About D2S « Desert2Surf

HISTORY

In 2006, Melbourne couple Deb Oliver and Robbo Bennetts spent six months teaching in the Northern Territory at the remote indigenous community of Minyerri in Hodgson Downs, Alawa Country. They went to Minyerri hoping to ‘make a difference’; however they feel that going there made the biggest difference to them. Joined by a small band of supporters with a passionate interest in and dedication to indigenous issues, together they developed the Desert2Surf Initiative. The Initiative now hopes to make a difference by providing indigenous kids with the opportunity to learn to surf and experience a world different from their own.

Deb and Robbo

ABOUT D2S

Established in 2008, Desert2Surf is a not-for-profit, community based organisation that aims to build the capacity of indigenous Australian youth living in remote and disadvantaged communities. Desert2Surf is guided by a health promotion framework and uses a community development approach to improve the health and well-being of its participants.

To achieve its aim, Desert2Surf endeavors to ‘make desert dreams come true’ by providing indigenous youth with the opportunity to participate in activities conducive to their physical and mental health and well-being. Desert2Surf uses the power of sport, with a focus on surfing, as a catalyst to engage, inspire and empower young indigenous people.

Desert2Surf trips enable small groups of youth aged 12-18 to participate in challenging and fun outdoor activities in Victoria. The trips facilitate the development of leadership and personal skills and provide the opportunity for cultural exchange.

Desert2Surf seeks to provide direct assistance to indigenous youth by way of advocacy and representation in their dealings with the wider community.

MANTRA

mantra

MISSION STATEMENT

To make desert dreams come true by building capacity in indigenous youth from remote and disadvantaged communities through outdoor experiences such as surfing.

D2S OBJECTIVES

(a) Generally promote the physical and mental health and general welfare of young indigenous people living in isolated and disadvantaged communities;

(b) Provide young indigenous people with the opportunity to travel outside their community and participate in activities conducive to their physical and mental health and well-being;

(c) Provide activities and education, mentoring or training for young, indigenous people to assist them to develop communication and leadership skills to use in their communities;

(d) Provide direct assistance to individual young indigenous persons who live in isolated and disadvantaged communities by way of advocacy and representation in their dealings with educational facilities, government agencies and the wider community;

(e) Advocate generally on behalf of young indigenous people from isolated and disadvantaged communities;

(f) Enter into and carry out agreements with any persons, institutions, government bodies or corporations and to undertake and execute any trusts, for the benefit of Desert2Surf or in the furtherance of the Objects of Desert2Surf;

(g) Carry on a business either on its own behalf or with any persons, government bodies, institutions or corporations in order to generate funds for Desert2Surf or to provide suitable activity, education, training and mentoring for young indigenous people from remote communities which are disadvantaged;

(h) Accept subscriptions, guarantees, donations, gifts, legacies and bequests whether of real or personal property and either with or without a conditional right of repayment and to hold the same at the discretion of Desert2Surf; and

(i) Do all such other things as are incidental or conducive to the attainment of the above objects.