100 ways to care for our community

TACKLING EATING DISORDERS

At the Wesley Eating Disorders Centre, the most experienced clinical team in the country runs an intensive therapy course for bulimia nervosa sufferers.
EQUIPING TEENAGERS WITH MENTORS

Both adult mentors and their young charges gain life skills and confidence from the EQUIP Youth Mentoring Program run by Wesley Dalmar Family and Youth Services.
GIVING PARENTS BREATHING ROOM

Wesley Dalmar’s ExtraHands initiative is unique. Families in crisis are given help by someone who can look after the kids and offer time and space to parents under pressure.
INDEPENDENT TO THE END

At Alan Walker Retirement Village, Carlingford residents enjoy supported living benefits that provide them with services while allowing them to maintain a desired level of independence.
SADDLING UP WITH DARREN BEADMAN

Champion jockey Darren Beadman lifted the spirits– and riding talent — of vulnerable campers at Vision Valley, supporting Operation Hope’s central message “you are an important person”.
WORKING WITH ROTARY

The Rotary Club of Sutherland recognised the tireless efforts of administrator Glenda Lewis and clinical worker Faye Hulston from Wesley Mission’s Frank Vickery Village by giving them an Award for Excellence in the Workplace.
WORKING OUT WITH WATER

People with disabilitiesvisit the Sydney Aquatic Centre for speciallydesigned Aqua Fitness classes organised by WesleyDisability Support Services.
BUILDING HOPE WITH HOUSES

One of Wesley’s most innovative and rewarding ventures is Homes for Hope. Over 80 corporate sponsors have donated materials and labour to raise money for Wesley Mission services.
GIVING SENIORS IT SKILLS

Computer skills are just one of the volunteer-led courses offered by the vibrant, innovative and growing Wesley School for Seniors at North Wyong, Central Coast.
PROVIDING REFUGE FOR REFUGEES

Arriving in Australia after suffering terrifying trauma, refugees need the practical help of Wesley Mission’s Short Term Units to enable them to establish a new life.
HOSTING EARLY CHILDHOOD EXPO

Hosting the Early Childhood Expo this year, Wesley Dalmar’s Riverstone Area Family Centre promoted their local services; the resource centre, toy library and arange of parent activities.
PLAYING SANTA AT TARGET

Since 1992, Australians have left nearly a million gifts under the UnitingCare SHARE Christmas tree at Target stores. Thousands have gone to disadvantaged children and youth through Wesley Dalmar.
BURNING INTERACTIVE DVDS

Wesley Disability Support Services released a DVD and multi-lingual resource kit explaining the services that are available to support people with disabilities.
CARING FOR THE CARERS

Foster Carers need to provide security, structure, friendship and care. Wesley Dalmar backs them up with training, counselling and regular visits.
WORKING WITH WAR VETERANS

Mental trauma is the unseen consequence of war. Wesley Veterans Health Services helps people with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder put the horrors of the past behind them.
LENDING YOUTH A FRESH EAR

Simply by taking time to listen to the concerns of at-risk youth in Newcastle and the Hunter region, Newcastle City Mission’s StreetSmart is able to defuse potential trouble.
PROTECTING YOUTH IN MT DRUITT

Wesley Dalmar has the responsibility of monitoring local support networks for young people in Mount Druitt, detecting gaps in services through the Mount Druitt Integrated Youth Service.
INITIATING THE 12-STEP PROGRAM

When you’re addicted to drugs or alcohol it’s essential to regain control of your life. Wesley Rehabilitation Service uses a 12-step program to help addicts recover.
SHOWCASING MUSICAL TALENT

With guidance from industry professionals, a pre-tertiary program at Wesley Institute’s Young Performers Academy teaches students aged 2–17to develop abilities in music and dance.
EDUCATING THOUSANDS TO PREVENT SUICIDE

LifeForce is helping the community arrest Australia’s high suicide rate by conducting seminars and workshops to raise awareness and equip people with the skills to recognise the onset of depression and respond to those in need. More than 14,000 have been trained by LifeForce so far and the importance of its role has been recognised by a $600,000 grant announced by Prime Minister, John Howard. The Superintendent of Wesley Mission,the Rev. Dr. Gordon Moyes, has challenged corporations to match Commonwealth funding so that programs can be expanded.
LEADING WITH EXTRAORDINARY VISION

Wesley Mission has been blessed by long-serving and visionary leadership. During the past 27 years the Rev. the Hon. Dr. Gordon Moyes has developed Wesley Mission from a parish with a budget of a few million dollars to a dynamic mission comprising over 4,000 staff and more than 3,300 volunteers working with a $150 million annual budget. It has been an extraordinary ministry from a gifted and extraordinary man.

Gordon Moyes has reached tens of millions of people with the Gospel message through television, the internet, video, and radio. At the same time, Mission programs have expanded to be the most comprehensive provided by any church in Australia.

In an age when the mainstream churches struggle to appeal to young people and to multicultural Australia, a Wesley Mission parishioner is likely to be aged 34 and come from one of 40 nationalities and ethnic groups. No other Uniting Church parish has achieved such a profile.

Dr Moyes’ passion to bring a Christian voice to public life and debate has gained him the respect of prime ministers, premiers and ministers, who regularly consult him on policy and ideas. In 2002 he was appointed a Companion of The Order of Australia, Australia’s highest national honour in recognition of his contribution to the community and church.

The Superintendent has led by example in living out his vision: “The church must serve the needs of others. A full understanding of the church includes the spoken Word, the preaching and teaching of the incarnation, death and resurrection of Jesus, the encounter with Jesus Christ, and the expression of Christian faith in the loving service to all people without distinction. Wesley Mission has shown the way in keeping its heritage.”
SHARING FINANCIAL EXPERTISE

Individuals and families who find money issues spiralling out of control can get advice and counselling from Wesley Mission’s Credit Line to help restore their independence.
EMPLOYING THE CORPORATES

427 staff from ten of Australia’s top corporations provided 3,245 volunteer hours of labour helping the aged, maintaining disabled-use homes and building facilities at recreation centres.
ACTING FOR DROUGHT RELIEF

Actress Paula Duncan helped Wesley Mission raise tens of thousands of dollars for drought-stricken families with a celebrity car rally through rural and regional NSW.
INNOVATING IN CHURCH

‘Fusion’, a contemporary church service created by high-schoolers from the DIGJC Wesley Mission youth group, brings the Bible to life in new ways with music, discussions and games.