Lorne 160 Project - Kids Helping Kids

A dedicated group of young people from Geelong Grammar School have worked tirelessly to raise much needed funds for Mirabel children living in Geelong. The young people really gave their all in an enormous 160km run starting at midnight, from Geelong to Lorne and back again along the Great Ocean Road. Special thanks to these wonderful young people for reaching out to help Mirabel kids in need.

NSW Comedy Fest

Mirabel's annual Comedy Fest was held at Fox Studios in September to raise money to enhance Mirabel's services for vulnerable children throughout NSW. The night was a great success with the help of MC Lawrence Mooney and Fiona O'Loughlin and Bob Franklin who kept everyone laughing. Our sincere thanks to all those who made the night so special and those who dug deep to help make a positive difference.

The Mirabel Collection

The beginning of the Mirabel Collection has arrived! We've been working with some of our fantastic supporters over the past six months to bring this exciting initiative to life. To increase awareness and support of Mirabel in the community we have produced our first range of adult and children's t-shirts for sale via our website. Each t-shirt is stamped with our Collection logo and catchphrase 'Mirabel - a gorgeous sense of hope', generously provided by the very talented artist Emma Magenta. All of our t-shirts and current list of publications can be purchased through the new 'Mirabel Collection' web pages on our website. So check out our collection page and buy a t-shirt to help spread support for Mirabel!

Therapeutic Groups at Mirabel House

With assistance from Comic Relief Australia, Mirabel provides therapeutic groups for a group of young people aged 8 -14 years, who have been orphaned or abandoned due to parental drug use. Based at Mirabel House on the Mornington Peninsula, these groups provide young people with the opportunity to develop positive relationships, while breaking the negative cycle of addiction.

2007 National Drug and Alcohol Awards

Mirabel was honoured to be chosen as a finalist for Excellence in Prevention in the recent National Drug and Alcohol Awards. The Mirabel House Connections Program was recognised for its preventative work with Mirabel's young people. The program promotes a supportive and responsive community for disadvantaged young people through the provision of respite care, recreation, mini camps, therapeutic groups, Youth Ambassadors and community events. Based at Mirabel House on the Mornington Peninsula, this program aims to prevent the recurring pattern of inter-generational drug abuse through responsive programs that increase protective factors for these young people.

Mirabel Screening of Romulus, My Father

Arena Films hosted this special pre-release screening at the Nova Cinema in May for supporters of Mirabel. Romulus, My Father is based on Raimond Gaita's critically acclaimed memoir. It tells the story of Romulus, his beautiful wife, Christina, and their struggle in the face of great adversity to bring up their son, Raimond. It is a story of impossible love that ultimately celebrates the unbreakable bond between father and son. Starring Eric Bana, this moving and powerful film portrays the life of a young boy who has much in common with many of the Mirabel children.

Victorian Children's Charities Awards

Mirabel was delighted to be awarded the inaugural Victorian Children's Charities Award in the category of Drug and Alcohol. This award was made possible through the Jack & Robert Smorgon Families Foundation and the Victorian Government,. The Award recognised the exceptional dedication to working with children and young people of Jane Rowe, and the commitment of Mirabel's Sharing the Joy Youth Ambassadors Program which aims to create a safe environment and build stronger ties with young people.

Launch of Laughing Stock

Shane Jacobson, Julia Zemiro & Lawrence Mooney cooked up a storm at the Corner Hotel  for the launch of ‘Laughing Stock’  -   Australia’s Comedians  sharing their recipes for Mirabel. This book, the perfect sequel to 'Rock Chefs for Mirabel' is edited by Tracee Hutchison and available  through book stores or from Mirabel.

Music, Mirth and Mayhem 9

Judith Lucy , Dave Hughes, Rebecca Barnard, Eddie Perfect, Ethel Chop, Daniel Kitson, Dave Larkin and Pete Satchell were part of an all-star line up of Comedians and Musicians that donated their time and talents for Music, Mirth and Mayhem 9. For one night only the Hi Fi Bar sold out to support Mirabel in this special annual event. Many thanks to all those who came and laughed out loud for charity.

Elvii - It's a Long Way to Graceland

The Zephyr Gallery at Docklands came alive during May with 'It s a long way to Graceland' , an exhibition of photographs taken by Melbourne photographer, Saville Coble. The images, also published in a limited edition coffee table book 'Elvii' , captures Elvis impersonators at the annual Elvis Presley Festival in Parkes, NSW. Thanks to the generosity of all those involved, the exhibition provided a wonderful opportunity to increase awareness of Mirabel and raise funds to help the growing number of children referred to Mirabel each week.

St George Foundation

Mirabel was delighted to recieve a generous donation from the St George Foundation to provide much-needed funds for our Mirabel House Respite Program. The St George Foundation assists charities like Mirabel to provide support to disadvantaged kids and children with a disability.

Mirabel Recreation Program Camp

With the support of Variety and People & Parks Victoria Foundation, 19 Mirabel children aged 11-12 years attended a 4 day Junior Rangers Camp at Halls Gap. Each day the children attended Brambuk National Park Cultural Centre and spent time with the park rangers learning about the Aboriginal culture and the natural environment. Activities such as guided bush walks, discovering traditional rock art, learning to throw a boomerang and undertaking a high ropes course ensured the children had a memorable experience.

The Kids Are Alright Photo Exhibition

This amazing exhibition of never before seen music images opened at Lab X Gallery in St Kilda. On behalf of everyone at Mirabel and all the Mirabel children, our heartfelt thanks to Ray, Justine and everyone involved in producing this unbelievable opportunity to raise awareness and funds for Mirabel.

Launch of The Damage Undone

June saw the completion of more than two years work with the launch of Jane Rowe's biography, The Damage Undone. Author Bernadette Clohesy beautifully captures Jane's colourful past and her desire to make a difference that ultimately led to the founding of Mirabel. Stories from Jane's friends, associates, the Mirabel children and their carers help to make this book one that is hard to put down. Rush in to any good book store to purchase your copy of the much-loved book or contact Mirabel where you can pick up a copy for just $30.

Mirabel House Mini Camp

Four Mirabel boys experienced a wonderful bonding experience at Mirabel House in April. The boys spent the weekend racing around on bikes, playing table tennis, building sand sculptures, putting together model cars and playing on the beloved x-box. The highlight of the weekend was a sea fishing adventure on a fishing boat where they caught a baby shark and devoured a delicious BBQ on board the boat.

Youth Ambassador's Camp

March saw Mirabel's Youth Ambassadors (14-17 year olds) go away on a camp to Aireys Inlet. They enjoyed a range of fun and challenging activities including a guided night walk, canoeing, orienteering, Learn to Surf and also time to just relax, be themselves and spend time with other young people who have similar experiences.

Mirabel Family Camp at Somers

Mirabel’s biannual family camp was held at Somers in January for 3 days of fun and relaxation for the children and their kinship carers. The children enjoyed learning to surf, feeding the farm animals, craft activities and watching movies together while their kinship carers laughed through an exciting game of bingo, wandered around the local shops, pottered through Heronswood open gardens and formed lasting friendships with other carers who have had similar experiences to themselves.

Mirabel's Star

One of Mirabel's young people, Jade Mackenzie, has won a Community Services and Health Industry Training Board 'VET in Schools Student Award'. Jade is studying VCE VET Community Services in which she is completing a Certificate 3 in Community Services (Community Work). Jade undertook her placement with the Mirabel Foundation's Recreation Program. There are thousands of students undertaking 'VET in Schools' courses throughout Victoria this year so we are very proud of Jade to have won this award. Well done Jade!

Recreation Program Ski Camp

Mirabel's June Mega Camp was a ski camp at Mt Hotham for twenty five young people aged 12-13 years. The camp was a fantastic opportunity for Mirabel kids to spend time with people who have had similar experiences to themselves and leave behind the stigma that is often associated with parental drug use. The camp's success was made possible with the help of 19 volunteers who donated their time, patience and skiing expertise. top