The Board and staff of Big Brothers Big Sisters Australia wish you a
safe and joyful festive season.
|
Pura Milk and Big Brothers Big Sisters key speakers at Victorian Government's Business Breakfast!
|
The partnership between Pura
Milk and Big Brothers Big Sisters was one of two business-community
partnerships featured at a breakfast hosted by the Victorian Government
on 23 October.
Kelvin McAlpine, Manager Sponsorships and Communications at National Foods, and David White, Executive Director of Big Brothers Big Sisters Australia, showcased Pura Milk's long-term commitment to youth mentoring in Australia.
The
Victorian Government is urging business to get behind Victoria's youth
mentoring programs. At the breakfast attended by community, business
and media representatives, Youth Affairs Minister James Merlino
launched a guide on 'How to Engage Business for Youth Mentoring
Organisations'.
"Mentoring produces such
genuine outcomes for young people. Mentoring projects target young
people who face disadvantage such as family conflict, generational
unemployment, disability and homelessness and they work on a number of
levels to support young people in need", Mr Merlino said. For more information, visit www.youth.vic.gov.au
(L to R) David White, Executive Director, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Australia and Kelvin McAlpine, Manager Sponsorships & Communications, National Foods |
'More than Words' - Fairfax Media extends its support
|
|
Big Brothers Big Sisters is extremely proud of its association with
Fairfax Media which commenced in 2005 with its 'More Than Words' Workplace
Giving Program. Staff have raised several thousand dollars for Big Brothers Big Sisters which has led to
the creation of mentoring relationships for young people across Australia.
The Age Newspaper's Sales and
Advertising Department has taken Big Brothers Big Sisters in Melbourne
under its wing, assisting with
marketing and promotion. Recently, young people and their mentors were
part a photo shoot organised by
Debra Richardson (Sales Manager) at The Age Newspaper to assist Big Brothers Big
Sisters with its catalogue of pictures to be used for marketing purposes. This effort adds tremendous strength to how the
organisation can convey the emotional impact of its services to young
people.
Since this time, Big
Brothers Big Sisters has sought expressions of interest from staff at its Spencer Street offices. "In less than 24 hours, we had received 20
expressions of interest from people wanting to mentor a young person who has
aspirations to work in the media", said Executive
Officer, Paul Mathewson.
Big Brothers Big
Sisters was featured by Clare Kerford in the Metro section of The Age in
October, 2008. This led to a spike in volunteer interest with an estimated 30
people making enquiries to the organisation as a direct result of the article. Stay tuned for more
exiting developments!
Back row
(L to R) Jake, his mentor Josh, Sarah, her mentor Kerry.
Front row (L to R) Debra Richardson (The Age Newspaper), Paul Mathewson
and Jessica Jones from Big Brothers Big Sisters of Melbourne. Photo by Cameron L'Estrange. |
Geelong 'BIG' Trivia a 'BIG' Success
|
|
|
Local business leaders had the opportunity to test
their knowledge against star Geelong Footballer, and Big Brothers Big Sisters Patron, Cameron Ling during a trivia night designed to showcase opportunities for business involvement with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Geelong.
'BIG' Trivia was held on 27 November. The night was a huge success with 80 business and community representatives in attendance.
As well as the usual rounds of trivia hosted by Big Brother Matt, the night featured presentations from staff and Cameron Ling. Little Sister Jaymie and her Big Sister Steph spoke about their friendship and involvement in
the program. The night also featured an
auction, facilitated by auctioneer Peter Maxwell from Maxwell Collins
Real Estate which helped to raise approximately $3,000.
Big Brothers Big Sisters would like to thank everyone who attended the event, as well as
all the local businesses who donated prizes and auction items. To find out more about Big Brothers Big Sisters of Geelong visit www.barwonyouth.org.au or call Shannon
Luttrell on 5221 4466.
.
(L to R) Shane Murphy, CEO, Barwon Youth and Cameron Ling, Patron,
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Geelong
|
President & CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters International attends 2008 National Network Meeting
|
The 2008 National Network Meeting was held in Melbourne
on 11 - 12 November. This year, Katherine (Kitty) Balsley,
President and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters International attended the meeting as a special guest of the National Office.
Despite a 55 hour trip from LA to Melbourne and significant jet lag, Kitty facilitated a number of discussions sharing her extensive knowledge of youth mentoring and Big Brothers Big Sisters.
Kitty was also the guest speaker at a special event for corporate/business partners, philanthropic trusts/foundations and members of the National Network held on 11 November. Kitty's final stop prior to departing for the US was Canberra to meet with the Hon Kate Ellis, Minister for Youth. The pair met earlier in the year during Minister Ellis' visit to New York in July.
Their meeting at Parliament House provided an invaluable opportunity to further discuss international trends in mentoring and potential growth for Big Brothers
Big Sisters in Australia.
Many thanks to Kitty for her visit and amazing effort!
Kitty Balsley (far left) together with representatives from the National Network
|
Big Pride - Big Sister a finalist for Pride of Australia Medal
|
Congratulations to Monique who was one of three State finalists for the Pride of Australia Medal 2008 following her nomination by Big Brothers Big Sisters of Adelaide. In addition to her role as a Big Sister, Monique is completing her Honours Degree in Psychology and working as a Youth Project Officer.
Since March 2007, Monique has been matched to her Little Sister (11 years old) who faces behavioural and emotional challenges. Despite these, she has noticed her
Little Sister develop in confidence and maturity, whilst improving in her social and conversational skills. Monique has had a few struggles along the
way, but knowing how much her Little Sister looks forward to each activity
makes it all worthwhile. Well done Monique!
 (L to R) Carolyn Screen formerly of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Adelaide with
Big Sister Monique.
|
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Australia is proudly supported by
 |
|
|
|
|
Melbourne and Geelong secure renewed funding from the Victorian Government!
In late November, Big Brothers Big Sisters in Melbourne and Geelong secured funding for a three year period from the Victorian Government Office for Youth (Mentoring and Capacity Building Initiative). Melbourne and Geelong were two of 12 Victorian mentoring programs to successfully apply for funding.
Congratulations to Paul Mathewson from Melbourne and Helen Dimopoulos and Shannon Luttrell from Geelong.
***
|
United Way continues to support Big Brothers Big Sisters of Geelong
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Geelong has continued to receive support from United Way Geelong through its Workplace Giving Program.
Funding of $20, 000 will enable Big Brothers Big Sisters to
maintain current staffing levels and deliver a much needed service to young people.
***
|
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Perth accredited by ACCYO
Congratulations to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Perth for its successful completion of the Safeguarding Children Accreditation with the Australian Council of Children and Youth Organisations (ACCYO).***
|
Networking leads to success for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Adelaide!
A unique aspect of Big Brothers Big Sisters is the existence of the National Network which affords opportunities for networking and information sharing amongst Member Agencies.
A recent example involved Pilotlight being referred to
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Adelaide following
an initial call to Paul Mathewson in Melbourne. During the call, Pilotlight expressed
an interest in funding projects in Adelaide.
This
prompt networking resulted in Pilotlight funding Adelaide $10,000 to appoint a casual Marketing and Promotions Officer to
assist with volunteer recruitment and promotion.
For further information on Pilotlight, visit www.pilotlight.org.au
|
Big Brother goes the extra mile to raise funds for Adelaide!
Pieter Haverhoek knows what
it is like go through adversity after losing, as a child, his older Brother in a shark
attack.
Despite
working full-time as a State Leasing
Manager, Pieter signed up to become a volunteer mentor with Big
Brothers Big Sisters of Adelaide. Pieter
has been catching up regularly with his Little Brother for two years
and has enjoyed their regular surf trips and football games.
Pieter is
also an active member of the Big Brothers Big Sisters Leadership
Committee which supports the program with fundraising. Pieter's most recent success involved a dinner held on 17
October with the generous support of Hoi Leung, owner of the Maple House Restaurant in North Adelaide.
A total of $6,500
was raised for Big Brothers Big Sisters. A BIG thank you to all of the supporters and sponsors
and a very special thank you to Pieter and Hoi for making the event possible.
(L to R) Pieter Haverhoek and Maple House Restaurant owner Hoi Leung
***
|
Staff Update
Congratulations to Keeva Mostyn from Big Brothers Big Sisters of Sydney who gave birth to Remy Graham Charles Mostyn on 7/10/2008.
Congratulations also to expectant mums Shannon Luttrell from Geelong and Andy Aronstan from JewishCare Sydney.
Welcome to:
Catherine McMahon (Corporate Partnerships Manager) - National Office
Nicole Merrigan (Office Manager) - National Office
Clare Waldron (Program Manager) and John Lynes (Caseworker) - Perth
Emma Price (Coordinator) - Melbourne
Belinda Lake (Program Manager) - Adelaide
Farewell and best wishes to Tracy Ogle from the National Office as she embarks upon her new life in Launceston!
All the best to Jo Case from Adelaide who commenced her maternity leave in December.
|
|
