Sean Trevalyan volunteers his time 2 days a week on the Oasis driving program. He helps learner drivers towards doing their driving test and getting a driver’s license.
“I’ve always wanted to give something back,” says Sean, explaining why helping disadvantaged young people is a cause close to his heart. “At the age of 15, my son became a heavy cannabis user and by late 16 he was living out of home and getting pretty chaotic. Paul Moulds at Oasis put the figurative arm around his shoulder and tried to give him some guidance. It meant a lot to me as a parent because without Oasis who knows what would have happened to him.”
Becoming a driving supervisor has been a rewarding way of getting involved for Sean. “So far I’ve worked with 5 different kids and all of them seem to be very appreciative of the driving lessons. It’s an issue in employment these days; if you don’t have a driver’s license, you can be limited. It’s also a self-esteem thing I think, if you’ve had a bit of a hard life, done time or lived on the street it’s a good short-term achievement to get your driver’s license. And it’s a very liberating thing. Even if you don’t have your own car, you can hire a car or drive your mate’s car. It’s a rite of passage.
And Sean admits there is definitely a sense of achievement when his students improve. "I haven’t got anyone through a test yet so that’ll be a really nice thing when it happens. I’m looking forward to that."
For a lot of kids from tough backgrounds it can be difficult to get a foot in the door with employment. The Glue Store has recently bridged the gap by employing Oasis client Rob Nottle.
Jerome Lee, Pitt St store manager recalls "My boss, Ant Elliot, got to meet Rob in person through an Oasis employment initiative and thought it would be nice if somebody gave him a little more of an opportunity."
"He’s been here for 3 weeks and the reports from the other staff are that he’s really starting to come out of his shell and he’s doing really well. He started at a very basic level but soon we’d like to move him to full time - we want him to grow further with us."
Rob is pretty enthusiastic about his new position too. "It's mad, it's really cool having this job!" he smiles. "I would never have been able to get my foot in the door here, especially since I just moved out of Oasis. I'm living in supported housing now but I need the work to save up for my own place."
Jerome and his team are adamant about treating Rob just like any other staff member.
"I don't know the specifics of Rob’s background nor do I think I need to; what’s important is that the work we’ve seen from him so far has been really good. Everything he does towards his success is all based off his own back."
Jerome continues. “I work with a brand that is based purely on fashion and aesthetics, and it mainly involves people spending money to make themselves feel good, but there are definitely bigger social problems out in the world. So this is a great way to get involved. I think its fantastic that we’re starting to give back."
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Jayne Wild and Gary Latham run the stylish Wild Life hair salon in Surry Hills. The salon has partnered with Oasis to give makeovers to young people who are preparing for job interviews through the Salvation Army’s ‘Get Skilled for Work’ program.
“We live and have our salon in Surry Hills so we see kids on the streets everyday,” says Jayne. “It’s all very well giving money but we realized we could do something practical for them, something hands on. So they come in before their job interviews, we do their hair, maybe a bit of makeup and we’ve even taken them shopping to get an outfit as well. Its lovely to see the transformation and the confidence coming through. To me it’s priceless."
"There have been a few boys who weren’t willing to let go of their rats tails,” chuckles Gary. “I told them, cut if off, get the job and then you can grow it back. Once you get a job you can bring a bit more personality to it, you just don’t want to hit them up front with that ‘boys from da hood’ look!
Jayne’s favourite aspect of having the kids in the salon is getting to know them better and gaining insight into their lives. “We call the salon chair the ‘chair of truth’ because people often really open up when they’re getting their hair done,” she explains. “Some of the kids have told us their stories and you feel so honoured they can share that with you. You realize how lucky you are!"
Both Gary and Jayne feel confident the help they provide goes far beyond just a figurative band-aid. "We’re helping them to help themselves - it’s not just spoiling them," says Jayne. "We want them to get on in the world. It’s a big bad world out there so if we can do something small like get them looking good so they go out there and be more confident, it’s a thrill. Quite a few have got jobs, and we like to think we have played a small part in that."
Since taking the Oasis cause to heart, Sydney private boys school Scots College has been a significant supporter. The school raised $14,000 through the Harbour Bridge Run (the highest of any team); developed a unit of school work around The Oasis documentary with lessons linking straight to social justice; hosted a forum with other schools; and renamed the annual rugby game between Scots and Cranbrook ‘The Oasis Cup’, raising $4000 on the day in 2009.
“The important thing is getting the boys to understand that it’s personal, not just financial,” says senior school teacher, Andrew Potter, who is proactive in getting his students involved in the Oasis cause. "It’s a privilege to work in a school like this with these boys but if we can give them an understanding of social justice, then it doesn’t matter what privilege they come from, it’s the difference they can make. We are very passionate about that, especially about boys making a difference when they leave the college. It’s important not to make glib statements about wanting to help, but actually making it happen."
16-year-old Nick Johnston heeded the call to action by getting creative and writing a song about youth homelessness which he has performed in various forums. "Sometimes music is a good way to get a message across when you cant get it across any other way," he muses. "So hopefully my song might inspire some people to donate and help."
Initially it was the statistics that got Nick fired up. “What really struck me was when I found out the sheer number of young people who are out on the street every day, every night. I had no idea about that. And without some help those kids aren’t going to get anywhere. We all have to do something.”
Fellow classmate Andrew Muston, also 16, was so moved by The Oasis documentary he donated a large chunk of his personal savings to the cause. “I’d saved up a quite bit and I didn’t need or want anything so I put it forward for Oasis,” he explains. “I can see the city each night from my house and it’s pretty to heavy to think that all goes on and you don’t really notice it.”
Andrew’s commitment doesn’t end with the donation. He is resolute that post schooling, he will work in social justice. "When I’m older I don’t really want to be a business man. I’d rather do something more down to earth, something that makes a difference rather than gives me a big bank account."
Ken has been a volunteer with the Salvation Army since 1950. He has been working at Oasis for 10 years and despite his quirky disapproval of some of the young people’s behaviour, he absolutely relishes working on site and especially with Paul.
Ken has devoted his entire life to serving God and the Salvos, and performs his duties to the utmost. He especially considers the collection box to be his calling and can be seen in full uniform and regalia collecting donations at pubs and clubs around the suburbs of Sydney when he is not at Oasis.
The world according to Ken, a film made by Josh Peachy as part of the StreetTV program, paid tribute to the man’s hard work and quirky nature, and shows just how fond everybody at Oasis is of him.
Watch the Film
