NEWSLETTERISSUE 2 2017

Every child deserves to feel safe

IN THIS ISSUE . 20 YEARS ON . NEW CUBBY HOUSE . ASHTON’S STORY . DL IN NZ . NEW WORKSHOPS

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

A trek to remember

Join us on a trek along the spectacular Tasman Peninsula from 5-10 November 2017 in honour of our 20th anniversary.

Traverse unspoilt nature and seaside towns, experiencing the absolute stunning beauty of southern Tasmania.

Beginning in Hobart, we’ll make our way to Cape Raoul, taking in spectacular views along the way. Arriving at Port Arthur, you’ll have the chance to pay your respects to those who lost their lives that devastating day 21 years ago.

From there we’ll visit beautiful Waterfall Bay, walk through ancient landscapes among waterfalls, through caves and take a tour of Mount Wellington.

We’re aiming to raise more than $100,000 through the trek. Register today at inspiredadventures.com.au/events/AMF-Tasmania-2017

Welcome Jimmy! The Foundation is thrilled to welcome our newest Ambassador, Jimmy Bartel. The former Geelong great, triple premiership player, Brownlow medalist, Norm Smith medalist, a two time All-Australian, and recipient of the Jim Stynes Community Leadership Award, visited the office recently to pack Buddy Bags that are sent to children in emergency accommodation around the country.

“I can’t even get my mind around the fact that there could be an 18 month old boy, the same age as my son, who is going to be displaced or affected by neglect or family violence. The Foundation has distributed 75,000 bags and they are going to reach 80,000. It is too many,” he said.

Thanks for your support Jimmy, we’re looking forward to working with you!

STARRY TICKETS ON SALEMark Saturday 18 November in your diary for this year’s Starry Starry Night! Hosted by Foundation Ambassador Melissa Doyle AM, the night will be even more special than usual as we celebrate 20 years of Starry Starry Night – and our work in helping more than 2 million children during that time.

Tickets are on sale now! amf.org.au/news-events /starry-starrynight

2

CEO message It’s certainly been a busy few months since our last newsletter.

Recently I was privileged to be sponsored by the Australian Federal Police to present at the World Congress on Family Law and Children’s Rights in Dublin, speaking about how we all need to protect the rights of digitally enabled children.

As a society, there are many rites of passage aimed to prepare children to navigate the risks and opportunities of the world – swimming lessons before summer holidays, road rules lessons before crossing the street.

In the digital age, children’s rights to freedom from violence and exploitation require much more thought, governance, improved industry response and regulation, as well as significant investment in digital literacy.

We should all be working to ensure we invest time and

resources into raising a generation of smart, safe and responsible children, who are capable and compassionate online; learning how to think critically rather than passively; learning how to be engaged and thinking through the distractions of their phones.

We need to invest in critical thinking skills across a curriculum which recognises that every child requires digital literacy, as well as improved governance to drive an industry approach that safeguards our children’s future.

We can’t expect to leave this responsibility to our schools – our children are digital learners and explorers before they can read. As parents we are their first teachers.

We’ve only just touched the surface with eSmart Schools and Libraries and look forward to expanding the eSmart suite further – and we hope you come on that journey with us.

Until next time,

Lesley Podesta

Chair message On 28 April this year we celebrated the significant milestone of our 20th anniversary.

It’s only because of supporters like you that we achieved that 20 year milestone. It’s also because of supporters like you that we have been able to assist more than 2 million children since the Foundation started.

To acknowledge our 20 years, PwC hosted an event for the Foundation in their new premises in Melbourne. Thanks to Advisory Board member Rob Speedie for facilitating the event and Shadow Minister for Justice, Clare O’Neil MP for her insights. Thanks also to Neil Mitchell AO for compering the panel of Foundation Founder Walter Mikac, CEO Lesley Podesta, long-time Chairman John Bertrand AM

and Board member Peter Blunden. It was a fitting night to reflect on the past 20 years and those millions of children who have been assisted by the Foundation.

Looking toward the next 20 years, our commitment to children remains steadfast: to understand the issues that adversely affect the wellbeing of children; to protect them from bullying and violence, and to build a safer world where they can thrive.

To continue to truly make a difference in children’s lives we need ongoing support.

We welcome the opportunity to speak further about the many ways you can do this, whether it be through donations, social investment or partnering with one of our evidence-based programs.

We look forward to working with you.

Greg Sutherland

3

In celebration of 20 years

The Alannah & Madeline Foundation recently celebrated an amazing 20 years of keeping children safe from violence – and assisting 2 million children through our care, prevention and advocacy work.

The anniversary events were respectfully held in Tasmania, where Walter Mikac, father of Alannah and Madeline, acknowledged the work of the Foundation and the hope that it brings him.

“It is a wonderful testament to the spirit and generosity of Australians that in the wake of such a tragedy, 2 million children have been assisted,“ he said.

“I am proud of the work that is being done in the name of Alannah and Madeline, to care for Australian children and keep Australia safe.” he said.

Lesley Podesta, CEO Alannah & Madeline Foundation, said the Foundation was pleased to be holding events in Tasmania.

To acknowledge the key milestones, the Foundation hosted two special 20th anniversary events: a small function at The Henry Jones Art Hotel and a public, celebratory Letters of Love book launch and reading at Fullers Bookshop.

Both events enabled us to reconnect with local supporters, including survivors of the Port Arthur tragedy and their families, emergency services responders, businesses and community leaders, carers and educators – and to raise funds to support our work.

Events like these don’t happen without generous support, and we’d like to thank Foundation Ambassador Melissa Doyle AM for hosting, as well as the Hon. Will Hodgman MP, Premier of Tasmania and Senator the Hon. Stephen Parry MP for speaking on the night.

We’d also like to thank St Michael’s Collegiate School Choir, Foundation Ambassador Dan Jackson, along with our generous sponsors, The Henry Jones Art Hotel, Mercury Newspaper, RACT Hotel and Fullers Bookshop, whose support made the events possible.

4

“WE WILL NEVER FORGET THE TRAGEDY THAT LED

TO THE CREATION OF THE FOUNDATION AND

HAVE BEEN HUMBLED BY THE SUPPORT RECEIVED,”

LESLEY SAID.

Walter Mikac and the Hon. Jeremy Rockliff MP at The Henry Jones Art Hotel

Foundation Ambassadors Melissa Doyle and Dan Jackson with Founding Patron Walter Mikac (centre) at Fullers Bookshop

5 5

In Victoria, the Andrews Government recently announced the Alannah & Madeline Foundation will receive $1 million to support its award-winning Cubby House program, which provides children a safe place and support when attending Children’s Court.

Funding will staff the existing Australian-first Cubby House at the Broadmeadows Children’s Court with a full-time youth worker and enable expansion of the program to the Melbourne Children’s Court.

THE CUBBY HOUSE AIMS TO REDUCE TRAUMA AND PROMOTE WELLBEING BY PROVIDING A

POSITIVE AND SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT FOR CHILDREN IN THE CARE OF DEPARTMENT OF

HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (DHHS) STAFF.

The Hon. Martin Pakula MP Attorney-General Victoria said that the Andrews Labor Government is proud to be supporting the program.

“This is an outstanding initiative which helps to care for some of the most vulnerable children and gives them a safe place when attending court,” he said.

Lesley Podesta CEO Alannah & Madeline Foundation, congratulated the Andrews Government for prioritising the needs of children in the 2017/18 State Budget.

“Supporting vulnerable children affected by family violence and abuse is a much needed and critical investment in the health of our community. We are delighted that our award-winning Cubby House program will be extended to support more vulnerable Victorian children so they do not have to feel alone and distressed during times of trauma.”

“Attending court is hard enough for adults. For children it can be a terrifying and confronting experience,” Lesley said.

The Hon. Martin Pakula MP Attorney-General Victoria, The Hon. Daniel Andrews Premier of Victoria and Foundation CEO Lesley Podesta at the partnership announcement

Kids run against bullying

Also while overseas, Foundation CEO Lesley Podesta joined our International Patron, HRH Crown Princess Mary of Denmark at the Free of Bullying Children’s Run in Copenhagen.

The 1km annual run for children under 13 is organised by The Mary Foundation and Save the Children Denmark and marks the message that bullying is never acceptable, and that everyone has the right to belong.

The children are divided into four different start groups, with each child carrying a small Buddy Bear while running. When the kids cross the finish line, they throw the little Buddy Bear into the arms of a big Buddy Bear and receive a medal.

Fri For Moberi (Free of Bullying) is an adaptation of our Better Buddies program by The Mary Foundation and Save the Children Denmark and is used by approximately 50 percent of Danish preschools and 40 percent of all schools and after school clubs.

A new Cubby House!

A shocking act of violence “I’d like to think that in the beginning of their relationship there was some love. But unfortunately over the course of their marriage it became a terribly abusive relationship,” reflects 31 year old Ashton.

Ashton and his brother, Grant, suffered a horrendous childhood at the hands of their violent and controlling father.

When Ashton was just 15 and his brother six, their father doused their mother in petrol and set her alight. He then locked her in the family caravan, leaving her to die from the burns to 99 percent of her body.

“He just locked her in and drove away. She died a few hours later,” explains Ashton.

As the boys had no family to care for them at the time, they were immediately placed in foster care. As if the murder of their mum was not bad enough, in the midst of their grief, they were uprooted from their family home as well.

“The guidance we received from the Alannah & Madeline Foundation back then helped set us on the path to recovery and create something positive with our lives,” Ashton said.

Ashton and Grant received vital practical and financial assistance through the Foundation’s Children Ahead program. Their dedicated case manager said that while she couldn’t replace their mother, she could show the boys she cared about them.

“She was our moral support and shoulder to lean on… she made a world of difference in our lives at the toughest of times,” says Ashton.

No child should be exposed to violence. But sadly, in 2017, hundreds of thousands of Australian children are living with violence in the home.

Our Children Ahead program provides intensive, therapeutic support for children and young people and is proven to help them recover from the horrific effects of violence.

“IT’S BECAUSE OF THE EXTRAORDINARY WORK

OF THE ALANNAH & MADELINE FOUNDATION

THAT CHILDREN – KIDS LIKE GRANT AND ME – GET THE HELP THEY NEED.

KIDS WHO’VE SUFFERED THE DETRIMENTAL BLOWS

OF A VIOLENT AND AGGRESSIVE UPBRINGING

ARE GIVEN RENEWED HOPE,” SAYS ASHTON.

Ashton also wants children to know there is hope.

“You can turn your soul-destroying journey into something positive. You can come out the other side. This is the work of the Alannah & Madeline Foundation that I value most – it provides a beacon of hope,” he says.

Violence in the home has a devastating effect on a child. Most importantly, such violence has a serious impact on how the child’s brain develops: how the child thinks, learns, concentrates and develops emotions, self-image and relationships – all of these are negatively impacted.

CASE STUDY

6

Grant with his older brother Ashton

7

A child with a complex trauma history is much more likely to have problems in relationships, friendships and with authority figures, including teachers and the police. They are also more likely to not finish school, and find it difficult to study or hold onto a job. There is increased risk of addiction, depression, anxiety, physical conditions, self-harm and other psychiatric disorders.

All of these negatives have a significant, detrimental impact on society – physically, emotionally and financially.

In most cases, it is only with specialist, long-term help that children coming out of violent backgrounds can hope to lead a fulfilling and satisfying life through their adult years.

When trauma or violence comes into a child’s life, that’s where our Children Ahead program steps forward. It’s intensive and it’s long term.

We know that for children and young people to recover from serious violence they need a safe, predictable and stable environment. They need the opportunity to express and communicate their feelings. They need multiple positive relationships. And that is what we aim to give them.

Our Children Ahead staff work directly with children, alongside their families and schools, to support their emotional, educational and social needs, as well as their psychological wellbeing and overall health concerns.

You can help children like Ashton and Grant too by making a donation via 1300 720 747 or amf.org.au/donate

Kimba leading the way in SACongratulations Kimba School Community Library for being the first School Community Library (SCL) in South Australia to become eSmart!

At SCLs, the school shares the library with members of the public, so the importance of cyber safety for both kids and adults was recognised as a priority.

eSmart Libraries supports building digital literacy skills with the aim of strengthening positive online behaviours and fostering a greater sense of wellbeing across the whole community. It also encourages all user groups to be more aware of their digital presence and use technology in a smart, safe and responsible way.

As Therese Francis from Kimba SCL shared, “We now have clear policies to follow and staff also have increased knowledge on cyber safety so we can better support library patrons.”

Amelia Beatty from South Australia Public Library Services (PLS) is managing the project roll-out and said, “PLS is working with eSmart Libraries to bridge the digital divide, which is an issue all libraries are currently facing. eSmart better equips staff and the community with knowledge and skills in digital citizenship which are vitally important for everyone to have in order to participate in the digital world.”

By the end of the year, the remaining 41 SCLs in SA will become eSmart accredited libraries.

Thanks to Telstra Foundation, eSmart is being implemented in more than one-third of schools nationwide and more than 70 percent of Australian public libraries.

For more information visit esmart.org.au

Building cyber safe communitiesOur third annual eSmart Week being held across 4-8 September, will bring together school and library communities in celebration of being smart, safe and responsible online.

This year’s theme, building cyber safe communities, presents an ideal forum to share resources, take advantage of free eSmart Week webinars and to hear from bullying and cyber safety experts.

To register for eSmart Week, visit esmart.org.au 4 - 8 September 2017Week

Spotlight on buddies Mackellar Primary School’s Better Buddies program was in the spotlight recently as the school turned purple to raise money for the Foundation.

The school has been part of the Better Buddies program for eight years, and is one of the Foundation’s showcase schools nationally.

School welfare officer Tanya O’Brien explained that the whole school community has embraced the program from the beginning.

“The kids love it and the values of the program are all aligned with the school’s values of friendliness, inclusion and caring.”

Better Buddies is designed to create friendly and caring primary school communities where bullying is reduced. Part of the initiative involves pairing older pupils with younger ones to act as buddies and help create a friendly school environment.

Recently the students brought a gold coin donation and dressed in purple for the day.

“It’s a huge thing for the school to be involved in… to be one of the showcase schools nationally is a great endorsement of what we do,” Tanya said.

For information about how you can reduce bullying in your school, visit betterbuddies.org.au

Mackellar Primary School students with Buddy Bear

Teacher Ryan Hanan with students

8

Haere Mai to the Digital Licence Every year eight and nine student in New Zealand now has free access to a NZ-specific eSmart Digital Licence to help them be smart, safe and responsible online – thanks to a special offer made available by Google New Zealand in 2017.

The eSmart Digital Licence is an interactive online quiz providing cyber safety for kids that educates them on what to do if they are exposed to unwanted, inappropriate and offensive content, encounter cyber bullying, as well as the consequences of putting their privacy at risk when interacting online.

“We teach our children to be safe on the road, safe with strangers, safe in the water. They’re spending more time online, so it makes sense to learn how to be safe and smart

in the digital world,” said Lesley Podesta, CEO Alannah & Madeline Foundation.

The Digital Licence was recently launched at Point England School in Auckland, a school recognised internationally as a leader in integrating technology into its teaching and learning.

Principal Russell Burt said the Digital Licence will be a valuable addition to the skills his students are being taught.

“This is an excellent new tool for NZ teachers and parents to have, to grow cyber smart values in that tricky year 7-10 age group. Well done to the Alannah & Madeline Foundation and Google for making this available to NZ schools and families,” he said.

Stephanie Davis from Google New Zealand said it’s great to see the eSmart Digital Licence introduced into NZ schools.

“THE INTERNET IS EMPOWERING STUDENTS

TO LEARN AND GROW THEIR AMBITIONS MORE THAN EVER BEFORE. THE

DIGITAL LICENCE ENSURES THAT TIME SPENT ONLINE

IS POSITIVE, CONSTRUCTIVE AND ENJOYABLE,” STEPHANIE SAID.

Register NZ students at digitallicence.co.nz and Australian students at digitallicence.com.au

9

– join the club!eSmart Status Schools that have completed their sustaining phase are eligible for eSmart Membership for an annual cost of $295 + GST. Your school will maintain access to the eSmart Schools expert support and online Member centre that houses a new eight action checklist based on the evidence-based eSmart Schools framework and exclusive best practice resources.

In addition, eSmart Membership Schools have access to benefits that include discounts on workshops and professional development, continued access to existing resources that are regularly reviewed and updated, as well as exclusive Member resources tailored to the annual checklist.

Due to additional funding from the state government, Victorian eSmart Status Schools can now also enjoy eSmart Membership for the next two years.

For information about how eSmart Membership will benefit your school, call us on 03 9697 0666 or email esmart@amf.org.au.

New workplace bullying workshopsConnect’s new workplace bullying workshops provide an overview of the Foundation’s success in bullying prevention, what bullying is, what it isn’t, signs that bullying may be occurring, and what staff and managers can do to improve workplace culture, policies and incident responses.

It also explores aspects of cyber bullying and how this behaviour may impact the workplace.

Connect workshops can be delivered face-to-face or online and have been developed by the Foundation’s Knowledge and Innovation team and delivered by

our expert facilitators. In addition to bullying, topics also cover cyber safety, as well as respectful relationships.

To book a Connect workshop for your business, school or community, visit amf.org.au or email connect@amf.org.au

10

Bag a bagDon’t forget to buy our tote bag next time you’re shopping at Target.

Buddy Bags Principal Partner, Target Australia, has supported Buddy Bags since 2008 through the sale of reusable bags, with funds from each sold going to the Foundation.

You can also support Buddy Bags by making a donation – just $50 will deliver a Buddy Bag to a child in emergency accommodation. Visit amf.org.au to see how.

‘24 for 35’ mhealth pilates-athonTwenty four hours of pilates sounds crazy, doesn’t it? Not for the mhealth team!

They recently held their first fundraising event to support the Alannah & Madeline Foundation, ’24 for 35 mhealth Pilates-athon’, in honour of our 20th year and to pay respect to the 35 lives tragically taken at Port Arthur.

The mhealth team worked hard to engage with their clients, local businesses and schools for support through a raffle and donations. Sending a huge thanks and congratulations to all the mhealth Mentone team, for raising an incredible $7,564.95 to support our work.

11

A flock of gingers!Melbourne was a glorious sea of ginger at the second annual Buderim Ginger Pride Rally on Saturday 29 April 2017.

CLOSE TO 1,500 COPPER-TOPS JOINED THE RALLY TO CELEBRATE DIVERSITY AND THOSE

BLESSED WITH THE MC1R (AKA UNICORN) GENE.

Buderim Ginger kindly donated profits from merchandise sold on the day to the Foundation, raising almost $2,000 for our Better Buddies and eSmart programs.

Thanks to our Community Partner, Richmond Football Club, for bringing along Stripes the mascot, who joined our Buddy Bear in the buzzing Alannah & Madeline Foundation Kids’ Zone on the day.

We also held a competition for a lucky ginger to win a Buderim Ginger prize pack, where people were invited to share what the Rally meant to them. Our winner Jennifer touched our hearts with her message: “In a country where gingers are mercilessly teased as a matter of course, the Rally means gingers can show up, be seen and be proud BECAUSE of their ginger.”

Like Jennifer, we are determined to continue to show that bullying is never OK.

A family fun day at the racesJoin us on Saturday 23 September at Caufield Racecourse in Melbourne for the MRC Foundation Race Day. As one of this year’s charity partners, we have tickets available at great prices for the fun-filled family race day. General admission tickets are $25 and concession just $10, with kids under 14 years free. Simply call one of our fundraising team on 1300 720 747 or email fundraising@amf.org.au before Friday 15 September to secure yours.

11

HELPING CHILDREN RECOVERYou’ve helped children recover from traumatic events or violent circumstances. Through our Children Ahead program, you’ve provided intensive, therapeutic support.

OVER 320 CHILDREN

BUILDING CYBER SAFE COMMUNITIESeSmart provides a prevention and risk management framework for Australian schools and libraries to help them better integrate cyber safety practices and promote the safe use of online technology in their community.

Thanks to you, one third of all Australian schools, and more than 70 percent of Australian public libraries are safer places for Aussie kids.

TEACHING KIDS TO BE SMART, SAFE + RESPONSIBLE ONLINEYou’re helping school children gain their eSmart Digital Licence, an online challenge using quizzes and activities that give children the skills to learn, play and socialise safely online.

DEC JUN 2015 2017

1477

2173

eSM

AR

T

SCH

OO

LS

eSM

AR

T

SCH

OO

LS

AIDING KIDS IN CRISISEvery year, thousands of children in Australia arrive in emergency accommodation – many with only the clothes they are wearing. Thanks to you, they receive a Buddy Bag - a backpack full of basic essential items including a toothbrush, toothpaste, hairbrush, facewasher, pillowcase, activity kit, book, PJs, underwear, socks and the all-important teddy bear.

THE IMPACT OF YOUR SUPPORTYou are part of our nationwide programs that have reached more than 2 million children since the Foundation was established 20 years ago. Thank you.

2,000,000 CHILDREN

Reach in 20 years:

75,000BUDDY BAGS

Delivered to date:

DEC JUN 2015 2017

676

1066

eSM

AR

T

LIB

RA

RIE

S

eSM

AR

T

LIB

RA

RIE

S

BECAUSE OF YOU OUR CHILDREN’S FUTURE LOOKS SAFERWith your continued support over the next year, we’ll make further progress in making our world safer for children. Just some of our goals are to:

• have eSmart in every school and library in Australia

• have every grade 6 child gain their eSmart Digital Licence

• expand the Cubby House to other children’s courts

• give Buddy Bags to a further 10,000 kids in care.

& rising

OVER 200,000 DIGITAL

LICENCES