Archived News

Dozens of young Australians from across the country have participated in the inaugural THE OASIS HOMELESSNESS SHORT FILM COMPETITION with Cate Blanchett, Patron of the competition, today announcing the winners at SydneyTheatre.

To view all the finalist films, click HERE

THE OASIS HOMELESSNESS SHORT FILM COMPETITION is a national competition for secondary school students and part of an on-going philanthropic initiative to raise awareness about homelessness in our community. Ms Blanchett has been a long-term support of this cause.

Ms Blanchett, Co Artistic Director of Sydney Theatre Company, who was a member of the judging panel, announced that Queensland secondary student, Warrick Beanland, from Harristown State High School student, has won first prize for his film Homeless.

Shark Island Productions provided a total prize of $25,000 for the competition with $7000 awarded to Harristown State High.

“Homeless is a highly original and beautifully made film which displays compassion and insight into issues surrounding youth homeless. My congratulations to Warrick and all the finalists for their outstanding efforts,” Ms Blanchett said.

Ms Blanchett also announced two second prize winners: the film Somebody’s Child, made by students from Sydney’s International Grammar Schooland ReachOut, made by Nhulunbuy High School in the Northern Territory. Both schools will receive $2000 each.

The judging panel for the film competition was Co Artistic Director of Sydney Theatre Company, Cate Blanchett, Chairman of The Caledonia Foundation and AFI-Award winning documentary filmmaker Ian Darling, Oasis Schools Liaison Officer and former Oasis client Bee Orsini, and Major Robbin Moulds, AM, Director of the Oasis Youth Support Network.

The OASIS initiative was launched in 2008 with the premiere of the AFI award-winning documentary THE OASIS on ABC1 and the release of a major report into youth homelessness in Australia, The National Youth Commission Report on Youth Homelessness, commissioned by The Caledonia Foundation.

“More than two years after the initial broadcast, we continue to measure the enduring impact of THE OASIS documentary. Supported by a comprehensive education and outreach campaign and withon-going community screenings, the film has helped ensure that youth homelessness remains on thenational agenda,” said Ian Darling.

“THE OASIS HOMELESS SHORT FILM COMPETITION a vital part of our strategy to engage young Australians in this important social justice issue, along with the THE OASIS Schools Curriculum Resource, which has been made available to every secondary school around Australia.”

For further details about THE OASIS: Homeless Short Film Competition and THE OASIS Schools Curriculum Resource – Youth Homelessness Matters, go to: www.theoasismovie.com.au

Thanks to the amazing support of the local community, we’re excited to announce that our candle bag packing production line is geared up and ready to go!

Over the four days our incredible volunteers will be stuffing close to 9,000 Christmas candle bags to overflowing, for sale at this year’s Woolworths Carols in the Domain concert on Saturday 17^th December.

“At this year’s Carols, we are inviting everyone to buy a Woolworths Carols in the Domain Candle Bag for $15.00, with all proceeds going directly to support the cutting edge programs we provide thousands of homeless young people every year,” said Oasis Director Major Robbin Moulds AM.

“Woolworths Carols in the Domain not only provides a great opportunity for families to come together to celebrate Christmas, but it also allows everyone to make a meaningful contribution to a homeless young person by way of supporting the life transforming services we offer at Oasis,” said Robbin.

On behalf of all of us here at Oasis we’d like to send out a massive thank you in advance, to all of our packing volunteers for literally lending us their hands!

We’d also like to spotlight the following companies for generously offering up their amazing teams to our candle bag packing cause:

Seeds of hope are beginning to sprout at the Salvation Army’s Indigenous Ministries in North Ipswich thanks to the hard work of Oasis’ Champions, who all got their hands dirty building a community garden during a recent mission trip to Queensland.

“Champions” is a six month leadership program between Virgin Unite and Oasis, in which a number of inspiring young people connect with dedicated Virgin employees and form strong reciprocal bonds as they support each other through the lessons of life.

All members share the common goal of becoming articulate advocates against youth homelessness with the strong belief that anyone can make a success of their life if given the opportunity.

Whilst a large part of the program involves speaking engagements, Champion members are also committed to leading by example and undertook this mission trip as a means of turning words into action - through service to the community.

All alarm clocks were set for the crack of dawn last Friday morning to catch their 6am flight to Brisbane and by 8.30am they were already knee-deep in the red soil of the Indigenous Ministries gardens in Ipswich.

In addition to getting their hands dirty, our hard working Champions also generated the funds to build the community garden through the fundraising initiatives Make Over Your Mobile ($4,000) and Lycra Like Ya Care ($2,000).

Jason Poutawa (Head of the Oasis Friday Freeway Program) who took part in the trip noted that the building of a garden was not only practical, but also served a symbolic function for the community who had suffered much devastation as a result of the Queensland Floods.

“We wanted the garden to represent planting seeds of hope for the future of the community,” said Jason.

In addition to a vegetable and citrus garden, there was also a lot set aside as a memorial garden for people to come and plant a tree in the memory of loved ones who lost their lives.

The Champions barely had time to shake off the dirt before they were back on the bus to Brisbane for special dinner hosted by their Queensland counterparts.

All had the opportunity to reflect on the year that had been and discuss the incredible benefits of being part of this life changing program.

“There was an awesome sense of community and family which is a rare experience for many of our young people in the program,” said Jason. “It was like visiting cousins.” 

Saturday was another big day for the family of Champions, although this time it was their turn to enjoy the fruits of their labour with a much deserved visit to Dreamworld.

The trip wrapped up on Sunday, with one last visit to Ipswich to share in a community lunch and take stock of the beautiful garden and celebrate an inspiring and successful weekend.

Sadly this marked the last official engagement for the 2011 Champions but we would like to take this opportunity to celebrate with them in all they have achieved over the past year and wish them the best of luck for the future.

Team Oasis

If you happened to pass Virgin Active in Pitt Street Mall on Sunday 25 September you may have been forgiven for thinking there was an Olivia Newton John revival happening.

With over 75 participants sporting their best spandex for the Lycra Like Ya Care charity challenge, big-hearted lycra lovers came together in a massive 3 hour sweat-a-thon to help raise a massive $2000 for flood affected communities in Northern Queensland.

Hosted by Virgin Money, Virgin Active and the Oasis Champions, each brave participant donated a $25 entry fee and completed a gruelling circuit of back to back fitness classes in Zumba, Cycling, Yoga, Body Attack and Boxing, with even the fittest of the fit showing signs of fatigue by the final rotation.

All funds raised from the event went towards a community garden which has been built by the Oasis Champions for the flood-affected, Salvation Army’s Indigenous Ministries in North Ipswich.

Many of the incredible participants walked away with more than just exhausted muscles, thanks to the generosity of the Virgin Money and Virgin Active who raffled off a bevy of amazing prizes including wine, mobile phones and a much sought after gym memberships to Virgin Active Health Clubs.

Oasis would like to send out a massive thanks to all the amazing participants who came together to make Lycra Like Ya Care such an incredibly fun and successful day. You are all super stars for surviving the day!

A big shout out goes to Virgin Money, Virgin Active and of course our phenomenal Oasis Champions for organising this stellar event.

Word on the street is Lycra Like Ya Care could soon become an annual event, with talks of Virgin Active holding simultaneous sweat-a-thons across their Sydney clubs.

Watch this space, friends! We look forward to sweating it out with you again next time!

Team Oasis  

There aren't many people who will truly attempt to test their physical limits and fly across the other side of the world - all for a charity. When Oasis found out about Belinda Gurd and her dream to climb to Mount Everest Base Camp to raise funds for our crisis accommodation services, we were beyond humbled and inspired!

Here's Bel's story...

Tell us a bit about yourself?

Growing up on the Northern Beaches in Sydney, I’m in love with Summer. I work for Virgin Atlantic doing their PR, and I’m totally crazy about travelling.  I want to go to every weird and wonderful place the world has to offer. I think you are the best version of yourself when you’re exploring the world, challenging yourself, experience new things and meeting new people.

Why are you fundraising for Oasis?

Working with the Oasis program, Champions, for nearly six months, it was a total no-brainer to raise money for Oasis. Champions is an amazing initiative – representatives from each Virgin Company in Australia get together once a week with a group of extremely inspiring young people, working together, much like a think tank, to come up with ways to help raise awareness and funds for the fight against Youth Homelessness.

These kids inspire me every week and remind me of what life is really about. Anything I can do to help Oasis achieve their goals of supporting young people in crisis means more young people can get the help they need to turn their lives around.

Just how BIG is the climb?

Base Camp is 5364 metres but we will take the longer route, going past the south side of Everest called the Chola pass, reaching an altitude of 5483 metres. Taking about 25 days of walking in total, this route gives amazing views of Everest and the surrounding ranges.

What will you miss the most during your trek? A shower!

What will keep you going on the ascent?

The young people I get to spend time with every Wednesday night.   Walking up a mountain is nothing compare to what some of these amazing young people have been through and come out the other side of.  They are truly amazing humans, so I think that’s the thought that will keep me going.

Part of the climb you’re most looking forward to? The moment I get to the highest point. It’s going to be breath-taking and such an achievement.

Tell us about your training regime?

I’ve been training for about 6 months, roughly 3 - 5 times a week. For the past two months I’ve been doing some sort of physical activity every day including spin classes, pump classes, free weights, yoga, long long long walks, running up and down stairs and as of two weeks ago I started training at Altitude.

 Top tips for those planning to follow in your footsteps?

Start exercising early – The stronger you are the more enjoyable. Get your gear online and sent from the US or UK – it’s waaaay cheaper. Start Altitude training about a month out - it helps you get fitter quicker and gives you a great indication of how well your body responds to Altitude. Eat loads.

What’s next for Belinda Gurd?! Kokoda!

If you are as inspired as we are with Belinda’s incredible trek for Oasis please click here and show your support!

The 2011 Blackmores Sydney Running Festival proved to be a runaway success with over 350 registered Oasis runners proudly donning their red and white tees and pounding the pavement to help raise a massive $42,000 for our young people!

Waking up to a stunning (and sweltering!) spring day, the scene was set for the many bleary eyed Oasis volunteers who stood steadfast at our Drink Station from 5:30am, with much needed hydration and cheers of support for our champion runners as they courageously pushed forward toward to the finish line.   

No Oasis runner was left unattended after their incredible efforts, with all sweaty bodies welcomed into the decked out Oasis Marquee - complete with free heavenly massages by Jackies’s Sports Massage Therapy, delicious wraps, fruit and desserts by MMM Catering which were literally inhaled and gratefully washed down with ice cold drinks donated by Coca-Cola.

Sydney’s Face Painting in a Flash added colour and smiles to many faces, with more than one grown man walking away with a diamanté encrusted butterfly on their cheek. 

The Hacky Sack competition drew some fierce competitors, but the boys from Scots College proved to be unbeatable, with student  James Gavin taking out the title, closely followed by George Bundock, both of whom scored fabulous clothing and accessories from Running Bare.

Another winner, who can now ease the aches and pains of BSRF is Leah Callon Butler, who took home the $500 voucher towards Jackie’s Sports Massage Therapy from our Lucky Draw prize. Congratulations Leah – we are all green with envy after experiencing the magical hands of Jackie and her awesome team!

We would also like to recognise the stellar efforts of David Linco, our highest individual fundraiser for Oasis who personally raised $4,600 and who has deservingly scored a three month Virgin Active Gym Membership. Congratulations David!

Oasis would also like shine the spotlight on Australian swimming legend and media personality Elka Whalan who helped to raise awareness of Oasis in the lead up to and on the day of the event…we can’t thank you enough for powerwalking your (soon to be) family of four, across the finish line in support of Oasis.

All money raised will be going directly into the innovative services and programs Oasis provides to homeless and disadvantaged young people on a day to day basis.

Be sure to check out some of the stellar shots taken from the day on our Oasis Facebook page.

We are eternally grateful to all the incredible people who took any part in this amazing day!

You are all super stars and we hope to see you sweating it out again for us next year.

The Salvation Army’s Oasis Youth Support Network is proud to boast one of our very own, Simone Chartres, who is courageously taking up the gruelling challenge of running the full marathon at the 2011 Blackmores Sydney Running Festival.

Having already successfully completed several half marathons, Simone jumped at the opportunity to complete her first full marathon and combine her love of running with her passion for supporting disadvantaged youth.

“Not only is running the actual marathon important to me, but also raising much needed funds for Oasis, to ensure more disadvantaged young people can have access to life changing services,” said Ms Chartres.

Simone developed a strong passion for working with disadvantaged young people during her psychology internship at Oasis.

Working as a registered psychologist and case worker, Simone is a vital and valued member of the Oasis family, helping to support at-risk young people living inSydney’s north, through the Youth Connections educational program.

“The work that I am currently undertaking with Oasis has been beyond rewarding. It is amazing to see the positive changes in the lives of young people who have previously lacked support and direction,” said Simone.

While Simon’s personal fundraising target of $1,100 has been well and truly smashed she continues to raise the bar high and hopes to double this amount before next weekend.

On behalf of Oasis, we are so incredibly proud of you Simone and we wish you the best of luck for the 42km’s that’s ahead of you next weekend. If you would like to support Simone’s run for Oasis please visit here.

Tuesday 23 August – At The Salvation Army’s Oasis Youth Support Network today, five young people will graduate after successfully completing a month long work readiness training course that will see them gain full time employment by mid September.

Launched in 2006, the Oasis Pathways Program (formally known as Get Skilled 4 Work) was developed to cater for the needs of socially disadvantaged young people who were at risk of long-term exclusion from employment, due to a lack of appropriate education, skills and training.

“The recent Pathways Program has helped to realise the dreams and aspirations of five young people by helping them to secure full-time employment in a competitive corporate work environment,” says Caroline Nugent, Coordinator of the Oasis Training Pathways program.   

“Thanks to the partnerships formed with the community and business sector, Oasis’s young people now have an opportunity to gain professional training, experience and financial independence,” says  Nugent.

Oasis’s new graduates will commence full time work in administration through Pathways Partners; Australand, Mirvac, Lend Lease and the Australian Taxation Office.

The five graduates, and their employers, will have ongoing access to support and coaching from Oasis as they make the smooth transition into their respective careers.

The Oasis Pathways Program course offers life coaching, budgeting and financial management, while developing communication and interpersonal skills, personal presentation and interview preparation. All necessary components that help address the many challenges faced by homeless and disadvantaged young people.

The innovative Oasis Pathways Program is just one of more than 25 cutting edge services delivered by the Salvation Army’s Oasis Youth Support Network in Sydney to help disconnected young people get back on their feet and begin turning their lives around.

For more information:

Vanessa Birch

Vanessa.birch@aue.salvationarmy.org                

02 8353 9407 / 0404 833 237

With less than one month to go, entries are coming in fast and thick to THE OASIS: Homeless Short Film Competition!

Raising awareness and understanding about homelessness amongst secondary school students, THE OASIS: Homeless Short Film Competition is a national competition specifically designed to develop the capacities and knowledge of young Australians, growing them to become concerned, committed citizens and leaders of the future in social policy.

With prizes totalling more than $25,000, as well as fifteen 4GB Flip Mino Cameras for the top fifteen entries, secondary schools and students are encouraged to get on board now!

Students are asked to make a (no longer than three minute) film about any aspect(s) of homelessness; raising awareness, highlighting positive stories, inspiring action locally and nationally, and supporting existing services.

Schools from around the country are already submitting their short films and Oasis Schools Liaison Officer, Bee Orsini – herself formerly homeless - is travelling to other schools encouraging students and teachers to participate.

“Young people have the capacity to change our future to one in which no young Australian has to worry about where they will sleep at night.  My job is to help young people see that they can make a difference,” says Bee.

With facts showing us that the incidence of youth homelessness has doubled in Australia over the last 20 years, with 32,000 young people under 25 defined as homeless (and when including children under 12, this number increases to around 44,500), the time to raise awareness is now.                                                                                                    

THE OASIS initiative was launched in 2008 with the premiere of the AFI award-winning documentary THE OASIS on ABC Television and the release of a major report into youth homelessness in Australia, The National Youth Commission Report on Youth Homelessness, commissioned by The Caledonia Foundation. Under this, THE OASIS: Homeless Short Film Competition is part of an extensive education and outreach program which is central to a five-year philanthropic initiative tackling the growing incidence of youth homelessness in Australia.

Entries in THE OASIS: Homeless Short Film Competition must be in before 5pm on Friday September 16^th 2011, with winners announced in November 2011. Please visit THE OASIS website for further information.

Download The Oasis Homeless Short Film Competition flyer.jpg