March 2011

March 6

Real Estate Agent Leighton Walters talks about becoming frustrated with the amount of food and furniture he noticed got thrown into landfill every time his clients moved house and decided to do something about it.

After months in the making, ‘Heart for the Homeless’ was launched corporately in March this year, a fresh initiative calling on the Real Estate Industry to stand in the gap to support major charities in Sydney.

Have you ever wanted to make a difference but sometimes feel you don’t have the talent or the time?

At just 23, Leighton Walters shares his journey of how God led him to go the extra mile to make a difference in his ‘Sphere of Influence’.

Founder and director of the
Melbourne Gospel choir, Roma
sings “See Your Glory”.

From the age of three, it was evident Roma Waterman was destined to live her life with a passion for music and the arts.

With five albums, two books and many years of touring the globe under her belt, it's hard to imagine Roma’s humble beginnings within a struggling immigrant family.

Trenton tells his story of the night
his life changed forever.

At Wesley Mission we have many success stories. Before going through rehabilitation at Wesley Mission, Trenton was an alcoholic – living homeless.

March 13

After overcoming years of crippling pain an intense encounter with God helped to lift her from excruciating physical pain and immobility to the pinnacle of body-building success.

Kathryn talks with Rev. Garner about her book “Destined for Victory” her Miss Sculpture Universe win and how her climb to the top was never been about a quest for the body beautiful but the victory in finding an intimate relationship with God.

What do you think of when you hear the word “Blindsided”?

For Kathryn Avramakis a drive in the northern suburbs of Melbourne on a rainy afternoon changed her life forever.

BAM!...In seconds Kathryn was in excruciating agony. Her spine, broken.

Leigh says his burning desire is to write songs that encourage, inspire and uplift the spirit.

Leigh singing “Life’s Too Short” with the Rise & Shine band.

Adelaide singer/songwriter Leigh Cunningham has been captivating audiences with his unique brand of acoustic rock since 1993.

His band has just released a new album “Don’t Look Back.”

A Personal Development Plan helps each employee select appropriate work activities and reach set goals.

From Contract Packaging to Gardening Services our employees receive training on a variety of work activities to develop their fullest potential.

Here at Wesley Mission we also have some inspirational people.

Through our work at Wesley Disability Enterprise, people living with a disability are supported to find personal value and self esteem through full time employment.

March 20

Monique talks about her very painful and very long roller coaster ride between horrific memories and the familiar defence mechanisms which bolted the door between ‘truth’ and the instinct to ‘forget and survive’.

Keith speaks with Monique Lisbon about shame and how she made it through and transformed her pain into a powerful, healing, full time ministry.

We continue with our third interview in our series on shame.

Abused by a trusted caregiver from age three, Monique Lisbon describes “Shame” in her book as a “lifelong invisible companion”.

At the age of 21 while viewing the Hollywood blockbuster “Dead Poets Society” the true reality of her abuse began to surface.

The haunting familiar parallels between the leading actor to that of her controlling father struck her sub-conscious to the core.

Levi McGrath singing one of his own compilations called “Reunion Song”.

Levi with the Rise & Shine band before setting off on his next national tour.

From working with former child soldiers in Uganda, to social work on the streets of Melbourne. Singer Songwriter Levi McGrath is passionate about using his music to change the world for the better.

Carissa is walking tall with the support of Wesley Mission

Carissa Neal, Wesley Mission client

At Wesley Mission we try to help people through some of the darkest periods of their lives and every day I come across so many stories that inspire me.

Today we focus on one very inspirational girl.

March 27

Bronwen Healy talks about her former life of shame of using drugs and ‘doing tricks’ on the streets.

Keith speaks with Browen about her transition from to a happy mother of three, who runs the HOPE Foundation a charity designed to bring liberty to women wanting a life change from addiction and the sex industry through consistent Christ-centred connection and care.

Over the last 3 weeks we’ve talked about shame… In our final show on the topic, we talk to someone who spiralled into the horrors of prostitution and drug addition.

From a relatively normal childhood in suburban Melbourne in the 1980’s, Bronwen Healy’s path of destruction began with what was claimed to be one ‘innocent joint’ to celebrate her completion of high school.

What followed was the beginning of a life of shame of using and ‘doing tricks’ on the streets.