We are so excited to announce that Westpac Banking Corporation (Westpac) has committed $1.3 million over three years to continue the 150 year partnership between Westpac and Mission Australia.

Westpac has teamed up with Missionbeat – the vans that patrol the inner city supporting the homeless – to deliver a very special gift to people experiencing homelessness in Sydney.

Mission Australia’s Missionbeat has been a familiar sight to Sydneysiders for more than 30 years, as their experienced staff go about their work transporting homeless men and women to support services for safe accommodation, medical care, food and clothing. 

Westpac’s commitment will allow Missionbeat to expand their service model to not only provide transport, but to support people intensively over a long period of time to secure permanent housing.

 

Missionbeat has provided a vital service to people experiencing homelessness over many years – both in transporting them to meet their immediate needs, but also by simply lending an ear and having a chat. Rough sleeping can be an incredibly isolating experience so those connections are really important.

This new funding from Westpac will allow us to go a step further, to provide the intensive support people need to end the cycle of homelessness and secure permanent housing. As part of the expanded program, we will link people to other services they need in order to maintain that housing, because we know that tackling homelessness is not just about putting a roof over someone’s head; you have to support people to stay there.

Services we will refer to may include drug and alcohol counselling, psychological and mental health services, education and employment or life skills.” Mission Australia CEO, Catherine Yeomans

Westpac Institutional Bank Chief Executive Rob Whitfield said the depth of Westpac’s partnership is cemented by the long term engagement of our employees and their ability to make a meaningful impact over many years.

We are not just celebrating a more than 150 year corporate, community relationship, but taking a moment to recognise the hardship felt by our neighbours. There’s a stark challenge facing the country – 100,000 homeless Australians on any one night. We remain committed to supporting this dedicated organisation whose expertise, we can draw upon to help make a genuine difference to the lives of the homeless.” Westpac spokesman, Rob Whitfield

Alongside the cheque, Westpac employees donated 1,000 toiletry items to support Missionbeat’s drive for care packs to support rough sleepers on Sydney’s streets.


We are so grateful for the long-term commitment and generosity of Westpac and its staff to standing with Mission Australia as we reduce homelessness and strengthen communities.

Missionbeat continues to take calls from the public if they are concerned about people experiencing homelessness. Missionbeat can be contacted on 1800 306 461.

Find out more about Mission Australia's partnership with Westpac

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Our founding purpose - 'Inspired by Jesus Christ, Mission Australia exists to meet human need and to spread the knowledge of the love of God'