Thank you - blanket drive for Missionbeat

Last Thursday our Missionbeat service manager, Dan Petsalis, put out a desperate plea for blankets via his Twitter network.

Within only a few hours Dan’s plea was re-Tweeted by organisations and individuals – reaching thousands of supporters and reported by channel 10 and channel 7 in Sydney reaching thousands more.

Our Missionbeat service has received hundreds blankets with hundreds more en-route to Missionbeat headquarters.

I want to express our deepest thanks to all the people who have collected blankets from their friends, their communities and their colleagues – from large organisations and small. Your contributions make an active and tangible difference to a human life.

These blankets will be distributed to the rough sleepers in the Sydney area whilst the Missionbeat vans are on patrol. We will also respond to the calls for assistance and calls for blankets directly from those clients that will be sleeping on the street, where accommodation wasn’t secured, and we follow-up again the next day.

In the Sydney city area there are about 400 people sleeping rough on any given night. Blankets don't last a person all winter due to issues around keeping them secure, clean and dry.

Cheers and God bless,

Toby Hall
CEO of Mission Australia

To donate a blanket, please contact Missionbeat directly on 1800 306 461 or drop off your blanket directly to the Missionbeat office located at Unit 1/1 Brompton Street, Marrickville NSW 2204.

Dan Petsalis thanked the public today in a short film. Use the player below to view or visit Mission Australia's Youtube channel.

Our latest Wild Earth Adventurers return!

Anyone who has “gone bush” for a few days knows how escaping a city or town can rejuvenate the body, mind and spirit. But for someone who has spent years living on the streets of a city, spending a few days in a natural environment can be amazingly therapeutic.

This philosophy is at the centre of Wild Earth Adventures. Based at Mission Australia’s Roma House in Brisbane, the program aims to help people who have been homeless to set life goals, build self-esteem and reconnect with nature.

Social Worker Amanda Smith and Sue Cramb, Clinical Nurse and Adventure Based Learning Facilitator, have just returned from a three-day Wild Earth Adventures program in Queensland’s Coloola National Park with participants from Roma House.

As part of the ‘Experiments with Self Identity, Group and Nature’ adventure, the group paddled into the National Park and camped in a remote setting for three days.

One of the participants, Debbie* – a former Roma House resident who is still receiving support from the service – had already been on nine adventure-based learning programs. These programs complement the creative and professional case management support available to residents of Roma House and its outreach clients.

Having spent much of her life experiencing grief and depression, Debbie said the program allowed her to “leave this crazy city and things become clearer. I always feel better when I get back from a camp”.

Emily*, a Torres Strait Islander participant, was thrilled to be given the opportunity to reconnect with nature after many years of living in the city.

On completing the program’s 13km uphill trek, Emily realised she had the potential to change her situation: “Completing this hike, something I didn’t think that I could, makes me realise that I can also get out of homelessness and go further than I thought I could”.

Amanda said that while the three-day program was at times gruelling, the participants were up for the challenge:

“Like all of our Wild Earth Adventurers, they were well prepared to ensure their emotional, mental and physical needs were met. All had to attend several preparatory meetings beforehand so they could set goals for the experience and be well informed about the plan and expectations,” Amanda said.

“Adventure therapy relies on creating a small group that have clear goals, describing a mutually agreed to working agreement, being drug and alcohol-free and eager to physically and mentally challenge ourselves,” she added.

“There is certainly a strong culture being created by regular participants and this program allows for unique opportunities to people to be able to talk through issues with qualified professionals.”

Wild Earth Adventures have been held approximately every two weeks since the program began in 2009.

To learn more about Roma House’s adventure-based learning programs, we have released a new video today - view below or visit our Channel at youtube.com/missionaust:



For more information or to donate to this project please contact Amanda Smith on SmithAma@missionaustralia.com.au or call (07) 3839 1826.

*Names have been changed.

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

Mission Australia's new 'butterfly' ad showing during Antiques Roadshow

A new ad depicting how Mission Australia transforms lives has hit the airwaves during Channel Nine’s popular Antiques Roadshow, which is screened at 5pm from Monday to Saturday.

Tune in to Antiques Roadshow at 5pm on Channel Nine, Monday to Saturday, to see the new ad.



In the commercial, a young man in well-worn jeans, sneakers and an army jacket wades across an urban creek, holding a boxy old PC monitor above the water. Next, he’s kicking in a heavily graffitied warehouse door. Once inside, he rummages through a mound of garbage formed over decades of neglect and picks up a twisted metal pipe.

It’s now night and the young man is foraging through an inner-city bin. He picks up a crushed green softdrink can and inspects, then stows it in his pocket. Back in the warehouse we see the young man perched on a ledge many metres above the littered floor. Gathering all his strength, the young man hurls the monitor, smashing it to the ground.

A voice-over announces that over 44,000 young Australians under 25 are homeless.

Up to this point, the viewer may assume that the young man is a vandal or a vagrant – that’s until we see him welding a metal scrap and using the crushed can to complete a design. The final shot reveals the real reason for his frenzied wandering – gleaming green butterfly wings he has created from the copper wiring, aluminium cans and PC circuit board collected at night.

As the young man walks away from his artwork, the suspended wings angelically frame his body as if a part of him. These brilliant wings made from discarded objects represent the potential that this young man – and thousands like him – has, and the fact he can transform his life with Mission Australia’s help.

The voice-over then announces: “We help people to transform their lives”. Finally, Mission Australia’s website appears on the screen.

This visually arresting TV ad was created by Leo Burnett Sydney, the agency responsible for Mission Australia’s previous two ‘transform’ print campaigns that also feature lovingly crafted butterfly wings.

And the beat goes on - new video features the Missionbeat Bike service in Sydney

Missionbeat's latest service is mobilised by mountain bikes, giving outreach workers a greater ability to provide critical support to homeless people while also reducing carbon emissions.

The Daily Telegraph's new video And the beat goes on features the staff at work as they ride the beat in Sydney - view it now at this link

“The new Missionbeat Bike service will allow us to help more people sleeping rough in more places around the Sydney CBD and shrink our ecological footprint at the same time,” said Leonie Green, Mission Australia’s NSW State Director when the service was launched in 2009.

“People sleeping rough are often tucked away out of site, not only to try to maintain a skerrick of privacy but also to avoid getting drenched when it rains or suffer blistering sunburn.

“By putting our outreach workers on bikes, we’re ensuring people living around the streets and stairwells, alcoves and doorways of Sydney will have access to services offering basic medical care and safe accommodation.

"We’ll also have a much better chance of knowing if they need urgent care and we’ll have faster response times than by simply driving around the streets.”

The bikes, helmets and uniforms were purchased with a grant from the Lord Mayor Clover Moore MP Salary Trust.

Cr Moore and the Deputy Lord Mayor, Cr Marcelle Hoff, donate their Lord Mayoral and Deputy Lord Mayoral fees to the Trust, which has provided grants worth more than $650,000 to charities that help people rebuild their lives, promote animal welfare and support community environmental and sustainability initiatives.

Mission Australia launches new 'butterfly' campaign television commercial

Mission Australia's 2010 'butterfly' campaign TV advert has been released by Leo Burnett Sydney, the agency responsible for the previous ‘transform’ campaigns that also feature lovingly crafted butterfly wings.

The video will air in late September, but you can view it early at www.youtube/missionaust or here:



Picture a young man in well-worn jeans, sneakers and an army jacket wading across an urban creek, struggling to hold a boxy old PC monitor above the water. Next, we see him kicking-in a heavily graffitied warehouse door. Once inside the abandoned warehouse, he rummages through a mound of garbage formed over decades of neglect and picks up a twisted metal pipe.

It’s now night-time and the young man is foraging through a bin in an inner-city laneway. He inspects a crushed green soft drink can, before stowing it in his pocket. Next, at the abandoned warehouse, he perches on a high ledge then hurls the monitor to the littered ground.

A voice-over announces that over 44,000 young Australians under 25 are homeless.

Up to this point, the viewer may assume that the young man is a vandal or a vagrant until it becomes obvious that he is welding the metal scraps to complete a design. The final shot reveals the reason for his frenzied wandering – gleaming green butterfly wings he has created from the collected copper wiring, aluminium cans and PC. As the young man turns and walks away from his artwork, he is framed angelically by the wings.

The newfound brilliance of the wings represents the inherent potential of the young man (and the thousands like him) and that lives can be transformed with some help from Mission Australia.

Creative Youth Initiatives: Staff discuss art and music programs in new video

Jane and Liz from Mission Australia's Creative Youth Initiatives have recently been interviewed about about how art and music tuition can inspire and build confidence with young clients.

Established in 1993, Sydney's Creative Youth Initiatives (CYI), is a unique service that provides free creative programs for young people aged 16 - 25 who are facing many and varied challenges in their lives, such as homelessness, mental health issues or family breakdown.



The programs develop their creativity through visual arts and music as well their self expression, esteem, communication skills and provide positive learning experiences and educational qualifications.

View Creative Youth Initiatives or any other Mission Australia video at our Youtube channel: youtube.com/missionaust

Mission Australia launches "Ordinary" campaign, focusing on client transformation

Today Mission Australia has launched the "Ordinary" series of television advertisements featuring the transformation of a former Mission Australia client - Adrian*.

Meet Adrian...

"Not that long ago, you would have thought I was just like everyone else. I was working long hours, but enjoying myself. I was living in a house in the suburbs with my family.

"They were the world to me. Then my wife and I started having problems and she eventually left, taking our two children with her.

"It just hurt so much. It was like I was in a daze and I didn’t know what to do. I never thought something like that would ever happen to me.

"I struggled to get by day to day and the next thing I knew, I was out of a job and on the streets. But thanks to Mission Australia, I now have a appreciation of the 'ordinary' things in my life again."

View the new video at our Youtube channel:  www.youtube/missionaust

Make a commitment to Transform the life of someone like Adrian, call 1800 88 88 68 or visit www.missionaustralia.com.au

*Name and identity has been changed to protect our client's confidentiality

Anti Poverty Week video winners' mission to Canberra

On Thursday 18th March 2010 winners of Mission Australia’s Anti Poverty Week video competition, Gavin Douglas, Revesby-Wirrimbirra Rotary Club member, and Daniel Petsalis, Missionbeat manager, met with Senator Ursula Stephens, Parliamentary Secretary for Social Inclusion and the Voluntary Sector.

The video competition was launched for Anti-Poverty Week in October 2009. The idea behind the competition was to organise a fun activity via a 60 second video that raised awareness around the issue of poverty as well as engaged people in what they could do to help.

“Senator Ursula feels very passionate about homeless people and people that work with them. It was an amazing experience to be able to share some of our experience of what we are doing to assist Sydney’s disadvantaged people, as well as some of our Rotary projects” said Daniel.

On their visit to Parliament, Daniel and Gavin also met with their local MP, Daryl Melham. “Daryl was incredibly down to earth, the sort of bloke you wouldn’t mind having a beer with”.

“Revisiting the House of Representatives as an adult is an interesting process to sit through. It is nothing compared to the visit we did when we were in primary school. Being able to see politicians on Question Time get vocal and animated, that seem normally quiet and reserved on the outside was a great surprise,” said Daniel.

“Walking around the parliament with an unaccompanied pass was like having a back stage pass to a concert. Passing Tony Abbott and Kevin Rudd in the corridor and seeing where their offices were located within parliament, was a fantastic opportunity”

View the winning video here:  www.youtube.com/watch?v=48qaqdej3PQ

Mission Australia announces winner of Anti-Poverty Week competition

Early in October Mission Australia launched the Anti-Poverty Week competition to raise awareness around the issue of poverty and engage people in what they could do to help.

Entrants were asked to prepare a short video - no longer than 60 seconds - addressing what they would do to alleviate poverty if they were Prime Minister for a day to help mark Anti-Poverty Week (11-17 October).

Mission Australia’s CEO, Toby Hall, announced the winner this week to be The Rotary Club of Revesby-Wirrimbirra. One member of the winning team will be flown to Canberra to meet the Federal Parliamentary Secretary for Social Inclusion, Senator Ursula Stephens, to discuss the club's idea.

Congratulations to the winners for a fantastic idea!

To view the winning video on Youtube, follow this link:  www.youtube.com/user/RotaryRW

Media Release: PM for a day? What would you do to tackle poverty?

Mission Australia is encouraging Australians of all ages to say what they would do to alleviate poverty if they were Prime Minister for a day to help mark Anti-Poverty Week (11-17 October).

The best response – delivered in the form of a short video no longer than 60 seconds – will be judged by Mission Australia’s CEO, Toby Hall, with the winner being flown to Canberra to meet the Federal Parliamentary Secretary for Social Inclusion, Senator Ursula Stephens, to discuss their idea.

According to Toby Hall, the idea behind the competition was to organise a fun activity that also raised awareness around the issue of poverty and engaged people in what they could do to help.

“Most Australians are pretty lucky but there is a significant minority who are stuck in poverty, cut off from life’s essentials, and who need our help,” said Mr Hall.

“From our own research we know that around one in seven people who turn to welfare organisations lack a substantial meal at least once a day – that’s a shocking situation in modern Australia.

“As well as the most basic need for food, 30 per cent of our clients lack a decent and secure home; 25 per cent are unable to buy prescribed medicines; 46 per cent don't have access to dental services; and 11 per cent don't have a separate bed for each of their kids.

“People living in poverty are unable to participate in the activities that most of us take for granted. They are often faced with difficult choices – such as skipping a meal to pay for a child’s text book.

“Getting involved in the ‘PM for a day’ competition is easy. All participants need to do is make a short video of themselves – no longer than 60 seconds – and tell us what they would do to address poverty if they were Prime Minister for 24 hours.

“It doesn’t have to filmed on a video camera – you can use your mobile phone – just as long as it’s less than 60 seconds and sticks to the subject.

“Simply visit www.missionaustralia.com.au/apw for entry details. To post your video participants will need to register with youtube.com.

“There's still two weeks left to get your entry in. We have to receive videos by midnight on Friday, 16 October with the winner being announced online on Friday, 30 October.

“We’ll fly the winner to Canberra to meet the Parliamentary Secretary for Social Inclusion, Senator Ursula Stephens, to discuss their ideas and the issues surrounding poverty,” said Toby.

Media contact: Paul Andrews (02) 9219 2080 or 0409 665 495

60 seconds of fame for a world without poverty

Speak-up with Mission Australia for a world free of Poverty!

Anti-Poverty Week commences Sunday, October 11 to Friday, October 17.

It is a week when Australians from all walks of life are encouraged to speak up in support of people who go without the essentials of life.

People living in poverty are often faced with difficult choices - such as skipping a meal to pay for a child’s text book. In fact, latest research shows that around one in seven Australians who turn to welfare organisations for help lack a substantial meal at least once a day.

As well as the most basic need for food, 29.6% of clients lack a decent and secure home; 25.3% are unable to buy prescribed medicines; 45.7% don't have access to dental services; and 11.4% don't have a separate bed for each child.

In support of Anti-Poverty Week, Mission Australia is encouraging the Australian public to tell us how you would tackle poverty if you were Prime Minister via a short, 60 second video. Your video will join many others in a video petition as your 'signature' against poverty.

If you are over 18 and would like to participate, visit the Mission Australia website for full details on how to sign-on and speak-up for a country free of poverty!

We also encourage you to coordinate your own Anti-Poverty Week activity. For ideas and details on how to register your activity, or to join an activity in your local community, visit the Anti-Poverty Week website.

Dr. Martin Luther King e Ron Paul

Um vídeo excelente que cruza discursos de Dr. Martin Luther King e de Ron Paul.

Tanto para a direita como para as esquerdas dominantes nos países ocidentais, de base ideológica colectivista, o discurso libertário é assustador. Como, sem ser por mentiras ou "interpretações livres", conseguem atacar estas mensagens?

GOP New Hampshire Debate

Ron Paul Battles Fellow GOP Candidates On Iraq, Terrorism.

Ron Paul TV

Vídeos que explicam melhor do que mil palavras:

Entrevista com John Stossel que passa pelas principais ideias força da campanha
John Stossel & Ron Paul (ABC afraid to Air)- Part 1 of 6 -> Interferência na vida privada

John Stossel & Ron Paul (ABC afraid to Air)- Part 2 of 6 -> Papel do estado

John Stossel & Ron Paul (ABC afraid to Air) Part 3 of 6 -> Política externa e Guerra no Iraque

John Stossel & Ron Paul (ABC afraid to Air) Part 4 of 6 -> Imigração ilegal e políticas sociais

John Stossel & Ron Paul (ABC afraid to Air) Part 5 -> Liberdade - Base de apoio

John Stossel & Ron Paul (ABC afraid to Air) Part 6 of 6 -> Intervenção na Economia


Documentário "Now" sobre a campanha:
Ron Paul and Internet Politics


Alguns Vídeos chave no lançamento da Ron Paul Revolution

Ron Paul : Stop Dreaming -> Views: 1,034,519

Ron Paul: A New Hope -> Views: 970,615 ; Added: 2 months ago

Ron Paul: Tea Party 07


Nota: Muitos destes vídeos já foram publicados aqui e em outros blogs com bom gosto.

Excellent Ron Paul Video

Ron Paul: A New Hope

Video: Ron Paul at the Value Voters Debate

After being treated rather unfairly at the Value Voter's Debate, Ron Paul composed himself and delivered this final speech. Note especially, at the end of this clip, his remarks about the "Christian Tradition of ... Just War" (which he apparently mentioned earlier in the debate). Ron Paul accurately understands, describes and applies it in the limited time he is allowed:

New Video From Christians for Ron Paul

Iowa Gets to Hear Ron Paul

In response to the censorship carried out by the leadership of Iowan's for Tax Relief and the Iowa Christian Alliance, a network of Ron Paul supporters organized a rally at the Presidential Forum and as a result attracted more participants than the Forum attracted for the other candidates.

Good job Ron Paul Supporters who got the word out!!!