Good luck, Roosters!

The Sydney Roosters have been great supporters of Mission Australia in 2010. Now clients and staff from our Sydney services are getting behind the team as they prepare for Sunday’s NRL Telstra Premiership Grand Final.

As charity partners in our Community Engagement Program, throughout the year Sydney Roosters players have mentored clients and visited our Community Services in the city and eastern suburbs.

Over winter the players donated their time to train Mission Australia clients from the Liverpool Centre, Harris Park Hostel and the Mission Australia Centre in Sydney’s inner city.

The Michael Project's Recreation Officer, Adam Bowden – who co-designed the City to Surf training schedule – said local support for the Roosters has been overwhelming.

“The interaction with the Roosters players our clients have had over the year has really endeared the team to our guys,” he said.

“This relationship, coupled with the generous gifts of Roosters paraphernalia provided by the club, has enabled our clients to feel a sense of inclusion in the festive build up to Sunday’s Grand Final.

“Strutting around in the team colours and boasting to all and sundry about them knowing the players, has really elevated the self-esteem of many of our clients. The sensitivity and compassion the Roosters players have displayed when interacting with our clients, has been nothing short of inspirational.

“What ever the outcome of Sunday’s game, the Roosters are all ready winners in my eyes.”

Mission Australia wishes the Sydney Roosters all the best for Sunday. Go Chooks!

'Taste of Reconciliation' event a success in Melbourne

On 26th May Mission Australia's Taste of Reconciliation dinner took place at the Sofitel Melbourne to bring together influential Victorians to talk, learn and be inspired on the path to reconciliation.

The inaugural event was held on the eve of Reconciliation Week, in the company of over 200 attendees including Elders and members of Victoria's Aboriginal community, along with leaders from government, corporate and not-for-profit sectors.

This, however, was no ordinary corporate event as each table of delegates were headed by an Aboriginal 'table leader' for direct discussion on reconciliation and personal experiences.

Over the evening delegates moved between tables so that everyone had the chance to meet each other and broaden their understanding of reconciliation, and its influence on individual Australians.

In addition to the table discussion the Deputy Premier, Hon. Rob Hulls provided a keynote address, followed by short speeches from the 'Thought Leaders' panel: the Hon. Richard Wynne, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs; Toby Hall, CEO of Mission Australia; David Thodey, CEO of Telstra; Jason Eades, CEO of Koorie Heritage Trust; and Jirra Harvey, Oxfam Youth Coordinator.

The event builds on the example set by the Charcoal Lane social enterprise restaurant, that engages patrons in contemporary Aboriginal culture and cuisine (while also working as a training provider).

The meals were cooked and served at the usual high standards from Charcoal Lane's Head Chef, with staff Lorcan Kan, Clarissa Kay Thorne, and trainees Spencer and Jimmy.

Mission Australia is looking forward to hosting the second Taste of Reconciliation event in 2011.

Visit Mission Australia's Aboriginal & Torres Strait Island resources page for our Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), the latest indigenous news, current affairs and policy updates.