Ban the booze for FebFast and help young Australians

When she was in high school, Carrie* started drinking alcohol every day to feel "happy and numb".

Then, after receiving disappointing Year 12 results three years ago, her life "spiralled out of control" and alcohol began to take control.

"I was a bit suicidal, a bit hopeless and my future was going nowhere," she said. "Mentally, I was in a really bad place and I couldn't dig myself out of it. I was hurting my family really badly."

After receiving counselling, she stayed at the Drug and Alcohol Youth Service (DAYS) in Perth for three weeks.

This program, which is a partnership between Mission Australia and Next Step, provides young people with drug and alcohol issues and their families with a comprehensive range of support services.

"The first week was terrible," Carrie recalled. "But I didn't want to leave because I'd put so much effort and planning into coming (to DAYS) and my family was so proud. I didn't want to let anyone down, least of all myself.”

Carrie is now studying writing at university while working at a pharmacy. She credits DAYS with helping save her life and is participating in FebFast to raise money for the centre.

"DAYS changed my life so much," Carrie said. "I don't like to think about what would have happened if I hadn't (stopped drinking), but I dare say I would probably be taking drugs by now and be waking up in hospital."

FebFast asks people to take a break from booze throughout February in order to raise funds for Mission Australia youth support services.

By taking part you will be supporting services such as DAYS; our Hindmarsh Centre’s after-hours mobile youth support service in South Australia, and Youth Beat, which reaches out to young people from it's base at Chigwell House in Glenorchy, Tasmania.

Time is running out, so register today at www.febfast.com.au (or click the FebFast link on our home page). You can kick-start your fundraising by donating $25 ($10 concession) as a registration fee.

*Name and image have been changed

Volunteers make Christmas Lunch in the Park a hit

Mission Australia’s 35th Christmas Lunch in the Park 2010 was a huge success thanks to the efforts of generous volunteers who gave hundreds of guests a reason to celebrate.

For the volunteers from BHP Billiton, Bankwest, the United Community Credit Union and the wider community, the day began long before guests at East Perth’s Wellington Square Park were served turkey rolls, glazed ham and Christmas pudding.

Volunteers began wrapping gifts and sorting supplies many weeks before the event to ensure that every guest received a Christmas present on the day. Closer to the date they set up the tables and giant marquee, which provided much-needed shelter from the 40-degree heat.

Our volunteers also decorated the 4.5 metre Tree of Hope with garlands, tinsel, balloons, bows, baubles and cards that guests wrote their Christmas wishes on.

Apart from the festive food and companionship, Christmas Lunch in the Park guests also enjoyed performances by the Perth Christian Choir and singers Jay Weston and Simon Loughton.

The Federal Member for Swan, Steve Irons, joined Santa as he peddled around the park handing out gifts to children. A bouncy castle, circus workshop, face painting and balloon-sculpting sessions kept kids busy throughout the day.

Mission Australia would like to sincerely thank all of the remarkable volunteers who so generously gave their time and skills to make Christmas Day brighter for so many.

A big thanks also to the businesses who so kindly supported the event with monetary and in-kind donations. Major sponsors included BHP Billiton, the Government of WA, Lotterywest, the City of Perth, Woodside Energy, Bankwest, United Community Credit Union, The Fogarty Foundation, Perth Airport, Burswood Entertainment Complex and Woolworths.

The West Australian has released a great video report covering the event - click here to view:  http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/video/-/watch/23613499

Woodside volunteers freshen up YASS for Christmas

Young residents at Mission Australia’s Youth Accommodation and Support Service (YASS) in Perth are enjoying freshly renovated bedrooms thanks to the generosity of Woodside Energy.

Earlier this month more than 80 generous volunteers from Woodside Energy spent two days redecorating six bedrooms for young residents at the Perth service.

As part of the ‘Beds for Christmas’ project, Woodside Energy volunteers fitted new lighting, floor coverings, beds, linen, desks and blinds that were chosen by professional interior decorator Helena Farrell.

Service Manager Eric Nordberg said he was delighted with the results: “It’s all about providing a pleasing, attractive environment and making the young people using the service feel that Mission Australia cares – which we do.

“Our partnership with Woodside Energy has been a very supportive one, and we are grateful. We would certainly like to extend our thanks to them for helping us.”

This year Mission Australia and Woodside Energy celebrate 10 years of working together to help Australians in need. Mission Australia CEO Toby Hall praised the work of Woodside Energy employees, who have raised an amazing $51,000 this year alone through their Christmas Appeal.

To see the Woodside Energy team in action during the ‘Beds for Christmas’ makeover, see the video below or visit our Youtube channel www.youtube.com/missionaust

Numbers swell for one of Perth's most loved community events

Wellington Square Park in East Perth was pulsing with over 1,200 Mission Australia guests attending our annual Christmas Lunch in the Park (CLIP) on Christmas Day, bringing some Christmas cheer to Perth locals seeking a place to celebrate the festive season.

Despite temperatures of up to 35 degrees, guests had a fantastic time thanks to the generous efforts of the 400 men and women who volunteered their time on the day and in the months leading up to the big event.

Lunch was hosted by Steve Irons, Federal Member for Swan, and Perth sports presenter Adrian Barich, with entertainment provided by the Perth Christian Choir and Perth opera singing duo Katherine and Justin Freind.

Perth has been booming with new people settling from interstate and overseas, many of whom don't have established networks or family to celebrate Christmas day with. One young family attended the lunch for the first time as they had no extended family in Australia after moving here from the UK. In true spirit of the day, the family found their friendly table hosts were also from the UK and made plans to catch up again.

CLIP is now one of Perth's major annual community events and a true demonstration of social inclusion – guests ranged from single people, couples and families, some who had recently arrived in the country, and others who may be lonely, struggling financially or homeless.

Mission Australia set to celebrate Christmas Day around the country

Thousands of Australians in need will enjoy a Christmas lunch and join in the spirit of the season at Mission Australia services and events across the country on Christmas Day.

Chief among them is Mission Australia’s Christmas Lunch in the Park (CLIP) – an event for around 2,000 disadvantaged and lonely individuals and families in Perth, now being held for the 34th consecutive year.

Run with the help of more than 400 volunteers and generous financial and in-kind donations for individuals and businesses, CLIP is one of Australia’s biggest Christmas Day gatherings.

Every guest at CLIP will enjoy a traditional Christmas lunch, entertainment throughout the day and a gift.

Volunteers greet guests as they arrive, host tables and help Santa distribute the donated gifts.

In Brisbane, Mission Australia’s Café One on Wickham will serve lunch to more than 100 homeless and disadvantaged people in the city’s centre this Christmas Day.

Café One on Wickham provides low cost meals and coffee – as well as a range of individual support services – to individuals and families in need. The café provides a sense of belonging and connection to others which is particularly important at Christmas time.

Mission Australia opened Café One to provide Christmas Day lunch for the first time last year and such was the demand it has decided to continue the tradition in 2009.

Every attendee will receive a Christmas lunch and receive a gift kindly donated by the Brisbane Lord Mayor’s Community Benefit Fund and various other organisations.

Christmas is one of the toughest times of the year for the people Mission Australia helps simply for the reason that at its heart it is a celebration of love, family and joy.

For our clients – many of whom have no family or are disconnected from them – it’s a period when that isolation and loneliness is emphasised like no other time.

However, thanks to the generosity of Mission Australia’s donors and corporate partners, our clients – along with many other thousands of Australians doing it tough – will now be able to join in the Christmas spirit.

Perth's Christmas Lunch in the Park is all wrapped up with the help of local celebrities

Mission Australia - along with the help of over 400 volunteers - will deliver our 34th annual Christmas Lunch in the Park event again this year for those in our community seeking companionship and a place to celebrate the festive season.  Each guest will receive a traditional Christmas lunch, a gift from Santa, entertainment and great company!

In support of the event, a group of Perth celebrities and media representatives gave up their time to take part in a huge 'Christmas present-wrapping drive'. The gifts - all donated by generous West Australian individuals and businesses - will be distributed to children attending the Christmas Lunch in the Park event.

One of Perth's best known voices, ABC Radio presenter Bernadette Young, also took part in the wrapping event. You can read Bernadette's blog and see photos here:  blogs.abc.net.au/wa/2009/12/its-a-wrap.html?program=720_afternoons.

Perth Now also covered the 'present-wrapping drive' and have added a video to their website:  player.video.news.com.au/perthnow/#1354986774

Event details:
Where:  Wellington Square Park, East Perth
When:  Friday, 25 December 2009
Time:  11.30am to 2pm
Cost:  Free!
RSVP:  None required, just turn up on the day!

For more information or donations visit www.missionpromotion.com/clip

Mission Australia launches Christmas Lunch in the Park 2009

Mission Australia will host the 34th Annual Christmas Lunch in the Park in Perth again this year. While for many Australians Christmas is a time of festivity, many less fortunate families and individuals with fewer resources may find the season isolating and lonely.

Mission Australia - with over 400 generous volunteers - are hosting Christmas Lunch in the Park again in 2009 to provide these families and individuals a place to enjoy a Christmas Lunch and celebrate the occasion with the wider community.

In previous years we have had up to 2,000 guests and expect to attract similar numbers this year.

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The new Christmas Lunch in the Park 2009 website has been launched, where you can find more information on the event or if you wish to contribute to its success.

Our generous contributors in the past have been able to help by donating presents or by making a direct donation to the event. 

For more information visit www.missionpromotion.com/clip/

Due to an overwhelming response from the public we no longer require volunteers for Christmas Lunch in the Park 2009. 

Mission Australia thanks all enquirers for their generosity.