Media Coverage
I love my job, but found my dream role through volunteering
MARCH, 2018
“My dream is for my role as CEO of West Welcome Wagon to be a paid role. It’s what everyone says isn’t it? To be paid to do something that you love.” Read our amazing CEO’s profile in Circle In to learn a little more about who is leading our organisation.
Appeal for Donations to Save Charity Warehouse
APRIL 05, 2016, Maribyrnong Leader
“The warehouse is critical to the work we do,” Ms Mildenhall said. She said if the group was unable to pay rent, it would have to ask volunteers to store items in their homes.”
Image: Maribyrnong Leader
West Welcome Wagon calls for toys and tinned goods
DECEMBER 02, 2016, Star Weekly Brimbank & North West
“Helping hands, generous souls and open hearts are wanted by a community service that helps more than 300 asylum seeker families across Brimbank. West Welcome Wagon (WWW) is running its annual food and Christmas toy drives to help support migrants living in the west.”
Image: Star Weekly – Shawn Smits
West Welcome Wagon secures warehouse in Sunshine West
JULY 29, 2016, Maribyrnong Leader
“The use of a warehouse will mean that the wagon will be able to accept more donations and be more efficient in storing, sorting, packing, and delivering items,”
Image: Kyla from LIFE IN LIGHT
Absolutely Fabulous film fundraiser
JULY 20, 2016, BENJAMIN MILLAR, Maribyrnong & Hobsons Bay Star Weekly
“West Welcome Wagon (WWW) and Hobsons Bay Refugee Network are hosting a fun night-out of film, dress-ups and champagne on August 5 as their final film fundraiser for the year.”
Welcome Wagon seeking warehouse space in Melbourne’s West
April 6, 2016, Bridie Byrne, Maribyrnong Leader Newspaper (Herald Sun Newspaper)
“The West Welcome Wagon has launched a crowd-funding campaign to raise money for a storage facility as volunteers’ homes have outgrown the deliveries of food, clothing, furniture and other essentials.”
West Welcome Wagon seeks warehouse
April 14 2016, Benjamin Millar, Maribyrnong & Hobson’s Bay Star Weekly
““We continue to be in awe at the generosity of the local community but we are in desperate need of a warehouse with an appropriate amount of floor space so we can streamline our collection operations,” she said.”
February 23 2016, Bendigo Bank
West Welcome Wagon Introduction
Refugee crisis: How you can help refugees trying to reach safety in Europe and here in Australia
The Age Newspaper, September 4 2015, Marissa Calligeros
“Here are some of the ways you can help at home.”
Stella Kinsella from Archiva Films, June 20 2015
Mia McGregor – Warm Hearts, Warm Homes
Seddon Community Bank Branch – Community Pitch, April 21 2015
The Yarn Arts Chest is in need of winter provisions
Maribyrnong Leader Newspaper (Herald Sun Newspaper), June 26 2015
“Ms McGregor said many asylum seekers were caught off guard when they arrived in Melbourne by the chilly conditions.” read more
Vegetable gardens for asylum seekers
Maribyrnong Star Weekly, June 16 2015
“Western suburbs residents are banding together to help asylum seekers sow the seeds of a better life.” read more
West Welcome Wagon
Westside MamaMag, April 2015
All Aboard the Welcome Wagon
The Westsider, 25 March 2015
“…people say this gives them a very real, very practical way to do something about it and show asylum seekers and the broader community that so many Australians are welcoming” read more
Emerging Community Group of the Year
Civic Awards Recipients – Maribyrnong City Council, 30 January 2015
“WWW fosters an important sense of community spirit in that it provides ways of linking local families to those who are newly arrived.” read more
Braybrook dance school in step with charity West Welcome Wagon
Maribyrnong Star Weekly, 15 January 2015
“The support we receive from groups such as Dance Habit shows us how strong our sense of community is here in the West” read more
Wagon of welcome rolls across Melbourne’s West
Impact News – AMES Australia, 10 December 2014
“More than 320 asylum seeker households are receiving end-of-year food hampers, thanks to the generosity of local residents.” read more
The Spirit of Christmas
Around Williamstown Community Newspaper, 01 November 2014
“…it’s so lovely to see how excited the children get to receive the gifts, it really makes their day.” read more
West Welcome Wagon collects furniture, clothing, food and delivers to asylum seekers in Melbourne’s West
Herald Sun – Leader Newspaper, 29 October 2014
“Prisoners at Ravenhall’s Metropolitan Remand Centre have helped lighten the load for the West Welcome Wagon.” read more
Prisoners make trailer for Facebook refugee advocate group in Melbourne’s West
The Age, 14 October 2014
“Neighbour to neighbour, we are letting asylum seeker and refugee families know that there is help and friendship here” read more
Ordinary people, lending a hand
The Sydney Morning Herald, 27 May 2014
”Conversations started to begin on social media: ‘What’s going on? Refugees are in our community – what’s happening to them?’ ” read more
West welcome mat out for refugees and asylum seekers
Maribyrnong Star Weekly, 6 December 2013
“Refugees and asylum seekers settling in Melbourne’s west are receiving a warmer welcome than ever thanks to members of a new Facebook group.” read more