and be close to our younger brother and my sons. Grey was very hands on with the care of Dad who had some serious health issues and between all of us Dad was able to live his final years surrounded with love and laughter.
We all embraced the philosophy of giving throughout our lives, but more so Grey.
From an early age he has found ways to support those less fortunate in his community and also our family/friends.
At no stage has he ever profited from his work apart from the satisfaction of knowing another human being has benefited, has a better way of life, and that he has restored faith in humankind.
I am excited to hear of his new project. I in a smaller way do similar thing cooking for a small neighbourhood community centre so know first hand the most positive impact his new charity will have on people.
- Maree Watson
I have known Grey Norman since 1986 when I was the Officer in Charge at the Whangamata Police Station.
For the next few years our paths crossed on numerous ocasions as Grey was involved with setting up secuity at events held in the township over that time.
He also managed Pacific Farms at Ohui where he held many sucessful festivals which were always well run and for which we recived no complaints from either the participants or local residents.
Grey was also involved in talking to local school children regarding the misuse of drugs and these sessions were always well received due in no small part to Grey’s appearance and manner.
I always found Grey courteous and obliging in my dealings with him. He was always showed great enthusiasm for any project he undertook and was also involved in local politics.
I consider that Grey can relate to most young people going through troubled times as "he has been there and done that" so to speak and has good communication and "people" skills and therefore would be ideally suited for any counselling type position that he may seek.
Yours faithfully
R.F.D.Cardey Senior Constable (Retired).
Youth For Christ Waikato had extensive contact with Grey Norman from 1989-96. He was the proprietor of a site at Opoutere, that we hired for a week-long camp each summer. We worked together, on securing council permission to use the site for a regular camp of up to 500 young people; to develop the site itself, and to ensure the young people had a positive experience.
Grey's input was invaluable in making this possible. His vision for the site was matched by his hard work to enable the success of our event. He was good to deal with, in particular, making sure we all understood what was required to achieve the goal.
However Grey was more than just our landlord for the week. He matched all the preparation work, by personally providing a good atmosphere for the young people. The contact he had with our campers was positive - he understood the need for young people to have a balance of fun and responsibility.
Our contact with Grey only ended when the site was sold - we certainly would have continued our liaison with him had that been an option. I understand he is now looking to be involved in aspects of community youth work. I heartily endorse this. Grey has a "hard case” personality that wins the friendship of young people. And his life experience has given him a solid understanding of the need youth have for clear direction. This will win their respect.
I commend him to you.
