Mission Australia’s child and family service in the Liverpool area, Miller Pathways, celebrated Families Week on Friday by hosting a free Community Fun Day.

The Federal Minister for Human Services, Senator Kim Carr, Federal Member for Fowler, Chris Hayes, and Mayor of Liverpool Wendy Waller all attended and officially opened the event.

Families enjoyed food, live music and performances, giveaways, children’s activities, information stalls and much more. The day also included a literacy corner with an Aboriginal focus run by an Aboriginal literacy program worker.

Given it’s Responsible Gambling Awareness Week, we’d like to share an inspirational letter recently sent to a Mission Australia’s Gambling Counsellor.

Written from the heart, it beautifully sums up George’s journey and demonstrates that, with the right support and attitude, it’s possible to overcome a gambling problem. 

“I knew that if I was going to kick my gambling habit than I needed professional help. I have been a problem gambler for over 15 years and have previously sought help as well as tried giving up on my own but had always fallen back into bad habits.

Here at Mission Australia we want to take this opportunity in National Volunteers Week to express our deep appreciation of the work our band of volunteers do.

Every week hundreds of people from all walks of life donate their time, knowledge and energy to help Mission Australia create a fairer Australia.

Thank you all!
Among them are students, retirees, people wishing to make friends and gain skills, as well as professionals who want to share their talents and experience.

This month Mission Australia is celebrating our volunteers and asking Australians to try a little tenderness and get behind Channel 10’s 1 Million Acts of Kindness campaign.

So we figured it was a fine time to ask some of our dedicated Home Tutor Scheme volunteers what motivated them to volunteer – and what they get out of it.

Based in Sydney, the Home Tutor Scheme matches volunteers from the community with migrants and refugees - many of whom are house-bound because they're caring for infant children, family responsibilities or illness.