NEWSLETTERISSUE 1 2017

Every child deserves to feel safe

IN THIS ISSUE . CONNECT LAUNCH . TASMANIA TREK . MARNIE’S STORY . DIGITAL MAKEOVER . LETTERS OF LOVE

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

Chair Greg Sutherland

OUR BOARD

Peter BlundenRichard BrougTerry Hearity OAM

Launa InmanKen Lay AO APM Lesley Podesta Greg SutherlandPaul Waldren Russell Yardley

CONTACT US

PO Box 5192 South Melbourne VIC 3205 t 1300 720 747 e info@amf.org.au w amf.org.au

/AlannahMadelineFoundation

/alannahmadeline

/alannahmadeline

/AlannahandMadeline

/the-alannah-and-madeline-foundation

Tick of approval The Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission’s (ACNC) 2015 Public Trust and Confidence research showed that support of charities is closely entwined with trust, and that charities are the third most trusted group in Australia (behind doctors and the police). When the ACNC’s role as the charity regulator was explained to research survey respondents, their trust in Australia’s charities grew significantly.

As a result, the ACNC has introduced a charity verification ‘tick’ which shows that an organisation is “transparent and accountable by highlighting their presence on the ACNC Charity Register”.

It is hoped the charity tick will have a positive effect on public trust and confidence in the charity sector, with donors being able to instantly recognise a charity that is well governed, reputable and worthy of public donations registered. The Alannah & Madeline Foundation is proud to warrant and display the ‘tick’!

Leading the way against bullying The Foundation warmly welcomes the Hon. Joseph Kay to the position of Chair of the National Centre Against Bullying (NCAB) – a peak body of bullying, education, legal and mental health experts managed by the Alannah & Madeline Foundation. Joseph is a former Family Law barrister and judge of the Family Court of Australia. His judgements are regarded to have made a significant contribution to the development of Family Law in Australia.

More recently, Joseph was Director of Studies for the World Congresses on Family Law and Children’s Rights – held in Canada in 2009 and Sydney in 2013. He chaired the Family Law Bar Association, was a Bar appointee of the Council of Legal Education as well as a member of the Bar Fees Committee. He was also an active member of the Family Law Council for a number of years.

Joseph succeeds the Hon. Alastair Nicholson AO RFD QC who was appointed NCAB’s inaugural Chair in 2002, leading the body to be Australia’s pre-eminent authority on bullying trends and prevention. Alastair continues to promote the Foundation’s work as a Foundation Ambassador. Thank you Alastair, your contribution has been – and still is – greatly appreciated.

Our work To coincide with our 20th anniversary of keeping children safe from violence, we have released our 2016 Annual Report and 2017-2021 Strategic Direction. Both are available to view on amf.org.au, or call the Foundation on 1300 720 747 for a copy.

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Every child can thrive STRATEGIC DIRECTION 2017-2021

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Annual Report

2016

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CEO message Welcome to our first newsletter for 2017, in a year that’s shaping up to be a significant one, for a number of reasons.

Please join me in welcoming Greg Sutherland as Chair of the Board of the Alannah & Madeline Foundation. Greg has been involved with the Foundation for over ten years. He is the parent of two children and he brings a passion for innovation, digital inclusion and building a safer world for all children.

In April the Foundation celebrated the important milestone of 20 years of helping keep children safe from violence. To coincide with this, we have released our 2016 Annual Report, together with our five year strategy.

The new strategy, named Every Child can Thrive, is our roadmap for the next five years. It builds on our work over the past two decades, guides our quest for new and

effective solutions and ensures we meet our commitment to making a safer, stimulating and more supportive society for children.

We believe that every child should feel safe and no one should be threatened with violence. Confident, secure, resilient and inspired young people are our hope for the future.

We are committed to: understanding the issues that adversely affect the wellbeing of children; protecting them from bullying and violence; and to building a supportive and safe society which enables them to thrive.

To realise our vision we need support – and there are many ways you can help: through raising funds, donations, workplace giving, lending your voice to our campaigns, sponsoring projects and events, partnering in our work and through social investment.

Both the annual report and strategy are available on our website at amf.org.au

Help us build a safer world so that children may thrive.

Until next time,

Lesley Podesta

Chair message It’s with great privilege that I am writing this in my new position as Chair of the Alannah & Madeline Foundation. As a member of the Foundation’s Board for more than ten years, it’s an honour to now take up this role.

Firstly, I’d like to take the opportunity to thank John Bertrand AO for his commitment and dedication over the past 15 years as Chairman. He’s been an incredible asset to the Alannah & Madeline Foundation, and to use apt sailing language, has steered this ship from just three employees, to where we find ourselves now: with 45 employees and having just celebrated the 20th year of the Foundation’s work in helping keep children safe from violence.

John – a self-proclaimed ‘Lifer’ to the Foundation – is committed to the Foundation’s work and will continue to be involved. John’s

leadership has been inspiring and his contribution momentous.

After a significant tenure on the Board, we also thank Holly Kramer for her contribution to the Foundation. Her expertise and input has been invaluable – and for that we sincerely thank her.

Coinciding with a new Chair and still relatively new CEO, it feels like the Foundation is entering a new phase.

We also welcome Former Police Commissioner Ken Lay AO APM and digital innovator, Russell Yardley, our latest appointments to the Board.

This year, not only do we celebrate the anniversary of the Foundation, but we will also surpass assisting 2 million children since it started. Two million.

With change comes different contributions and I look forward to

working with the Board and staff on some exciting initiatives that you will read about further in this newsletter and our new strategy.

It’s an honour to have this opportunity and one that I’m looking forward to.

Greg Sutherland

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Connect – skills we need to keep our kids safe online and offlineThe Foundation is proud to present a new and extensive range of workshops – Alannah & Madeline Foundation Connect.

Aimed at primary and secondary students, parents, school staff and the broader community, you can build your own workshops that are tailor-made specifically to your organisation, or choose from set 60 minute sessions.

Workshop modules, developed and delivered by the Foundation’s team of experts, not only cover cyber safety and bullying, but also look at social and emotional learning, valuing difference, building resilience as well as respectful relationships.

Connect takes many elements of the Foundation’s eSmart programs, accredited by the Office of the Children’s eSafety Commissioner, and utilises the

expertise within the Foundation in relation to cyber safety, bullying, as well as the impact of violence on children and young people.

Feedback from attendees of the first Connect workshops is overwhelmingly positive, with 100 percent stating they now have increased knowledge of cyber safety and understanding of cyber risks faced by children and young people. All attendees also reported being more likely to engage children and young people in conversations about their online world and are now also in a better position support those who experience a cyber incident such as cyber bullying.

For more details on workshops and modules available, please visit amf.org.au/connect, email connect@amf.org.au, or call one of the team on 1300 592 151.

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CYBER SAFETY AND BULLYING TOPICS

CYBER SAFETY

• The 3 Cs of cyber safety (an overview of 13 key actions to stay safe online)

• Digital reputation, cyber bullying, privacy, connecting and communicating, inappropriate content, screen time and spending online

• Trends in the online world of young people

BULLYING

• The impacts of bullying on children and young people

• Everyone has a role to play: pre, inter and post prevention strategies

• Social and emotional learning, valuing difference, building resilience and respectful relationships

• Latest research and findings from the National Centre Against Bullying

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Trek to end bullying 5-10 November 2017In honour of our 20th anniversary, we invite you to join us on a trek along the Tasman Peninsula.

The Trek to End Bullying fundraising challenge will take you through unspoilt nature, across sleepy seaside towns, experiencing the beauty of southern Tasmania.

Beginning in Hobart, you will make your way to Cape Raoul, trekking across the wilderness, taking in the striking panoramic views of jagged cliffs and incredible waters below. When we arrive at Port Arthur, you have the chance to pay your respects to those who lost their lives on that devastating day 21 years ago.

From Port Arthur we embark on an eco cruise past Tasman Island, visit the beautiful landscape of Waterfall Bay, walk through ancient landscapes among waterfalls, through caves and take a tour

of Mount Wellington – a stoic reminder of Tasmania’s unique and breathtaking natural beauty.

While no extensive trekking experience is required, Inspired Adventures travels are designed for people who are relatively fit and willing to train. The Trek to End Bullying: Tasmania 2017 is a physical challenge and the fitter you are, the more you’ll enjoy the experience.

By taking on this challenge you will help raise funds to help keep children safe from violence. You’ll also make friends and memories to last a lifetime.

We’re aiming to raise more than $100,000 through the trek. Help us today by registering via www.inspiredadventures.com.au/events/AMF-Tasmania-2017 or by calling Inspired Adventures on 1300 905 188.

Bullying can turn your world upside downYou’re no doubt aware of just how cruel some children can be, but the bullying of 15 year old Marnie was particularly sinister.

The teachers at Marnie’s school had no idea what was going on.

All it took was one monumental betrayal.

Like any teenage girl, Marnie revelled in the attention she received from the boys at school and naturally enough, there was a special one who became her boyfriend. In the heady, star-struck way teenage love arrives, Marnie trusted her boyfriend so she sent him a picture of herself naked.

Her trust in the boy was very quickly shattered. He sent the picture to one of his mates. Who before long had shared it with the rest of the boys at school.

It gets worse.

One of the boys had a sister who thought it would be funny to ‘Photoshop’ Marnie’s photo into an even more sexually explicit image. This pornographic photo – of a minor – was then shared with all the year 10 students at Marnie’s school.

Marnie was bullied and trolled relentlessly. There was no respite. It was at school, on the way home, in the evening, and at home by

email, text, Facebook, Instagram, Messenger and Snapchat. Marnie’s image was everywhere.

The teachers were horrified to learn the extent of the cyber bullying and that’s when the Alannah & Madeline Foundation was approached to help.

Marnie’s school had just registered to become an eSmart School. eSmart provides a prevention and risk management framework to help integrate cyber safety practices and promote the safe use of technology. As Marnie’s school was new to eSmart, they had only just begun to implement policies to deal with such problems.

Working with the Foundation, the school established an action plan. As a small part of that plan, students were required to complete ‘digital licences’ for their devices, which acknowledged their understanding of what it means to be smart, safe and responsible online. They also had to sign user agreements for their devices – with home and legal consequences for breaking them.

All year 10 parents were called to the school, with many stunned to hear what had been going on. The police were also called in, as every student who shared the images

had committed the offence of possessing and distributing under-age pornography.

It wasn’t until this time that the magnitude of the situation hit them all.

After spending time with social workers, the students came to realise the potentially fatal impact their actions had on Marnie.

Through an emotional process to begin overcoming her humiliation and betrayal, Marnie was accepted back into the school community, by the boys – and girls.

Marnie’s world was turned upside down by the shocking bullying she experienced. Thankfully she, and her school community, have committed to the eSmart Schools program and have since turned things around. The school has continued to implement eSmart policies and procedures and hold regular workshops with teachers, parents and students – reinforcing appropriate thinking and behaviours.

CASE STUDY

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How can you help? Technology has some wonderful benefits for the teaching and learning experiences of our young people, however, as parents and educators, we must help children navigate the online world which is part of almost every aspect of their lives.

From as soon as they can swipe a screen from right to left, children are vulnerable to the digital world.

With 1 in 7 children being cyber bullied, often for no reason, teachers and parents are struggling to deal with the issue, one that is foreign to many parents in particular, given the progression of technology for this generation of children.

Children must embrace technology – it’s a fact of life. But they need the right skills to be cyber savvy and protect themselves against inappropriate behaviour, when they might be putting safety and privacy at risk.

To reach out with compassion to children like Marnie, all you need do is make a donation

via 1300 720 747 or

amf.org.au/donate

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A digital makeover Digital Licence now available for primary students

Our award-winning eSmart Digital Licence has undergone a makeover, with primary and secondary versions – and enhanced teacher resources – now available.

The revised primary content covers new topics including the importance of digital reputation, in-app purchasing, as well as traps and screen time implications.

The secondary content addresses the problematic issues of risky behaviours online, messaging, location-based apps, technology addiction, obsession and compulsion, relationships and reputation, as well as digital footprints.

The eSmart Digital Licence can be purchased through schools or by individuals at home and can be retaken until successfully

completed. Teachers and parents are often surprised at how much they learn as well.

The Foundation’s Digital Licence Advisor, Amy Williams said the changes made it really easy to use the Digital Licence in class.

“As every teacher has a different teaching style, our implementation guides and approaches accommodate various teaching styles, environments and cohort of students.

“There are also lesson guides and updated open-ended activities to consolidate learning in each key area that are differentiated for primary and secondary. No matter what year level is taught, the Digital Licence is now aligned to each state’s curriculum from grade 3 through to year 10 and integrates with ease,” Amy said.

Teacher training workshops are now also available – a 90 minute professional development (PD) session for best practice on implementing and teaching the Digital Licence, which count as PD hours for teachers.

MORE THAN 230,000 AUSTRALIAN STUDENTS HAVE REGISTERED FOR

THEIR DIGITAL LICENCE.

Teach children to be smart, safe and responsible online with the eSmart Digital Licence. To register your child or school, visit digitallicence.com.au

New Zealand: a tailored version of the eSmart Digital Licence will be available in 2017!

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eSmart Libraries keep communities safer

93% OF STAFF REPORTED A KEY

BENEFIT OF eSMART WAS IMPROVED

STAFF KNOWLEDGE OF HOW TO BE

SMART, SAFE AND RESPONSIBLE

ONLINE

93%

IMPACT IN THE LIBRARY

Western Sydney University recently undertook an independent evaluation of eSmart Libraries and the results overwhelmingly demonstrate that eSmart plays a key role in supporting library users to be safer online.

THE UNIVERSITY’S STUDY OF MORE THAN 500 PEOPLE NOT ONLY

PRODUCED EVIDENCE OF eSMART’S OUTSTANDING

BEHAVIOUR-CHANGE RESULTS, BUT ALSO SOME

INCREDIBLY POSITIVE GENERAL FEEDBACK FROM

LIBRARIANS, LIBRARY USERS AND COUNCIL STAFF.

Following on from the eSmart Libraries wave one independent evaluation in 2015, the second wave has now concluded with impressive results and practical digital implications for libraries and their communities.

The executive summary within the evaluation outlines the findings and shares case studies on the implementation success across the nation.

One hundred percent of library managers feel confident online to support library to use technology and that eSmart has made a difference to cyber safety and the management of cyber bullying.

Other standout figures from the survey were that 81 percent of library staff reported increased knowledge of how to stay safe online, protect privacy and report or act when encountering something unsafe.

More than 80 percent of library staff reported improved policies and procedures to manage internet use in the library.

And an impressive 93 percent of library staff reported improved knowledge and confidence in how to be safe, smart and responsible online.

To read more about how eSmart benefits libraries, visit esmart.org.au

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When Ruchi was CEO for a day

Earlier this year the Foundation welcomed Ruchi Umargamwala, a year 12 student from St Monica’s School in Melbourne’s Epping, as CEO for a day.

Ruchi impressed staff with her maturity and enthusiasm when volunteering at the Foundation, so much that CEO Lesley Podesta invited her to experience a day in the life of a CEO and learn what it takes to help keep children safe from violence.

Ruchi’s schedule mirrored the activities of our CEO, including a morning leadership team catch-up, followed by a tour of the Herald Sun office and meeting with Board member Peter Blunden, News Limited’s Victorian Managing Director of Editorial. Peter shared his insights on the media and the Board’s role in governance of the Foundation.

Ruchi then visited South Melbourne business, Coventry Bookstore, to acknowledge and thank them for

their dedication to, and fundraising for the Foundation.

The afternoon’s commitments started with an all-staff lunch, where Ruchi spoke impressively of her understanding of the Foundation’s programs and plans for 2017. This was followed by a video call with new Australian Children’s eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant, where they discussed social media addiction, peer-group pressure, how cyber bullying in school is dealt with – and how the Foundation and the Office of the Children’s eSafety Commissioner can work together to make it easier for students to get help.

After meeting with the fundraising team, Ruchi talked with Royal Women’s Hospital CEO, Dr Sue Matthews, discussing how the hospital helps and protects women and infants who come to the hospital from violent home situations. At the end of the day,

Ruchi provided valuable feedback and recommendations to the team from a young person’s perspective.

AT THE END OF HER DAY, RUCHI SAID “I DIDN’T REALISE HOW MUCH

TIME AND EFFORT GOES INTO RUNNING THESE

PROGRAMS. I THINK IT’S AMAZING AND I WILL TAKE SOME IDEAS BACK TO MY SCHOOL TO SEE HOW WE

CAN HELP.”

Lesley also relished the experience. “We recognised it would be beneficial to get a 17 year old’s perspective on what we do and how we do it,” she said. “It was a great experience for all and we take her recommendations seriously. Staying relevant means always being willing to adapt and change.”

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With thanks… 2017 kms in 2017

Luke Raymond, an employee at NAB, is taking on a great challenge this year, running 2017 kms for the kids! As part of the 2017 kms, Luke will run in a number of marathons, recording each via GPS, with a running total on Strava, which is synced to his fundraising page: give.everydayhero.com/au/2017-in-2017. Support Luke by donating to his page, pledging an amount for every km completed, or joining him on one of the runs!

Elias’ gift

Yana provided guests with donation cards for the Foundation in lieu of presents for her son Elias’ christening. Through these generous donations, Yana raised a phenomenal $4,410. Thank you Yana.

Community support to keep children safer The Foundation is proud to be the Official Charity Partner of the KFC T20 Big Bash League (BBL) for the second year.

The thrilling 2016-17 BBL final was held at the WACA in Perth, where supporters could hear Founding Patron, Walter Mikac’s interview broadcast around the stadium, as well as visit the Foundation’s stall to find out more about our work.

Melbourne Stars and Australian Captain Meg Lanning and Sydney Sixers Captain Brad Haddin were proud to support the Foundation as Ambassadors for the season.

Brad said as a father the Foundation’s work was vitally important to ensure all children were safe from violence and bullying.

“IT’S A GREAT HONOUR TO BE ABLE TO HELP PROMOTE THE FOUNDATION’S WORK,” HE SAID. “IT

REALLY IS COMFORTING TO KNOW THEY ARE MAKING A CHILD’S BEST INTERESTS THE FIRST PRIORITY.”

Meg visited the Foundation and packed Buddy Bags, ready to send to children in emergency accommodation across the country.

Meg learnt that Buddy Bags provide so much more than just material aid, they help restore a sense of safety and security in a child’s life and enable a routine to be maintained, such as getting changed into PJs, cleaning teeth and then having a book to read at bedtime. So simple, yet so important.

“It’s incredible to think that they have helped so many children,” Lanning said. “Anything I can do to help the Foundation continue its great work is an honour.”

You too can support Buddy Bags – just $50 provides a Buddy Bag to a child in emergency accommodation. To donate visit amf.org.au

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PJs and movie buddy up

Welshpool & District Primary School recently enjoyed a Better Buddies pyjama/movie fundraising day for the Foundation. There was much fun and excitement as students wore PJs all day and paired up with their buddy for all sorts of activities. Buddy leaders made popcorn and cordial which everyone enjoyed while watching Finding Dory. Thanks to all students who donated a gold coin – and “just keep swimming”!

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Alannah & Madeline Foundation presents Letters of Love, Words from the Heart, penned by prominent AustraliansLove comes in many forms, whether it be the love of a parent, a partner or a friend; loving one’s self, one’s country or even a precious memento.

In the book, Letters of Love, prominent Australians from all walks of life share their own words from the heart.

This diverse and engaging collection includes Cameron Daddo’s reminder to his 80 year old self to stay flexible; Jamila Rizvi imploring her beloved toddler to stop growing up; Layne Beachley’s letter of gratitude to her pillar of strength, her adoptive father; Leigh Sales’ and Melissa Doyle’s candid and touching letters to their children; Jimmy Barnes’ homage to music; and Julian Burnside’s impassioned plea to a future Australia.

From sports stars and television personalities to High Court judges and CEOs, the book is full of words of hope, love and reflections from remarkable Australians including John Bell AO OBE, John Caldwell, Tim Costello AO, Harrison Craig, Cameron Daddo, Robert Doyle, Caitlin Figuiredo, Rex Hunt, Dan Jackson, Paul Kennedy, Michael Kirby AC CMG, Alastair Nicholson AO

RFD QC, Les Twentyman and Lincoln Younes.

The book’s cover is based on one of Alannah’s drawings of a heart.

“THIS BOOK WAS INSPIRED BY LETTERS AND DRAWINGS BY ALANNAH.

THERE WERE SO MANY PICTURES SHE’D DRAWN IN HER SCHOOL FILE OF

HERSELF, HER SISTER AND THE WHOLE FAMILY,”

FOUNDING PATRON WALTER MIKAC SAID.

“They gave me some solace along the way. This book is about sharing love, especially to those people close to you. It’s not until you don’t have those people around that you realise how much it means.”

Letters of Love is a candid, funny and touching reminder of the power of love.

The release of this book coincides with the 20th anniversary of the Alannah & Madeline Foundation. It is available to purchase from Target, Angus & Robinson online and other good book sellers for $20rrp.

All profits from the sale of the book will go back to the Foundation and its work to keep children safe from violence and bullying.

CONTRIBUTORS INCLUDE:

• Ron Barassi

• Jimmy Barnes

• Layne Beachley AO

• John Bertrand AO

• Bob Brown

• Julian Burnside AO QC

• Melissa Doyle AM

• Walter Mikac

• Neil Mitchell AO

• Radha Mitchell

• Reg Mombassa