Kids now get into the zoo for free

Great news for Victorian kids and families! The Victorian Coalition Government has just announced that it’s giving children free entry to three outstanding zoos – Healesville Sanctuary, Werribee Zoo and Melbourne Zoo.

The $10.7 million initiative, expected to give free entry to 266,000 children, was welcomed by Paul Bird, Mission Australia’s State Director, who said it was important that the wonderful learning and discovery experiences at zoos were accessible to all Victorians.

“Mission Australia applauds the government for this initiative as it will enable more families to enjoy the many experience and wonders offered by Zoos Victoria,” Mr Bird said.

Mission Australia’s 2010 National Youth Survey found the number of Victorians taking part in arts and cultural activities had dropped significantly since 2008, highlighting the need to encourage activities that engage children and their families to build their relationships and life skills.
The initiative will grant children under 16 years of age free entry on Victorian public holidays and school holidays plus weekends from 1 July – which in time for the winter school break.

The Minister for the Environment and Climate Change, Chris Ryan, said the subsidy would reduce the cost from $12.60 to zero and a family ticket would be reduced from $58 to $50.80.

Every year since 2008, Mission Australia Family Day at the Zoo, in partnership with Zoos Victoria and MetLink and V/Line, has given free entry and free public transport to Victorian children from across the state - including migrants and refugees.

Last December, more than 100 volunteers from Mission Australia, Vline and Metlink helped many first-time public transport users find their way to and from the event, as well as navigate their way around the zoo.

Further information:

• Melbourne Zoo opens doors to 3,000 children and families from across Victoria
• Adelaide kids enjoy a day at the zoo

Media Release: Mission Australia to hold free families week community event at Miller Square

Mission Australia’s Miller Pathways will hold a free Community Fun Day to encourage families in the 2168 area to celebrate National Families Week 2011.

The Miller Families Week community event will be held at Miller Square, Lady Woodward Crescent, Miller from 11am – 2pm on Friday 20th May 2011.

Lucy Reggio, Community Development Project Officer for Miller Pathways says the Families Day aims to provide fun, safe family activities and information to the community.

“The Day aims to highlight the importance of families and provide information on how to best support children and provide parents or carers with information on how to access assistance if needed,” Ms Reggio said.

Highlights of the event will include a speech from our Mayor Wendy Waller; mobile play centre; free give away prizes and show bags, face painting; free sausage sizzle; local school performances; local singing groups; a roaming entertainer; stalls providing information on local family and children’s services and lots more.

Each year, National Families Week celebrates families’ contribution and role in our society and this year it is being held from 15-21 May, coinciding with the United Nations International Day of Families on 15 May. Hundreds of community groups, businesses and government departments register local events around the country.

The central aim of National Families Week 2011 is to celebrate the vital role that families play. This year’s theme is 'STICKING TOGETHER: families in good and tough times’.

“Mission Australia is encouraging everyone to think about the things that make their family strong in both the good and the hard times, whatever their circumstances, Ms Reggio said. “Let’s all take the time to explore ways we can support each other – in our families and communities – through all the ups and downs of daily life.”

Media contact: Leanne Budd 0457 505 342

Media Release: Melbourne Zoo opens doors to 3,000 children and their families from across Victoria

More than three thousand Victorians will experience the zoo for the first time today at Melbourne Zoo as part of a pre-Christmas event that enables social inclusion, education and fun.

The Mission Australia Family Day at the Zoo, in partnership with Zoos Victoria and MetLink and V/Line, gives free entry and free public transport to Victorian children from across the state, including migrants and refugees.

Mission Australia Victoria State Director said: “Many of us take the opportunity to visit Melbourne’s world-leading arts and recreation venues for granted, but this is the first chance many of our family guests will have to experience the excitement and wonder of a zoo.

“Our latest National Youth Survey found the number of Victorians taking part in arts and cultural activities has dropped significantly since 2008, highlighting the need to encourage activities which engage children and their families to build their relationships and life skills,” he said.

As part of its programs, Mission Australia has supported many of these families to overcome the challenges that have prevented them from participating in community activities and taking public transport in the past.

“All families have been provided with free travel on metropolitan and regional networks for the day, which will boost their confidence on public transport in the future.

“We thank Metlink and V/Line for their support,” said Mr Bird.

More than 100 volunteers from Mission Australia, Vline and Metlink will help many first-time public transport users find their way to and from the event, as well as navigate their way around the zoo.

Melbourne Zoo Director Kevin Tanner said: “We welcome the opportunity to encourage families to connect with amazing animals from Australia and around the world and find out how they can play a part in saving wildlife.”

Highlights also include face painting, music performances and chalk art, which start from 10am.

---

Event details

• What: Mission Australia and Zoos Victoria Family Day at the Zoo
• Where: Melbourne Zoo, Elliott Avenue, Parkville.
• When: 10AM to 3PM on Wednesday, 22 December
  12.15PM – Media opportunities
• Who: More than 3,000 migrants, refugees and Victorian children and their families visiting Melbourne Zoo for the first time.

Interview and photo opportunities:

• Mission Australia’s Victorian State Director, Paul Bird
• Zoos Victoria CEO, Jenny Gray
• Families attending
• Children feeding the giraffes

Media contacts:

• Rachael Nightingale on (03) 9600 0006 / 0449 881 980 or rachael@fenton.com.au
• Emily Lehmann on (03) 9600 0006 / 0421 852 501 or emilyl@fenton.com.au

---

BHP volunteers help us prepare for Christmas Lunch In The Park

Thirteen Perth volunteers, including BHP employees, Lord Mayor Lisa Scaffidi and local media personalities, have made a good start on the 2,000 gifts that need to be wrapped to distribute at Mission Australia’s 35th Christmas Lunch In The Park.

The volunteers folded and taped paper and curled ribbons in the Old Gasworks Building in Perth on Monday afternoon. Other generous people will work throughout this week to complete the wrapping in time for the iconic Christmas Day celebration.

After 35 years, Mission Australia’s Christmas Lunch In The Park is something of a Perth institution. Held at Wellington Square Park, East Perth, it provides disadvantaged and isolated members of the community with companionship and a place to celebrate the festive season.

BHP volunteers Neil Blom (pictured with Mission Australia’s WA Events and Volunteer Coordinator Sandy Wilson), Belinda Truman, Rebecca Samulski, Viet Nguyen, Gemma Kinslow and Jodee Anderson were among those who rolled up their sleeves to wrap presents for Mission Australia on Monday.

You can view our wonderful gift-wrapping volunteers in action at the following link:
http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/video...

Mission Australia now has plenty of gifts to give to children on Christmas Day but is still keen to receive donated gifts that are suitable for adults. Toiletries, towels, sunglasses or backpacks would be most welcome.

If you would like to donate gifts for Mission Australia’s Christmas Lunch in the Park 2010 please call (08) 9225 0400 or visit www.missionpromotion.com/clip

Adelaide kids enjoy a day at the zoo

More than 80 children had the opportunity to meet Adelaide Zoo’s superstar giant pandas last week, thanks to Mission Australia and our generous corporate donors.

Among the visitors were children of refugee families, young mothers and children from homeless and crisis-care backgrounds.

Mission Australia arranged the visit to Adelaide Zoo after the children nominated it as a place they’d like to visit – particularly to see the new panda exhibit. With the help of an anonymous corporate sponsor as well as generous bus operators and food providers, Mission Australia staff made it happen.

“The children received the VIP treatment and got to see the giant pandas,Wang Wang and Funi,” said Jillian Paull, Mission Australia’s State Director, South Australia. “They also all received goodie bags that included donated books.

“There were a lot of parents and some grandparents who made a family day of it - a lot of the parents and children had never been to the zoo, so it was a special event.”

The children all sported dazzling butterfly wings – Mission Australia’s symbol of transformation. The 25 Mission Australia Community Services and Employment Solutions staff members who supported them on the day also glammed it up in black T-shirts featuring the word ‘Transform’ in glittery letters.

Mission Australia’s own Simon Lappin also kept the smiles alive with his guitar and supply of fun songs.

Fun Day for MAELS centre in Parmelia

Mission Australia’s Early Learning Services (MAELS) centre in Parmelia, Western Australia, is holding a Community Fun Day on Sunday 14 November to raise money for new equipment.

Running from 9am to 2pm, the day will feature 20 market stalls, a bouncy castle and petting zoo as well as games and a free play-doh activity table for children.

There’ll be plenty of festive food too, with a sausage sizzle, popcorn, slushies and fairy floss available.

Fundraising coordinator and Centre Director Brooke Clark said the Parmelia centre would gratefully accept any donations or sponsorship from the community.

There are still a few stalls left for just $10 for the day. If you are interested in sponsoring or hiring a stall for the day, please call 9419 5699.

Located at 11 Warren Road, Parmelia, the centre offers long daycare for more than 50 children up to five with a goal of making an easy transition to school.

It provides preschool-aged children with individual play-based learning experiences. Like all MAELS centres, the Parmelia centre is aiming to replace artificial surrounds with more naturalistic environments, hence the need for new equipment.

Over the past year, Mission Australia Early Learning Services centres have provided affordable childcare to 2,243 children.

Melbourne Zoo to open the doors for disadvantaged Victorians

Meerkats, tigers and gorillas are just some of the wildlife that 3,000 migrant, refugee and disadvantaged Victorians will visit today at the Mission Australia/Zoos Victoria Family Day at Melbourne Zoo.

The Family Day is aims to provide an opportunity to social inclusion for disengaged and disadvantaged children and their families from across Victoria through free public transport courtesy of Metlink and V/Line, an experience most Victorians take for granted.

Mission Australia State Director, Paul Bird, said the event, in its second year, is all about giving disengaged and disadvantaged individuals and families the confidence and skills needed to navigate public transport and experience the fun and education of the Melbourne Zoo.

“Our Family Day provides people – some who have never experienced public transport and the adventure of going to the zoo in their lives – with a wonderful opportunity to get up close and experience a much loved community icon,” Mr Bird said.

“Mission Australia is committed to ensuring all Victorians are able to participate in their communities and it is really inspiring so many are able to experience the joy of interacting with friends, family and the animals at our Family Day.”

As reported in Mission Australia’s 2009 Survey of Young Australians, the number of young Victorians participating in cultural activities or attending significant events or attractions has dropped significantly.

“In 2008, almost 46 per cent of young Victorians were involved in these pursuits. This year, only 20 per cent are. We’ve also seen a drop in attendance of sporting events as a spectator, down from 48.4 per cent to 39.7,” Mr Bird said.

“These figures suggest that the global financial crisis has really hit hard for some Victorian families, so it is of increased importance to have events like this to spread some cheer over the holiday season.”

Melbourne Zoo Director, Kevin Tanner, said the first Family Day last year was a great success.

“We hope that the guests coming to the event this year will enjoy the Zoo experience, especially our new Wild Sea display, and leave at the end of their visit with a greater appreciation of wildlife and a better understanding of the need to conserve it,” Mr Tanner said.

Bakers Delight has provided small pastry treats for families and RACV has donated new colouring books for the children.

More than 100 volunteers from Mission Australia, Metlink and RACV will help families find their way to and from the event and navigate the zoo grounds.

Activities on the day include face painting, music performances, carousel rides, up close encounters with animals and colouring in activities.

Mission Australia marks 150 years with a fundraising sleepout in Dubbo tonight

Mission Australia is celebrating its 150th anniversary with a fundraising sleepout in Dubbo this evening.

Those sleeping out will seek sponsorship for their efforts with the person raising the most money receiving a prize.

Highlight of the event will be a ‘cardboard box house making competition’ where representatives from Mission Australia services and other community agencies in Dubbo will construct their own shelter for the evening.

A BBQ will be held on the night – and for breakfast the next morning – to help raise money from passers-by for Mission Australia’s local services.

Mission Australia provides a range of programs in and around Dubbo including:

• Dubbo Leadership and Cultural Development Program – helps keep Aboriginal students aged between 9 (Year 5) and 17 (Year 11) years at school and increases their cultural awareness, identity and understanding.
• Housing and Accommodation Support Initiative (HASI) – helps people with mental illness receive care at home and keeps them in touch with their community. It also reduces their length of time spent in hospital and helps them avoid homelessness.
• Brighter Futures – provides support to vulnerable families and children as early as possible and builds their resilience to prevent problems developing in the future.
• Young Offenders Post-Release Support – supports young people after their release from the juvenile justice system. Provides positive alternatives to offending and helps with practical things such as anger management and basic living skills.
• Resource and Recovery – aimed at improving outcomes for people with mental illness by supporting them in developing personal goals with a focus on training and employment.

---

Want to raise money for Mission Australia?

Run your own fundraiser with Mission Australia's Community Fundraising.Events can include trivia nights, auctions, theme days, guessing competitions, getting sponsored to run, walk or cycle, and many other activities.

• Fundraising Toolkit and Registration Form - view and download from this link
• To contact the Community Fundraising team, or learn more visit the Community Fundraising site from this link