THE OASIS AUSTRALIA’S HOMELESS YOUTH

IMPACT STATEMENT

Formoreinformationvisit:www.theoasismovie.com.auwww.pollyandme.com.auwww.wallboy.com.au

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THE OASIS: Australia’s Homeless Youth Impact Report Documentary filmmaking as a tool for social change is still relatively new to Australia.

In 2011, more than three years after the launch of THE OASIS – a feature documentary about Australia’s Homeless Youth. The latent power of documentary film continues to demonstrate and deliver a high return on social capital. Philanthropic foundations who were initially reluctant to fund in this area, are now seeing the benefits of social impact films and starting to invest through emerging organisations such as Documentary Australia Foundation (www.documentaryaustralia.com.au).

More than three years after the initial screening and live panel discussion on ABC Television in April 2008, we continue to measure the enduring impact of THE OASIS documentary. Supported by a comprehensive education and outreach campaign, the documentary has helped ensure that youth homelessness remains on the national agenda and now, raising awareness within secondary schools has become a key focus to encourage students and teachers to be part of solving the issue in the their local communities.

The partnership with ABC1 TV was teamed with two major initiatives funded by The Caledonia Foundation: 1) the National Youth Commission (NYC) Report on Youth Homelessness; and 2) a comprehensive education and outreach campaign. The NYC Report was the result of an independent, national inquiry which informed the range of evidence-based recommendations. In 2007, the NYC held 21 days of hearings in all states and territories. Formal evidence was given by 319 individuals and 91 written submissions were received, including seven from government departments. The NYC report in 2008 provided context and credibility to images presented by the documentary, it showed that the experience of THE OASIS youth was representative of a greater problem, not an isolated case.

The education and outreach campaign based on THE OASIS documentary was designed to combine grassroots support for vulnerable young people, with the possibility of effecting long-lasting social change. In 2008, all Australian secondary schools and philanthropic foundations were provided with THE OASIS DVD, comprehensive Study Guide and a copy of the NYC Report. The Schools Education Kit mapped to English in the National Curriculum was launched in 2011 by Minister for School Education, Early Childhood and Youth, Peter Garrett.

Direct impact 2008-2011

>1.1 million+ audience on ABC Television across the five city and regional markets >8 million+ TV viewers exposed to the issue of youth homelessness during National Youth Week, 2008 > 876,000 audience on ABC1 TV for THE OASIS: Australian's Homeless Youth Discussion with Tony Jones > 2000+ participants on the ABC1 online forum >Curriculum resources donated to 2000+ secondary schools in Australia - THE OASIS DVD and education kit now mapped to English in the National Curriculum > Oasis School Liaison Officer commenced in April 2011 > The Oasis Homeless Short Film Competition launched to all secondary schools with Cate Blanchett as Patron

Attributable impact

> Salvation Army Red Shield Door Knock Appeal 10.5% to $8.8m directly after the ABC screening > More than $8m in donations to The Oasis Youth Support Network in Surry Hills from philanthropic foundations, corporate entities and individuals. >Significant increase in donations from existing donors to Oasis Youth Support Network > Federal Government established target to halve homelessness by 2020 and provide an additional $1.2b over

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Education and Outreach > Since the screening on ABC1 THE OASIS documentary, report and

study guide has been donated to every secondary school in Australia; CEOs of Australia’s top 100 companies; 200 key State and Federal Ministers and Shadow Ministers; and over 300 philanthropic foundations.

> Over 5000 DVDs distributed to the Salvation Army network across Australia.

> 10,000 copies of THE OASIS distributed at Carols in the Domain, Sydney 2008, raising $105,000.

> THE OASIS documentary used as a resource for syllabus subject areas in English, Social Justice, PDHPE, Society & Environment, Religion & Society, Media Studies, Value Education, Community Development Studies.

> Schools survey: 70% of teachers surveyed showed the whole 88 minute documentary, 68% used the study guide. {IAN WE NEED TO UPDATE THIS??)

> Development and distribution of professional development module for English teachers in partnership with the English Teachers Association (NSW) has increased access and useability to teachers nationwide.

The study guides and curriculum materials aimed to provide the framework for thought-provoking lesson activities and class discussion.

THE OASIS interactive website (www.theoasismovie.com.au) has been purpose built and designed as a complementary teaching resource and features 18 short films, extracts and useful links to youth education and homelessness information.

“Thank you so much for

coming to our school to speak with our girls, we were very

moved and wanted to see how we could get more

informed and involved in the work of Oasis… I hope we

can come up with a good partnership and support each other’s work” - Elizabeth Ayling,

Meriden High School 2011

"I was really inspired and motivated to make a change and do something proactive to really make a difference. I know I'm

only 17 and that most of the hands-on work is for older

people but I'd really like to help in any way I could" - Pippy

Loewensohn, The Hills Grammar School (Student)

2011

“Thank you so much for

coming to our school to speak with our girls, we were very

moved and wanted to see how we could get more

informed and involved in the work of Oasis… I hope we

can come up with a good partnership and support each other’s work” - Elizabeth Ayling,

Meriden High School 2011

coming to our school to speak with our girls, we were very

moved and wanted to see how we could get more

informed and involved in the work of Oasis… I hope we

can come up with a good partnership and support each other’s work” - Elizabeth Ayling,

Meriden High School 2011

“Thank you so

much for

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Education and Outreach Official Launch of THE OASIS Curriculum Resource

In June 2010, The Caledonia Foundation launched its new study guide materials for THE OASIS that are mapped to the curriculum of every state and territory for a range of subjects including PD/Health/PE, English, Geography, Civics and Media studies. The materials will be available via on The Oasis documentary website, the Teaching & Learning Exchange (NSW) and Education Services Australia, a national body who develop curriculum content on behalf of the Australian, ACT, NT, Queensland, SA, Tasmanian, Victorian and Western Australian governments. And in 2011 THE OASIS Schools Curriculum Resource was officially launched by the Minister for Youth Peter Garrett and is now freely available from the website and beamed directly classrooms alongwith short clips, press clippings, director and production team statements and links to additional resources, making the materials easily accessible for students and teachers.

OASIS School Liaison

The OASIS School Liaison Officer, Bee Orsini who experienced homelessness as a young girl, commenced in 2011 with a Schools Visits and Speakers Program in NSW meeting with secondary schools to raise awareness of youth homelessness and promote the resource.

THE OASIS documentary and curriculum materials inspired a number of fundraising and volunteer initiatives driven by school involvement across Australia including fundraisers, soup kitchens, donation of pens and books for street schools and appeals for swags for the homeless.

Activities initiated by hundreds of secondary school across Australia included:

> Oasis Cup – an annual match between Scots College and Cranbrook Boys school commenced in 2009 and raised >$40,000 followed by the launch of the Scots Education Foundation in 2011

> Ivanhoe Girls' Grammar School (VIC): Year 12 students held a benefit concert entitled Kids Under Cover, raised $45,000

> Fintona Girls School (VIC) coordinated a “Sleep Out” event

> St Josephs, Milperra Sleepout raised $4000 for OASIS

Discussions are underway with the Salvation Army in Southern Territory (Victoria, South Australia, Tasmian and WA) to introduce a similar outreach and education model to secondary schools in 2012.

A number of schools also used The Oasis as a starting point for special projects on homelessness,

including students at St Josephs College and Scots College who created their own mini-documentary based on the issue.

OASIS/ATOM presentation to Media Teachers in Melbourne and The Caledonia Foundation/OASIS School Liaison presentation at the English Teachers Conference in August 2011

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The Oasis Homeless Short Film Competition

THE OASIS Homeless Short Film Competition was launched by Patron Cate Blanchett at the OASIS Youth Support Network, Surry Hills in 6 April 2011 on

Youth Homelessness Matters Day in the presence of Minister Garrett, media representatives from schools, teachers, OASIS youth, and the OASIS initiative supporters. Offering $25,000 prizemoney to secondary schools. Students who submit a 3 minute short film about any aspect of homelessness are encouraged to think

about being part of the solution at their school and local community.

Entries were received from every State and Territory in Australia, and at the time of this report going to print, 20 were short listed with the 15 finalists being announced on 9 December by Patron Cate Blanchett at a media event hosted by the Sydney Theatre Company.

PATRON Cate Blanchett

Homeless Short Film Competition

$25,000 PRIZE MONEY TO BE WON!

register now!

For more info & to enter go to: www.theoasismovie.com.au

“The arts, including film and theatre, have an exceptional capacity to tell stories that raise awareness about important social issues and create change in our community. THE OASIS Homeless Short Film Competition is important because it actively engages school students in understanding and highlighting the issues of youth homelessness, encouraging them to focus on young people less fortunate than themselves.” CateBlanchett,renownedactorandco‐artisticdirector,STCApril2011

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Political awareness > In 2008, youth homelessness got onto the National Agenda through

the National Youth Commission (NYC) Report launch during Youth Week. Recommendations from this report were adopted within Government White Paper on Homelessness and some initiatives have been implemented.

> Since then, youth homelessness still remains a high priority issue within the community with continuing bi-partisan support, and the Prime Ministers Council on Homelessness is focussed on systemic change across government.

> The Federal Government under the National Partnership Agreement on Homelessness have provided $5 billion in funding since 2008. However, more funding is required for early intervention and prevention programs.

> Minister for Youth, Peter Garrett supported the launch of the OASIS Schools Kit and issued national press release on Youth Homelessness Matters Day.

> Hundreds of articles in key metropolitan and regional newspapers and specialist coverage in journals such as The Big Issue. Widespread coverage through online social media e-newsletters, web bulletins, blogs and facebook generating discussion and referrals.

> The School Liaison Officer Bee Orsini featured on many key media talk back programs such as ABC Radio’s Life Matters and the Conversation Hour.

THE OASIS documentary and the NYC Report generated hundreds of reports on radio, television and print media. It is estimated that television coverage on the issue of youth homelessness across all networks reached more than 8 million Australians. The Channel 9 Today Show promoted the ABC1 screening and promoted dialogue on the issue of youth homelessness over four consecutive days with guests such as Captain Paul Moulds invited to speak about the issue. Bee Orsini, School Liaison was also interviewed by Georgie Gardner for a feature on youth homelessness on the Today Show.

“…a fabulous documentary that I know many members of

the House would have watched and been very

moved by.” Tanya Plibersek, Minister for Housing

Speech to the House of Representatives Parliament House, Canberra

May 2008

“…Youth Homelessness Matters Day is about recognising that

youth homelessness is a problem and that we can all

do more…” Mark Arbib Minister for Social Housing and

Homelessness on Youth Homelessness Matters Day, Sydney

April 2011

“National Youth Week provides an important opportunity to highlight issues critical to young Australians particularly homelessness…the links with education and employment are crucial…” Peter Garrett, MP Minister for Schools, Youth and Education

April 2011

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The Federal Government addressed the issue of youth homelessness in its White Paper on Homelessness, The Road Home, released in December 2008.

Efforts still continue to ensure that the Federal Government delivers in accordance with its commitment. Youth homeless sector leaders have requested additional resources to provide immediate housing in response to existing needs. The Federal Government White Paper has been well received by key advocacy groups, service providers and practitioners in the homelessness sector, and is still endorsed by David MacKenzie, Swinburne University as the best way forward in terms of strategy and action plan.

THE OASIS initiative captured the attention of senior bureaucrats and ministers across Australia during Youth Homelessness Matters Day 2011, with the support of Mark Arbib, Minister for Social Housing and Homelessness.

The Federal Government White Paper provides an additional $1.2 billion over four years, comprising $800 million commitment for new support services for homeless people and $400 million for social housing, to house the homeless.

Community Impact > Reunion of young people with their parents as a result of THE

OASIS documentary.

> An attitude shift and greater understanding in the local community towards the Oasis Youth Support Network in Surry Hills.

> Employment opportunities offered to homeless youth: e.g., Mirvac, Woolworths and Property Industry Foundation.

> More support for the Oasis social enterprise – Property Plus Group which employs some of the young people from The Oasis (including government contracts).

> 10.5% increase in Red Shield Door Knock Appeal: $8.8 million in donations in 2008.

> Public interest created by critical mass resulting in increased philanthropic and corporate donations to the Oasis Youth Support Network.

> Launch Education Foundation Scots College Sydney 2011.

> Increased fundraising activities by schools for homeless such as student sleepouts across Australia inspired by THE OASIS documentary, for example St Josephs College, Milperra raised

“I can’t tell you how profoundly moved I was by the stories in this

documentary, and how impressed by the intelligent and engrossing film-making involved in its production. It is so raw and

brave, so honest about the fragile lives these young people

lead.”

Governor General of Australia, Ms. Quentin Bryce (May 2009)

“Robbin and I have been overwhelmed and enormously

humbled by the reaction to the documentary. So many people have stopped us on the street, emailed us, rang us, messaged

us, wrote to us and encouraged us…Even locals who

misunderstood and opposed us have told us they now know

what we are trying to achieve and do. Every Salvation Army

centre across Australia is reporting increased giving from

the public. I sense we have changed the nation.”

Major Paul Moulds, Director, Mission Resources and Social

“The stories of these kids like Owen, Hayley, Darren and

Trent and his girlfriend have been an amazing reality

check…I wanted to thank you for showing such an amazing

film. It really hit home.” Shanae from Victoria (16 years old)

Extract from email to Paul Moulds April 2008

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Philanthropic support The Salvation Army services across Australia benefited significantly from increased financial contributions following the screening of THE OASIS. Media and anecdotal reports indicated that other community based youth services also received substantial publicity and financial support due to greater community awareness of the issue and willingness to support services in their local area.

The Oasis Youth Support Network in Surry Hills, Sydney, continues to receive extraordinary corporate and philanthropic support. The experience of Oasis in Sydney throughout 2008-09 provides an indication of how Australians were moved to respond to the issue nationally.

A snapshot of some of the support received in the first few months after THE OASIS screening:

> Nokia renewed its commitment to provide $100,000 each year to run the StreetConnect van.

> Oasis Ball 2008 achieved record fundraising: $247,000

> Carols in the Domain Sydney, record fundraising: $105,000

> Societe Generale donated $160,000 over two years which allowed five new beds to be opened at the Oasis Youth Refuge Surry Hills.

> Commonwealth Bank Capital Markets Ball raised $100,000

> Video Ezy donated $176,250 in 2009

Donations that were received by The Oasis Support Network, Surry Hills between July 2008 and June 2011:

> Corporate donations: $581,907

> Private Trusts and Foundations donations: $1.2m

> Individual contributions: $226,860

“The fact that the documentary was not a “one

off” is commendable…you have impacted the present

and the future with your ongoing commitment.”

Commissioner Linda Bond, Territorial

Commander, Eastern Territory, Salvation Army.

The Oasis Youth Support Network in Surry Hills directly

received more than $8 million in donations from philanthropic foundations,

corporate donors and individuals in the years

following the Oasis documentary screening.*

*This figure does not include the increase in

donations as a result of the documentary from existing donors or functions (eg.,

Carols in the Domain, Door Knock Appeal or the Oasis Ball) or increase in donations

received by the Salvation Army nationally.

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Three years later, we continue to see strong philanthropic interest in ending youth homelessness, including a petition led by Virgin Unite www.endyouthhomelessness.com.au declaring youth homelessness as one of their key issues in a partnership with the Oasis Youth Support Network.

Philanthropy Australia established two Homelessness Affinity Groups in Sydney for Melbourne in 2009 for their members to collaborate on projects.

Enduring legacy THE OASIS has demonstrated its enduring impact years after its original screening in 2008. In addition to increased financial support, the following initiatives were inspired by the documentary:

> The Foxtel Foundation commenced its film, music and media training for youth from the Oasis Support Network. The first short films were launched in March 2009 and still continue.

> The Australian Centre for Photography commenced an annual program for youth from The Oasis Support Network from 2009.

> Video Ezy stores distributed THE OASIS DVD nationally as a free overnight rental (during April 2009).

> The Salvation Army launched a major public awareness campaign on youth homelessness in September 2009 and is working on a capital campaign launch of the OASIS Foundation in 2012.

> NSW Forum on Homelessness featured short films from THE OASIS in August 2009.

> Developed a homelessness module for senior public service training programs in collaboration with the Centre for Social Impact (UNSW) and the Public Services Commission. The first training program was delivered in February 2010 to 40 public servants from Australia, NZ, Canada and the UK.

THE OASIS has facilitated greater recognition and engagement with the work of the Salvation Army and Major Paul Moulds formerly from the Oasis Youth Support Network, promoted in 2011 to Director Mission and Resources - Social. In 2008, Paul was named a finalist for Australian of the Year NSW and the Local Hero Award; and featured in the Sydney Magazine’s 100 most influential Australians issue. Since the ABC’s screening of the documentary, Paul has had numerous opportunities to speak at high profile events on the subject of youth homelessness in Australia and overseas.

The documentary and community response prompted significant changes to the Salvation Army’s strategy and response to the issue of youth homelessness. Initiatives included the formation of a National Youth Network and the re-badging of all its existing youth services under the

“The Caledonia Foundation has been courageous and effective, and have really

given sophisticated advocacy in a vital sector

an enormous boost.” Rhonda Galbally AO

CEO, Our Community

Philanthropy Australia established an inaugural

Homelessness Affinity Group in Melbourne and Sydney in 2009.

The groups aim to share knowledge and build collaborative funding

arrangements for projects that address homelessness.

“… The influence of THE OASIS documentary comes in the

most bizarre places. In fact this week we were contacted by a contestant in the show Beauty

and the Geek, named Lachlan who is one of the “nerds” and

who is going to be on the show Dancing with the Stars and

who is choosing OASIS as his charity because at school he saw the documentary and it

profoundly impacted him.

Three years on we are still learning and feeling the

impact of the ripples you started back in 2008.

Thank you Paul Moulds AM (Major)

Director-Mission and Resources Social The Salvation Army

Australian Eastern Territory

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“POLLY AND ME A tells one of the hundreds of stories that Mirabel

encounters on a weekly basis. POLLY AND ME covers some of

the most crucial issues threatening those vulnerable and

disadvantaged in our society today, each one a victim of their environment and circumstance. I

hope everyone who sees POLLY AND ME is galvanised into action

because collectively we have the power to change this. Children

are helpless - we are not.”

Jane Rowe, CEO The Mirabel Foundation

Prevention and Early Intervention The Caledonia Foundation remains passionately committed to pursuing solutions to end youth homelessness. In 2010, the Foundation launched the second phase of its Oasis initiative, which has a specific focus on prevention and early intervention. Central to the second phase was the screening of POLLY AND ME on ABC1 in September 2010. The screening was accompanied by an informed audience discussion hosted by Geraldine Doogue called KIDS AT RISK.

POLLY AND ME and WALL BOY POLLY AND ME and WALL BOY are based on true stories sourced during the period of filming THE OASIS documentary. The story at the heart of POLLY AND ME serves as a starting point for building the vital community conversation about prevention and early intervention strategies for vulnerable children. Wall Boy reminds us of the important role of outreach workers on the streets.

Both films have been accompanied by a comprehensive education and outreach program which includes a Study Guide, DVD and presentation support kit. With the support of like-minded philanthropists, the outreach and education campaign has aimed to:

> Raise awareness about vulnerable children in Australian society

> Build community capacity to prevent childhood abuse and neglect

> Draw the attention of policy-makers to the importance of investing in early prevention and intervention.

The education and outreach was collaboratively driven through a Steering Group of community partners representing programs and services in prevention and early intervention.

The Steering Group involved: Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth (ARACY), The Salvation Army & The Oasis Youth Support Network, The Benevolent Society, The CREATE Foundation, Families Australia, Good Beginnings Australia, The Lighthouse Foundation, Lou’s Place, The Mirabel Foundation, NAPCAN and The Smith Family.

The Caledonia Foundation thanks Professor Dorothy Scott (now retired) previously from the Australian Centre for Child Protection in South Australia for her guidance and advice.

“Acts of abuse are nearly always private and well hidden from

public view…it is our belief that the prevention of the damage is

overwhelmingly preferable to rescuing damaged children and

families as portrayed in POLLY AND ME after abuse has occurred.

Good Beginnings has a vision for every Child in Australia to have a

good beginning through helping to promote and support positive

parenting."

Jayne Meyer Tucker, CEO Good Beginnings Australia

“POLLY AND ME is a shocking

depiction of a child whose fundamental need for love,

security and safety is invisible to the damaged adults around her. The

film powerfully lays bare Polly’s absolute isolation: she has no one to turn to, no one to speak up for

her and no community to support her. The Benevolent Society sees

families like this in our communities every day. Polly and Me is a

reminder that Australia’s top priority must be safe, healthy children and

strong communities.” Richard Spencer, CEO

The Benevolent Society

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“The fact that the

documentary was not a “one off” is

commendable…you have impacted the present and the

future with your ongoing commitment.”

Commissioner Linda Bond, Territorial

Commander, Eastern Territory, Salvation Army.

Bee Orsini is schools liaison officer for the OASIS project, a philanthropic initiative established by The Caledonia Foundation, in partnership with Shark Island Productions and The Salvation Army’s OASIS Youth Support Network, to raise awareness of the growing incidence of youth homeless in Australia. Bee joined the OASIS project having worked as a Team Leader in a leading city law firm. For Bee, her role with OASIS is not a job but a passion. She knows only too well the reality of life on the streets. Bee left an unhappy and violent home when she was young. She didn’t have a real home for years and was often in dangerous and self destructive situations. One day a friend told her about The Salvation Army Oasis Youth Support Network.

The people at Oasis found her a room at the refuge – it was clean and safe.

Bee’s potential to be a community leader was identified by the team at Oasis and she was assigned a leadership and employment coach to work with her to build confidence and gain communication and leadership skills.

She went on to complete a leadership development course, aimed at giving disadvantaged youth the skills to speak out about the issues that affect homeless young people. Her goal is to inspire other young people who have had similar circumstances to get the help they need to change their lives for the better – and to inspire luckier young Australians, thedecisionandpolicymakersoftomorrow,totakeactiontowardsendingyouthhomelessnessintheirowncommunities. “I believe that schools are the heart of every community and are the foundation for real change and action to take place in our society. “ Bee says

“Through my job role as Oasis School Liaison Officer, I want to make a difference in the world

and help tackle the ever growing issue of youth homelessness. This would be a dream come true for

me and something I never thought I could ever do.”

Bee Orsini Oasis School Liaison

Bee Orsini OASIS School Liaison

Conclusion The screening of THE OASIS documentary on ABC1 TV, NYC Report and education and outreach activities have had a significant impact on the Australian community. Each time we speak to Paul and Robbin Moulds we are heartened by new stories that demonstrate the impact of THE OASIS as it continues to find new audiences through the distribution of DVDs and community screenings and now as the education program is imbedded in the curriculum – both nationally and internationally.

The challenge now is to harness the momentum of community and political support for the cause of youth homelessness to ensure that the Federal Government’s 2020 target is reached.

This we believe can be achieved through cross-sectoral partnerships with a shared vision and national collaborative framework for action and change.

And very importantly to encourage the next generation of policymakers and decision makers to to be part of the solution with schools and their local community.

The Caledonia Foundation will continue to support initiatives related to THE OASIS project such as POLLY AND ME and Wall Boy to ensure that youth homelessness with a focus on prevention and early intervention – remains on the national agenda.