Supporters, Youth Ambassadors, staff and friends of ReachOut.com by Inspire Foundation came together for two special events at Sydney’s Australian National Maritime Museum on Friday, 21 March to mark the 16th Anniversary of ReachOut.com.
Celebrations began at 5pm with a Chair’s Reception to thank our valued supporters, and to honour the significant, long-term involvement of our Patron-in-Chief, Her Excellency Professor the Honourable Marie Bashir AC CVO, Governor of New South Wales.
Her Excellency’s support of ReachOut.com began in August 1997 – long before becoming Governor – taking calls from young people around Australia as part of the ‘Triple J Reach Out! Real Appeal’, to help raise funds to get ReachOut.com off the ground.
The Governor inspired guests with her personal stories and insights on young people, drawing on her many years of experience as a practicing psychiatrist, mental health advocate and as Governor of New South Wales.
In acknowledging the Governor’s contribution, ReachOut.com by Inspire Foundation’s Chair Julie White said, “You have been with us from the start. In the same way that ReachOut.com is always there for young people, you have always been there for us, as our Patron, our friend, and as a genuine source of inspiration to us and the many thousands of young people helped by ReachOut.com over the years.”
The evening kicked into full party mode at 6pm, with guests invited to join a larger gathering of young people and staff for 16th Birthday Party celebrations upstairs from the Chair’s Reception.
The DJ’s playlist was interrupted only by two important formalities: the announcement of the winning entries in the ReachOut.com Photography Competition, and an acknowledgement of our amazing graduating Youth Ambassadors.
Over 350 entries were received from young people around Australia in the ReachOut.com Photography Competition. In presenting the winners with their prizes, professional photographer Kris Baum acknowledged the high standard of entries and, as a member of the judging panel, how difficult he found it to decide on the top three.
Congratulations to Taylor Nilsson in first place who received a Canon EOS 70D 20.2MP SLR Digital Camera; to Sarah Nelson in second place who received a $500 JB Hi-Fi Gift Card; and to Amy Howatt in third place who received a $300 JB Hi-Fi Gift Card.
Our Chair, Julie White, then took to the podium to present gifts to seven graduating Youth Ambassadors: Jess Dumble; Sash Garner; Jordan Hammond; Rori Hancock; Isabella Kaiser; Brooke Sachs; and Matt O’Connor.
Matt O’Connor, who is also a Board member of ReachOut.com by Inspire Foundation, spoke on behalf of his fellow graduating Youth Ambassadors: “Thank you to ReachOut.com by Inspire Foundation for the chance to be a part of this incredible organisation, and thank you fellow Youth Ambassadors. Together we have made ReachOut.com the service it is today. Because of the work we’ve done together many young people have logged onto ReachOut.com and got the help they need, and together we have shared enriching experiences that we will carry with us for the rest of our lives.”
Thank you to all of our supporters, young people and staff who joined us for this very special celebration.
Photo album
View the full album of photos from the celebration on Facebook (you don't have to be logged in), or check out some highlights below.
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