NEWSLETTER - Charity for Children...CEO’s message We care passionately about having a safe community for children. We work hard to reduce violence everywhere, including criminal

NEWSLETTERISSUE 3 2016

Every child deserves to feel safe

IN THIS ISSUE . NCAB SOLUTIONS . CYBER SAFETY SUPPORT . CARA’S STORY . BUDDY BAGS . eSMART WEEK

Our new Ambassadors We are thrilled to announce two new Ambassadors, the Hon Alastair Nicholson AO RFD QC and Caitlin Figueiredo.

Twenty-one year old youth and gender equality advocate, Caitlin Figueiredo, recently won the 2016 Young Leader Category in the Australian Financial Review & Westpac 100 Most Influential Women Awards. Earlier in 2016 Michelle Obama invited her to attend the United State of Women summit on gender equality in Washington DC where she was a named Global Changemaker for Gender Equality and a global influencer to an online platform of 18.5 million women from 196 countries.

Caitlin announced her new role as Ambassador to her social following, explaining “Not everyone knows that I’m a survivor of childhood domestic violence. I hope to use my story to inspire other children going through violence, bullying and inequality to know it gets better and to spread the Foundation’s incredible work.”

Please see more on the Hon Alastair Nicholson on page 4.

OUR HISTORY

The Alannah & Madeline Foundation is a national charity focusing on protecting children from violence and creating behaviour change in the community to reduce bullying and cyber bullying.

The Foundation was set up in memory of Alannah and Madeline Mikac, aged six and three, who were tragically killed with their mother and 32 others at Port Arthur, Tasmania, in 1996. Our vision is that every child will live in a safe and supportive environment.

International Patron HRH Crown Princess Mary of Denmark

National Patron The Hon Malcolm Turnbull MP Prime Minister of Australia

Patron and Founder Walter Mikac

Chief Executive Officer Lesley Podesta

Chairman John Bertrand AO

OUR BOARD

Peter BlundenRichard BrougTerry Hearity OAM

Launa InmanHolly KramerGreg SutherlandPaul Waldren

International Advisory Board Dr Edward de Bono

CONTACT US

PO Box 5192 South Melbourne VIC 3205 t 1300 620 747 e [email protected] w amf.org.au

/AlannahandMadeline

/alannahmadeline

/alannahmadeline

/alannahandmadeline

In memoriam Our hearts broke earlier this year with the passing of Laurina Murphy, one of our much-loved volunteers.

We were so blessed Laurina chose to spend her time with us. One of the most kind and generous souls, every Tuesday Laurina would arrive at the office with her infectious smile carrying a container of the best muffins you’ll ever taste. With thanks to her children Cameron, Claire and Maddy, we’re sharing her recipe so you can try them too.

Laurina, you are dearly missed.

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CEO’s message We care passionately about having a safe community for children. We work hard to reduce violence everywhere, including criminal violence. Like me, I’m sure you are horrified whenever you hear of a fatal shooting. We want to keep Australia safe.

In our last newsletter we had just launched our gun petition to help keep Australia safe from gun violence. Since then, almost 60,000 people have signed the petition.

The Council of Australian Governments (COAG) is currently reviewing the National Firearms Agreement for the first time since it was established following the Port Arthur tragedy. State and Commonwealth governments need to agree on any changes and a final decision on how Australia will manage gun laws is expected as we go to print.

We have continued to be a voice and work effectively and with dignity to honour the memory of Alannah and Madeline and other

victims by ensuring we keep our country safe and rapid-fire firearms out of our community through unified laws.

The Foundation does not oppose the lawful ownership of firearms for those who have a legitimate reason to own one, the competency to operate it properly and the capacity and willingness to store them safely. However, we believe that all weapons are potentially dangerous and must be treated seriously and with utmost care.

Our unique role as a national charity committed to keeping children safe, borne out of a national shooting tragedy, gives us a special role in the community to speak out. By doing so, we are working to help keep more children safe from violence. By not doing so would be disrespectful to any victim of gun violence.

You can still show your support and sign the petition at change.org.

In this newsletter you’ll find updates on our programs and initiatives, demonstrating how your support

has contributed to helping nearly 2 million children.

In closing, thank you for your continued support of the Foundation as we simply could not achieve all that we do without you.

On behalf of everyone at the Alannah & Madeline Foundation, enjoy the holiday season and we look forward to celebrating 20 years of helping keep children safe from violence with you in 2017.

Until next time,

Lesley Podesta

Chairman’s message As 2016 comes to a close we would like to thank each and every one of you for your support throughout the year.

It’s been a year of reflection, as we stood together and commemorated the 20th anniversary of the Port Arthur tragedy. It’s also been one of anticipation as we look toward celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Alannah & Madeline Foundation in 2017.

In addition to our 20th anniversary, next year is shaping up to be the Foundation’s biggest yet with some really exciting projects in the pipeline. Within our world-leading eSmart framework, we’re now in more than 50 per cent of Australian libraries and 2,300 schools. This number will continue to grow next year, as will the number of students who have completed their Digital

Licence – both within Australia and overseas. We are committed to working with the best minds to find solutions to keep children safe.

Our National Centre Against Bullying held its seventh biennial conference this year, with local and international experts presenting the latest bullying research. You can read more about the findings in this newsletter.

With our Care programs, we’re in discussions about replicating our award winning Cubby House in other locations, as well as expanding our Children Ahead program. Thanks to a $180,000 grant over three years from the Victorian Government, we can further expand our Buddy Bags program. We’d love to receive similar grants from all state and territory governments to expand the program even further around the country and have every

child in out-of-home care receiving a Buddy Bag.

We look forward to sharing our plans further with you next year.

Until then, thank you for your support and I wish you and your family all the very best this festive season.

John Bertrand AO

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NCAB resolute on bullying solutions

The 7th International NCAB Conference Towards Bullying Solutions: theory and practice was held at the Crown Conference Centre in Melbourne early this year.

Focussing on what has been shown to work most effectively in preventing bullying, all keynote speakers concluded that social and emotional learning (SEL) when taught across the curriculum shows the most promise in this area. SEL also lowers rates of homophobic abuse and improves academic outcomes.

The 36 seminars provided delegates an opportunity to hear the most recent research presented by academics from

Australia and overseas and to participate in workshops presented by practitioners on topics ranging from restorative practices, to the place of an online video game in promoting pro-social values, to positive relationships.

In closing the 2016 NCAB Conference, the Hon Alastair Nicholson AO, RFD, QC presented this year’s Resolutions:

1. Bullying and harassment should be treated as a major public health, safety and human rights issue.

2. Recognition of the significance of gender, identity and sexuality

in bullying and harassment.

3. Endorsement and support of the National Safe Schools Framework.

4. Greater role for young people in drafting and implementing of school bullying and cyber bullying policies and evidence-based practices.

5. Changes to the Online Safety for Children’s Act.

6. Support for world-class school curriculum, assessment and reporting.

Read about the Resolutions in more detail at ncab.org.au/other/ncab-conference-2016-resolutions

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Delegates at the 7th International NCAB conferenceThe Hon Alastair Nicholson opening the conference

Our new Ambassadors cont.Former Chief Justice of the Family Court of Australia the Hon Alastair Nicholson AO RFD QC is the Alannah & Madeline Foundation’s newest Ambassador.

Alastair, who is the National Centre Against Bullying’s outgoing Chair, said he felt honoured to continue to be involved with the wonderful work the Foundation carries out. “The Foundation and those associated with it have become very much part of my life over the last 13 years and I am delighted to have the opportunity for that association to continue,” Alastair said.

We are honoured that Alastair is continuing his involvement with the Foundation.

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The Alannah & Madeline Foundation is working with young Indigenous women in the Northern Territory to become safer, smarter and more responsible online.

The Foundation has partnered with the Stars Foundation to help deliver its eSmart Digital Licence to 500 young women between years 7 and 12 in Darwin and Katherine - thanks to a sponsorship from the Telstra Foundation.

The Stars Foundation’s mission is to support and enable Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander girls and young women to make active choices towards realising their full potential in all aspects of their development and wellbeing.

Stars and the Foundation will continue the program in 2017 to help young women receive the benefits of the initiative.

The eSmart Digital Licence, launched in 2015, teaches young people critical digital skills and promotes discussion about online

safety between young people and their parents, carers and teachers.

Across Australia, more than 230,000 students have registered for the program.

The Alannah & Madeline Foundation’s Digital Licence Advisor Amy Williams worked closely with Stars Foundation in Darwin to customise the eSmart Digital Licence, ensuring the resource was relevant to issues they faced on a daily basis.

“WE KNOW THAT TOO MANY YOUNG WOMEN ARE

CYBER BULLIED AND WE WANT TO GIVE THEM THE SKILLS AND CONFIDENCE TO BE SAFE ONLINE, TO

EXPERIMENT, AND BE MORE IN CONTROL OF THEIR

CYBER REPUTATION,” MS WILLIAMS SAID.

Stars Foundation Executive Director Andrea Goddard said the eSmart Digital Licence fits in with its aim of teaching skills that foster resilience and wellbeing, leading to increased social connection, community participation and self-confidence.

“Stars prepares Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young women and girls for their future after school with a broad range of life skills and a healthy approach to living,” Andrea said. “About 85 per cent of the girls in the Stars program have their own phone however their knowledge of cyber safety and responsible behaviour online is limited, so the Digital Licence is crucial in helping them better understand the technology they use every day to help keep them safe.”

For further information or to see how the Digital Licence can fit within your community, visit digitallicence.com.au or call Amy Williams on 1300 668 056.

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NT teens visiting the Foundation’s office – pictured with Stars Foundation’s Andrea Goddard (second from left) and the Alannah & Madeline Foundation’s Lesley Podesta (third from right) and Amy Williams (right).

Young Indigenous women are cyber safety champions

Every child deserves to feel safeThe holiday season can be the most joyous time of year for some families. For others, it is far from it. It is a dark time, highlighting loneliness and isolation.

Sadly, during this time of year, the demand for emergency support programs doesn’t stop. This includes demand for our Buddy Bags: backpacks full of basic, essential items we provide children or their parent on arrival at a domestic violence refuge or emergency foster care.

You may find it surprising where the greatest need lies.

WE SEND OUT BUDDY BAGS TO BABIES AS LITTLE AS SIZE ‘0000’. THOSE BABIES ARE TINY.

In fact, we have provided more Buddy Bags to babies in the 0-2 age group than any other; closely followed by toddlers aged 3-5 years. They are in their situation due to circumstances beyond their control – and they need your help. Any donation made this holiday season will go toward the cost of the items included in Buddy Bags.

These bags provide so much more than just material aid, the practicality of a backpack means a mother or father has somewhere

to put those few and precious new belongings for their child. For older children, they enable a routine to be maintained, such as getting changed into PJs, cleaning teeth and then having a book to read at bedtime.

Buddy Bags also help restore a sense of safety and security into children’s lives during this time of trauma – which is one of the vital first steps to recovery. They show the child is cared for. They show the child that there are good people in the world. They show respect for the parent. They provide dignity and hope for the parent.

With tens of thousands more children needing emergency accommodation every year, there is still such a great need for Buddy Bags. We want every child entering emergency accommodation to receive one.

Help us provide Buddy Bags to these children. Donate today at amf.org.au or text BAGS to 0447 222 333 and follow the prompts.

Just $50 will make all the difference.

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Cara’s story To 18 month old Cara, a hairbrush was a weapon – used against her and her mum by Cara’s dad when they made too much noise. As a result, Cara was extremely scared of brushes and other things that her dad used as weapons.

Cara and her mum Susan fled their home late one night following a particularly violent episode and arrived at a women’s refuge. They arrived with just the clothes they were wearing. They were terrified and exhausted. Susan was extremely upset because they had left most of their things behind and had brought nothing to change into for bed. They had grabbed a few things in a garbage bag as they left, but not thinking clearly, not much of it was useful.

Thankfully, the refuge had Buddy Bags with basic, essential items for Cara, including pyjamas, a toothbrush and socks. The bag also had a hairbrush. When the refuge worker showed this to Cara she became hysterical and was difficult to settle into the strange new cot. The Buddy Bag also had a teddy bear which reminded Cara of the one she had left behind and she eventually nodded off clutching ‘Googy’ to her chest.

Over the next few days, Cara learnt that the hairbrush did not have to hurt. Her mum Susan learnt to soothe Cara by gently stroking her hair with the brush. They would sit for ages – mum healing her hurt and sadness and connecting with her baby girl. Cara learnt that life can be safe and hairbrushes can be nice to make your hair – and your mum – shine again.

Susan also loved the Buddy Bag because it gave her a way of being like every other mother. Instead of putting her spare nappies, wipes and bottles in a plastic shopping bag, she had a practical backpack to store Cara’s things in as life began anew.

- Lee Cameron, Head of Care Alannah & Madeline Foundation

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Vic govt gives Buddy Bags a boost On 28 September 2016, Minister for Families and Children Jenny Mikakos, announced a $180,000 funding boost over three years for the Foundation’s Buddy Bags program.

Buddy Bags are backpacks full of new, basic essential items designed

to be given to children and young people on arrival in emergency accommodation.

Announcing the $180,000 funding, Ms Mikakos thanked the philanthropic community and called on the public to get behind the organisation’s valuable work.

Foundation CEO Lesley Podesta said “The work of the Alannah & Madeline Foundation, together with government and corporate partners, has been making a real difference to these children’s lives.”

We distributed a record 10,000 Buddy Bags to children in emergency accommodation in 2016.

“WHEN A CHILD GOES INTO OUT-OF-HOME

CARE, THEY HAVE OFTEN EXPERIENCED ABUSE AND

NEGLECT. BUDDY BAGS ARE AN IMPORTANT FIRST STEP IN PROVIDING THESE CHILDREN WITH ESSENTIAL ITEMS DURING A DIFFICULT PERIOD,” SAID MS MIKAKOS.

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A little goes a long way At the beginning of December we distributed our 70,000th Buddy Bag, another bittersweet milestone.

As part of the evaluation of the Buddy Bags program, we survey the receiver agencies who give out Buddy Bags to children on our behalf, with overwhelmingly positive results.

100% OF REFUGES AND FOSTER CARE

AGENCIES FIND BUDDY BAGS BENEFICIAL TO

CHILDREN WHEN THEY FIRST ARRIVE.

In each Buddy Bag we include a postcard for the child or parent to fill in and return to us. We receive these literally every day. We also receive heart-wrenching notes of thanks from parents. Here are just a few postcards received over the years…

With around 60,000 children in emergency accommodation, we still need more support.

Help us give a further 10,000 children in emergency accommodation a Buddy Bag in 2017. Buy a tote or red reusable bag from any Target store across the country or sponsor a Buddy Bag for just $50. Visit amf.org.au to see how.

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The student community identifying eSmart at Frederick Irwin Anglican College in WA

eSmart Week strikes positive chord across AustraliaRight across the country the second annual eSmart Week has been a resounding success!

The Alannah & Madeline Foundation initiative – supported by the Telstra Foundation – was run between September 5 and 9 in order to educate and inform Australians on ways to be smarter, safer and more responsible online.

National eSmart Week, which celebrates online safety through the Foundation’s eSmart Schools, eSmart Libraries and eSmart Digital Licence, received more than 1,130 registrations for the week – double the 558 recorded for last year’s inaugural event.

The Alannah & Madeline Foundation General Manager Programs Linda Barry said there had been an overwhelmingly positive response from the community during the week, especially on social media with schools and libraries sharing their celebrations using the #esmartweek hashtag.

“It’s great to see social media being used in such a positive way to engage Australians.” The Alannah & Madeline Foundation’s eSmart staff relished the opportunity to work with libraries, schools and students to implement the framework.

PRESENTLY MORE THAN 2,300 SCHOOLS ARE

REGISTERED FOR eSMART SCHOOLS, MORE THAN HALF OF AUSTRALIAN PUBLIC LIBRARIES ARE INVOLVED IN eSMART

LIBRARIES AND MORE THAN 230,000 STUDENTS HAVE CLICKED THROUGH THE

eSMART DIGITAL LICENCE.

Highlights of the week included City of Karratha Libraries in Western Australia achieving eSmart Status and Sydney’s Clancy Catholic College developing content promoting the

smart, safe and responsible use of digital technology.

Mrs Barry said Brighton Primary School in Melbourne has been very active on Twitter promoting its commitment to cyber safety on social media while Ipswich Libraries hosted a cyber safety seminar, promoting eSmart across south-eastern Queensland.

“It really is amazing to see how communities across the country have become involved,” Mrs Barry said. “We hope this encourages more schools and libraries to get involved in eSmart as we work to growing the event even further in 2017.”

The Alannah & Madeline Foundation works alongside the Office of the Children’s eSafety Commissioner, which supported National eSmart Week by promoting activities and running specialised webinars.

For more information go to esmart.org.au

Ipswich Library staff in purple celebrating eSmart Week

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Summer of cricketCricket Australia will once again partner with the Alannah & Madeline Foundation this summer to help keep children safe from violence. The Foundation is the official Community Partner of the KFC T20 Big Bash League (BBL) and the Official Charity Partner of Cricket Cares. This year, Cricket Captain Meg Lanning (pictured below) and retired Keeper-Batsman Brad Haddin are the proud Cricket Ambassadors of the Alannah & Madeline Foundation. The season starts on 20 December and runs in each state, with the BIG Final on 28 January - get your tickets at www.bigbash.com.au.

To donate, text CRICKET to 0447 222 333 and follow the prompts.

Trek stars A team of 13 inspiring travellers (pictured below), including Founding Patron Walter Mikac and Ambassador Robert “Dipper” DiPierdomenico, trekked and cycled 250km from Siem Reap and Phnom Penh in November, raising close to $90,000 for the Foundation.

Sue Vittori – who was an employee at the Port Arthur Historic Site at the time of the tragedy – developed and participated in this year’s trip.

Sue said she was thrilled with the result, with the money being used in such a positive way. She said the timing was especially fitting given the Foundation was in the middle of marking the 20th anniversaries of Port Arthur and its own launch.

“This great bunch of people will always share an important connection and friendship after what we’ve collectively achieved in supporting such a wonderful charity.”

To donate go to amf.org.au or inspiredadventures.com.au/events/amf-cambodia-2016

Good sports The King’s Men recently finished their second Ride Different cycling event, raising more than $17,000. This year’s event took place in Tasmania to mark the 20th anniversary of the Port Arthur tragedy. The energetic team of 40 set out from Hobart on 12 November riding 200km to Port Arthur. The following day they rode 150km via the alternate route to Hobart including the final challenge up Mt Wellington.

Community fundraiser Marc Simpkins is off and running on his Chasing the Sun challenge. Marc is running almost 4,000km from Wollongong to Perth to raise money for the Alannah & Madeline Foundation and the Australian Literacy and Numeracy Foundation. Marc plans to run more than a standard marathon every day, reaching his destination in less than 90 days. What he is doing is truly inspiring. Show him support by following his incredible journey at Chasing The Sun and donating at chasingthesun.run/#call-to-action

Congratulations to Foundation Ambassador Dan Jackson, who recently completed the Toronto Marathon in Canada. Dan carried a Buddy Bear with him throughout the race and raised $5,000 to support our programs.

With thanks Our sincere thanks to the RACV City Club, Melbourne, who have kindly donated to the Foundation. Their donation will help provide backpacks full of basic essentials items to children arriving in emergency accommodation across Australia.

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Guests dug deep to raise more than $730,000 in support of the Foundation’s 19th annual Starry Starry Night gala at Crown Palladium in Melbourne on 19 November.

Close to 1,000 guests, including some of Australia’s biggest names in television, sport and entertainment, enjoyed a spectacular evening of colourful performances and glamour to support the Foundation’s work and help us keep children across Australia safe from violence and bullying.

The evening was hosted by Channel 7’s Melissa Doyle AM and performer Rob Mills, with a stunning array of celebrities stepping out to perform on the night.

For more images of the night, visit www.amf.org.au. Register your interest for our 20th Starry Starry Night in 2017 by emailing [email protected] – it will be the best yet!

Starry shines bright

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M E D I A

S U P P O R T I N G

T H A N K Y O U T O O U R S P O N S O R S

P L AT I N U M

Thank you to all our sponsors, entertainers and guests for your generous support.