D/MoN
8 Nov 2005, 16:24
Good to see young footballers giving of their time and resources...
Saints pair shine the light for Indigenous youth
By JIRRA LULLA HARVEY
Tuesday, November 8, 2005
ST KILDA footballers Xavier Clarke and Allan Murray are on a mission – a mission that with collaboration, determination and some very good networking is proving rather successful.
"When I first joined the St Kilda Football Club I was looking to do something in the community for Indigenous kids," said Murray.
It was this vision that led him and his team-mate Clarke to The Lighthouse Foundation, a non-profit organisation that takes a holistic approach to caring for youth at risk.
"Instead of us starting from scratch, we decided to join in," Murray said.
And now, just two-and-a-half years later, building is set to start on the first Indigenous Lighthouse, which will be named after Aboriginal boxing hero Lionel Rose.
Much like the other Lighthouses throughout Victoria, this building will become home to six young people who would otherwise be on the streets. They will live in a family environment with two carers, and, unlike transitional housing, there are no time limits.
Lighthouse committee member Peter King said that while the development of independence would be encouraged, the Indigenous Lighthouse was about feeling safe and forming supportive bonds.
"Once these young people (in the house) are part of that family, they always will be," King said.
Without the assistance of Government funding, the Indigenous Lighthouse committee has raised $280,000, bought a block of land in the Melbourne suburb of Chelsea and has worked closely with Sean Godsell Architects to create a design that is unique.
Along with community consultation, this process has incorporated culturally-specific building guidelines written by the Aboriginal Housing Board of Victoria. The building has the capacity for family to visit, with private outside areas adjoining each bedroom. Out the back is a large open fire, a gathering place for visiting community members, Elders – and maybe even some high-profile Aboriginal footy players.
"Allan and Xavier are not just putting their names to it, they have been doing a lot of work," King said.
So how has all this been possible?
Only through fund-raising events like the upcoming Indigenous Lighthouse Night of Fun and Surprises.
The survival of the Lighthouse depends on $100,000 annually to cover food, carers’ pay and so on. So it is hoped that this night, planned for early next year, will be the first of many, with dinner, entertainment and an auction of sporting items donated by Indigenous athletes.
Source: Aboriginal Football (November 2005) (http://www.aboriginalfootball.com.au/nov05.html)
Saints pair shine the light for Indigenous youth
By JIRRA LULLA HARVEY
Tuesday, November 8, 2005
ST KILDA footballers Xavier Clarke and Allan Murray are on a mission – a mission that with collaboration, determination and some very good networking is proving rather successful.
"When I first joined the St Kilda Football Club I was looking to do something in the community for Indigenous kids," said Murray.
It was this vision that led him and his team-mate Clarke to The Lighthouse Foundation, a non-profit organisation that takes a holistic approach to caring for youth at risk.
"Instead of us starting from scratch, we decided to join in," Murray said.
And now, just two-and-a-half years later, building is set to start on the first Indigenous Lighthouse, which will be named after Aboriginal boxing hero Lionel Rose.
Much like the other Lighthouses throughout Victoria, this building will become home to six young people who would otherwise be on the streets. They will live in a family environment with two carers, and, unlike transitional housing, there are no time limits.
Lighthouse committee member Peter King said that while the development of independence would be encouraged, the Indigenous Lighthouse was about feeling safe and forming supportive bonds.
"Once these young people (in the house) are part of that family, they always will be," King said.
Without the assistance of Government funding, the Indigenous Lighthouse committee has raised $280,000, bought a block of land in the Melbourne suburb of Chelsea and has worked closely with Sean Godsell Architects to create a design that is unique.
Along with community consultation, this process has incorporated culturally-specific building guidelines written by the Aboriginal Housing Board of Victoria. The building has the capacity for family to visit, with private outside areas adjoining each bedroom. Out the back is a large open fire, a gathering place for visiting community members, Elders – and maybe even some high-profile Aboriginal footy players.
"Allan and Xavier are not just putting their names to it, they have been doing a lot of work," King said.
So how has all this been possible?
Only through fund-raising events like the upcoming Indigenous Lighthouse Night of Fun and Surprises.
The survival of the Lighthouse depends on $100,000 annually to cover food, carers’ pay and so on. So it is hoped that this night, planned for early next year, will be the first of many, with dinner, entertainment and an auction of sporting items donated by Indigenous athletes.
Source: Aboriginal Football (November 2005) (http://www.aboriginalfootball.com.au/nov05.html)