Executive Director Update - September 2023

Welcome to the September edition of Building Better Lives Together

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 finalised moments after 14 October was announced as the date 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