Media coverage - Herald Sun: Owen Craigie warns of gambling pitfalls

Be it horses, trots, greyhounds, poker machines or card games, you name it and former NRL star Owen Craigie used to punt on it. Hardcore.

For 12 years, Craigie wrestled the daily demons of a gambling addiction that ultimately cost him everything that he had earned from playing rugby league.

In total, he lost more than $1.5 million. Houses, relationships, friends, family - Craigie went all in and lost the lot. If ever rugby league needed a reminder about the damage gambling can do, this is it.

Broken to the point where he contemplated suicide, Craigie turned to psychologist Phillip Hilder and Gamblers Anonymous for help.

Slowly, he's confronted his addictive personality and the triggers behind it to the point where he has rebuilt his life to work as a gambling education officer for Mission Australia in Newcastle.

"The topic of gambling in Aboriginal communities is just as big as your drugs, alcohol, domestic violence and your sexual abuse.

"Back in the day, I'd gamble every day. When you've got an addiction and a disease, that's what you do. There's no line, there's no limits; reality is you've got a problem.

Described by Andrew Johns as "the most naturally talented player I played with", Craigie made his NRL debut as a schoolboy aged 16 and won a grand final with Newcastle when he was 18.

During his 10-year, 153-game NRL career with the Knights, the Wests Tigers and South Sydney, he pocketed more than $1.5 million in earnings.

In between training and game days, his life was built around TABs and pubs in Newcastle, Rozelle and Redfern, always chasing the next big collect.

These days, instead of rushing to his local every Saturday to settle in for an afternoon of punting, you will find Craigie preaching the value of education.

As part of Mission Australia's Gambling Smart project, he has travelled to 11 Aboriginal communities in the past eight months and has nine communities still to go.

As far north as Tweed Heads, as far south as Nowra, west to Brewarrina and then in the Sydney suburbs of Redfern, Mt Druitt and Campbelltown, Craigie talks about everything from the stolen generation and alcoholism to the awful habit of sniffing petrol and glue.

Read the full article here

New ACT problem gambling service
Last week Mission Australia officially opened its new office in Canberra from where it is providing the ACT’s nation leading Problem Gambling Support Service, which commenced on 1 July 2011.

This service is an Australian first, with a focus on both preventing gambling problems and supporting those currently experiencing problems.

Clients can access the support service in a number of ways including face-to-face and over the phone. The number is 1800 858 858.

Read more about the launch here

Media Release - Andrew Barr MLA: Nation leading problem gambling service officially launched in the ACT

Today Mission Australia officially opened its new office in Canberra from where it is providing the ACT’s nation leading Problem Gambling Support Service which commenced on 1 July 2011.

Problem gambling is an issue the ACT Labor Government takes seriously. I am looking forward to Mission Australia’s contribution to combating problem gambling in the ACT.

This service is an Australian first, with a focus on both preventing gambling problems and supporting those currently experiencing problems.

It will provide counselling services - both problem gambling and financial - educational information on problem gambling, self-help techniques and important links to other services such as family guidance, alcohol and drug assistance as well as housing and employment opportunities.

Another important element of the service will be outreach services to other locations in the ACT. This will include providing support to clubs to help club staff deal with patrons who may be experiencing gambling problems.

Mission Australia is also working with the Australian National University, the ACT Gambling and Racing Commission and industry stakeholders to assist with research on the causes and effective treatment of problem gambling.

The support service is being funded through the Problem Gambling Assistance Fund. All gaming machine licensees are required to contribute to this fund and it also includes voluntary contributions from ACTTAB and Casino Canberra.

Mission Australia was selected from a competitive public tender process and currently provides gambling counselling services at 13 sites across NSW. The service has six full time staff who between them have 30 years of counselling experience.

Clients can access the support service in a number of ways including face to face and over the phone. The number for the service is 1800 858 858.

The service will extend to provide support through e-mail and online contact in the future.

Media release issued on the 4 August 2011 by Andew Barr MLA, Deputy Chief Minister, Treasurer, Minister for Economic Development, Education and Training, Tourism, Sport and Recreation in the ACT Legislative Assembly

Health experts call for problem gambling reforms

Problem gambling is one of the most serious health issues affecting our nation, according to a group of 40 high-profile experts.

The group - including the head of the Public Health Association of Australia, Helen Keleher, and former Australian of the Year, Fiona Stanley - have written to politicians to express their support for low-impact poker machines and a mandatory pre-commitment scheme that would enable pokie users to select an amount they are willing to lose before they start gambling.

"An effective response to the harms of problem gambling is required urgently. As we have learnt from other successful public health responses, social marketing and education campaigns alone will not work," they wrote in a letter to the Prime Minister, Julia Gillard.

"For every person with a gambling problem, between five and 10 others are affected: children, husbands, wives, partners, employers, neighbours, family and friends," they added.

According to The Sydney Morning Herald, the letter said a mandatory pre-commitment scheme for gamblers would further establish Australia as a world leader in public health.

"As was the case with tobacco, gun controls and seatbelts, when there is compelling evidence of serious and immediate threats to public health we are compelled to take action to minimise harm.

"Each year that we delay the introduction of effective measures to address harms derived from gambling on poker machines, hundreds of thousands of people will experience gambling problems."

You can read more at the SMH or ABC Online.

According to the Productivity Commission Inquiry Report released in 2010, there are between 80 000 and 160,000 Australian adults suffering severe problems from their gambling. The costs to problem gamblers in 2008-09 ranged between $4.7 and $8.4 billion.

In March, Mission Australia threw its support behind a campaign, jointly launched by Independent Tasmanian MP, Andrew Wilkie and advocacy group, GetUp, to combat attempts to undermine the Federal Government’s planned poker machine reforms.

Tonight Four Corners examines this campaign tonight at 8.30pm on ABC1.

Further information:

• 'One-stop-shop' to tackle problem gambling
• Craigie passes on smart gambling message
• If you or someone you know needs support to overcome a gambling addiction visit www.triplerservices.com.au

Media coverage - ABC: 'One-stop-shop' to tackle problem gambling

The ACT Government says its new gambling support service will serve as a 'one-stop-shop' for problem gamblers and their families.

The Government has announced Mission Australia will run the service, providing help for people already struggling with problem gambling as well as running proactive services to help those at risk of developing an addiction.

It is due to be up and running next month.

Economic Development Minister Andrew Barr says it is a unique, nation-leading arrangement.

"Mission Australia will combine their experience in problem gambling services with the many other services they provide including financial counselling, support services for disadvantaged families and youth, support services for relationships, domestic violence, drug and alcohol misuse, mental illness, housing," he said.

Mr Barr says the service will include face-to-face, phone, email and online contact with clients.

He says Mission Australia will also work with the Australian National University, the ACT Gambling and Racing Commission and industry stakeholders to undertake research on the causes and effective treatment of problem gambling.

Mr Barr says it is part of the Government's broader plan to tackle problem gambling.

"That encompass everything from assistance for those who have demonstrated need and perhaps those who we haven't been reaching with previous assistance models, through to some more direct action in relation to the number of poker machines in the Territory, ATM withdrawal limits and the national work around precommitment," he said.

The service is being funded by a 0.6 per cent levy on gambling revenue, an idea initiated by an ACT Greens bill.

Mission Australia's Leonie Green says it will be a diverse program.

"Not only will we be offering financial and gambling counselling services but we will be also providing training for other service providers," she said.

"We'll be able to provide therapeutic services to families and individuals so that they can start looking and addressing all of the other issues. We'll be working in schools raising awareness of gambling."

Story originally published 7 June 2011 at ABC.net.au

Further reading:

• Owen Craigie passes on smart gambling message
• Government Media Release: Tackling problem gambling in Australia
• Previous MA news - gambling

Media statement - Andrew Barr MLA: ACT takes national leadership in tackling problem gambling

Today I announced Mission Australia has won the tender to provide the ACT's nation leading Problem Gambling Support Service which commences on 1 July 2011.

Mission Australia is a large national organisation that has been operating in Australia for over 150 years. The organisation provides gambling counselling services at 13 sites in NSW and is highly qualified to deliver similar services in the ACT.

In an arrangement unique in Australia, Mission Australia will offer both traditional reactive services to help those already struggling with problem gambling, and proactive services to help those potentially at risk to tackle the problem before it gets out of hand.

Mission Australia will be able to provide a 'one-stop-shop' to help problem gamblers and their families who are also often affected by the problem. Mission Australia will combine their experience in problem gambling services with the many other services they provide including financial counselling, support services for disadvantaged families and youth, support services for relationships, domestic violence, drug and alcohol misuse, mental illness, housing, and care and learning experiences for disadvantaged children.

To ensure it is able to help as many people as possible the support service will provide a range of contact methods, including face to face, phone, e-mail and on-line including outside normal business hours.
Importantly under this arrangement Mission Australia will work with the Australian National University, the ACT Gambling and Racing Commission and industry stakeholders to undertake research on the causes and effective treatment of problem gambling.

The support service is funded from the Problem Gambling Assistance Fund which raises funds from a 0.6 per cent levy on Gross Gaming Revenue. The fund is expected to raise about $1 million per year.

Mission Australia already has a presence in the ACT through its existing employment assistance operations. It will open a new office to deliver the problem gambling support service which will create six new full time jobs.
Problem gambling is an issue the ACT Labor Government takes seriously. I am looking forward to Mission Australia's contribution to combating problem gambling in the ACT.

Mission Australia will distribute their contact details closer to commencing operations on 1 July 2011. In the meantime anyone having problems with gambling can visit www.problemgambling.act.gov.au

Media statement issued on the 7 June 2011 by Andew Barr MLA, Minister for Economic Development, Education and Training, Tourism, Sport and Recreation in the ACT Legislative Assembly

Craigie passes on smart gambling message

Mission Australia has teamed up with former NRL player Owen Craigie to present a series of two-day workshops aimed to help NSW Aboriginal health and community workers fight problem gambling.

The former Rabbitohs and Knights player is delivering a series of 20 intensive workshops with Mission Australia’s Training Coordinator Sheree Drylie as part of Gambling Smart Project, which is funded by the NSW Government through the Responsible Gambling Fund.

Having experienced the detrimental effects of gambling personally, Owen feels strongly about helping to educate frontline workers about the warning signs of problem gambling:

"It's always good to try and get people in the early stages of gambling because the long-term effects are family break downs, divorces, mental abuse and even suicide,” said Owen.

"A lot of people take their lives each year, which is related to problem gambling. So suicide is probably a major factor there and we just trying to steer people in the right direction so we can help save lives."

He said gambling had become a major issue around the country, not just in rural NSW: “Our program is out there reaching people that have got problems. We're not trying to tell them to stop gambling, just be smart about it.”

This month Owen and Sheree will run two-day workshops at the Awabakal Newcastle Aboriginal Co-Operative in Hamilton (6 to 7 June) and Lismore Workers Sports Club (15 to 16 June). A further 12 workshops will be held throughout NSW in the second half of 2011.

These two-day workshops will cover a range of issues associated with gambling such as forms of gambling activity, signs and symptoms of problem gambling, risk and protective factors, impacts on health and relationships, types of therapeutic interventions and treatment programs, the role of gambling counsellors, assessments and where to find help.

Participants will receive a certificate and resource manual, and food and beverages will be supplied.

To find out more call Sheree Drylie or Owen Craigie on (02) 40334941 or email drylies@missionaustralia.com.au If you or someone you know needs support to overcome a gambling addiction visit www.triplerservices.com.au.

Further reading:

• ‘Online gambling causing real problems’ - ABC.net.au
• Previous MA news - gambling

Government Media Release: Tackling problem gambling in Australia

The Australian Government today took another step forward in its efforts to address problem gambling in Australia.

The Government is concerned that the promotion of live odds during sports coverage can significantly influence vulnerable people, particularly young people, and normalise negative gambling behaviour.

That’s why the Government will work with the sporting and betting industries to reduce and control the promotion of live odds during sports coverage through amendments to their existing industry codes.

If satisfactory amendments are not in place by the end of June 2012, the Australian Government will consider the need for legislation, noting that the measures would not apply to pre-existing contracts for the promotion of live odds during sports coverage as of 1am today.

The Government will also undertake a review of the operation of the Interactive Gambling Act 2001, including examining how harm minimisation measures can be improved for online gambling services.

The Australian Government will consult widely with key stakeholders, states and territories, and the broader community in undertaking the review. Terms of Reference for the review will be announced shortly.

These moves are in addition to the progress made at the Council of Australian Government’s Select Council on Gambling Reform today on pre-commitment.

Ministers agreed to support the required infrastructure for pre-commitment technology in all jurisdictions, to be available to all players in all venues.

The Australian Government supports a full pre-commitment scheme starting in 2014, with small venues (gambling venues with 15 or less machines) to have an additional four years to implement the changes.

Our preference remains for the states and territories to deliver these changes and we will continue discussions with the states and territories, through the Select Council, over the next year.

The Government will also begin work on Commonwealth legislation, as agreed with the Independent Member for Denison, Andrew Wilkie.

We know that problem gambling destroys Australian families and ruins lives.

Bringing in these changes is no easy task but it is necessary if we are to provide the duty of care we owe thousands of individuals and families whose lives are being ruined by problem gambling.

Media release originally issued on the 27 May 2011 by the Hon Jenny Macklin MP, Minister for Familes, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs

Further reading

• Media Release: MA joins campaign to advance poker machine reform
• Getup: Petition for Pokie Reform
• Yesterday's news: Rise in betting on the net a concern
• All gambling related stories from MA
  

Media Release: MA joins campaign to advance poker machine reform

Mission Australia has thrown its support behind a campaign, jointly launched by Independent Tasmanian MP, Andrew Wilkie, and advocacy group, GetUp, to combat attempts to undermine the Federal Government’s planned poker machine reforms.

Clubs Australia recently announced it would spend $20 million on an advertising campaign to have the reforms – announced in an agreement between Wilkie and Prime Minister Julia Gillard in September 2010 – reversed.

The reforms include implementing a $250 daily withdrawal limit for ATMs in venues with poker machines, mandatory pre-commitment betting limits, and support for dynamic warning and ‘cost of play’ displays on machines.

The Wilkie/GetUp campaign seeks to sign up 100,000 names via a petition in support of the reforms. It is designed to combat any success Clubs Australia’s advertising might have in convincing government to reverse or water down its plans.

Mission Australia’s CEO, Toby Hall, said he had written a message to the organisation’s 3,500 staff nationally encouraging them to sign the petition.

“Every year Mission Australia helps more than 300,000 people facing various challenges in their lives – homelessness, addiction, family conflict, mental illness, long-term unemployment,” said Mr Hall.

“I can’t tell you how many people we see who are in one of those situations, or have had their lives and the lives of their families destroyed, as a result of problem gambling.

“It’s too late to get the genie back into the bottle – Australia made a mistake long ago in allowing the expansion of poker machines in almost every state and territory. But what we can do is a far more effective job at combating problem gambling – most of which occurs via poker machines.

“The research is in: problem gambling is out of control in Australia. The Productivity Commission’s independent report recommending measures to tackle the issue are balanced, sensible and should be pursued.

“That’s why I wrote to Mission Australia’s 3,500 staff today to encourage them to sign the Wilkie/GetUp petition.

“Our staff see the tragedy of problem gambling day in and day out. Their efforts help hundreds of problem gamblers back on their feet. I believed this was another way they could make a contribution and I expect the majority to take up the opportunity.

“We all need to do our bit to let the government know we support its plans and to head off any changes,” said Mr Hall.


Further reading

•  Getup: Petition for Pokie Reform
•  Yesterday's news: Rise in betting on the net a concern
• All gambling related stories from MA 

Clothes maketh the man at our Fairlight Centre

Hitting the shops for a bit of ‘retail therapy’ is something many Australians take for granted. But for Gary*, a client at our Fairlight Centre in Sydney, buying new clothes is a very new experience.

The 45-year-old has battled with alcoholism and problem gambling for most of his adult life. He’s drifted in and out of homelessness for the best part of a decade, and has also suffered from anxiety and depression.

This time when Gary arrived at Mission Australia’s Fairlight Centre, which supports homeless, alcoholic or drug-addicted men to make the transition back into mainstream society, he was determined to make positive changes to his life once and for all.

“He was in a bad way when he came here,” said Kevin Kingsbeer, the centre’s Team Leader and Case Manager. “He’d been drinking 12 to 14 litres of wine a day and was in and out of our overnight beds. But he was at that stage when he was really open to help.”

Kevin and staff suggested to Gary that they work together to admit him to a detox program. Part of the plan involved Gary working to improve his general hygiene and living skills.

The ‘make-over’ began with a haircut: “I said if you get a haircut and buy some hair and skin products, I’ll bring in some of my old clothes from home – and he was willing to give it a go,” said Kevin.

After a haircut, shower and change of clothes, Kevin took a photo to show Gary the difference – the response was a big smile and a ‘Hey, I look good’.

“From that day on his whole demeanour has changed,” Kevin said. “He has a new-found self-confidence, is walking with his head held high and with a spring in his step.”

With support from the team at Fairlight, Gary managed to curb his gambling and save some money for new clothes.

“I told him that $200 would buy him four new outfits and he was amazed,” said Kevin. “He had literally never shopped for new clothing, so he had no idea what they cost.”

After a visit to the local mall – a new experience after so many years living on the fringe of society – Gary was kitted out with new jeans, cargo pants, shirts, T-shirts, shoes and underwear.

“He was so wrapped and the transformation was absolutely incredible,” said Kevin. “The other residents all commented on how good he looked. The whole process has also been very uplifting and rewarding for our staff.”

Gary recently started walking for an hour a day as part of an exercise program. And since his ‘make-over’ he’s also got back into contact with his parents, who were so overjoyed they emailed the Fairlight Centre to thank them for their support and the photos they sent.

“He looks good after all this time and seems well,” they wrote. “Let’s hope he can overcome the disease and get the help he needs.”

The good news is that Gary is receiving the help he needs. This week he entered a three-month detox program with a new sense of pride, confidence and a willingness to succeed. On completion, he will return to our Fairlight Centre where he’ll be supported to move into independent living.

In Kevin’s words: “It’s amazing what a good pair of pants, shirt, vest and shoes can do!”

Well done, Gary, and all the best over the coming months.

*Name has been changed.

FAHCSIA Media Release: Release of legal advice on gambling reform

The Australian Government today released legal advice - PDF [1.0MB] on the Commonwealth's power to legislate for important reforms to address problem gambling.

The Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, agreed with the Independent Member for Denison, Andrew Wilkie, to commission this legal advice. The Prime Minister and Mr Wilkie also agreed that the Parliamentary Joint Select Committee on Gambling Reform would be informed of the legal advice.

The Australian Government is committed to working with the states and territories and industry to introduce key reforms which address the harm from problem gambling, including a full pre-commitment scheme for poker machines.

State and territory governments are responsible for the regulation of the gambling industry, except for online gambling.

However, problem gambling is a serious issue and the Australian Government believes more must be done to help problem gamblers and their families, particularly by reducing the harm caused by poker machines.

Research shows that three-quarters of severe problem gamblers have problems with poker machines.

Problem gambling can destroy families and ruin lives.

Problem gamblers spend an average of $21,000 a year on gambling.  That's a lot of money by anyone's standards – money that isn't being spent on food, bills or the family mortgage.

We have written to Mr Wilkie, as Chair of the Parliamentary Joint Select Committee on Gambling Reform, to our state and territory colleagues on the Council of Australian Governments Select Council on Gambling Reform, and to Professor Peter Shergold AC, Chair of the Ministerial Expert Advisory Group on Gambling Reform, to provide them with the legal advice.

The advice from the Australian Government Solicitor confirms there are a range of constitutional heads of power available to the Australian Government, including corporations, trade and commerce, telecommunications, banking, currency, taxation and territories powers.

While this advice identifies the legislative options available to the Commonwealth, the Australian Government remains committed to reaching an agreement with the states and territories to progress these important reforms.

Gambling is a legitimate industry and a valued form of entertainment for many Australians. We will work with industry to implement these reforms in a staged, evidence-based way. We have established the Ministerial Expert Advisory Group on Gambling, chaired by Professor Peter Shergold AC, to seek advice from the industry, academics and gambling support services on how to best implement the reforms.

The Productivity Commission recommended the Commonwealth intervene if the states and territories do not agree to implement gambling reforms Australia wide.

Media release issued by Hon. Jenny Macklin MP, Minister for FAHCSIA and Hon. Bill Shorten, Assistant Treasurer and Minister for Financial Services and Superannuation

MA supporters favour practical measures in dealing with problem gambling - Online Poll

Since the release of the Productivity Commission's Report into Gambling we can now identify that approximately 100,000 'problem gamblers' are providing around 40 per cent of all poker machine revenue in Australia - a deeply concerning fact when considering the wider implications on gamblers, their families and friends.

Since June we have been polling MA supporters on our Homepage, asking:

"In dealing with problem gambling, which of these strategies do you agree with most?"

The response options were the Productivity Commission recommendations deemed 'most urgent' by our CEO.

It's interesting to see that supporters strongly favour practical measures, similar to the strategies used to deal with binge drinking (click image to enlarge):

As reported by SMH in June:

"The Productivity Commission estimated that about 600,000 Australians - or 4 per cent of the population - play the games at least once a week. About 15 per cent of those players, or 100,000 people, are considered "problem gamblers", the report said. They account for about 40 per cent of total spending on the machines."

With statistics like these our CEO Toby Hall has called on State and Federal Governments to swiftly implement the recommendations of the Report.

Click here and have your say today!

Media Release: Action needed to reduce problem gambling

Mission Australia, one of the nations leading community service charities, has called on the State and Federal Governments to swiftly implement the recommendations of the Productivity Commission's Report into Gambling released on Wednesday, to reduce the impact of problem gambling on Australians.

“Mission Australia sees the human face of problem gambling in our services every single day,” said Toby Hall, Mission Australia CEO.

“Problem gambling causes not only financial crisis and bankruptcy, it contributes to family and relationship breakdown, homelessness, depression and even suicide.

“We would like to see practical measures like $1 bet limits on poker machines and mandatory shutdown times in gaming venues quickly put in place. This will help reduce the number of people with a gambling problem and reduce the impact on those already struggling to cope with their addiction.

“We urge governments at all levels to implement the Productivity Commission recommendations to reduce problem gambling as soon as practically possible.”

Mr Hall welcomed the news that the federal government has indicated it will support further harm minimisation programs for poker machines, but said it was disappointing there has been no commitment or time frame to implement the recommendations.

With poker machines accounting for 75-80 percent of problem gamblers, the Commission was right focus on further restrictions on poker machines, Mr Hall said.

“Poker machines are far and away the most prolific form of gambling by the clients of our gambling counselling services,” said Mr Hall

“We can not tackle problem gambling without looking at further restrictions on poker machines.”

“According to the Commission’s own figures, around 40 percent of the revenue from poker machines comes directly from problem gamblers.

“We can not continue to base such a large chunk of a sector’s revenue on taking money from people with an addiction”.

Mr Hall said that the measures outlined in the report that should be quickly implemented include:

• Lowering bet limits on poker machines to one dollar per button push (equating to losses of around $120 an hour as opposed to the current level of up to $1500) as well as setting limits on how much can be put in a machine at any one time. 
• Mandatory shutdown times for gaming rooms in hotels and clubs, as there is ample evidence that this is when high-risk gamblers are more likely to gamble and they are also often likely to be under the influence of alcohol.
• Removing ATMs from gaming areas. This is regularly cited by problem gamblers as something which would assist them to manage their gambling as it forces them to take a time out and leave the area. This is already being put in place in some jurisdictions.
• Additional funding for further gambling counselling services and improved training and education for counsellors.

Media contact:  Patrick Flynn ph. 0407 411 256

Media Release: Mission Australia opens its heart in Campbelltown

Mission Australia has launched a new Financial Education, Counselling and Community hub in Campbelltown this week.

This new support service gives locals the chance to buy brand new clothes and furnishings at a fraction of the retail price and access a range of community services from financial education and general counselling services, to training opportunities for the local unemployed.

Citi Australia provided the seed funding for the new hub, meeting the substantial cost of setting up the new programs and the facility. Stephen Roberts, Citi Country Officer for Citi Australia, officially opened the hub today.

“Financial education and supporting the Australian community are ongoing priorities for us at Citi,” said Mr Roberts.

“We are delighted to be working with Mission Australia on such a worthwhile project. Supporting people with financial education and access to affordable everyday items will make a big difference to many lives in the Campbelltown area. Supporting Mission Australia is a way we at Citi Australia can really help at a grass roots level – we look forward to working together.”

Mission Australia Operations Manager for Social Enterprise Bill Dibley said that the new hub incorporates a Big Heart retail store and would have many benefits for the local community – both those simply looking for a bargain as well as people in need of a helping hand.

“With increasing pressure on individual and family income from rises in interest rates, utilities and the cost of food, the availability of affordable clothing and furniture in the area will greatly assist locals. And since the lion’s share of clothing we sell is surplus stock from the major retailers, this means we have brand new clothes on offer at a fraction of the retail price,” said Mr Dibley.

“But the real beauty of this new hub is the social impact for the local community.

“The money from the Big Heart retail sales will directly fund the financial education programs we offer in the hub, so for example a parent can be taught how to develop an effective budget to avoid the situation of struggling to meet their bills.

“There is also a counsellor on-site to assist people with personal issues such as a relationship breakdown, or the loss of a loved one. In our experience people are often facing multiple issues so by taking a holistic approach, the outcome is better.

“And importantly in an area like Campbelltown, which has a higher than average rate of unemployment, the retail store provides a volunteering, training and employment opportunity for people who are unemployed. We are currently training and up skilling our 30 strong team of volunteers, and we’ve already taken on one of the volunteers as a Mission Australia employee.

“Whether someone is unemployed, has just gone through a relationship breakdown, or is in financial difficulty – by dropping in to the community hub here, we will be able to help you,” Mr Dibley concluded.

The Big Heart Enterprise was established in the Illawarra region 20 years ago to help raise funds for a local Mission Australia Youth Accommodation service. Over the years, Big Heart has grown to include six retail outlets, 13 full-time staff, and about 180 volunteers. Each store provides high quality, low cost clothing and furnishings to the public.

All money raised at the Campbelltown Big Heart store will fund the financial education and counselling position – ensuring the profits are 100 per cent returned to, and directly assisting, the local community. The new hub is located at: 5 Harbord Road, Campbelltown.

For further information about the services come and visit the site or call Big Heart on Tel: 02 4620 0007 or Financial Education, Counselling and Community Hub on Tel: 02 4620 0201.

Media contact: 
Sally Popplestone
Mob: 0415 547 626
email: popplestones@missionaustralia.com.au

---

About Citi

Citi, the leading global financial services company, has some 200 million customer accounts and does business in more than 100 countries, providing consumers, corporations, governments and institutions with a broad range of financial products and services, including consumer banking and credit, corporate and investment banking, securities brokerage, and wealth management. Citi's major brand names include Citibank.

Find out more about Citi’s support of Mission Australia here.

---

Big Heart is moving to Campbelltown!

Mission Australia’s social enterprise retail outlet, Big Heart, is due to open its first Sydney location in Campbelltown this November.

Big Heart was established in the Illawarra 19 years ago to help raise funds for local Mission Australia services.

What originally began as a traditional 'op-shop' venture has grown into five retail outlets (throughout Illawarra and Shoalhaven), ten full-time staff members and more than 150 volunteers that provides more than just high quality, low cost clothing and furnishings to the public.

Big Heart also gives unemployed people on-the-job training in industries including warehousing, upholstery, retail and administration.

Big Heart’s Campbelltown branch will incorporate Mission Australia’s south western Sydney financial counselling services in the one location to ensure long-term sustainability of the service.

---

The proposed location will be on the corner of Campbelltown Road and Harbord Street.

Final contact details will be updated in October.

Please visit www.missionaustralia.com.au/big-heart for further details.