Pollie Pedal 2009

• What
• Who
• When
• Where
• The Route
• Who are we raising money for?
• How will your donations help?
• Pollie Pedal Sponsors
• Now We Are Talking >> Video

What

Pollie Pedal was started in 1998 by Tony Abbott and other politicians as a way to raise money for various charities. It also provides opportunities for politicians to meet and exchange views and ideas with various communities and local organisations.

Thanks to our sponsors, Pollie Pedal raised over $200 000 for prostate cancer research and over $20,000 for the Vern Barnett School Autism Spectrum Australia in 2008.

In 2009, the 1000 kilometre bike ride will travel from Brisbane to Sydney raising money for Aboriginal health scholarships at the Poche Centre for Indigenous Health within the University of Sydney Medical Faculty. It will also support The Young Love Foundation in Warringah.

Since it started, Pollie Pedallers have ridden 11,000km to raise more than one million dollars for organisations such as the Royal Flying Doctor Service, Ronald McDonald House, Youth Insearch, and the Paralympic Games as well as medical research into childhood leukaemia, diabetes, breast cancer and prostate cancer. In Warringah organisations such as Royal Far West, Bear Cottage, Surf Life Saving Clubs, Dalwood Spilstead Centre and Pioneer Clubhouse have been beneficiaries of Pollie Pedal. 

Who

A number of Federal Parliamentarians will join in the ride as well as MPs, local mayors, sportspeople and members of local communities. Past and present participants include Tony Abbott, Mark Vaile, Kevin Andrews, Jim Lloyd, Sussan Ley, Pat Farmer, John Anderson, Jackie Kelly, Phil Barresi, Luke Hartsuyker, Louise Markus, Julie Owens and Guy Barnett.

When

Pollie Pedal 2009 will begin in Brisbane on the 26th April 2009 and finish at the University of Sydney on the 5th May 2009.

Exact route will be confirmed in coming weeks.

Where

The twelfth Pollie Pedal will begin in Brisbane and pass through Yatala, Brunswick Heads, Grafton, Dorrigo, Armidale, Walcha, Gloucester, Cessnock and Brooklyn before finishing at Sydney University on May 5th.

The Route

Who are we raising money for?

The Poche Centre for Indigenous Health and also The Young Love Foundation

Pollie Pedal 2009 is rasing money for Aboriginal health scholarships at the Poche Centre for Indigenous Health within the University of Sydney Medical Faculty.
The Poche Centre was established following a donation of $20 million by Mr Greg Poche. It operates as part of the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Sydney. The Centre offers health and medical outreach clinics in towns in western New South Wales. Through these clinics the Centre provides medical and allied health students with the opportunity to experience the challenges of Indigenous health care. It also undertakes medical and social health research programs, the result of which will be widely available and able to guide further decisions affecting Indigenous health.

Training more Indigenous health workers through practical, university education would greatly relieve the pressure on existing healthcare providers in remote locations. The Faculty of Medicine would like to encourage more Indigenous students to undertake health studies by providing financial support during their training. This goal is supported by Pollie Pedal 2009 in its effort to raise money for scholarships at the University of Sydney.

How will your donations help?

Funds raised the Poche Centre will endow scholarships for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health students, many of whom need financial assistance to complete their studies.  Scholarships will be paid out of a permanent fund, to be administered by the Poche Centre and awarded on the basis of need and merit.

Funds raised for The Young Love Foundation will increase mentoring and personal development programs for teenagers.

• POCHE CENTRE DONATION FORM

• WARRINGAH YOUNG LOVE DONATION FORM

Young Love is a not-for-profit organisation contributing to the health and well being of teenagers in our community.  We provide school and community based mentoring and personal development workshops for teenagers who are facing profound challenges in their lives, related to issues of mental health, sexual health, or substance abuse. These are very real and worrying threats to the health of Australian youth, and the prevalence of these issues is on the rise. 

Why are our programs needed?

1. 15-20% of our teenagers have a significant mental health problem
2. The most common illness we see in teenagers now is depression
3. 1 in 3 young Australian deaths is due to suicide
4. 1 in 4 12-15 year olds consume alcohol weekly
5. 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 7 boys are victims of child sexual abuse
6. Australia has the third highest rate of teenage pregnancy in the western world
7. 26% of year 10, and 47% of year 12, students have had sex with multiple partners

What we do to help?

Young Love runs two mentoring programs. One in high schools for guys and girls in years 9 and 10, and the other for pregnant and parenting teenage mums.  We also conduct personal development workshops in schools, for community partners and for parents of teenagers.

Mentoring from a positive role model provides a nurturing pathway for teenagers to feel supported through tough times, particularly if they feel they can’t go to their parents, teachers or counsellors for various reasons.  The power of having someone neutral to talk to who really listens is immeasurable.  The tangible work of mentoring is achieved when a more experienced person helps a less experienced person to identify and achieve their goals. 

Who benefits from mentoring, and what outcomes can we achieve?

Young people - Many young people from all walks of life benefit from mentoring. Young Love programs are developed with a focus on the goals of young people who are:

1. disengaged or at risk of disengaging from the education system
2. seeking to make the transition from school to work or further education
3. pregnant or parenting
4. keen to increase their ability to build interpersonal relationships
5. experiencing mental health issues including depression, eating disorders and self harm
6. victims of sexual, emotional or physical abuse
7. experiencing difficulty with drugs or alcohol
8. seeking to improve their own self confidence

 
Young people involved in mentoring with Young Love programs are likely to experience:

1. improvements in their relationships, including family and peers
2. an increase in their overall communication skills with others
3. reduced feelings of isolation
4. a reduction in risky behaviour
5. enhanced social and emotional development
6. increased options and opportunities
7. increased resilience and feelings of hopefulness
8. increased self esteem

Young Love mentoring programs aim to provide a structured and trusting relationship which brings young people together with caring individuals who offer guidance, support and encouragement.  The mentor’s objective is often about developing the competence, character and confidence of the young person.

Pollie Pedal 2009 donations will enable The Young Love Foundation to increase mentoring programs

 

www.younglove.org.au

YOUNG LOVE IS ABOUT CARING FOR OUR YOUTH AND
TEACHING OUR YOUTH TO CARE ABOUT THEMSELVES

 

Pollie Pedal Sponsors

Now We Are Talking

More information:

www.nowwearetalking.com.au/pollie-pedal-2009