ISSUE NUMBER 2 2009 Support that Odyssey House In The Press has recently received from the Newsletter In The Press following donors is greatly Newsletter MacArthur appreciated. Chronicle, The Crivelli Family Foundation Tuesday Mr Alan Farrell March 24, Mr Gary Gerstle 2009 Mr Andrew Gray Mr Maurice Green Mr Chris Grubb Mr Michael Hawker Mr Stewart Hindmarsh Ms Sally Loane Ms Susie Lobb Mr Richard Longes Odyssey Recognition Mallesons Stephens Jaques Mr Paul McCullagh Mr Tony McInerney Mr James Millar Mr Gregory Minton Mr David Mortimer The Murphy Foundation Mr Daniel Musson Mr Jules Nickson Pole Mr Marcus O'Connor MacArthur Ms Audrey Page Sally Loane and Odyssey House resident Jaala Chronicle, Mr Luke Parker Tuesday Hon Peter Philips A.M. April 14, Piobaireachd Pty Ltd MacArthur 2009 Mr Ian Plater RUGBY DINNER Chronicle, Mr Justin Punch Tuesday Mr Robert Rich he Odyssey House Rugby with a dynamic and heart during those crucial moments of January 27, Mr Matt Williams Dinner was yet again warming performance which the series. 2009 Tanother fantastic evening included their rendition of the We wish to thank all in and a low key event on this year’s Rugby theme song ‘World in attendance on the evening who social calendar hosted by long time Union’. contributed to the phenomenal Odyssey supporter Sally Loane. The Odyssey House choir, which fundraising total of over The 300 guests were joined by is made up of residents and some $100,000 on the night. YES! I would like to help Odyssey House assist residents to live a drug free life. members of the 1999 Wallabies staff members, moved the We Thank You! Rugby World Cup team at the audience with a standing ovation Four Seasons Hotel to celebrate as they sang Hallelujah by Jeff Please find enclosed my donation of: (please circle) $50.00 $100.00 $500.00 or $________ the 10th Anniversary of their Buckley. Art Union Enclosed is my cheque / money order made payable to the Odyssey House McGrath Foundation or charge my credit card. win. Players included David The evening’s program was Giffin, Andrew Blades, Rod enhanced by a Rugby panel Wrap Up Visa Mastercard Amex Diners Club Kafer, Jason Little, Matt Bourke, hosted by Phil Kearns who he Odyssey House Richard Harry and winning reflected upon the Rugby World Card number: __ __ __ __ / __ __ __ __ / __ __ __ __ / __ __ __ __ Expiry Date:_____________________________________ coach Rod Macqueen. T30th Anniversary Art Cup series with Richard Harry, Union was drawn on Name on card:_______________________________________________ Title: (Dr/ Mr/ Mrs/ Ms/ Miss):_____________________ Opera group sensation ARYA, Matt Bourke, David Giffin, Monday 4 May. The made up of six of Australia’s most Jason Little and Rod Macqueen. lucky recipient of the Signature: ___________________________________________________ Email: _________________________________________ talented up and coming young The players and coach relived major prize ‘A trip for two opera singers entertained guests their memories and thoughts to San Francisco flying Address: _______________________________________________________________________________________________________ business class with Qantas, including five Telephone:__________________________________________________ Facsimile: _______________________________________ nights accommodation at I would like to pledge $________ per month to be deducted from my Credit Card until revoked in writing by me or Odyssey House. the Ritz Carlton’ was Mr R Rich. He was very DONATIONS OVER $2.00 ARE TAX DEDUCTIBLE. PO Box 459 pleased and surprised of For more information on Odyssey House, visit www.odysseyhouse.org.au Campbelltown NSW 2560 his fortunate win. Telephone: (02) 9820 9999 ~ Facsimile: (02) 9820 1796 We thank all of those Telephone: (02) 9820 9999 people who purchased Please return this coupon and your donation to: tickets which helped to Facsimile: (02) 9820 1796 raise over $20,000 for Odyssey House McGrath Foundation, PO Box 459, Campbelltown, NSW, 2560. Odyssey House. www.odysseyhouse.org.au Odyssey House Choir Visit Odyssey House at www.odysseyhouse.org.au ~ All donations over $2 are tax deductible A message from the A message from the Chairman A Road to RECOVERY Chief Executive Officer o demonstrate the real Twork of Odyssey House, this column features an Odyssey House resident’s story. Joseph came to Australia from China with his parents at age five. Cathy Doyle James A. Pitts He grew up in a traditional and average Australian family with hank you to the attendees and ome 2500 years ago the Greek Tdonors at our recent fundraising supportive parents, and at age ten Sphilosopher, Heraclitus opined event the Annual Rugby Dinner he was fortunate to have a new that the only constant was change! held March 20 at the Four Season’s baby brother added to his family. That same concept is very much in Hotel. vouge today at Odyssey House as we Justin and YAG’s group members Joseph and Ashley An above average student at embark upon a number of projects to In difficult economic times we improve our infrastructure while managed to raise over $100,000 on school, Joseph excelled in most of the night due to the generosity of enhancing the amenity of the Odyssey guests and friends - thank his subjects with aspirations at the environment. you indeed! This is a wonderful time of becoming a lawyer - this We have been fortunate to receive much needed funding through the effort and the monies will be used Young Adults Group was not meant to be. to continue to provide the services, Federal Government’s “Building facilities and resources to ensure the Growing up as a teenager in Education Revolution National continued effectiveness of the he Odyssey House ‘Young YAG’s group. Justin said “Hopefully this group Schools Pride program”. Our Odyssey programs. Cabramatta Joseph was faced with educational unit, the Progressive Adults Group’ (YAG’s) is a “My main objective is to support will assist the youth of the Learning Centre will be the It was such a fantastic event - for T many negative influences from his group of young people aged 18-25 program to form life long beneficiary of $75,000 earmarked to those of you who weren’t able to the young adults in their journey surrounding ‘friends’, at the time replace older equipment and to attend there were great rugby who are currently undergoing to recovery, and to build strong relationships with their peers”. these people were selling and using establish a new Outdoor Learning memories shared as we rehabilitation. foundations of knowledge and drugs - mainly heroin. Centre at our Assessment and remembered the incredible 1999 As the needs of our residents Referral Centre. World Cup effort - amongst a lot of The group is specifically designed promote positive alternatives to humour! We had ARYA perform, grow, so do the needs of Odyssey By the time Joseph was 14 he At the Assessment and Referral along with our own Odyssey Choir, to cater for the younger people in drug use” said Justin. decided to smoke heroin to see Centre renovation work began the House. We were fortunate to first week in May. The project to and a graduate of the Odyssey our residential program to what it was like. Eventually the Parent’s and Children’s program “Many young people turn to renovate the kitchen and dormitory encourage young adults to receive funding from the Vincent addiction and cravings grew until areas has taken 2 years to come to demonstrated to us all why drugs as an outlet or to have fruition! This was due mainly to the Odyssey needs to exist and how it actively participate in social events Fairfax Family Foundation which he was out of control. heritage status of the site which is helps people gain confidence in ‘supposed’ fun. Through positive and learn to interact positively subsidises Justin’s salary. However, “I started hanging around the known as Robin Hood Farm. It was themselves as they beat their peer interaction, social and one of the first land grants awarded demons. All of this amongst great without the use of drugs or sporting activities, I simply wish the YAG’s program needs the help wrong people, mainly gangs. By to the area in 1838! The renovations food, wine and company…. My alcohol. the time I was 16, I was in juvenile will afford new electrical systems to personal thanks to the amazing to show members of the group, of the community to develop the detention and then jail for various the dormitory area and an upgrade of organising committee of the event - There are a number of important alternatives to having fun and right tools and equipment to the heating/cooling system. The it was a wonderful team effort - and criminal offences and selling of aspects of the YAG’s group such as living a healthier lifestyle” Justin kitchen and dining room will receive I really appreciate you all. really assist the youth in the drugs to support my habit” said a re-fit of all new appliances, repairs learning to have fun and build continued to say. to the floor and ceiling areas and new The Board held its April Board program. Joseph. meeting at the facility in Eagle Vale positive relationships through furnishings. We are thankful for the where we heard directly about Almost half of the clients entering When Joseph was 22 and on support of the Federal Attorney- interacting with people in the If you would like to become a Joseph is now in the final stage of and would also like to work in General’s funding through the another great program at Odyssey - Odyssey House are young people parole, he failed two ‘clean drug’ the Young Adults program. We all same age group. sponsor of the ‘YAG’s’ program or the program, he has built a good personal training - to help others to “Proceeds of Crime Act” as well as aged 18 – 25.