Alannah & Madeline Foundation

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Alannah & Madeline Foundation

A national not-for-profit organisation dedicated to keeping children free from violence and trauma. After 25 years, that fight continues.

The Alannah & Madeline Foundation is a national not-for-profit organisation dedicated to keeping children and young people free from violence and trauma wherever they live, learn and play. On 28 April 1996, Alannah and Madeline Mikac, aged six and three, were tragically killed alongside their mother and 32 other people at Port Arthur in Tasmania. One year later, the Alannah & Madeline Foundation w

as launched in the girls’ honour by their father Walter Mikac AM and a small group of volunteers, driven by the belief that all children and young people should be able to live a happy and safe life, free from violence and trauma. Today our mission continues through care, prevention and advocacy – from supporting children experiencing family violence to online bullying and fighting for the rights of young people everywhere. The challenges facing children and young people may have changed, but our mission has not. We fight for their right to be safe, so their future is strong.

21/08/2026

🧺💜We absolutely adore these photos of Niño's little learners having fun and taking part in something that helps other children feel safe and loved.

Last year, Niño Early Learning Adventures childcare centres hosted an Alannah & Madeline Day Purple Picnic, turning a simple get-together into something powerful.

They shared, "across our community, families, children, and educators, we came together with generosity and purpose, supporting children in crisis".

Why Australians are coming together to host a Purple Picnic this year:
🎒Every dollar raised helps provide Buddy Bags to children escaping violence.
💜Creating a moment of shared purpose for your community.
❤️‍🩹Playing a vital role in ensuring childhoods aren't stolen by trauma and fear.

Join communities like Niño Early Learning Adventures and host a Purple Picnic this Alannah & Madeline Day 17 September.

Sign up here: alannahandmadelineday.org.au

[Image description: 4 images of young children and educators at early learning centres.]

17/08/2026

Choice Hotels Check-in for Charity Week is here!

From 17-23 August, Choice Hotels will contribute $2 from every stay* to the Alannah & Madeline Foundation, supporting our work to help children heal and recover after violence and trauma.

You can also donate your Choice Privileges points to help support our programs.

Book at ChoiceHotels.com to join Check-in for Charity Week.

Thank you to all participating Choice Hotels franchisees and their community for helping to ensure no childhood is stolen by violence, trauma or abuse.

*Terms apply.

[Image description: a purple and pink graphic with an image of a blue backpack featuring shark drawings. There's a brown teddy on top of it. The white text says the above details.]

16/08/2026

Host an Alannah & Madeline Day Purple Picnic to change a child's story. 🧺💜

Every year, around 11,000 Australian children escape violence with nothing but the clothes they’re wearing.

In that moment, their childhood is stolen by fear and trauma.

Host a Purple Picnic and raise funds to help provide Buddy Bags to the 1 in 2 children escaping violence who are currently missing out.

How it works:
✅Sign up to host in minutes.
✅Rally your community.
✅Raise funds to help provide Buddy Bags.
✅Enjoy a picnic that brings comfort and care long after it’s over.

Bring your people together this Alannah & Madeline Day 17 September and turn a picnic into something powerful.

Register at alannahandmadelineday.org.au

[Image description: 4 images of picnic settings, with 4 reasons to a Purple Picnic written on them: 1. The funds you raise can help give a Buddy Bag to the 1 in 2 children missing out. 2. You’ll show a child that they're not alone after escaping violence. 3. Being part of a community that helps ensure no childhood is stolen by violence or abuse. 4. A chance to gobble up as many tasty treats as you can!]

13/08/2026

Join me and host an Alannah & Madeline Day Purple Picnic this 17 September!

In memory of my beautiful daughters, Alannah and Madeline, who lost their lives at Port Arthur 30 years ago, and for the thousands of children who are still losing their childhoods to violence and fear today.

Right now, 1 in 2 children escaping violence miss out on the comfort of a Buddy Bag. Your Purple Picnic can help change that.

Sign up to host today and start fundraising!

Register at alannahandmadelineday.org.au

[Image description: Walter is holding a purple teddy bear and a sheet of paper with writing that says, "Join me and host a Purple Picnic for Alannah & Madeline Day 17 September." There is a picnic basket next to him.]

12/08/2026

“Different Contexts, Common Aspirations” is the theme for International Youth Day this year.

While young people’s lives are shaped by the diverse environments they call home, most of them have similar hopes and dreams – like dignity, opportunity, decent work, quality education and a sustainable future.

Earlier this year we launched the Hope and Resilience Report, which was delivered by Western Sydney University and the Centre for Resilient and Inclusive Societies. We asked people aged 12-18 to what extent they feel hopeful about the future, what supports that hope, and what gets in the way.

Their hopes are beautifully ordinary, practical and grounded: a safe and stable home; meaningful work; strong relationships; a fair, kind and equitable society.

Their sense of hope depends on action and inclusion. The report outlines principles we can adopt and actions we can take to build environments where young people can feel hopeful about the future and supported to shape it.

Read the full report here: https://www.alannahandmadeline.org.au/news/hope-and-resilience-young-australians-reflections-on-hope-in-a-complex-world

[Image description: Painting of a van with wings driving through a hole in the clouds promoting the Hope & Resilience report. Includes the quote: “Hope is not passive. It is not simply a word whispered in difficult moments or a feeling that comes and goes with fleeting optimism. Hope is transformative. It is the force that propels young people forward, even when the road ahead is uncertain, even when the weight of the world feels impossibly heavy.” – Fiona, Youth co-researcher]

11/08/2026

🧺It’s time to bring out the picnic rugs again and gather your favourite people.

The Alannah & Madeline Day Purple Picnic is back this 17 September, and we would love you to be part of it!

After a child escapes violence, a Buddy Bag filled with essentials should be waiting for them when they reach safety.

But right now, 1 in 2 children miss out on that comfort due to a lack of funding.

By hosting a Purple Picnic on 17 September, you can help change that.

It's as easy as:
💜Signing up online
💜Inviting your guests
💜Asking your community to donate to help children escaping violence
💜Enjoying a picnic full of fun, food and connection!

Learn more and sign up here: alannahandmadelineday.org.au

[Image description: a woman and two young children are sitting on a purple tartan picnic blanket with platters of food in front of them. There is a graphic of a pink envelope at the bottom of the image with a letter that says, "You're invited! Host a Purple Picnic."]

09/08/2026

🐯 A wrap up of some of our favourite moments from our annual Richmond Football Club match day last Sunday.

And what a day it was! The incredible Tiger Army and the community have helped us raise over $104,000 for Buddy Bags!

We couldn’t have done any of this without Richmond FC and the entire Tiger Army coming together to support children in emergency care.

Once again, thank you to the Tiger Army and the community for being a Buddy so children can get the support and care they need after escaping violence.

[Image description: A collection of images showing Richmond Football Club supporters, players and Foundation team members on the field at the MCG and outside the grounds.]

07/08/2026

Yesterday we visited Everton Park State School in Queensland. We were joined by Anika Wells MP for the launch of two new eSmart lesson plans aimed at helping students understand how apps harvest and use their data.

eSmart is supporting thousands of children and young people to stay safe and thrive online. Like all eSmart resources, the new interactive lessons are free to use and download for all Australian schools.

Learn more and access the lessons here: https://be.esmart.org.au/tip-and-resources/teach-data-privacy-and-media-literacy-with-two-new-esmart-interactive-games

Video courtesy of 10 News.

06/08/2026

Happy Early Learning Matters Week! 💜

To all the educators supporting our youngest children’s wellbeing and development – we say a deep, heartfelt thank you.

Our early years Trauma Practitioners see every day the crucial work that educators and leaders do to create safe, nurturing and supportive environments for children.

To mark the week, we're highlighting the beautiful early years leadership team at the City of Casey.

Through our work together, the team created safer, more responsive environments for children, and brought trauma-informed frameworks to life across Casey’s Kindergarten leadership and services.

Watch the full interview with Sarah and Jude from the City of Casey to learn more about our journey together: https://www.alannahandmadeline.org.au/news/trauma-informed-leadership-caseys-early-years-services

Early Learning Matters

[Image description: Sarah and Jude are smiling and standing in a playground. There's a yellow half circle shape at the top of the image with white text that says, "Early Learning Matters Week", with illustrations of a rainbow, heart, star and smiley face around it.]

05/08/2026

We are speechless! 💛🖤💜

We're thrilled and so deeply grateful to share that the Tiger Army and Richmond FC helped us raise a remarkable $103,575 for our annual match day to help send Buddy Bags to children escaping violence.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for being their Buddy!

And a massive congratulations to the mighty Tigers for an incredible win! We well and truly won on and off the field on Sunday.

If you’d like to add to the tally, you can still donate here: https://support.alannahandmadeline.org.au/richmond

[Image description: Three Richmond Football Club players are running on the field with children. There's a yellow and purple banner behind them. The white text at the top reads, "$103,575 raised. Thank you for being their Buddy."]

Address

Buddy Bags HQ, Ground Floor, 387 City Road
South Melbourne, VIC
3205

Telephone

+611300720747

Website

http://www.alannahandmadeline.org.au/

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