About The Alannah and Madeline Foundation
The Alannah and Madeline Foundation was set up in memory of Alannah and Madeline Mikac, aged 6 and 3, who were tragically killed with their mother and 32 others at Port Arthur, Tasmania, on 28 April 1996.
In memory of his daughters, Walter Mikac and a small group of volunteers – including Gaye and John Fidler who survived Port Arthur – set up the Foundation, with the belief that all children should have a safe and happy childhood without being subjected to violence. The then Prime Minister launched the Foundation on 30 April 1997.
Now in its 14th year, The Alannah and Madeline Foundation runs innovative programs and initiatives, including
Children Ahead – an intensive support program helping children to recover from serious violence and trauma.
- Buddy Bags – provides essential items to thousands of children in emergency accommodation nationwide. The Foundation has delivered 20,000 Buddy Bags to children across the country and aims to provide another 5,000 before the end of 2011.
- Refuge Therapeutic Support Program – provides annual grants of $5,000 for a range of group therapeutic programs for children in refuges who have experienced serious violence.
- Children365 – an initiative that encourages the community to celebrate children every day of the year. The concept for Children365 was developed after the tragic death of Darcey Freeman, aged 4, in January 2009. Following the loss of their precious little girl, Darcey’s mother and her family suggested an annual day to cherish all children. They asked The Alannah and Madeline Foundation to help make it a reality.
- National Centre Against Bullying (NCAB) – a peak body working to advise and inform the Australian community on the issue of childhood bullying and the creation of safe schools and communities, including the issue of cybersafety. Established in 2002, NCAB’s 22 members include some of Australia’s leading experts in bullying and cyberbullying.
- Better Buddies Framework – helps students entering their first year of primary school to feel safe, valued and connected to the school community. Launched in 2000, Better Buddies is now in more than 800 schools nationwide, and has also been adopted in Denmark, Singapore and Dubai.
- eSmart – a world-leading system to help Australian schools manage cybersafety, and deal with bullying and cyberbullying. The Foundation is working closely with the Victorian and Queensland governments to roll out eSmart to schools over the next four years.
For more information about the Foundation visit www.amf.org.au
About Children365
Children365 is one of the many ways The Alannah and Madeline Foundation advocates for the wellbeing of children. This initiative encourages adults to take the time to think about why the children in their lives are important and how they can spend time together.
Children365 supports the work of The Alannah and Madeline Foundation to ensure children are protected and cared for, and that violence - including abuse and neglect against children is not tolerated in our community.
Children365 eNewsletter
The Foundation's monthly Children365 eNewsletter helps inspire ideas for great ways to spend time with the children in your life. Each month has a theme around activities families can enjoy with their children.
Sign up for the Children365 eNewsletter here
365 statements
The Foundation encourages everyone to make a Children365 statement at our website:
3 reasons I love my children
6 ways they make me smile
5 things we will do together this year
Proceeds from the sale of the calendar will go towards the Foundation’s Children Ahead program, an intensive support program helping children recover from traumatic events and violent circumstances.