The Infants' Home Launches 150th Year Celebrations with Friends and Supporters
On Wednesday 8 May The Infants’ Home launched celebrations for their 150th year with an event for the organisation’s friends and supporters. The event included a presentation on The Infants’ Home’s remarkable 150-year history, its current work and the launch of the 150th anniversary Each Family, Every Future fundraising campaign to support future generations of children and families.
Distinguished guests included Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC KC, Governor of New South Wales and her partner, The Infants’ Home Patron Mr Dennis Wilson and Sally Sitou MP, Member for Reid. Her Excellency spoke about The Infants’ Home’s early history, saying that at the time of its founding, “The Infants’ Home filled a yawning gap for women and children”. In his address to guests, Mr Wilson added that, “The ability of this organisation to provide expert support and care for children in need is extraordinary”.
The Infants’ Home CEO Elizabeth Robinson delivered a presentation describing the highlights of the organisation’s history to the present day and Children’s Services Manager Mariam Christodoulos spoke about the innovative service model used today to help vulnerable and disadvantaged children and families. President Mary Veschuer then spoke about the organisation’s plans for the future, launching the 150th anniversary campaign:’ Each Family, Every Future’, which is seeking to raise one million dollars in the next 12 months to deliver three key initiatives: Off-site Expansion, Outdoor Classroom and Sustainable Future Fifty. Ms Verschuer announced that she has personally donated $10,000 to start the campaign and said, “I believe that we can make a significant difference to future generations of children by supporting The Infants’ Home’s Each Family Every Future campaign”.
Since The Infants’ Home’s founding, as one of Australia’s most established charities for children, it has grown and innovated to meet the ever-changing needs of families and the community. The Each Family, Every Future fundraising campaign, launched in celebration of the organisation’s’ anniversary year, will help ensure that future generations of children and families can access the services they need.
Following the formalities, guests enjoyed afternoon tea on The Infants’ Home’s main lawn and spoke with staff and Board Directors about the organisation’s services and programs and plans for the development of an Outdoor Classroom for children. Guests were also invited to view a display of historical photographs and ephemera, bringing to life the organisation’s rich history.
Founded by women, for women and children in 1874, The Infants’ Home is a historic children’s charity whose mission is to give ‘each child every opportunity – today and tomorrow’. This 150th anniversary milestone marks the beginning of a new era for the organisation as it continues to provide innovative services and programs for children and families, especially those who are vulnerable or disadvantaged. – ends
For further media information contact: Hannah Dence, hdence@theinfantshome.org.au, 02 9799 4844
About The Infants’ Home
Founded in 1874, The Infants’ Home is a children’s charity which has been supporting children and families for 150 years. The organisation’s mission is to give ‘each child every opportunity – today and tomorrow’. Today The Infants’ Home provides integrated early childhood education and care and early intervention, family day care, an allied health service for children, a postnatal service, playgroups and parenting programs. At least thirty per cent of the children and families enrolled in our onsite services require and receive targeted support and early intervention due to living in vulnerable circumstances or having complex needs