Media Release: Tasmanians invited to the ultimate taste test

Tasmanians are invited to put their tastebuds to the ultimate test, all in the name of raising much needed funds for Mission Australia’s Chigwell House.

Mission Australia is hosting a secret five-course degustation including matched wines, where guests will be asked to guess the key ingredients in each dish as well as the type and origin of each wine.

Mission Australia’s State Director Noel Mundy said the beneficiary of the evening was Chigwell House, which provides a range of community and accommodation services, including low-cost housing for those considered at risk of homelessness.

“Mission Australia’s Centre, Chigwell House provides a range of programs that help clients address personal issues and enable them to secure and maintain stable housing,” Mr Mundy said.

“Programs offered at the Centre include Parents Staying Connected, Integrated Family Support Service, Youth Beat, Youth Connections and a Community Garden.

“Other services offered include a free Child Health Nurse, a volunteer solicitor, Centrelink appointments and cooking lessons for all community members.”

Mr Mundy said the evening’s secret five-course menu was created by renowned Tasmanian chef Paul Foreman,

“Paul will be treating guests to a secret five-course dinner using local and seasonal produce to enliven diners’ senses,” he said.

The Ultimate Taste Test will be held on Wednesday, 25 May at Cooleys Hotel. Tickets are $120 which includes five courses with paired wines.

For more information about the Ultimate Taste Test evening please contact Erica Loring on (03) 6234 3240 or email loringe@missionaustralia.com.au.

Mission Australia acknowledges the generous contribution of Cooleys, Brown Brothers, Bream Creek Vineyard, Treasury Estate and Big Bargain Bottle Shop.

For further information or to organise an interview please contact Lucinda Bray, Font Public Relations, 0438 280 486

Youth Beat service planned for SA

Last year Mission Australia’s National Survey of Young Australians identified alcohol and drugs as the second top issue facing Australia today. And the significant level of concern about crime, safety and violence reported by young people last year was often linked to alcohol.

To help protect vulnerable young people who are under the influence of alcohol or drugs, Mission Australia operates Youth Beat mobile outreach services in the Northern Territory and Tasmania.

Run by trained youth workers, Youth Beat provides young people affected by drink or drugs with support and transport to overnight care, reducing risk to their safety and demands on local police.

This mobile outreach service has been so successful in Tasmania and the NT that Mission Australia is now trying to provide a similar after-hours assistance service for young people in Adelaide. The Youth Beat Adelaide service will transport young people to appropriate overnight care such as sobering-up centres or stay houses run by other community organisations.

Mission Australia currently operates the state’s only youth sobering-up service, located at Hindmarsh.

Mission Australia Acting State Director Phillip Leslie told today’s City Messenger that Youth Beat staff could help calm young people and diffuse potentially violent situations.

“Typically, the call is for more police and more CCTV to help stop anti-social behaviour but commonly, problems treated with common sense and respect can be solved,” he said.

Having a Youth Beat bus in Adelaide will also reduce pressure on local accident and emergency services, divert young people away from the justice system and help them to reconnect with their families and offer safe options.

The Adelaide service will most operate on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights with potential stops including Hindley Street, Rundle Mall and the central bus and train stations.

Youth Beat Adelaide is a little closer to hitting the road following a Mission Australia black-tie fundraiser held last weekend by Mr David and Mrs Janet Rice.

The fundraiser at a property in the Adelaide Hills included a performance by the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra. The money raised from this event will go towards the purchase and fit-out of the Youth Beat vehicle, which Mission Australia hopes to have up and running by the middle of 2011.

These funds are in addition to those raised by our generous FebFast supporters. To help fund Mission Australia’s Youth Beat bus in Adelaide call Jill MacDonald, our SA Corporate Relationships Manager, on (08) 8218 2828.

You can also help a young person who is battling drug and alcohol addiction, homelessness or other personal challenges to change their life by donating to Mission Australia’s Youth Appeal.

Further reading:

• Past Youth Beat stories
• Youth Beat Fact Sheet
• Mission Australia Youth Services

FebFast - ban booze for a month and help our youth

Feeling worse for wear after the silly season? Why not take part in FebFast and support Mission Australia’s services for young people with serious drug and alcohol issues.

FebFast asks Australians to take a break from the booze during the shortest month. Imagine what 28 alcohol-free days could do for your health and wallet, not to mention waistline - 60 per cent of past FebFast participants lost weight!

By taking part this February you’ll also set a positive example for young Australians. According to the 2007 National Drug Strategy Household Survey, nearly one in 10 young people aged 14 to 19 drink at levels that put them at risk of long-term alcohol-related harm.

In Mission Australia’s National Survey of Young Australians 2010, participants also identified drugs and alcohol as the second-most important issue in Australia today.

Fittingly, any money you raise during FebFast will go towards three Mission Australia services that help young people to overcome drug and alcohol issues.

By forgoing alcohol for four weeks you will contribute to:

• The ongoing management of our Drug and Alcohol Youth Service (DAYS) Residential Rehabilitation program in Western Australia;
• An after-hours mobile support service to operate from the Hindmarsh Centre, which is South Australia’s only youth-specific non-medical sobering-up facility up for young people;
• Maintaining Mission Australia’s Youth Beat bus in Tasmania. Your support will also enable our youth workers to reach out to young people in the Glenorchy area.
• And if you do feel the need to toast a special event (like Valentine’s Day) in February, you can buy a date-stamped ‘Time Out Certificate’ for $25, which gives you a 24-hour break from your FebFast.
• So why not do your body, bank balance and young Australians a favour this February and sign up at www.febfast.com.au. Your $25 ($10 concession) registration fee will kick-start your fundraising.

Once registered, you can build a personalised FebFast page where you can direct your family and friends.

Take a month off the booze this February and make a healthy start to 2011!