World of Difference 2004 Graduates

Ben Taylor � Successful Living Donor 2004

Cause: Oz Green

Ben Taylor, from Newport in NSW, spent his World of Difference year focusing on engaging and empowering hundreds of young people across Australia in environmental projects. His 2 main projects were MYRiveR Murray and Youth LEAD. MYRiveR Murray involved over 450 young people across the River Murray catchment area. The project coordinated the sourcing of funding, organising detailed youth-led environmental assessments of 171 sites, 874 community surveys and 9 community forums. The workshops empowered the young people and gave them a voice and a vision to create and implement action plans to care for their waterways. Following the tools of MYRiver Murray, Youth LEAD offers young Australians the chance to work on other projects which are important to them. Ben coordinated 8 Youth LEAD projects during the year.

Due to funding constraints, Ben left Oz Green but continues his work in the environmental field. Today, Ben is working in The Cabinet Office looking after the community education side of the Metro Water for Life Community Partnership Program.

For more info please visit www.ozgreen.org.au or www.waterforlife.nsw.gov.au

Kate Perry � Successful Living Donor 2004

Cause: Mirabel Foundation

Kate Perry, from Red Hill in Victoria, spent her World of Difference year with the Mirabel Foundation. There, Kate developed from being a journalist finishing off her Masters studies to becoming a professional and successful creative arts therapist. Kate's art therapy enabled the children from Mirabel to develop their self-esteem and form healthy and valuable relationships with themselves, their peers and their carers. Art therapy also allowed the children to understand the source of their anxieties and help relieve their tension as well as give them the opportunity to have fun and just be kids.

After her World of Difference year, The Vodafone Australia Foundation provided Kate with funding which contributed to the next step in her career as a creative arts therapist, working with the Melbourne not-for-profit organisation, Menzies, based at Sages Cottage Farm. Kate continues this work today, adding animal-assisted therapy into the mix, making a difference to many more children, their families and the carers around them.

For more info please visit www.menzies.org.au or www.mirabelfoundation.com or email Kate at perryk@menzies.org.au

Nadine Ziegeldorf � Successful Living Donor 2004

Cause: Street Voices

Nadine Ziegeldorf, from Bondi in NSW, went to work with Street Voices � a charity helping children in Hanoi, Vietnam, through a venture called Caf� KOTO (�Know One, Teach One�). Caf� KOTO empowers street kids with the skills to start a career in the hospitality industry, and Nadine intends to replicate the idea in other locations.

2004 was the first year in which Street Voices had a permanent staff member. Nadine�s role has allowed them to found a dedicated committee, employ a host of volunteers and organise a number of successful fund-raisers. With the support of The Vodafone Australia Foundation, 2 former street children got the trip of a lifetime: a visit to Australia for 3 month's work experience, taking part in fund-raising drives. Nadine continues her fantastic work with street kids and disadvantaged youths in Vietnam.

For more info please visit www.streetvoices.com.au

Rob Ball � Successful Living Donor 2004

Cause: Big Hart

Rob Ball, from Coburg in Victoria, spent his World of Difference year working for BIG hART where he completed 3 video based arts-intervention projects with children in care. The work produced by participants offered a rare insight into the experience of growing up in the care system and the issues children in care experience. The projects also provided young people with a rigorous investigation into their own life story and an opportunity to utilize a range of media to record and document their personal journeys.

Rob continues community-based media production and is currently the series producer for No Limits, a weekly television program presented by people with a disability. The program allows people to develop skills and opportunities to showcase their stories and to cover issues encountered by people with a disability that are not otherwise shown in mainstream media. In May 2006 The Vodafone Australia Foundation were proud to give Rob the funding he needed for a state-of-the-art camera to continue his great work.

For more info please visit www.bighart.org