One of Sydney’s most iconic sights – Mission Australia’s famous Missionbeat homeless vans – celebrates its 30th anniversary today.Missionbeat’s manager, Daniel Petsalis, said while he was proud of his team’s work and past achievements, he celebrated the event with mixed feelings knowing Sydney still wrestled with a significant homeless problem.
“For many Sydney residents, Mission Australia’s famous Missionbeat vans are a familiar and comforting sight – patrolling the inner city to help homeless people and those most in need, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Sydney wouldn’t be Sydney without Missionbeat,” said Daniel.
“Missionbeat is a vital part of Sydney’s homeless community. Every day, our vans – and bikes – respond to calls from the public, emergency services and other homeless organisations, to provide assistance to people in crisis.
“For 30 years we’ve been on the frontline providing an essential link between the city’s most vulnerable and the support they desperately need.
“Each of our three vans covers around 30,000 kilometres every 12 months and helps 30-40 people daily. It costs close to $75,000 to keep a Missionbeat van on the road per year.
“We’ve seen a lot of change. Sydney’s rough sleepers are younger than 30 years ago. In the late ‘70s, most homeless people struggled with alcoholism. It’s still a factor but they also face a complex range of other issues including mental illness and substance abuse.
“Missionbeat has changed as well. We do a lot more than simply offer transportation. Because we’re the first point of contact we play an important role in making sure people receive the best and most appropriate care for their situation.
“We’ve also recently started a bike service. People sleeping rough are often tucked away out of site, not only for privacy but also to avoid getting drenched or sunburnt.
“By putting our workers on bikes, we ensure people living around Sydney’s stairwells, alcoves and doorways have access to basic medical care and accommodation.
“Missionbeat is sometimes the only friendly face rough sleepers people see. You cannot put a value on the joy and friendship our drivers share with the people they help.
“Having said that, I wouldn’t mind us missing out on our 60th anniversary. We’d love to see government targets met to find accommodation for all roughsleepers by the end of the next decade – and that we’re out of a job – but it’s a big ask.
“The number of homeless people sleeping rough in Sydney is actually on the rise. The City of Sydney’s most recent count found numbers had increased almost 13 per cent between August 2008 and 2009 – from 354 to 399.
“We’re grateful for all the support we receive from the different levels of government, from businesses and the public. As long as we continue receiving that support and there are homeless people sleeping rough on Sydney’s inner city streets there’ll be Missionbeat.
“And you can help guarantee Missionbeat’s presence for many years to come.
“...we’re launching a small appeal in aid of Missionbeat. You can help us raise $30,000 for our 30th anniversary simply by visiting missionbeat.com.au,” said Mr Petsalis.
No comments:
Post a Comment