David Green. BA Dip. Soc. Stud,
MA(Hons), PSM.
Lecturer, School of Social Work & Social Policy,
La Trobe University
A good childhood is most of all founded on relationships
and trust. When relationships are broken and trust is lost
the consequences are hard to mend but that is what Berry
Street does. Despite all the benefits our modern age brings
there are many children who are growing up without trust or
hope. Those of you who work day by day to rebuild trusting
relationships for and with these children have our utmost
respect. We know it can be testing, wearing and sometimes
heartbreaking. But your work is the centre and the heart of
Berry Street.
Steve Harris.
Communications and Sport Strategist.
The oxygen of hope is what sustains us all, and providing the
hope of refuge, restoration and rehabilitation is very much
part of the Berry Street Board DNA. Whether our focus is
on government policy, client needs, finances, marketing,
fundraising or staff wellbeing, it all hooks into doing all we
can to keep pumping that oxygen of hope for staff, clients
and supporters.
Kate Jenkins. BA(Hons), LL.B(Hons).
Partner, Employee Relations, Freehills.
My waters broke on Black Saturday this year and our baby
Milly was born the next day, just when so many other lives
had ended or changed forever. Those events have reminded
me how important it is that we help the next generation
rebuild from the trauma of the past. I am proud that Berry
Street can offer its experience in helping children and young
people survive trauma and to help families impacted by the
fires rebuild their lives.
Peter Koren. B.Bus, AANA.
Managing Director, HBT Agency.
My thoughts regarding restoration of hope and rebuilding
of lives are all captured in Berry Street’s mantra that “ We
never give up”. The entire organisation is built around the
belief that every child deserves a future and it is this belief
and the positive attitude of the staff that ensures that there
is always hope no matter how bad things seem. The Board
has the important role of supporting the management of
Berry Street by ensuring they have the necessary resources
to allow the rebuilding to occur after hope is restored.
Paul Wappett. B.Comm, LL.B, MBA.
Executive Director, International Development,
CPA Australia Ltd.
Much has been made of the Global Financial Crisis and
what it is doing to destroy the confidence of individuals and
families who have only known good times. Well, at Berry
Street, we see children who have NEVER known those good
times and who need to devote all of their energy to protecting
themselves from the environment in which they live. It’s
through the dedication, the persistence and the empathy of
our people that many of our kids look forward to a future that
they might not have otherwise been able to imagine. And I’m
not sure whether there’s a more beautiful sight in the world
than the look of hope in the eyes of children.
Brian Watson. B.Comm. Chair, Investment
& Finance Committee.
Executive Chairman, Georgica Associates Pty Ltd.
It is so unfortunate that we even have to consider rebuilding
the lives and restoring the hope of children in a country like
Australia, but the fact is that this need exists and is more
widespread than most people understand. Berry Street
and its staff are dedicated to this task, are expert at it, and
never give up in their pursuit of the best outcome for these
children. I am proud to be associated with an organisation
with these values.
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