Rugby heroes to join MA staff at Brisbane Winter Sleepout

Queensland Reds and Wallabies players Radike Samo and twins Saia and Anthony Faingaa will tonight join a group of Mission Australia staff from the Brisbane South Employment Solutions team sleeping rough to raise money for our homeless services.

Mission Australia’s Elia Tuqiri said staff taking part in the Sleepout at Citipoint Church are aiming to raise up to $10,000 to help people experiencing homelessness.

“In my job I meet a lot of people who are desperately looking for work as they are at risk of losing their home, or worse, are already homeless,” Elia said.

“In many cases, it’s not just individuals who are homeless, but families with young children without a stable home. Many are couch-surfing at friends’ places or sleeping in their car, because they haven’t got a place of their own. In the toughest cases they are sleeping rough in our community.

“I often think of myself as very lucky to have stable full time employment and the ability to pay my rent, have food on the table and a safe place to shower and sleep.

“Sometimes we take these things for granted – and that is why we have organised this Winter Sleepout to build awareness and raise important funding for Mission Australia’s homeless services.”

Former Reds player, Charlie Fetoai will also share how he turned his life around after suffering a serious spinal injury that brought his Rugby Union career to an end.

Charlie now works as a Mission Australia Indigenous Employment program mentor, helping young Indigenous men and women to overcome challenges in their own lives and get the training and support they need to find work.

“When I suffered a serious spinal injury on the field, I went from the highest point in my life – doing what I loved, playing professional rugby – to the lowest point, where I was terrified I might not walk again,” Charlie said.

“It was through self belief, staying positive and the support of my family, friends and team mates that I was able to recover and walk again. The experience completely changed my outlook on life, and has motivated me to help others who are struggling with barriers in their lives that are holding them back.

“The Winter Sleepout is a great cause, aimed at helping people out there who are struggling with circumstances hard for any of us to imagine – and that is why I am pleased to be a part of this event.”

There will be performances by school and dance groups from 6:30pm and the players will be signing autographs from 6pm.

Meanwhile on the Gold Coast, more than 30 staff from Mission Australia’s Employment Solutions offices and the crew from Southport Rotaract Club offices will brave the winter tonight to raise money for the homeless.

Good luck to all everyone camping out tonight for Winter Sleepout to help us reach our $250,000 fundraising target. To find out more about Winter Sleepout or to make a donation, visit: www.wintersleepout.com.au

Thanks to our City2Surfers for going the distance
Huge thanks to the 150 people who ran, walked and even skipped the 14km in last weekend’s Sun-Herald City2Surf in support of Mission Australia. There was a blur of red and white singlets in almost every category of the event, from the speedy runners to the walkers.

A few even ran the whole distance in their PJs, in support of our Winter Sleepout. Along the way hundreds of well-wishers, including Senator Mark Arbib and NSW Premier Barry O’Farrell, offered their support.

Of all our fundraising supporters, first-time City2Surfer Sook Smith outdid herself, raising over $9,000 for our services and sitting at number eight in the overall top ten individual fundraiser ladder for the event.

She joined Mission Australia staff, supporters and members of Team MA, made up of clients of our homeless services, at a post-race barbecue in North Bondi.

All those weeks of training with the Sydney Roosters paid off for Team MA, with all members crossing the finishing line. Among them was Wayne Richards, who has taken part in every City2Surf since 1974.

In the lead-up to the City2Surf, Wayne attended every training session with players Ethan Lowe, Cheyse Blair, Lama Tasi and Boyd Cordner.

Thanks to Wayne, his team mates, all our fundraisers and their supporters for playing your part in this fabulous community event. Your efforts have raised a much-needed $20,000 for Mission Australia’s support services.

Media Release: Local Mission Australia staff sleep out to help the homeless

More than thirty staff from Mission Australia’s Employment Solutions offices on the Gold Coast & the crew from Southport Rotaract Club offices will brave the winter cold tonight, in an effort to raise money for the not-for-profit’s homeless services.

The driving force behind the local event – Crystal Jousovec from Mission Australia’s Employment Solutions office in Palm Beach – said she decided to organise a Winter Sleepout because she wanted to help people less fortunate than herself.

“In my job I meet a lot of people who are desperately looking for work as they are at risk of losing their home, or worse, are already homeless,” Crystal said.

“In many cases, it’s not just individuals who are homeless, but families with young children without a stable home.

“Many are couch-surfing at friend’s places or sleeping in their car, because they haven’t got a place of their own. In the toughest cases they are sleeping rough in our community.

“I have experienced homelessness personally myself in a brief moment over a year ago.

“I have a young daughter and I understand the despair of not having anywhere to live. Luckily I had the support of my friends and work mates to help bring me through homelessness and I now have my own unit which I pay rent for.

“I often think of myself as very lucky to have stable full time employment and the ability to pay my rent, have food on the table and a safe place to shower and sleep.

“Sometimes we take these things for granted – and that is why I wanted to organise a Winter Sleepout to build awareness and raise important funding for Mission Australia’s homeless services.”

The Winter Sleepout is being held at Southport Rotaract Youth Club, Lawson Street Southport, tonight from 7pm, with the group aiming to raise $1000 or more.

Raffles will be held on the night, with Jupiters Casino donating one night’s accommodation in a superior room for two adults, including buffet breakfast; and local beauty company True Beauty Revealed donating vouchers for facials and massages at their salon.

Mission Australia’s Winter Sleepout, which was first held in 1988 in Sydney’s Martin Place, is about raising both awareness and funds for Mission Australia’s more than 100 services for homeless people nationally.

Last year, Mission Australia assisted close to 30,000 people who were homeless or at risk of homelessness.

This year’s Winter Sleepout fundraising target is $250,000. With your participation, we can reach this target and help transform the lives of more homeless Australians in 2011.

To find out more about Winter Sleepout or to register, visit: www.wintersleepout.com.au

For more information on tonight’s event at Southport contact (07) 5559 6200

Media Contact: Nicola Hazell (07) 3394 8114 or 0467 783 421

Above photo: The team from Employment Solutions Palm Beach in preparation for their sleepout

North and South Queensland staff connect with homeless

Mission Australia staff on the Gold Coast and Cairns have marked National Homeless Persons’ week at two community events that offered people in need support, advice and supplies.

Staff from our Employment Solutions services on the Gold Coast dug deep for Wednesday’s Homeless Connect event at Broadbeach, donating a ute-load of supplies – including clothing, towels, toiletries, blankets and even kids' toys - that were handed out to people in need.

Coordinated by the Gold Coast Homelessness Network and the Gold Coast Youth Service, the event brought together all the major services and agencies involved in providing assistance to people living rough on the Gold Coast.

Now in its third year, the event was created in response the Gold Coast having one of the highest rates of homelessness in the state. According to 2006 Census figures, each night more than 2,200 people don't have a home to sleep in.

Crystal Jousovec (pictured right), one of our employment advisors at Palm Beach who organised the donation drive, also did a great interview with ABC 91.7FM ABC as part of a live broadcast.

Our staff also provided advice about employment and other services offered by Mission Australia.

Mission Australia Employment Solutions State General Manager Phil Schultz thanked staff for making “such a valuable personal contribution”, in addition to the work they do each day to help people looking for employment.

Connecting in Cairns
Today, the team from Mission Australia’s Going Places homeless support service in Cairns joined other local agencies in providing advice and support to locals at Homeless Connect at Munro Martin Park.

Local Service Manager Natalie Musumeci said hundreds of items of clothing and blankets had been donated by community members, local businesses and Mission Australia staff themselves for the event, which also featured a barbecue and entertainment.

“It’s great to see the community getting behind an event like this and we’re very grateful to all the businesses and individuals that have made a contribution,” said Ms Musumeci.

“By helping people who are experiencing homelessness or are at risk of losing their tenancy, not only can we assist the individuals to improve their circumstances, but the whole community also benefits, she added. “These are complex issues and no two cases are the same, so by working together with other community organisations and government services to provide a holistic approach to reducing homelessness we can all make a difference.”

The program, funded by the Queensland Government, aims to provide local people who are living rough with the support they need to find secure accommodation and to make the positive changes in their lives that will allow them to stay off the streets.

When this service started, staff were mostly working with single people looking for accommodation. But in the past three months, they have seen an increase in the number of families with children seeking help from our service.

Since our Going Places program started in Cairns last November, Mission Australia has already assisted 113 people who were experiencing homelessness, including 34 families.

Christmas lunch brings cheer to Brisbane’s homeless

One of Brisbane’s leading homeless services, Roma House, warmed up winter this week by hosting a special Christmas in July community lunch.

Around 80 guests, including residents, staff, other local community service workers, the State Member for Brisbane Central, Grace Grace MP, and Brisbane City Councillor for Central, David Hinchliffe, gathered together on Tuesday to enjoy festive food and great company.

A traditional Christmas lunch - complete with turkey, ham, roast vegetables with gravy and topped off by pudding and custard and trifle - was served by Mission Australia staff and volunteers from Brisbane’s corporate and donor community.

Even Santa made an off-season appearance, handing out beautiful handmade scarves, beanies, quilts and blankets, kindly donated by Knitting for Brisbane’s Needy, to residents. Some even took the opportunity to have a photo snapped with the big man.

Guests were entertained by musical performances by staff and residents. They also heard a residents’ presentation about Roma House’s therapeutic kitchen program, The House of Plenty, which an intentional therapeutic that connects and empowers residents through cooking and sharing meals.

Christmas in July lunch guests also enjoyed a video about the innovative Adventure Based Therapy program that also operates out of the Spring Hill site – you can learn more about it and link to the video from this page.

“This is the third consecutive year we’ve held a Christmas in July lunch,” said Operations Manager Avryl Gration. “It provides the residents with something to look forward to, and nice memories to call on during the cold winter months – and it provides our residents with a real feeling of home and belonging.”

Channel 10 News in Brisbane also made it along to Christmas in July at Roma House. You can watch their coverage of this inspirational event here.

Media Release: Sea change needed in Australia's approach to youth drug/alcohol rehabilitation - report

Australia needs more residential drug and alcohol rehab services for young people and existing programs need to offer complementary mental health care in order to be more effective, according to a new report launched today by the community service organisation, Mission Australia.

The report into Mission Australia's Triple Care Farm - a residential program in the NSW Southern Highlands for young people (16-24 years) with substance abuse issues - says the service dramatically reduces alcohol and drug use, homelessness, and improves employment and training opportunities by addressing addiction and mental illness at the same time.

According to Mission Australia's CEO, Toby Hall, one-in-four young people experience a mental health condition over any 12 month period. Among this group, approximately half suffer from a substance use disorder.

"Despite this, most services continue to offer young people with drug and alcohol problems help with either their addiction or their mental health, not both," said Mr Hall.

"What we provide at Triple Care Farm - and what this new report shows is a far more effective approach - is combining both drug/alcohol rehab and mental health services. For young people, addiction and mental illness are very often related. They need to be managed together, not separately.

"The fragmentation that occurs between some services offering drug/alcohol rehab while others focus on mental illness increases the chances of young people not getting the help they need.

"Meanwhile, Triple Care Farm can only take 100 enrolments each year and yet receives more than 6000 inquiries from around Australia. That level of demand clearly indicates a national shortage.

"In short, there aren't enough services for this vulnerable group and what exists often isn't effective."

According to Mr Hall, the report, Triple Care Farm: A Safe Place for Change - which will be launched by Australia's pre-eminent youth mental health expert, Professor Patrick McGorry, at NSW Parliament House today - provides a blueprint for the provision of drug/alcohol rehabilitation and mental health services to young people.

"The young people who arrive at Triple Care Farm are usually the most challenging cases. More than 90% are unemployed, 70% have mental health issues, close to 70% have criminal histories, almost 50% are homeless, 79% are chronic cannabis users, 46% are chronic alcohol users. They've usually been through program after program but with no effect.

"But at Triple Care Farm, because of our different approach, we've produced some remarkable results. They're even more astounding when you consider this group are wrestling with the biggest problems."

According to the Triple Care Farm report:

Almost one-in-ten (88 per cent) used at least one drug chronically when starting at TCF. Six months after leaving the service almost half (45 per cent) were abstaining from drug use, while more than half (52 per cent) were abstaining from alcohol.

Approx four-in-five (79 per cent) used cannabis at chronic levels when arriving at TCF. Six months after leaving, only 4 per cent reported chronic cannabis use.

Of 160 former TCF clients surveyed for the report, 91 per cent were unemployed when entering TCF. Six months after leaving, almost half (43 per cent) had some form of paid employment. More than one-third (36 per cent) were in training.

31 per cent of the 160 surveyed were homeless at time of TCF intake. Six months after leaving, only one person in this group reported being homeless.

The proportion of young people in independent housing increased from under one-in-ten (9 per cent) at intake to one quarter (25 per cent) six months after leaving TCF.

"The reason for Triple Care Farm's success is simple: it supports the young people in its care with both their drug/alcohol problems and their mental health issues at the same time.

"Triple Care Farm's program has three parts: residential (residents learn how to undertake straightforward domestic responsibilities including cooking, cleaning and doing laundry); therapeutic (residents are supported with the medical, psychological and behavioural issues associated with addiction and mental illness); and education and learning (residents are supported with skills to find a job).

"While the level of drug use among young Australians has stabilised in recent years, it clearly remains an issue for many thousands of young people and their parents. The number of calls Triple Care Farm receives each year attests to that.

"Illicit drug use is also occurring at a younger age: one in four 14-19 year olds has used an illicit drug in past year, one-in-20 in the past week. And there's a higher rate of suicide and accidental overdose among young users.

"There's no question we need more services like Triple Care Farm and existing youth rehab service providers really need to consider adopting its model because the results speak for themselves," said Mr Hall.

Launch of Triple Care Farm: A Safe Place for Change

• 2pm, Tuesday 12 July
• NSW Parliament Theatrette, Macquarie St
• Special guests: Professor Patrick McGorry, Executive Director of Orygen Youth Health
• The Hon Pru Goward, NSW Minister for Family and Community Services
• Media contact: Paul Andrews (02) 9219 2080 or 0409 665 495

MA Housing welcomes 500th tenant

Yesterday’s welcome event for residents of MA Housing’s Blacktown development in western Sydney was made extra special when Jennifer Morgan arrived.

Jennifer is the proud tenant of MA Housing’s 500th home – a milestone celebrated at the gathering in Seven Hills that included Nathan Rees, State Member for Toongabbie, and Andrew McAnulty, CEO MA Housing.

Jennifer, who signed her lease in December, said her new home was “the best Christmas present” she’d ever received. She has since settled into the unit with her dog Tazzo, who she saved from the pound 13 years ago.

Before receiving the keys from MA Housing, Ms Morgan was desperate to find safe and affordable accommodation for herself and Tazzo. She has been renting in Sydney’s Lalor Park for seven years when her landlord decided to sell the home and gave her 30 days to vacate the premises.

Due to the severe housing shortage, Ms Morgan was unable to find a suitable – and pet-friendly – place to live and was at serious risk of homelessness.

Eventually, she found basic accommodation at the back of a suburban home, and there she lived without an oven and other important facilities for 18 months.

She was elated when MA Housing called to offer her a brand new pet-friendly unit in Seven Hills. She immediately accepted the home on first inspection.

“Since moving in, I now have enough money left over each week to do a proper grocery shop. The first meal I cooked in my new kitchen was a big traditional oven roast for my mother,” she said.

“I still pinch myself every morning to find I’ve woken up in my new home.”

To celebrate becoming MA Housing’s 500th tenant, Mr Rees and Mr McAnulty presented Ms Morgan with a bunch of flowers, a gift voucher and a photo of herself and Tazzo.

MA Housing – which is part of Mission Australia – has recently taken handover of 35 new homes in the Blacktown Local Government Area, which will provide quality housing for individuals and families.

Located across the Sydney suburbs of Seven Hills, Blacktown, and Lalor Park, they have been built as part of the Australian Government’s Nation Building Economic Stimulus Plan, and will be owned and managed by MA Housing.

Mr McAnulty said that these new developments are making a significant contribution through the creation of more homes for people on low and moderate incomes in Sydney’s west.

“Sydney has a significant affordable housing challenge,” he said. “Thanks to the NSW and Australian governments, these homes – and others being built around the state – are an important step in overcoming the issue.

“Housing NSW should be commended for the design and quality of these new homes. MA Housing’s vision around these homes is to make a long-term and positive difference in the area. By providing good quality homes, more secure homes, more affordable homes we’re helping build stronger communities.”

Media Release: MA Housing hosts 500th home celebration and event for new tenants

Community housing provider, MA Housing, is holding a 500th home celebration and ‘welcome’ event for residents of its new housing developments in the Blacktown area at 12 noon on Monday, 21 February (details below).

MA Housing – part of Mission Australia – has recently taken handover of 35 newly built homes in the Blacktown local government area to provide quality housing for individuals and families.

The homes have been built as part of the Australian government’s nation building economic stimulus plan, and will be owned and managed by MA Housing. The houses are located across the suburbs of Seven Hills, Blacktown, and Lalor Park.

MA Housing’s 500th home was recently tenanted by Jennifer Morgan at the Seven Hills development. Ms Morgan, who signed her lease on 17 December 2010, says her new home was “the best Christmas present” she had ever received.

Ms Morgan had been renting in Sydney’s Lalor Park for seven years when her landlord decided to sell the home and gave her 30 days to vacate the premises.

Due to the severe housing shortage, Ms Morgan was unable to find any suitable places to live and was at serious risk of homelessness. Eventually, she found basic accommodation at the back of a suburban home, and there she lived without an oven and other important facilities for 18 months paying $250 per week.

Ms Morgan was elated when MA Housing called to offer her a brand new pet-friendly unit in Seven Hills. At the inspection she immediately accepted the home without having to give up ‘Tazzo’ – the little dog she had saved from the pound 13 years earlier.

“Since moving in, I now have enough money left over each week to do a proper grocery shop. The first meal I cooked in my new kitchen was a big traditional oven roast for my mother,” said Ms Morgan.

“I still pinch myself every morning to find I’ve woken up in my new home.”

MA Housing’s CEO, Andrew McAnulty, said these new developments are making a significant contribution in creating more homes for people on low and moderate incomes in Sydney’s west.

“Sydney has a significant affordable housing challenge. Thanks to the NSW and Australian governments these homes – and others being built around the state – are an important step in overcoming the issue,” said Mr McAnulty.

“Housing NSW should be commended for the design and quality of these new homes.

“MA Housing’s vision around these homes is to make a long-term and positive difference in the area. By providing good quality homes, more secure homes, more affordable homes we’re helping build stronger communities.”

Details:

• What: MA Housing 500th home celebration and ‘welcome’ for tenants of its new Blacktown developments.
• When: 12 noon to 1:30pm, Monday 21 February 2011
• Where: 33-38 Eighth Avenue, Seven Hills
• Who: Tenants for the new homes including Jennifer Morgan, MA Housing’s 500th tenant; Nathan Rees, State Member for Toongabbie; and Andrew McAnulty, CEO MA Housing.
• Interviews and photographs available with special guests and tenants.
• Media contact: Sally Popplestone 0415 547 626

A proud day for Triple Care Farm graduates

Friends, family, staff and supporters gathered at Triple Care Farm last Thursday to celebrate the remarkable journey made by the 2010 graduates of the program.

End-of-year ceremonies at Mission Australia’s unique rehabilitation program are always special, and this year was no exception with the graduates sharing their experiences through music, song and speech.

The ceremony began with a graduate reading out a poem about how Triple Care Farm had transformed his life. Youth Worker Lindsay Martin then joined graduates in the Triple Care Farm Band to perform Neil Young’s ‘Heart of Gold’ and closed the event with Rolling Stones classic ‘You Can’t Always Get What You Want’, with Service Manager Gabriella Holmes joining in on tambourine.

Located in the Southern Highlands of NSW, Triple Care Farm is regarded as one of the nation’s most successful residential programs for young people experiencing homelessness, substance abuse and mental health issues.

As Ms Holmes told guests, in 2010 Triple Care Farm received around 6,180 enquiries about its services. This year 101 young people took part in the residential program with a further 90 participating in the aftercare program.

An amazing 100 per cent of participants from Semester 1 are now in stable accommodation. Fifty per cent are in employment and training, while the other half is involved in further education.

After receiving his certificate from Lady Martin of the Board of the Sir David Martin Foundation, a young graduate told guests how staff and volunteers at Triple Care Farm helped him to get his life back on track:

“Before I came to Triple Care Farm I was drinking, taking drugs. I lost my licence and my friends; I lost my girlfriend… basically everything. I felt so down.”

While on the farm, he obtained a bobcat licence, learnt woodwork skills and rebuilt his self-esteem. The young man is now working full-time, has attained a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment, rents his own place and hopes to attend university in 2011. Importantly, he is also rebuilding friendships.

“Triple Care Farm has given me a new lease on life. I’m a different person,” he told supporters.

The father of another graduate gave a heartfelt thanks to the remarkably dedicated staff and volunteers who make Triple Care Farm the special place it is.

During the ceremony, Mission Australia Chairman Ewen Crouch thanked the many service clubs, businesses and trusts and foundations that had supported Triple Care Farm in 2010, including The Property Foundation, The Coca Cola Foundation, Illawarra Grammar School and the Nelson Foundation.

Key supporters, including representatives of the Jamberoo Branch Country Women’s Association (CWA), Walton Construction and Kiama Rotary, then each presented scholarships to graduates. The Bowral Branch of the CWA also presented the Mrs Margaret Chambers OAM Scholarship in recognition of Mrs Chamber’s 40 years of service.

There was more cause to celebration when Bruce Odling of Friends in Giving presented Triple Care Farm with a cheque for over $50,000, raised from the group’s annual ball. “By contributing to society, you get so much more out of it,” he told graduates.

Matt Brown, the Member for Kiama and a regular visitor to Triple Care Farm, also presented a $10,000 grant for a gym upgrade on behalf of the NSW Government.

After the ceremony, guests enjoyed a lunch expertly prepared by the Jamberoo Country Women’s Association and Moss Vale Lions Club.

Mission Australia congratulates all the Triple Care Farm graduates and wishes them the very best for the future.

Above photo (L to R): Mission Australia Chairman Ewen Crouch and Triple Care Farm Service Manager Gabriella Holmes

Media Release: Christmas relief when you need it most

Mission Australia will extend their regular “Monday Munchies” free food service for homeless people and those in need to include Christmas dinner and hampers today.

The dinner is part of a $25,000 Christmas Goodwill and crisis response package funded by the Northern Territory Government to help members of our community at a time when they need it most.

Mission Australia’s NT Operations Manager Community Services, Brad McIver said the special Christmas dinner was a great opportunity for Mission Australia staff and volunteers to share a meal with local people who face significant challenges in their lives.

“As we approach Christmas our thoughts inevitably turn to the people we know and love. But it’s important to also remember the hardships and challenges facing the thousands of disadvantaged Territorians, particularly families, many of whom use Mission Australia services for support and assistance,” Mr McIver said.

“In the fun and excitement of Christmas it's easy - too easy - to forget the real meaning of the season.

“The Christmas dinner and hampers are an important way of giving back – of us extending our friendship and support to people in need – to let them know that they are not alone and share with them the spirit of the season.

“For so many people the reason they attend Monday Munchies and in particular the Christmas Dinner each year is to have a ‘normal’ conversation, with genuine people, based on mutual respect. It is this experience that we look forward to each year when we invite our staff, volunteers, and clients to join together in a pre-Christmas meal.”

Mission Australia has also received kind donations of food and gifts from Palmerston City Council, Minter Ellison, and Nightcliff Shopping Centre.

In recent years Mission Australia has supported between 1200 – 1500 individuals and families across the Territory specifically during the Christmas and New Year period.

The Mission Australia Christmas dinner will start at 5pm this afternoon.

Mission Australia is committed to creating a fairer Australia by standing up for people in need and helping them to access pathways to a better future. Working with government, corporate Australia and the wider community, the organisation is determined to overcome disadvantage across the nation.

“This is an opportunity to give those who are disadvantaged, lonely or isolated a reason to celebrate on Christmas Day,” Mr McIver said.

Media may attend the Christmas dinner tonight at 5pm at 6 Frances Drive, Palmerston

For further information please contact: Janelle Rees on 8941 9169 or 0405 538 448

Sydney youth service to host Winter Sleepout - with a creative edge

Mission Australia's Creative Youth Initiatives (CYI) team are getting prepared for their inaugural 'Art-and-Music-athon', a 15-hour creative drive hosted at their headquarters in Sydney's Surry Hills.

The event is set to kick off at 6pm, Thursday 22nd July, to run through the night to 9am the following day.

CYI's creative team will perform at the event and are each fundraising through CYI's Everyday Hero page to help achieve the fundraising target of $4000.  Supporters contribute to the event by making a donation to individual team members.

The 'Art-and-Music-athon' is a fundraiser for the Winter Sleepout appeal, which in turn strengthens ground-level services such as CYI, or neighbouring services Mission Australia Centre or Missionbeat.

CYI Service Manager, Irene Drivilas, is getting excited about hosting the new event in the wake of the successful album launch of Still Spinning.

"The night will be a buzz of creative inspiration as participants add their expressive flavour and style to musical and artistic activities, games, teasers, energisers and dares; all under the direction of the dynamic CYI team."

With the challenge run overnight, participants will be aided by regular breaks, ‘Down Time' rooms, and food & beverages.

Check out the event site for details, all are welcome!  www.everydayhero.com.au/creative_youth_initiatives 

'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.