Mission Australia opens new Dareton office

Fifty representatives from local government, business and juvenile justice and health services yesterday joined Mission Australia Community Services staff in celebrating the opening of our new office in Dareton, far western New South Wales.

The new Neilpo Street office will serve as a base for our Brighter Futures and Youth Connections programs, which in recent years have operated in the area on an outreach basis from Broken Hill.

Chelsea Hodge, Acting Services Manager Far Western Community Services, said the new Mission Australia office would provide much-needed support to local young people and families and strengthen community capacity and engagement in the region.

“Local people in the Wentworth Shire deserve full-time support,” she said. “We are lucky to have one of our current Support Workers, Amanda Ferguson, moving from Broken Hill to the Dareton area. Mandy has previously worked in the Broken Hill Brighter Futures team, so she will be an asset to the community.”

The Brighter Futures (Early Intervention) Program is a voluntary targeted program designed for families encountering problems that impact on their ability to care for their children. The program provides families with the necessary support and services to help prevent an escalation of the problems.

Amanda will be joined by a full-time Youth Connections Support Worker in August. Youth Connections supports young people aged from 12 to 19 who are at risk of disengaging, or have who have disengaged, from education, and helped them find alternative means to learn and overcome barriers.

New Aboriginal health clinic opens in Goulburn

Mission Australia’s Goulburn office is now hosting a free monthly clinic that aims to meet the health needs of local Aboriginal people.

Operated in conjunction with the Southern General Practice Network’s (SGPN) ‘Closing the Gap’ program, the clinic was officially launched on Tuesday, attracting 68 Aboriginal families.

It is the first health service in the area specifically for Aboriginal people.

At the launch Mission Australia’s Director Community Services NSW/ACT, Leonie Green, welcomed the SGPN teams and local families to our Community Services office on Sloane St

“Mission Australia is thrilled to be part of a fantastic opportunity for the community and we’re very proud to be supporting such a valuable service,” said Ms Green.

After the official launch, a number of local Aboriginal families took the opportunity to have their first check-up with the podiatrist, enjoy lunch and meet Mission Australia staff.

The new podiatry and diabetes clinic will operate every third Tuesday of each month from 9am to 5pm, providing patients with access to diabetes educators, Aboriginal health workers, podiatrists and registered nurses.

Mission Australia’s Service Operations Manager Southern NSW Community Services, Cheryl O’Donnell, said she looked forward to seeing improvements in the general health and wellbeing of Goulburn’s Aboriginal community.

“It will also assist in developing the relationship between Mission Australia and the wider Aboriginal community in the area,” she added.

Referrals are not needed to attend the clinic and transportation can be organised if required.

For more information or to make an appointment, please call Violet Sheridan on (02) 4821 0436.

Mission Australia’s Goulburn office – at 8/142 Sloane St - also operates the EarlyStart Diagnosis Support and Brighter Futures programs.

For more information on Mission Australia’s Goulburn Community Services, please contact Cheryl O’Donnell on (02) 4824 4002.

Building a better life

Seven-month-old Lily* was born into homelessness. While her parents excitedly awaited her birth, they felt weighed down by the uncertainty of not having a roof to put over her head.

Lily’s dad had hurt himself at work and lost his job as a mechanic just a month before she was born. With the breadwinner of the family suffering from a back injury and unable to find work, the family fell behind on the rent and soon found themselves sleeping rough, struggling to make ends meet.

Every night for eight months, the family packed up their belongings and moved to a different place, staying in motels, caravans and, at times, even in a tent. It was exhausting and stressful, and Lily’s parents felt powerless to change their situation.

Lily’s parents were incredibly grateful when they were welcomed to Mission Australia’s Brighter Futures service in nearby Goulburn, NSW. They were filled with hope that things could change.

In February, we found a safe and secure home for Lily’s family and provided them with clothing, essential supplies for the baby and food vouchers. The family received financial counselling to sort out their finances and career advice to help Lily’s dad find a job.

We recently received a card from Lily’s family expressing their appreciation for the help they received:

“There are so many Australians in desperate need who come through our doors every day. With the help of our supporters, we are able to offer them assistance to pick up the pieces of their lives and rebuild.

"You have all been so wonderful. It is hard to know where to begin to say thank you. Please know that your kindness will always be remembered. You’ve given us the ability to stay afloat and treated us with dignity. We are eternally grateful.”

This young family is now on their way to building a better life - and it couldn’t have happened without the support of generous Mission Australia donors.

You can help many families like Lily’s to transform their lives by giving a gift to Mission Australia’s Winter Appeal.

*Name and image have been changed to protect client's identity

Children take a break in Toukley

Ninety-five children from Mission Australia’s Brighter Futures program enjoyed their very first holiday this month, spending a week on camp in Toukley, New South Wales.

Two buses transported children from Albury, Griffith, Wagga, Cootamundra, Harden, Young, Yass, Queanbeyan, Goulburn, Nowra and Ulladulla to the Central Coast camp where they were treated to a huge variety of activities.

The children enjoyed team activities such as fishing, canoeing, swimming, snorkelling, quad-bike riding, archery, rope-climbing, craft activities and obstacle courses. They also experienced the thrill of the camp’s flying fox and high swings.

One young boy conquered his fear of heights, bravely using the flying fox and taking part in a rope climb.

“He was about to go on the giant swing and wanted us to watch that he could do it,” said Cheryl O’Donnell, Acting Service Operations Manager, Southern NSW Community Services.

“Seeing the excitement and that look of accomplishment on his face, plus the fact that someone he knew witnessed his effort, was enough on its own to say we had done the right thing to put this camp adventure together for these children.”

Another child with autism who had never spent time away from home delighted staff and his family by lasting four full days at the camp.

“It was the first time we had put together something of this size and nature,” said Ms O’Donnnell. “I went up to visit with another senior manager and we were very impressed. It was so fantastic to see so many children having the time of their lives at this camp and staff really enjoyed being involved with this.

“Although they were exhausted by end of week, each staff member said they would jump at doing it again as it was so good to see these children having so much fun. We also received a lot of phone calls from parents thanking us and saying how much the children enjoyed the camp.”

Brighter Futures is a voluntary, targeted program that helps families to build resilience while promoting healthy development in children. This early intervention program is one of Mission Australia’s 107 services that are designed to build strong families and healthy, happy children.

Read about a special Christmas for country kids in the Weekly

The December issue of The Australian Women's Weekly contains a powerful feature on how Mission Australia helped a young single mum and her five kids transform their lives.

The article tells the story of Cindy Blundell, 28, a single mum of five young children from the south-western NSW town of Harden. Cindy came into Mission Australia's contact through our Brighter Futures program - which we provide in partnership with the NSW Government - several years ago. At the time Cindy was a victim of domestic violence and her family life was in upheaval.

Through Brighter Futures Cindy was able to get her life back on track - so much so she no longer needs our help.

The Australian Women's Weekly were so moved by Cindy's story they visited Harden in October and put on a massive pre-Christmas lunch for her, her five kids, and the town's State Emergency Service volunteers - a group that Cindy now plays a pivotal role with.

The December issue of The Australian Women's Weekly is in stores now.

Lightning Ridge Big Day Out

Mission Australia’s recent Big Day Out for Lightning Ridge children had all the right ingredients – music, art, food and games.

The brainchild of Heather Landini, from our Brighter Futures early intervention program for families, and supported by The Department of Education and Training, 26 September was all about kids.

The event at Ella Nagy Hall got off to an early start. Volunteers from The Men’s Shed helped to erect the shades while McKillop Rural Community Services took care of the jumping castle. The Outback Division of General Practice also provided nutritional advice and fresh fruit and vegetables.

The day was supported by Walgett Shire and Safe Families and included a visit from Mission Australia’s Creative Youth Initiatives team members – Jane Gillings and Liz Martin – who led the children in art and musical activities.

A big drawcard was the award-winning singer and entertainer Jonny Huckle who, along with Wombat Wiggle, was a huge hit with students from Lightning Ridge Central School, Little Diggers Child Care Centre, the Lightning Ridge Pre School and families from Goodooga and Collarenebri.

The day buzzed along as staff from The Neighbourhood Centre created a circus mural; the local ambulance service gave demonstrations; the Safe Families team handed out the show bags and the Yawarra Meamei Women’s Group provided tea and coffee, free books and games. The Aboriginal Higher Education even made the trip up from the University of Newcastle.

Mission Australia’s Far West team pulled together to make the Big Day Out a big success. Many thanks to Giselle Beaumont of Housing and Accommodation Support Initiative (HASI) Lightning Ridge; Kate Wallace of Youth Connections Walgett; Greg Smith of Brighter Futures Coonamble; Richard Bevis of HASI Coonamble, and Carolyn Eves and Karla Stanton, both of HASI Coonabarabran for their hard work.

Media Release: New Mission Australia regional office opened in Dubbo

Mission Australia’s new regional office will be officially opened today, Monday 7 June, by CEO Toby Hall – marking the ongoing commitment to transforming the lives of people who are vulnerable and disadvantaged in the Dubbo community.

Mission Australia’s new home in the historic, 1890s built, Old Bank building in Macquarie Street has been chosen because its central location which will increase access to and awareness of vital community programs.

“We provide a vast array of services to the Dubbo community, whether it’s to reduce homelessness, support people with a mental illness or help young people leaving the juvenile justice system to break the cycle of criminality” said Mission Australia’s CEO, Toby Hall.

“Offering a wide range of programs in one location is part of our ‘place-based’ assistance model, which helps build stronger communities by offering multiple services for vulnerable individuals and families.

“This facilitates a holistic way of helping people to transform their lives – and we are proud to be able to offer these services at our new Dubbo Regional Office.

“We’ll be providing the Resource and Recovery Program, Youth Connections, the Dubbo Leadership and Cultural Development Program, and the Post Release Support Program – to name just a few.”

Mission Australia opened its first service in Dubbo in 1996 and today there is a team of more than 20 staff in Dubbo with a further 65 across the Central and Far West of New South Wales.

Other programs run throughout the region include: the Housing and Accommodation Support Initiative, Brighter Futures, Personal Helpers and Mentors Program, Family Support Service, Reconnect Far West, Orange Youth Accommodation Support Service, Bilingali, and Family Case management program.

Opening details:
What: Mission Australia CEO Toby Hall opening the Dubbo Regional Office
When: 3.30pm Monday 7 June 2010
Where: Ground Floor, Reception, 110-114 Macquarie Street, Dubbo

For more information, please contact:
Sally Popplestone
Mobile: 0415 547 626, Email: popplestones@missionaustralia.com.au

Mission Australia marks 150 years with a fundraising sleepout in Dubbo tonight

Mission Australia is celebrating its 150th anniversary with a fundraising sleepout in Dubbo this evening.

Those sleeping out will seek sponsorship for their efforts with the person raising the most money receiving a prize.

Highlight of the event will be a ‘cardboard box house making competition’ where representatives from Mission Australia services and other community agencies in Dubbo will construct their own shelter for the evening.

A BBQ will be held on the night – and for breakfast the next morning – to help raise money from passers-by for Mission Australia’s local services.

Mission Australia provides a range of programs in and around Dubbo including:

• Dubbo Leadership and Cultural Development Program – helps keep Aboriginal students aged between 9 (Year 5) and 17 (Year 11) years at school and increases their cultural awareness, identity and understanding.
• Housing and Accommodation Support Initiative (HASI) – helps people with mental illness receive care at home and keeps them in touch with their community. It also reduces their length of time spent in hospital and helps them avoid homelessness.
• Brighter Futures – provides support to vulnerable families and children as early as possible and builds their resilience to prevent problems developing in the future.
• Young Offenders Post-Release Support – supports young people after their release from the juvenile justice system. Provides positive alternatives to offending and helps with practical things such as anger management and basic living skills.
• Resource and Recovery – aimed at improving outcomes for people with mental illness by supporting them in developing personal goals with a focus on training and employment.

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