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Executive Director's Message
Brotherhood of St. Laurence (BSL) – Executive Director Travers McLeod is smiling at the camera
Welcome to the Spring edition of Building Better Lives Together. As always, thank you on behalf of the Brotherhood of St. Laurence (BSL) for continuing to support our work to help create a fairer Australia.
These past few months have been full of exciting events and activities, leading to many new ideas and conversations, and there are even more ahead.
In June, we spoke with 78 Victorian Members of Parliament in our inaugural three-day expo at Parliament House where we showcased our programs, research and policy work addressing disadvantage and prompting discussion on how we can partner more effectively for a poverty-free Victoria.
Just weeks later we hosted our annual Sambell Oration, featuring guest speaker Federal Treasurer, The Hon Dr Jim Chalmers MP. In his speech ‘Hard Heads and Warm Hearts’, Dr Chalmers spoke about the importance of responsible economic management and compassion being complementary, not at odds with each other. It was heartening to hear how many of the Treasurer’s ideas are in sync with BSL’s new Strategy 2030, which advocates for a national conversation to end poverty.
We were also thrilled to celebrate some wins in our program areas.
These include the 15-year anniversary of our Given the Chance employment program, delivered in partnership with ANZ. Having started as a small pilot in 2007 with just five participants, Given the Chance has significantly grown its footprint across Victoria, and now extends to parts of NSW and Tasmania. Throughout its involvement, ANZ has welcomed over 370 participants in the program.
We are very pleased to announce that our hugely successful Saver Plus program – the world’s largest and longest-running financial education and matched savings initiative - is now available nationally to help all eligible people hit their savings goals.
And we were delighted to see some of our former participants in the BSL Stepping Stones financial wellbeing program come together to open a new retail store in Ballarat. Women of the Well is run by a group of inspiring African women, and we encourage everyone to check out their offerings.
Many families across Australia are having to choose between keeping a roof over their heads and providing food for their family. A localised approach, like our Breakfast Club, is more than just a meal: it lays the foundations for better concentration and participation at school, improving the outcomes of learning for children. My involvement in the Ministerial Reference Group for the National Schools Reform Agreement has drawn on input from networks across BSL, including important grassroots initiatives like Breakfast Club.
Of course programs like Breakfast Club would not be possible without the generous support of our donors and volunteers. If you wish to help us lay the foundations to improve educational outcomes for children, please consider donating to our September Appeal.
Finally, this newsletter is being sent four weeks before the vote on Saturday 14 October for the referendum on a First Nations Voice to Parliament. BSL is a proud supporter of the Uluru Statement from the Heart and a ‘yes’ vote in the referendum. We are committed to helping to build understanding of how constitutional recognition and a Voice to Parliament can be an example of lasting change, one which improves outcomes for First Nations people and for all Australians. We encourage all members of the BSL community to form their own view and respectfully discuss the forthcoming referendum. For more information before you vote at the upcoming referendum head here: www.bsl.org.au/yes.
I hope you enjoy this edition.
Warm Regards,
Travers McLeod
Executive Director
Brotherhood of St. Laurence
Laying the foundations to improve learning outcomes for children – please support our September Appeal
As families across Australia continue to face growing cost of living pressures, it’s thanks to a dedicated team of volunteers and our partner organisations that programs like BSL’s Breakfast Club continue to serve the community.
It’s a critical service that local families rely on, offering lasting connection and support within the community, and bringing families together in a shared safe place.
Our Breakfast Club program began in 2002 at a public housing estate in Melbourne. The initiative started as a partnership between BSL and public housing residents with many who attended coming from refugee and migrant backgrounds. At that time, the service ran from the kitchen at the local community centre, providing meals for all primary school age children and their families five days a week.
In 2021 Breakfast Club was moved to a small nearby primary school where the program became integral to school students and families. It operated during COVID-19 lockdowns, delivering the program from the school hall and provided nourishing meals for the small number of students still attending school on site at that time.
Our place-based approach is also designed to meet the needs of specific local communities and reduces barriers that families face due to limited access to culturally appropriate foods. Our Breakfast Club menu for example, includes vegetarian and halal meals to cater for everyone.
At Breakfast Club, ‘breakfast’ is more than just a meal - it lays the foundations for better concentration and participation at school, improving learning outcomes for children. It also gives children the opportunity to learn about a good diet and develop sound routines that improve school attendance and involvement. Grassroots initiatives like Breakfast Club have also been useful in providing valuable input into the Ministerial Reference Group for the National Schools Reform Agreement which our Executive Director, Trav McLeod has been involved in.
Programs like Breakfast Club could not operate without the generous support of our dedicated volunteers and donors. This September, we seek your continued financial support so we can ensure children and families can access these critical programs and services.
For more information: https://www.bsl.org.au/services/getting-an-education/breakfast-club/
With a gift to BSL you’re helping us continue to provide this support. Together we can ensure children have a fair chance to build a solid foundation for their future and overcome any barriers that stand in their way.
Showcasing our 93-year history tackling poverty in Victoria
In June we spoke to 78 Victorian Members of Parliament, (which is 61% of Parliament's 128 MPs), at our inaugural three-day expo at Parliament House. Read more >
Sambell 0ration 2023 - ‘Hard Heads and Warm Hearts’
On 11 July, Australia’s Treasurer the Hon Dr Jim Chalmers MP delivered an inspiring Sambell Oration to a crowd of over 330 BSL supporters. Read more >
Given the Chance celebrates 15 years in partnership with ANZ
BSL’s Given the Chance employment program, in partnership with ANZ, recently celebrated a 15-year anniversary. Having started as a small pilot in 2007 with just five participants..... Read more >
Saver Plus expands nationally to help all eligible people reach their savings goals
In July we were thrilled to announce that our hugely successful Saver Plus program – the world’s largest and longest-running financial education and matched savings initiative.... Read more >
Supporting low-income households in the move towards electrification
Moving away from residential gas is an essential step for reducing Australia’s emissions and lowering households’ energy bills. However, there are still far too many existing households.... Read more >
BSL volunteers bridge the digital divide
At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic people in the community already experiencing disadvantage became even more excluded if they had low digital literacy skills. In response, BSL launched an online Digital Literacy Program in January 2021. Read more >
BSL Stepping Stones participants band together to open a new store
Women of the Well, a new retail store run by a group of inspiring African women, recently opened its doors to the public in Ballarat. The store sells a diverse range of products, including jewellery..... Read more >
Q and A with Voice to Parliament Engagement Coordinator, Cath Bradley
BSL Voice to Parliament Engagement Coordinator, Cath Bradley shares why her work inspires her, and why it’s important to encourage others to vote in the upcoming referendum to support a First Nations’ Voice to Parliament. Read more >
Three lucky people who told us what they think of our quarterly Building Better Lives newsletter have each won a $50 Brotherhood Books voucher. Thanks to: Mrs Bennet, Katrina and Trevor for providing valuable feedback on our newsletter. We will email you your vouchers very soon.
Get in touch with us
Website: www.bsl.org.au
Telephone: (03) 9483 1301
Email: bbl@bsl.org.au
Charitable donations of $2 and over are tax deductible. The Brotherhood of St. Laurence (BSL) understands that you value your privacy and wish to have your personal information kept secure. You can view the full text of our Privacy Policy and Collection Notice at www.bsl.org.au, which sets out how we collect and deal with your personal information. If you no longer wish to receive communications from BSL, please call us on (03) 9483 1301 or email bbl@bsl.org.au. This communication is intended for recipients based in Victoria, New South Wales, South Australia, Tasmania, the Northern Territory and ACT only. If you are not located in Victoria, New South Wales, Tasmania, the Northern Territory or the ACT, you should delete this email.
© 2023 Brotherhood of St. Laurence (ABN 24 603 467 024, ARBN 100 042 822 )
The Brotherhood of St. Laurence acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land and waterways on which our organisation operates. We pay our respects to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders past and present.
