Opening The Doors Foundation

Keeping Koorie Kids in an Education
of their Choice

434 St Georges Rd
PO Box 1088
Thornbury 3074
Ph 03 9443 9070
Fax 03 9443 9080

Foundation Success Story

Telstra Project Report

WELCOME TO OPENING THE DOORS FOUNDATION WEBSITE

Saturday, October 11, 2008 09:56 AM

Important Information for Prospective Applicants.
Confirmation of Aboriginality Form
Applications for 2008 now closed.

Back to Our Paperbark

Set in the stunning surrounds of Melbourne Museum, the night will host: a delicious 4 course meal, an auction of Aboriginal Art, great live entertainment by Aboriginal musicians, the launch of a new DVD showcasing the Foundation’s work, and the chance to rub shoulders with mystery guests.

Be part of this exciting fundraising event to enable us to continue our work in opening up education and leadership opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in Victoria. Come along and show your commitment towards reconciliation in this historic year.

Purchase a table of 10 for $1,500 (incl GST) which can include 8 tickets for your use and 2 tickets for Aboriginal Community Members or 10 tickets solely for your use. You can also choose to purchase individual tickets for $150 (incl GST).

Venue: Melbourne Museum, 11 Nicholson Street Carlton
Date: Friday 5 September 2008 Time: 7pm – 12am
Cost: $150 (incl GST)

Please contact Felicity Oxnam or Lilian Hobson for enquiries
t: 03 9443 9070 or
e: otdfgaladinner@optusnet.com.au
RSVP By 22 August 2008

It was with great sadness that we learned of the passing of our dear Patron, Emeritus Archbishop Sir Frank Little on 8th April 2008.

Archbishop Little was a supporter of the Foundation from the very beginning and he will be sadly missed.

An Indigenous Education Foundation established to:

empower and support Indigenous Families to make choices in educational opportunities for their children;
help "open the doors" of independent educational institutions in Victoria for Indigenous students;
be a model of self-empowerment and self-determination by creating an organisation that responds directly to the needs of its own community.

National Statistics recorded in the Human Rights & Equal Opportunities Commission, Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Social Justice section, paint a picture of continuing severe disadvantage for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Australia especially in the areas of health, employment, child care, housing and education. The Victorian Government Indigenous Affairs Report 2002 - 2004 documents that same disadvantage. In the area of post compulsory (15-19 years) education only 64% of Indigenous students participate as opposed to 87.6% of non-Indigenous students; 35% less indigenous children parJuly 22, 2008

According to this report, 38.8% of the Victorian Indigenous population is under the age of 15 years with 57% under the age of 25 years as opposed to the non-indigenous population where only 20.3% are under the age of 15 and 34.1% under the age of 25.

These statistics are inherent in the emerging understanding of the need for positive and successful educational opportunities for young Indigenous Victorians. The Doors need to be opened and we need to encourage young Indigenous students through them. We need to travel the journey with them from Prep to Year 12, encouraging, supporting and ensuring that they have access to all the "extras" - uniforms, books, camps, leadership experiences, music etc. that ensures a feeling of belonging and of fully participating in experiences without financial disadvantage.

The Opening the Doors Foundation is responding to long-term and constant requests from the Indigenous community in Victoria for support and encouragement to achieve educational success, to encourage aspirations and to dream future possibilities.

In the words of a parent of one successful applicant:

"This young man has a dream - thank you for your part in helping him make it come true..."

It is a privilege to be part of such work!

AND SO, PLEASE ...

Enter our web site, browse, learn about us ... make contact with us ... support us ... spread the word ... You are welcome!

Carol Messer
Development Officer - June 2001 - 2005

VISION STATEMENT

The Opening the Doors Foundation addresses the severe educational disadvantage still being experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families, by providing assistance so that they are able to choose and successfully maintain a positive education environment for their children

FRIENDS OF THE FOUNDATION

Special request for help to the Friends of the Foundation

Firstly, thank you if you have supported the work of OPENING THE DOORS FOUNDATION in the past. I hope that if you have been placed on our mailing list, you have been receiving regular up-dates on the work of the Foundation.

Some Foundation supporters have become 'Friends of the Foundation' and receive invitations to participate in events and the opportunity to volunteer their services at particular times.

We would like to ask you to consider being a 'Friend of the Foundation' for at least one upcoming event where your skills and participation would be extremely valuable.

One of the major fund raising events conducted by the Foundation is a dinner for about 500 people which will be held in August 2008. At present there is only a tiny working party concerned with managing this huge undertaking.

We are urgently seeking help in a wide range of areas. No-one will be asked to take on more than they are willing to do and have the time and freedom from other commitments to reasonably manage. We are working on the principle that lots of people doing little bits will get a great job done.

The present members of the Foundation Support Sub-committee will happily work with you and they will take responsibility for the co-ordination.

Will you please contact us if you have a bit of time to spare and can do any of the following:

Use a telephone or send emails, write letters, have a network of people who might be included on a possible sponsor list, seek support from sponsors, have good ideas for making such an evening special, the energy to work with others to make it happen, suggestions and contacts for entertainment possibilities, advertising skills, ideas for the promotion of the event and the Foundation in general etc, etc, etc, etc.

Someone is available on Monday or Thursday to take your calls, or you might like to drop us a line or email.

Anyone who has ever been involved in a major event knows that the list of jobs seems endless. Your help is a very practical way in which you might be able to help the Foundation and would be greatly appreciated by the Support sub-committee and the Aboriginal families supported by the Foundation.

IN ADDITION: If anyone has the time and interest in nominating for membership on the sub-committee, we can guarantee a very warm reception and lots of good humour and appreciation.

The committee meets only once a month
Monday at 3.00pm
at Aboriginal Catholic Ministry
434 St Georges Road ,Thornbury
meetings last about 2 hours

We are hoping for an overwhelming response.

Given how very busy people are today, that may be a bit optimistic, but please remember that every little bit helps and everyone has skills to contribute.

Thanking you in anticipation,

Kathy Johnston
Development Officer