Check out the latest Urban Descent in Perth photos here!

People from all walks of life will challenge the thrill seeker within themselves to abseil the AMP building at Circular Quay, all to raise money for Sir David Martin Foundation we have been’ helping youth in crisis’ for the past 20 years.

The 20th Anniversary of the Sir David Martin Foundation will be celebrated on Friday June 18th 2010. This very special celebration will be held in the presence of Her Excellency Professor Marie Bashir AC CVO and Patron of Sir David Martin Foundation.

Compare Mr. John Mangos.

Limited tickets are now available – book early to avoid disappointment.

Download invitation here.

I have just come back from the farm and was just delighted to see the new building going up at a fast pace.  I had remarked how quick this seemed to be going up.  It was in the conversation that I was reminded that it had taken more than two years since I first had the conversation with Warren, the previous manager.   It reminded that we often work hard at something for a long time before we see any results. 

Whilst I was at the Farm there were a number of new students starting the program and I know that they were finding it hard.  They had only been there a day or two and still going through really difficult emotions and not knowing how to deal with it.  They were upset and angry they were sowing tears. In talking with the students who were getting ready to leave they know great the rewards and full of hope.  I am still amazed after all these years at how profound the impact of Triple Care Farm is on young people’s lives.  I could not help feel joy and pride when I left at not just the progress of the building but of the young people whose journey in live is beginning.

Research conducted by The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA) at Columbia University over a decade consistently found that the more often children have dinner with their parents, the less likely they are to smoke, drink or use drugs. Download the full report here.

Simply put: Dinner makes a difference.

Open up the communication lines for discussions about mental health issues, drug and alcohol awareness and other youth issues that may be affecting the people you care about.

Host a dinner party, Sunday BBQ or even a high tea! The choice is yours. Be creative!

The 14th annual "back-to-school survey" continues CASA’s unique effort to track attitudes of teens and those, like parents, who influence them. Through this survey we have identified factors that increase or decrease the likelihood of teen substance abuse. Armed with this knowledge, parents, teachers, clergy, coaches and other responsible adults have been better able to help our nation’s teens grow up drug free.

Register to be a Cook for a Cause Host here or make a donation!

To try to escape the problems he was facing at home, he commenced using alcohol and drugs at an early age. He turned to crime to get money for drugs and alcohol and had become entrenched in this unhealthy lifestyle.

Without education or vocational training, he could never escape. Once Dean was referred to South West Youth Services he began a series of programs aimed at supporting and encouraging him.

Counselling was one of those programs as well as an education program called DRAW (Developing Reading And Writing). From here Dean could begin to set more ambitious goals.

Dean is now 18 and is attending TAFE three days a week as he completes a foundations course on construction. Dean no longer uses drugs or alcohol and has not been in trouble with the police for over a year.

Imagine the excitement when all their hard work is rewarded. This is certainly the case for Katie.When Katie arrived at Triple Care Farm she had misused alcohol and drugs for many years and had a number of physical and mental health problems.

During her 4 month stay at the Farm, Katie attended the Cultural Experiences Program to find out more about her indigenous identity. Through this Program she discovered the Batchelor Institute of Indigenous Education.

Located in the Northern Territory, it offers courses for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in natural and cultural resource management. This became Katie’s goal – to complete an Applied Sciences degree majoring in Natural and Cultural Resource Management.

Katie worked hard to gain the grades required for acceptance into the course. Meanwhile, the counsellors at Triple Care Farm assisted her to find suitable accommodation and on-going support.

Just prior to graduation in December, Katie was advised she had been accepted into the course. When she rang her father to share her great news, he cried. Katie is the first person in her family to go to university.

Katie plans to use her degree to become a National Parks Officer or Aboriginal tour guide. To help her with the cost of her studies, Katie has been awarded a scholarship from Sir David Martin Foundation. But this is just the beginning of Katie’s dreams. She now has the goal of studying for her Doctorate when she has finished her first degree.

The work at Triple Care Farm really helps young people make significant and permanent changes to their lives. It teaches them that dreams can come true and that anything is possible with hard work and determination.

For the first time, a reporter and camera crew were permitted onto the Farm to follow the progress of a couple of our students. It was a very honest portrayal of the difficulty of the program and the breadth of vocational, educational and counselling programs provided during their stay.

The Today Show followed the student’s journey from when they arrived until after they returned home. In terms of donations, it was very successful but what we didn’t expect was the enormous number of calls from young people in need.

At this stage, we can only offer 80 places a year at Triple Care Farm. Yet in January alone, we received in excess of over 500 calls requesting access to the Farm’s award winning programs.

Jannine Jackson, General Manager of Sir David Martin Foundation says “The calls for help can be overwhelming. We have been talking about plans for a second Triple Care Farm style program but now we really would like to action this plan. We are really starting from scratch so we will need help with everything, from purchasing land to the construction of buildings. Once this is done, we will need to ensure we have sufficient funds to cover the ongoing costs to run the second farm and its programs.”

Typically, a student takes 3 months to complete the program at Triple Care Farm and has another 6 months of on-going support once they leave. This costs $25,000 per student and has an 80% success rate.

Our Goal
Our vision is to help more young people in crisis through another Triple Care Farm you can help with this dream through your support. We are aware it is ambitious – requiring significant funding. Once we have a property established, we will need a steady income stream to fund the programs. Currently, Triple Care Farm costs $2 million per year to run so it will be an enormous challenge to finance a second facility.

We know it is a significant commitment as the dream is so great but there are so many desperate young Australians that need our help. We would appreciate anything you can do to help us help young people make permanent changes to their lives.

Before CYI I was doing nothing really, I was in a depressed state and trying to work out how to make music properly at home on my own. It has given me the motivation to get up in the mornings and get out into the world again after so long. I’ve met a lot of friendly people and have also gained some social skills, I’ve been able to open up.

The win capped a remarkable journey for the Sydney Olympic medallist, who has lost 45kg after his weight ballooned to 138kg following the 2004 Athens Olympics.

The 31-year-old, now a muscular 93kg, rated the experience on par with competing at the Sydney Games in 2000.

"It's been a dream come true," Huegill said. Consistency in and out of the pool has been the key to Huegill's weight loss. Huegill lost 45kg over two years of training in the pool and cutting down on partying out of the pool.

A strict training regime and a disciplined approach to food and alcohol has allowed him to keep the weight off for over a year. Renowned as someone who loved to party, Huegill said he is now totally in control of his drinking during an interview with the ABC's Madonna King earlier this morning.

``I do occasionally have one beer when I am at dinner, but in terms of going out and living that party lifestyle, that is well and truly out of my system,'' he said.

A family history of heart disease and a desire to become healthier for his family's sake started Huegill down the track to returning to the pool in competitive swimming.

`'My father passed away from a heart attack in his mid 50s and I realised I wanted to have a family and be there for my family,'' he said. ``I had to start looking after my health.''

"To come back from the position I was in, it's something I definitely don't take for granted. It's been well and truly worth all the pain.

"... The emotions I feel today are well and truly on par with the way I felt 10 years ago when I stood behind the blocks at the Sydney Olympics."

Huegill rated himself at only 85-90 per cent fitness, and sent a clear warning to former South African world record holder Roland Schoeman about his intentions in India.

"23.44 is a pretty good world standard time at the moment, so my sights will definitely be coming away with a medal if not gold," he said.

"I'm happy to put that out there now. I love racing Roland and he's definitely going to be the man to beat, so it's going to be good to see how he goes now without his supersuit."

Source: The Daily Telegraph

Before CYI I was making my own stuff at home and did not mingle very much, but now at CYI I am around other young people and hoping to improve my socialising even more. I hope someone likes my art at the exhibition and purchases it, it would really boost my morale and make feel like a real artist. My family will definitely come to the exhibition… I cant wait to get onto my next work of art. CYI is awesome!!!

I am so thankful and grateful for having a counsellor here she is the best counsellor I have ever had without her constant support and non stop listening and I smile that always lights up my day. I feel so supported like the empty space inside of me has been filled from everything that she has done I cant thank her enough she is such a special person to me. I have never openly spoken about or written about having Autistic Spectrum Disorder in my life but I feel confident enough to share it with you now, because she has really helped me deal with it better and find the lighter side to it and to know that I am not on my own with it. If I could put her in my suitcase and take her with me when I leave I would but I’ll let her stay here to keep impacting on other young peoples lives in the awesome way she does the young people after me will be truly blessed to have her in their lives.

My plan I'm considering after this is to go to another rehab much like this one to prepare myself and to become more strong and confident for when I am out in everyday life. Coming from the girl who was so scared of everything and unhappy all the time, not being able to do anything or cope without a bottle of alcohol in my hand, never expressing myself, never doing chores, never getting up early or going to bed early…that has all been turned around now, I still have a lot to work on but already there has been huge changes. I have been alcohol and drug free for 9 weeks now I still can’t believe that I have been able to do that Triple Care Farm has made me realise that you can do anything if you put your mind to it.

I hope to one day work at a place like Triple Care Farm and help young people as much as I can, I hope to write a book one day of my life story and the part that all the staff and the young people have played on my life. I know my life will never be the same again it has been radically changed and I hope in the next 3 weeks I can get and do as much as can out of the program as well as encouraging my friends who still have some time to go to keep going because they wont regret it and they deserve to live their lives to the fullest. I’m excited about where my life is taking me now!

Yours sincerely,
A Changed Girl

Hi again for the last time, it feels pretty surreal already finishing the 3 months of the program it has just flown by. When I think back to the day that I first came here and the way I looked and acted it is so different to the way I am now I feel more confident and independent but I still have a lot to work on, being out in the big wide world without alcohol and drugs is going to be a huge challenge. Im not sure how ready I am for that just yet to be honest I am scared of leaving alcohol behind for good it’s like leaving a big bad best friend behind, but I think I can eventually live without it and make a real best friend not some liquid in a bottle.

When I think about it now it seems funny of much a sweet poison as like to call it took over my life I wasn’t able to function without it and it still seems hard now to, but it is getting easier. Im learning to accept that I can have fun and laugh without having to drink, it does feel weird to me though because I have been stuck for awhile in an unrealistic world that im now breaking out of.

I’m still having my ups and downs everyday and some days it feels so hard I just want to quit, but when I sit outside around my friends with the view in the background watching them laughing and talking and achieving the goals they set for themselves and just trying so hard to be the best they can be.

It helps me to keep going and not see that everyday is a big drag, it is still pretty hard for me to realize that and not take things for granted and to be satisfied that I can just be happy and that it’s not a bad thing that it is actually really good so that I don’t bring the others down either because I only want the best for them. When I leave next Tuesday to go to another long term rehab which I changed my mind so many times about to try and get out of it so I didn’t have to face it, because I know I am going to be scared and I know I will want to just run away and not face things but I am going to push through it as best as I can.

Sometimes I think I just want to go back to what I was doing but in my heart I really don’t want to because I never want to hurt my family or any of the relationships I have with the people in my life anymore, and I don’t want to hurt myself anymore either I want to be a better person. I want to show other young people how to live an alcohol and drug free life I just want to be a good example not a bad one anymore, I want to bring back the good person who has been hidden in the shadows for a long time.

I spoke to my Mum on the phone yesterday because I was having a bit of a hard time but when I heard my Mums voice my spirit just lifted she is such an amazing person and im so blessed to have her as my Mum she has been through and overcome so much in her life a lot of it from me but she has loved me just the same through everything and I admire her so much, I hope one day to give back to her everything I have taken every small step that I take to making a fulfilling life.

I’m not only doing it for myself. But for my Mum too and my family because I love them all so much no matter how much I don’t want to believe it or accept it I have to admit that in my heart I really do. I know one day we will all sit around together as one big happy family again and I can’t wait to be apart of that.

This is probably the most positive I have written in a long time and I couldn’t have done it without the time I have spent here at Triple Care Farm, every single staff member has made a huge impact in my life no matter what they do. I can’t begin to thank them enough for how much of themselves they have given to me straight from their selfless and gracious hearts. I will never forget any of them each and every one of the staff will have a place in my heart that I will cherish everyday, when im having a hard time I will remember the things that I have been told and taught and picture all the faces then I know I can get through it. The dark world that I was in is now full of bright light, thank you all so so much you are all a huge blessing. When I eventually write a book you will all be in it!

Love you all.

My life revolved around a spoon, a fit, water and a cotton tip. It mad me feel good about everything and forget about my troubled past. My addiction was out of control. I haven’t completed my schooling since Year 9 because of my addictions; I have no qualifications and am now with probation and parole for doing stupid things under the influence of drugs.

I came across Triple Care Farm through my boyfriend who had completed the program a couple of years ago. Triple Care Farm has everything to offer me that I could possible need. So far it has been hard being so far from home and my loved ones. I am happy with the progress I have made at Triple Care Farm. I have only been here for 5 weeks. It wasn’t easy making it this far but im working on completing the 12 week program.

I will admit I didn’t think I was ready to give my habit up but being here has made me realize all the negative things about what I was doing to myself and those people supporting me.

I lost everybody that cared about me, including my friends and family. I have a loving partner who I am committed to but I need to build my relationship with him and my family again.

My goals in life have changed so much while doing the program, I don’t want to be known as a drug addict anymore, that life is in my past now. I am working on getting a qualification while I’m at Triple Care Farm so I am able to get a job. I have learned a lot of new skills and worked on skills that I wasn’t good with.

I have been drug free for 5 weeks now. I plan on finishing this program and staying drug free for life. Thanks to all the staff at Triple Care Farm and the new friends I have made whilst being here, without them I wouldn’t be the person I am today.

I am really starting to settle in now I don’t feel like an outsider or alone anymore, I feel more and more encouraged everyday knowing that I have so much great support from the staff and the friends I have become closer to everyday. The time I have spent here has been so precious, I have never been so happy and you can’t take the smile off my face, it used to be a rare thing.

This has been the best decision and change I have ever made and I cant thank my mum enough for giving her all to help me, I believe God shone his light down on Triple Care Farm for me and the other’s who are sharing this journey with me. I know that all my friend’s lives will be transformed when they finish at the farm I’ll be so happy to see them achieving their goals and living the lives they were meant to live. Im starting to set goals which is something I have never really done, one of my goals I have recently set for the future is to be a counsellor to young people who are going through depression and suicide so I can help from my own experiences.

Triple Care Farm has really shown me how much others have gone through not just myself; I’m learning that it’s not all about me inside my little box. To jump out of it and to live life for what it really is just being my self it has really opened up my eyes. I have been alcohol and drug free for six weeks now and im not looking back, im going to stick it out for the 12 weeks and give my friends a hand to hold to finish it with me and I hope at the end we will all be together as different people who are going somewhere with so much to give and show who we really are. My friends here have taken off from the starting line and some are now in the middle of the race, so let’s keep running together and finish it!

Bless you all.

I am a long way from home; it was so hard watching my mum driving away knowing that I couldn’t be there with her it was a very emotional time for us both. But I believe that I am here for a reason my mum searched around for so many places but nothing stood out that much, until she came across triple care farm. When she told me what the farm had to offer it was everything that I was interested in, I had never been to Sydney before so it was a whole new place to get to know and an adventure.

The staff here have been amazing, even though on the second day I gave some of them a hard time, they still kept encouraging me and always smiling no matter what was going on. I have never met such generous and self sacrificing people who give so much of their time to help young people in need.

Its been a humbling experience realising how much I have taken peoples help for granted or not accepted it, all the beautiful young people here with me are all inspirational to me in many different ways I have made some good friends already and I appreciate the experience so much.

The counselling has been fantastic I has been a huge help for me in keeping me strong and motivated to stick it out for the 3 months. I have been drug and alcohol free for 4 weeks now and I have never felt better. I am looking forward to achieving my goals and starting a brand new life with the help of triple care farm.

POSTPONED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE

Challenging you to challenge yourself.

Here is your opportunity to sponsor Andrew Lock as he attempts to climb Mount Everest without oxygen! Australias highest achiever - Andrew is the first Australian to climb all 14 of the world's 8,000 metre mountains. Andrew plans to return to Mount Everest in the pre-monsoon season in April/May to complete his final climb. He will traverse from Tibet to Nepal oxygenless

An event not to be missed!

Watch two students start their journey at Triple Care Farm.

HMAS Success is 157.2 metres in length and weighs 18,000 tonnes when fully loaded. She is used as a naval supply ship for combat units at sea. She can supply food, fuel, ammunition and stores while alongside other ships or by air using her helicopter.

This event is being held on Wednesday, 21 October, with John Mangos as MC and The Admirals Own Jazz Ensemble.

Boarding and registration commence at 6.00pm with the evening concluding at 8.30pm.

Tickets are $160 and $130 is tax deductible.

All proceeds from this unique evening will go towards Sir David Martin Foundation ‘helping youth in crisis’.

Tickets are now available for this exclusive event. Simply phone Sir David Martin Foundation on 02 9219 2002 to reserve your ticket or book online NOW.

Writing from Mt Shishapangma (8027m), one of 14 mountains above the oxygen-starved heights above 8000 metres, Lock said he and two fellow climbers are keen to begin their three-day push to the summit.

“Our plan is to rest today (Saturday), Sunday and Monday and, weather depending, start the summit push on Tuesday.  We hope to summit on Friday,” emailed Lock from Advance Base Camp at 5600 metres.

The three have been on the mountain for two weeks, gradually trekking higher and higher, adjusting to the altitude. On Friday they returned to Advance Base Camp after reaching Camp Two at 6800 metres.

Lock admits he needs to rest before he heads back up the mountain.

“It’s been very hectic and all of us are pretty crook with flu and colds. We are all tired but acclimatisation is done and we are ready to have a go at the top.”

Forty-seven year old Lock, who works fulltime to pay for his expeditions, is one of the world’s foremost mountaineers. Aside from Mt Everest, he has completed all of the world's most famous climbs, including K2 - the second highest peak - and the deadly Annapurna, a mountain that claims the lives of one in two climbers who attempt it.

He is, arguably Australia's most accomplished high altitude mountaineer, will join an international list of elite climbers when he reaches the 14th and final 8000m-plus summit, Tibet's Mt Shishapangma. It will be Lock’s third attempt at the summit.

Forty-seven year old Lock, who lives in Canberra and works fulltime to pay for his expeditions, is one of the world’s foremost mountaineers. Aside from Mt Everest, he has completed all of the world's most famous climbs, including K2 - the second highest peak - and the deadly Annapurna, a mountain that claims the lives of one in two climbers who attempt it.

In March this year he travelled to the Himalayas determined to finish his 15 year campaign by standing atop Shishapangma but was unable to get the necessary permit to enter Tibet.

“I had already spent two weeks trekking and acclimatising in the Khumbu (Everest) region in Nepal and another two weeks preparing equipment and buying food for the expedition. It was disappointing to have to come home without even seeing the mountain but that is the nature of mountain climbing. There are so many variables – including administrative hiccups – that can send you home,” explained Lock.

His awakening to serious mountaineering came with a roadshow by well-known former mountaineer Tim McCartney-Snape in the back room of a pub in Wagga Wagga, NSW, where Lock was living and working as a country cop in 1985.

"I was already active in the outdoors but was looking for something more. As soon as I saw Tim's presentation I was inspired and knew I'd found my path. I moved back to Sydney, learned to rock climb, then went to New Zealand where I learned to climb alpine mountains. Since then I've been in the high mountains of the world every year of my life.

“It’s taken me into a different stratosphere of physical and mental effort. But it’s taken its toll. It’s not just the financial cost. I’ve made personal and professional sacrifices as well and so many of my friends were killed along the way, some in my arms.

“But now I’m on the cusp of completing the toughest mountaineering project there is and being the first Australian to achieve it. Climbing the '8000ers' has forced me to push well beyond any psychological or physical barriers,” said Lock.

Lock will leave Sydney on 6 September bound for Kathmandu and Nepal from where he will cross into Tibet and commence the trek to Shishapangma. He plans to summit Mt Shishapangma by mid October. If he succeeds this time, Lock will celebrate his achievement by returning to Nepal in March 2010 and attempting to summit Mt Everest - which he has conquered twice previously - but this time solo, without the aid of oxygen and via the dangerous north ridge. If successful, it could be the last expedition for the seasoned climber who doesn’t believe his luck will hold out.

“It may be time to hang up my ice axes after Everest,” said Lock. “I’ve survived where so many good climbers have died. I’ve been incredibly lucky but I can’t keep rolling the high altitude dice and survive.”

Billed as the Rugby Union wine dinner almost 200 people were treated to great food, fabulous wine and hilarous debate over who does it better - Australia or New Zealand. Then with a glass of red wine in hand, two former rivals - Jason Little (veteran Australian Wallaby Player) and David Kirk MBE (former All Blacks Captain) had a verbal stash. Wow! Did that give everyone a glimpse into what is said on the playing field!

The menu was created about executive chef Mark Taylor combining the best from both sides of the pond. Tasmanian Salmon for entree, New Zealand Lamb for main and finishing with Pavlova and an exquisite cheese platter. Each course was complimented with a amazing wines from both wineries. It was a fabulous night and the Foundation is very grateful to our many sponsors and Gary Daly and the team at Luna Park. It was a wonderful way to raise much needed funds for youth in crisis.

A Very Special Australia / New Zealand

Rugby Union Wine Dinner

Featuring food, wine and entertaining commentary

from Australia & New Zealand

Special Rugby Guests

David Kirk - Former All Black Captain (1983 - 1987)

Jason Little - Former Wallaby (1989 - 2003)

 Special Wine Guests

Virginia Willcock - Vasse Felix Winemaker

Clive Weston - Nautilus Estate General Manager

Paul Holmes à Court - Proprietor Vasse Felix Winery

 mc Stuart Gregor

cost $185 pp or $1850 per table of ten*

dress Business attire

rsvp Monday, 10th August 2009

Angela Simic - 02 9033 7537

asimic@lunaparksydney.com

To purchase tickets, please download the order form here. Tickets are NOT available for purchase online!

 Helping to raise funds for the Sir David Martin Foundation

*First three people to purchase a table will be chauffeured to and from the event in a Lexus!

*** Download the official invitation here

(unless sold out earlier)

"A man was walking along a deserted beach at sunset. As he walked he could see a young boy in the distance, as he drew nearer he noticed that the boy kept bending down, picking something up and throwing it into the water. Time and again he kept hurling things into the ocean.

As the man approached even closer, he was able to see that the boy was picking up starfish that had been washed up on the beach and, one at a time he was throwing them back into the water.

The man asked the boy what he was doing, the boy replied,"I am throwing these washed up starfish back into the ocean, or else they will die through lack of oxygen. "But", said the man, "You can't possibly save them all, there are thousands on this beach, and this must be happening on hundreds of beaches along the coast. You can't possibly make a difference." The boy smiled, bent down and picked up another starfish, and as he threw it back into the sea, he replied.

"I made a huge difference to that one!"

This analogy reminded me of the overwhelming need that we face from young people needing help. Understanding that we can't assist everyone but we making a huge difference to the ones that we can help.  

The beer was warm and held tightly under Dads arm, the Twisties were great, but the opportunity for young Harry Langrell to meet Robbie Deans & Jim Williams and chat to the players was a once in a life time opportunity. The young Manly lad goes to St Augustine’s and plays in their 2nd XV.

Not sure what advice he gave Robbie, we will have to wait until the big game and find out if it was useful.

Jim Williams is an Ambassador for Sir David Martin Foundation and he made sure that Harry and his Dad Peter sat in the ARU seats and had more than enough time to privately ask questions and offer some teenager advice.

TO RESERVE YOUR PLACE PLEASE CONTACT DONNA TUNBRIDGE ON

02 9219 2081 BY 7th August 2009.

This award is a fantastic acknowledgment of what Triple Care Farm does to support Australia’s Youth in Crisis to make positive, long-term changes in their lives. Sir David Martin would be incredibly proud of the achievement, as is Lady Martin.

We at Sir David Martin Foundation take this opportunity to thank all of you who generously support the work we do. Your ongoing support helps us to continue to support the community with this worthwhile cause. It is our vision that we will be able to help many more young Australians than we are able to currently with programs like Triple Care Farm.

The National Drug and Alcohol Awards is a collaborative effort of the Ted Noffs Foundation, the Alcohol and Other Drugs Council of Australia, the Australian Drug Foundation and the Australian National Council on Drugs.

I recently read a quote from George Eliot “What do we live for, if it is not to make life less difficult for each other?” and realised this is why I love my job so much.  I know that each and every day I am making someone’s live a little less difficult. In the last two weeks I have had the pleasure of seeing in action the profound impact that the Foundation has on young lives. I wanted to share with you two very different stories and places in their journeys. 

“Watching the Qantas Wallabies”

Thanks to our Ambassador Jim Williams (Assistant Coach of the Qantas Wallabies), The Foundation and students at Triple Care Farm were invited to be ‘exclusive observers’ at the Italy V’s Australia test match training run. The 9.30 training was prior to the naming of the team at 1pm. This is a privileged moment as Triple Care Farm students were all watching and listening to Australia’s planned attack for Saturday night.

The morning was bleak and the sleet was falling, but nothing would ruin this day for the students. They had saved their money for weeks to purchase jerseys and footballs for their favourite players to sign.

After the run Jim Williams, Lote Tuqiri, Phil Waugh, Timana Tahu, Stirling Mortlock and the rest of the team spent about an hour chatting with the young students. The players were genuinely interested in Triple Care Farm and the journey these young Australians have been on.

The day ended appropriately with a visit to the, National Museum to see the Pacific Islander exhibition. One of our Students, still clinging to his signed Australian Jersey said “This is the best day I have ever had in my life”.

Go the Wallabies!!!

A widely respected newscaster, John spent 14 years with National Nine News where he worked in the Federal Parliamentary press gallery and as the NSW state political correspondent before he became the network’s United States correspondent based in Los Angeles.

John returned from the United States at the request of the "King of Australian television", Graham Kennedy, to co-host the top rating nightly Coast to Coast news program. John went on to make documentaries for the Nine Network as well as hosting the Our World series on Sunday nights. At that time he was a guest host of Nine's Today show and the Midday show.

John lives in Sydney and runs his own media consultancy, Megisti Media, which was romantically named after the Greek island of his family's origin, Kastellorizo.

He is in demand as an after dinner speaker, Master of Ceremonies, seminar mediator and media trainer.

John is an official ambassador for the Sydney Swans Football Club and has an active interest in the club.

In his spare time, John loves to cook and has been teaching cooking classes at the Sydney Seafood School at the Sydney Fish Market for the past thirteen years.

We at the Foundation thank John for becoming an Ambassador and look forward with much ennthusiasm to his involvement and working with him over the next 12 months.

For more information on John please visit http://johnmangos.com/index.asp

Sir David Martin Foundation Ambassador, Andrew Lock is Australia's most accomplished high altitude mountaineer and widely recognised as one of Australia's most competent mountain climbing and remote area trekking guides. His expertise as an international expedition leader and logistician to destinations around the world is highly sought after.

Assistant Wallabies Coach and Sir David Martin Foundation Ambassador, Jim Williams, believes all high-profile athletes need to be aware they are role models in society. Jim Williams and Wallabies Coach, Robbie Deans, have educated the Wallabies to ensure they are aware of the consequences of negative actions. This comes after the alcohol-inspired incident of another NRL team recently. 

What an astonishing night!  Las Vegas and the Archibald combined! Rappers mixed with Ladies, models with sporting personalities and magic with getaway.

Artworks! Ball is the major fundraising event for Sir David Martin Foundation. Established in 2005, this event generally sells out well ahead of time. Attracting around 400 business and community leaders with an interest in Art and a desire to help youth in crisis. 

On average, four Australians under 25 die each week of alcohol related injuries.

70 young Australians are hospitalised weekly due to alcohol caused assault.

One in two people, aged 15-17, will do something they regret after getting drunk. Apart from violence, other risks from binge drinking include:

Drowning

Pedestrian and road accidents (death or severe injury)

Alcohol poisoning

Consequences such as impact on families and social embarrassment; loss of valuable items ie: phone or wallet; unprotected sex (greater danger of transmitted infection/unwanted pregnancy).

There has been much hard work from the team in pulling this all together and my thanks goes to all of them, as we now start the final stages of planning. Artworks Ball 2009 is shaping up to be our best ever Ball.

As tickets go on sale the excitement of this event is tangible. Come along I promise you will not be disappointed.

 Donna Lloyd (Tunbridge)

SCROLL DOWN TO SEE PHOTOS FROM THE DAY

Holly loved Life, Music and Art….
She was a happy and energetic young woman who inspired others with her friendship, sense of humour and enthusiasm. Her passion for live music events was legendary.

The counsellors couch will give me the opportunity and the privilege to share the stories of the young people I work with (anonymously of course) and through this medium I hope to encourage awareness (no matter how small), normalise experiences of others, but most of all be able to have this space to generally share information, chat, and debate with one another. 

The Sir David Martin Foundation Navy Charity Golf Day has been running since 2002 and raises much needed funds going directly to youth in crisis. In 2008 the Navy Golf Day will be better then ever.

• 18 Holes of Golf
• Pre Match breakfast and beverages
• Lunch and presentations 

There will be many golf prizes for the day, not just going to the winning team, but prizes for many different categories. The Charity Golf day is open to the general public and all Defence personnel. Once tee allocations are full, a reserve list will be created in received nomination order to fill any late withdrawals. A final tee allocation list will be posted 14 days prior to the event on the Naval Golf Association website. 

To participate, you will need to fill out the attached nomination form and forward to the Naval Golf Association.

So please join Lady Martin, the Navy Golf Association and Sir David Martin Foundation in this fun filled golf day!

For more information please download the Terms and Conditions here

For further information regarding the days activities contact Warrant Officer Mark Klopper via either email: mark.klopper@)defence.gov.au or ph:(02)9337 0896 during business hours. 

Jewels for Liberty in conjunction with Australian Pearl Divers would love to take this opportunity to host a 'Pearl Party' presenting a champagne viewing of exceptional saltwater and freshwater pearl jewellery ranging from Australian South Sea pearls from Broome Western Australia, Black Tahitian pearls from Tahiti and the Cook Islands, Akoya pearls from the sea around Japan, and pure pearls from lakes and rivers around the world.

Jewellery
The jewellery comes in stylish settings which includes rings, pendants, earrings, bracelets, strands and necklaces, designed in sterling silver, yellow gold and white gold. Jewellery is priced from $40 upwards.

Charity Funding
Jewels for Liberty in conjunction with Australian Pearl Divers specialise in holding pearl parties designed to raise funds for Sir David Martin Foundation, with a generous 30% of the total sales going to 'help youth in crisis'.

It costs $25,000 per student to go through the holistic care at Triple Care Farm. This is for their entire 12 week stay and the follow up after care that they receive. Compare this to what it costs Juvenile Justice system to keep the same individual for only 12 weeks is $46,000. This is with no follow up costs involved.  It is easily proven through numerous studies that have followed up young offenders who come out of incarceration. The tragedy is that over half of them have reoffended and are back in incarceration within twelve months.  The other half I think have just gotten better at not getting caught. The system is not rehabilitating them!

We have a program that is half the cost with much better outcomes. What I don’t understand as a taxpayer is I want my taxes to be used to solve problems. Some our biggest problems now are crime prevention, decreasing the overcrowding in hospitals, taking young people off unemployment benefits, building communities and families. We know how to fix them but it comes down to the might of the dollar and we need more funding!

Macquarie Group Collection is welcoming you to join Sir David Martin Foundation at a cocktail function along with a private viewing of their art collection. All funds raised at this exclusive one off event will go towards helping youth in crisis.

If you are interseted in art and helping youth in crisis then this unique event is not to be missed.

There will also be an opportunity to purchase your own investment art with renowned artisits donating pieces for the night, including Makinti Napanangka, Greg Wilson and Robyn Ross. This event will also include a heart felt story from a student at one of our programs. 

Click HERE to view the artists and their work that will be up for auction on the night...

Thank you to...

Our Patron, Her Excellency Professor Marie Bashir AC CVO Governor of NSW will be attending Triple Care Farm graduation ceremony this year. Also accompanying her will be Sir Nicholas Shehadie AC OBE. Sir Nicholas has a significant relationship with Sir David Martin Foundation as he was an inaugural Governor and stayed on our board for the first 5 years in our existence.

The attendance of Her Excellency and Sir Nicholas will make what is always a very memorable occasion for all attending. If you are thinking about attending please RSVP early, as it is possible this year we may need to limit our numbers.

For more information please click here to visit the events page.

Each night across Australia, thousands of teenagers and young adults bed down in youth refuges, inner city squats and various public places in our big cities. For many of these kids, homelessness begins the descent into alcohol and drug abuse, violence, involvement in serious crime and other behaviours damaging to their physical and mental health.

Shane Rochefort has been pondering this thought “how can I help kids on the streets in some way, what can I do?” His pondering has now turned into a wonderful idea “Suits for Sir David’s Students”.

Jim is one of the newly appointed ambassadors for Sir David Martin Foundation and we are very excited to have him onboard.

If you have not heard of comorbidity before you are not alone. Comorbidity simply means the co-occurrence of one or more diseases or disorders in an individual.

According to the Australian Government, Department of Ageing and Health, Resource Kit fir GP Trainers on Illicit Drug Issues, comorbid disorders are common, especially in specialist mental health and addiction services. Persons who have comorbid substance use and mental health disorders have poorer outcomes than those who have a single disorder. For example, the treatments of alcohol dependence and depression both tend to be less effective when conducted in the presence of the other disorder than when comorbidity is not present.

So how do you treat it?
Because Triple Care Farm is dealing with this complex issue every day, they were successful in securing funding from the Mental Health Coordinating Council to conduct a research project with Wollongong University. The research will focus on the outcomes for young people participating in the program who have a comorbid mental illness and drug/alcohol issues. This research will be used to help educate the wider public and service providers into better treatments and management  for young people with such complex issues.

The medical services continue to grow and develop! Approximately 8 students visit the GP clinic each Thursday where Dr. Stelter continues to volunteer his time. The use of his facility donated by Sir David Martin Foundation has seen medications adjusted for students on a weekly basis. Also, Dr Stelter has been able to make referrals to other specialists; x-ray clinics and scans which ultimately result in faster and more appropriate outcomes for the students.

A recent addition to the clinic has been the installation of a Medical Vaccine Refrigerator. Dr Stelter plans to keep vaccines such as those used for cervical cancer.

Phary tells “Many of the young people we see have been abused by their peers, but because of the lack of understanding of what constitutes ‘appropriate sexual behaviour’ they continue to suffer in silence. “We have also underestimated the existence of inter-generational sexual abuse within families. It’s quite common for the young people we help to have parents or grandparents who were abused themselves. “A major challenge for youth counsellors is the reporting of sexual abuse to the authorities. While it is necessary to make sure cases of sexual abuse are raised appropriately, it can also cause a loss of trust between the client and counsellor – particularly when a young person has confided in you in absolute secrecy – it can result in fear and ultimately denial.”

Phary illustrates her point by sharing (a current client) Judy’s story. Judy was only 15 when she was raped at a party she attended, at the time she was confused and frightened and did not report it. She finally did which was the bravest thing she had ever done in her whole life. For rape victims there is a real barrier in telling authorities. They are often afraid and feel like they were the ones to be interrogated not the offenders. They are questioned on what they were wearing, whether they had been drinking, et cetera.

Judy reported her assault and it was investigated. The hardest thing for Judy as she did not receive the support she had hoped to receive from her family. When she confided in her mother she was told to “get over it, at least you were raped by a stranger rather than someone you know” - a statement she did not know how to deal with. You see, her mother was sexually abused for some years by a family member and so was her grandmother. Both have lived with the abuse and never have notified authorities regarding it. They have never received counselling for it, and in a sense moved on from it as something that should never be spoken about. Generational sexual abuse is seldom discussed.

Judy began to deal with her torment, and her trauma the best way she knew how. She partied, explored drug use, drank alcohol and became sexually promiscuous. Her reason she described in her own words was she only took this direction because she was looking for love and acceptance from whom ever she could get it from. Naturally Phary's concern was high for her state of mind.

There were many mediation meetings with her mother and father. Through these meetings Judy was able to voice everything she feared to say to her parents and her parents were able to see the damage that was being done to their daughter by being so complacent about her assault. Her mother was also able to deal with her own emotional grief with her own abuse. Judy is always positive despite everything she has endured. She has the most fantastic attitude to life. She still has troubles that plague her, but still remains wise and thoughtful in her perspectives on life.

Phary's face lights up as she says "Speaking about Judy’s story always inspires me whenever I hit barriers. And I hit them often. It is not because people don’t care about rape, sexual assaults, generational sexual abuse, or even molestation. It is because people don’t want to believe that it is happening, or happening to them or even to someone they know. Some people may even feel helpless; friends or family who know it has happened but didn’t know what to do is common. Awareness of the topic is the most empowering, and it takes very little work. The responsibility is on all of us."

Sir David Martin Foundation has just joined three other Australian charities to become a recipient of the program, called Sharity or 'shares to charity'.

Through Sharity, Australian shareholders with a small number of shares and a desire to support the community can gift their shares directly to a charity of their choice, without having to pay brokerage fees or commissions. Sharity also works with Australian companies to facilitate corporate donation programs, with all gifts over $2 being fully tax deductible.

Formed in 2002 by Australian company Worthington Clark Pty Ltd, Sharity was instrumental in lobbying the Federal Government to facilitate changes to the tax laws in 2007. As a result, individuals can now claim a tax deduction for a gifted donation of shares of any value (minimum $2) in a publicly listed company.

For more information visit the Sharity page, click here

As CEO I wanted to officially welcome you to our new website, which I am delighted to finally  launch. I hope that we have ironed out all the bugs and you really enjoy the new site and the features it has to offer.

There have been numerous people who have contributed to the site including the small team here at Sir David Martin Foundation and the staff and students at the services. We designed this site with you in mind and hope that you will continue to drop back from time to time. If you find something that is not meeting your expectations or something on our site that does not work please help us by informing the team.

The event was the culmination of 6 months of renovations in the cabins, mess and TV room, the TV Room was officially named The Lady Martin Room on Friday August 1st.

"I am so surprised and quite overwhelmed to have such a lovely room named in my honour." Lady Martin said at the ceremony.

Commander Craig Powell granted this rare opportunity for specially invited VIP guests to a unique experience. Guests viewed this long-range escort frigate that undertakes roles including air defence, anti-submarine warfare, and surveillance.

Guests enjoyed wine, canapes, and a testimony from one of the Creative Youth Intiative Students before being treated to a spectacular Navy Sunset Ceremonial performance.

Thank you

Thank you to all those who attended and to Geoff Huegill who was our MC on the night. To our donors and sponsors who we would not be here without, thank you for helping us to raise almost $15,000 on the evening. A special thank you needs to go to HMAS Darwin and her crew.

HMAS Darwin Cocktail Party is a one off opportunity for the Sir David Martin Foundation in partnership with HMAS Darwin. This event was conceived as a way of enhancing the relationship between the Royal Australian Navy and reuniting the Foundation with its roots.

The tables have turned on me and I am learning that eventually karma comes back and bites. No matter how soon or subtle. I won’t go into detail but today has been difficult learning that I have the tendency to act and speak before I think about the consequences of my actions. That then can cause harm and hurt other people who I do consider my friends. I am learning in gradual steps though and being here is proving to me that I am going down the right path.

The staff here especially, are helpful in helping me find the techniques that I obviously lack in learning that my mouth can be a very powerful weapon of destruction. I can’t wait till I can go back to my house though this afternoon and have some me time which I am not used to having.

Tomorrow will be an exciting day for me as am going to become a big sister again as my mum is having another baby. Boy or girl, that’s the big surprise for me. My new brother or sister is a great motivation for me being here, as well as the fact that I want a new life change. I already have one brother and sister, both younger, thinking that there sister will not be there for them during all there magic life moments. I want them to be proud of me and being here is making that happen as I am the only one that can change that.

28.07.08 Male Student Triple Care Farm 

8 am wake up, I have been here two weeks now and only now am I getting used to the routine here at the farm. I didn’t want to get out of bed though because I could hear the rain on the roof. I did though. It has been a pretty relaxed day here to day because of the rain and our options are limited I suppose. This morning I rang up tafe and found out that I owe them $180 because of library books I didn’t return. Was quite upset with myself because my mum told me when I borrowed the books to make sure I returned them. She is always right HAHAHA. I guess that’s the reason I am here at the farm so I can tie up all the loose ends I have made and find a sense of direction.

There is such a wide diversity of students here and sometimes tension can get pretty thick because everyone is testing every one’s waters. Even me. My day has been pretty stress free though. Can’t guarantee that tomorrow will be because I’ve already caught on fairly quick that every day is different. Bad and good it’s the ones we learn from that make me go to sleep content at night.  Cant wait till day program finishes even though I’m enjoying myself. I will be able to go up and have a hot shower and relax all afternoon. Have dinner then watch some TV and go to bed to start the day awaiting me tomorrow.

The Sir David Martin Foundation asked the Navy for help and the HMAS Darwin came to the rescue. They sent 11 enthusiastic sailors down to Triple Care Farm at Knights Hill, just outside Robertson.

They were there to lend a hand, and on a hundred acre farm there is always something that needs repairing or maintaining.  The coldest day we have had in a long time did not stop them.

They undertook hard labour and were rebuilding fences, all in the brisk winter chill. The Manager of Triple Care Farm, Warren reflected, “the young people and the Navy had a productive day working along side each other. They were a great bunch of people and seemed to have a lot of fun.”