The Alannah and Madeline Foundation was established in memory of Alannah and Madeline Mikac, who were aged 6 and 3, who was killed along with their mother plus 32 others were killed on 28 April 1996 at Port Arthur, Tasmania.
As a result of this terrible and tragic act of violence, Walte Mikac, the father to Alannah and Madeline, Phil West with a small collection of volunteers, who included Gaye and John Fidler who had survived the Port Arthur tragedy, worked hard to establish the Foundation, a national charity with the conviction that every child ought to have a happy childhood without ever being subjected to any type of violence. The Foundation was launched 1997 by the Prime Minister of Australia on 30 April and is located in Victoria although it runs as a National Charity.
The Alannah and Madeline Foundation Special Logo
The Foundation logo has a very special connotation for The Alannah and Madeline Foundation since it was designed utilizing portion of a family portrait that had been drawn by Alannah herself Mikac only months prior to being tragically killed at Port Arthur. The Foundation logo is Alannah with her little sister Madeline, as they hold hands.
Mission, Vision and Values
The Foundation is a national charity whose mission is to protect children from violence as well as its distressing effects. It cares for children that have witnessed or experienced violence and is running programs geared towards preventing violence in children’s lives. The Foundation plays an advocacy role and remains a strong voice against all forms of childhood violence.
The Vision
The Alannah and Madeline Foundation's well crafted vision is that each child is going to live in a secure and environment that is supportive.
Foundation Values
- Caring
- Respect
- Responsibility
- Friendliness
- Valuing difference
- Including others
The Programs
Better Buddies
Launched in 2000, Better Buddies is a school framework that is designed to produce sharing and friendly communities, so as to reduce the incidence of school bullying in Australia. Better Buddies assists students who are entering their 1st primary school year to feel valued, safe, and connected to their new school community. The school through this program pairs each new primary school student with a student buddy who is older. The Better Buddies Framework is a essentially a whole-school initiative that has been designed to aid in the creation of friendly and caring school environments, and contribute in reducing bullying incidents.
Brodie’s Law
Brodie’s Law commenced in June 2011 and makes bullying a serious crime punishable by up to ten (10) years in jail through extending the Crimes Act 1958 provisions.
Buddy Bags
Through the Foundation’s Buddy Bags Program, children in their thousands in emergency care are receiving a back pack that is packed full of essential child items such as toiletries, socks, underwear, pyjamas and a pillowcase, including comfort items like a teddy bear, a book, and a photo frame.
Over 50,000 such Buddy Bags have so far been distributed throughout Australia.
Children Ahead
Previously named the Intensive Support Program, the Children Ahead assists children who are recovering from violent circumstances or traumatic events.
Children 365
This is an initiative encouraging Australians to celebrate children daily every year. Children365 was developed following the demise in January 2009 of Darcey Freeman, aged 4. After her death, it was the desire of her family that some positive action comes out of such a horrible tragedy.
eSmart Libraries
eSmart Libraries is basically a behaviour-change system for all libraries to boost cybersafety and welfare and handle cyberbullying.
eSmart Digital Licence
This is an online challenge that utilizes quizzes, games and videos to prepare Australian children (aged 10+) to be safe, smart, and accountable digital citizens. eSmart Digital Licence is a system that aids schools in dealing with the serious matters of bullying, cybersafety, cyberbullying, and which equips the students with the knowledge and skills they need for safe smart, and responsible usage of modern technology
National Centre Against Bullying
This is a peak body composed of experts who work towards reducing bullying and decrease its harm on the younger generation.
eSmart Schools
This is an easy-to-use tested and evidence-based system which provides a framework approach towards helping in improving Australian schools cyber safety and wellbeing.
Refuge Therapeutic Support Program
The Alannah and Madeline Foundation’s Refuge Therapeutic Support Program gives funding to group therapy comprise pet, art, and music therapy to assist kids who reside in refuges and are traumatized or distressed by their serious violence experiences.
Alannah and Madeline Foundation Events:
National Centre Against Bullying (NCAB) Conference
This is a biennial conference that brings together leading international and local experts for discussions on the serious issues surrounding cyberbullying and bullying.
The Starry Starry Night
This is an annual charity ball supporting work that keeps children safe from violence.
The National Buddy Day
This is a joint initiative of the Foundation and NAB aims to highlight and celebrate friendships and the vital issue of bullying.
La Dolce Italia
To be held between 17 and 19 April 2015, this is an exclusive 7 day event that will celebrate everything that is Italian “Down Under”. The Alannah and Madeline Foundation is going to be a charity partner specifically for the stand alone Gala Dinner on Saturday 18 April 2015to be marked at the Palladium at Crown. Special guest Italian idol and icon, Sophia Loren, will be in attendance.
Positive Schools Mental Health &Wellbeing Conferences
This goes towards supporting mental health and wellbeing in all Australian colleges and schools with a strong focus on the giving of strategies and solutions that have been well researched.
Getting Involved
Donating
Making a donation assists the Foundation in keeping children safer from all forms of violence.
Fundraising
Select The Alannah and Madeline Foundation as the recipient of your next occasion or event.
Ways your own workplace could give
Contact the Foundation to find out more regarding the diverse methods through which your workplace could give through workplace giving, fundraising, and corporate partnerships.
Bequesting
Contact the Foundation to know more concerning the bequest program.
Ways of Giving
Support The Alannah and Madeline Foundation through a variety of great initiatives.
Volunteering
Volunteers do make a big difference!
