MEDIA RELEASE
Politicians serve up bi-partisan support during Anti-Poverty Week.
11th- 17th October, 2009
For the people who use St Mary’s House of Welcome suffering, personal crisis and poverty
is their reality. As part of Anti Poverty Week one of the ways St Mary’s House of Welcome
is involved in raising awareness of the cause and consequence of poverty and hardship is
through inviting members of parliament to serve meals to those, whom in reality may live
next door to all of us.
During Anti-poverty week in 2009, Victorian Parliamentary Members, such as Rob Hulls,
Deputy Premier (Lab), Ted Baillieu, Leader of the Opposition (Lib), Peter Ryan, Leader of
the Nationals (Nat), Richard Wynne, Housing Minister (Lab) and Peter Batchelor,
Community Development Minister (Lab) are just some of the volunteers that will be serving
up their support.
“It is terrific that St Mary’s House of Welcome will again be joined in the kitchen by
politicians from both sides of the House during Anti-Poverty Week. St Mary’s House of
Welcome has been providing free and low cost meals to Melbourne’s homeless men and
women for fifty years. Our recent refurbishment has allowed us to increase the number of
episodes of food support to almost 90,000 per year. Our sit down meals have increased by
over 12,000 hot meals per year.” said Tony McCosker CEO, St Mary’s House of Welcome
Sr Roseanne Murphy, Day Centre Manager expressed regret that St Mary’s House of
Welcome is often the home that many don’t have. “Poverty is not just about the lack of
housing or money. Poverty can take many forms, such as not having the basics that most
people within the community take for granted, somewhere to rest your head at night or the
ability to afford food or the medication you need to keep well, and things that you can’t put a
price tag on such as an environment that is safe, supportive and inclusive”.
“The Daughters of Charity are committed to the eradication of poverty and we advocate for
change within the systems that impact negatively on many people who attend our centre.
We welcome the support shown by Victoria’s politicians during Anti-Poverty Week and see
this as a significant personal gesture on behalf of both sides of government” Sr Roseanne
said.
If you would like more information about Anti-poverty Week, or would like to sponsor the
cost of a meal service during the week, please call Lara Denes Fundraising and Events
Manager. St Mary’s House of Welcome is a Registered Charity
TO ARRANGE MEDIA COMMENT OR FOR FURTHER COMMENT PLEASE CONTACT:
Lara Denes- 0421 604 624 or Sr Roseanne Murphy– 0412 609 510
St Mary’s House of Welcome: 105-109 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy
PH: 9417 6497 FAX: 9416 3263
Please see attached sheet for other Members of Parliament volunteering over this week.
NEWS 
