Celebrate 150 years of Mission Australia
This year Mission Australia turns 150 and to celebrate we're recognising the people and places that have shaped us over all these years and made us integral to the lives of so many Australians.
150th Anniversary Celebration event
 Last night Mission Australia celebrated 150 years of transforming the lives of people in need across the country. Events were held in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth and were an opportunity for Mission Australia to thank our many supporters, including staff, donors, volunteers, corporate partners, and members of the government.
Among the dignitaries taking part in the celebrations were Her Excellency the Governor-General Ms Quentin Bryce, Her Excellency the Governor of NSW Professor Marie Bashir, and The Honourable Tanya Plibersek MP Federal Minister for Housing. More...
Click here to view gallery
Our history 1859 - 2009
Mission Australia has been transforming the lives of Australians in need since 1859 when the Town and Country Mission (later known as the Brisbane City Mission) was established. In 1862, Benjamin Short – a newly arrived immigrant from England – established the Sydney City Mission after witnessing the extreme poverty that existed at the time. Over the next century, other City Missions were formed by citizens concerned about the spiritual and physical needs of people living in poverty.
As the years progressed, so did the City Missions’ approach to the care of the disadvantaged and needy in their communities. Handouts and ‘soup lines’ were replaced with structured programs. The Missions offered holistic assistance that catered to people’s emotional, physical, social and spiritual needs.
In 2000, many of the City Missions officially came together as Mission Australia – a single, national organisation. Last year alone, we assisted more than 330,000 people across the country. More...
Click on an image below for Mission Australia milestones...
Facts from our past...
- Benjamin Short, who founded Sydney City Mission in 1862, was a life insurance salesman and the first full-time representative of the AMP Society.
- Annie Green, General Superintendent of Adelaide City Mission in 1923, ran the mission’s entire operations and managed its team of volunteers aged only 29. Sister Green was the first woman in the country to hold a senior leadership position in a Protestant organisation – a true Australian pioneer.
- Adelaide City Mission began offering English classes to migrants as early as 1870.
- At the beginning of the twentieth century, Sydney City Mission continued its house-to-house visits to people in need despite great risk from the spread of the bubonic plague.
- In response to growing poverty during the Great Depression, Sydney City Mission established soup kitchens at most of its services. Coffee bars were also opened to distribute cheap meals, clothing and blankets.
Links
 Mission Australia homepage
Corporate Partnerships
Community Fundraising
Mission Australia eGifts
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Our supporters: 
News
New Video: Mission Australia, Proudly Celebrating Our Journey as Part of Queensland’s History
This production was funded by the Q150 Community Funding Program in kind support from Gallery De Pasquale and Smoke Creative.
The film was created to celebrate and commemorate Mission Australia’s rich history with Queensland, having started out as Brisbane City Mission in 1859 when the state first declared independence from New South Wales.
Click here to view the video
150 years news
Mission Australia blogspot
Mission Australia news
Events
Throughout 2009, Mission Australia will be hosting and participating in a number of community and fundraising events. To find out how you can get involved email us.
Click here to view events in your state
Our Patron
Her Excellency Ms Quentin Bryce
AC Governor-General of the
Commonwealth of Australia
BA. LLB (Qld). Hon LLD (Macquarie).
Hon DLitt (Charles Sturt).
Hon DUniv (Griffith).
Hon DU (QUT). Hon LLD (Qld)
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