Media Release 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tony and Margie Abbott lend their support to Prahran Mission

 

Today the Leader of the Opposition, the Hon. Tony Abbott MP, and his wife Margie joined Federal Member for Higgins, Kelly O’Dwyer MP, and her husband Jon at the Mission Café to discuss the innovative ways that Prahran Mission is helping people who have experienced long term unemployment and are living with a mental illness or homelessness back into training and employment.

 

The Mission Café, Mission Catering and Mission Shop are three of the very successful social enterprises that have been established by the Prahran Mission in partnership with their corporate supporters.  All three create pathways back into training and employment for people who have experienced long term unemployment and are living with a mental illness and/or homelessness.

 

Tony and Kelly had breakfast with a number of people who have been part of the program and are now employed.  

 

Around 20% of Australians suffer mental illness at some point in their life and almost all Australians are affected, either directly or indirectly, by mental illness in some capacity. Those suffering from mental illness experience significant life difficulties with around 80% of those diagnosed being unemployed.

 

“The Prahran Mission, through its social enterprises, provides opportunities for those in society who most need a helping hand. I would like to thank Tony and his wife for their support of this model”, Ms. O’Dwyer MP said.

 

“There is an old proverb that if you give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime. I am a firm believer in giving people the support, skills, opportunity and confidence to live the best life that they can live.”

 

Mental illness is not well understood.  Kelly will be holding a Community Forum on Mental Health with Beyond Blue Chairman Jeff Kennett AC on Tuesday 18^th October at the Grattan Gardens Community Centre in Prahran from 7:30pm-8:30pm. Please contact Kelly’s office on 98224422 for further details.

 

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