Loaves and Fishes Luncheon raises $50,000 for Anglicare Youth Homelessness Accommodation Project
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The longstanding St John’s Cathedral Loaves and Fishes Luncheon recently returned, with more than 300 guests attending to raise funds for Anglicare Southern Queensland’s Youth Homelessness Accommodation Project
The longstanding St John’s Cathedral Loaves and Fishes Luncheon recently returned, with more than 300 guests attending to raise funds for Anglicare Southern Queensland’s Youth Homelessness Accommodation Project.
The event, which was held on Tuesday last week, is famously one of Brisbane’s biggest fundraising lunches, bringing together parishes, ministries, schools, Cathedral Precinct and Anglicare staff and the wider community to share a meal and stand in solidarity with those in need.
Anglicare Southern Queensland’s Chair of the Community Services Commission, Tracy Morgan, and Archbishop Jeremy Greaves holding a St John’s Cathedral cheque for $25,000 for Anglicare’s Youth Homelessness Accommodation Project at the Loaves and Fishes luncheon fundraiser, which was held in the cathedral on Tuesday, 3 June 2025
This year’s keynote address was delivered by National Children’s Commissioner Anne Hollonds to more than 300 guests, including Archbishop Jeremy Greaves and the Minister for Housing and Public Works and Minister for Youth, the Honourable Samuel O’Connor MP.
In her address, Ms Hollonds shared what ‘home’ means to children and how a national approach is needed to address the causes of youth homelessness.
“Safe and stable housing and having a ‘home’ is about much more than just a roof and four walls,” Ms Hollonds said.
“When asked about what ‘home’ means to them, children will often speak about how the concept of ‘home’ means the stability and security of their most important relationships, especially family.
“This is where safe and stable housing comes in — it is the foundation for the conditions that enable the child to get their needs met, especially through their family relationships, as well relationships in the local community including importantly with their friends and teachers at school, and through community activities like sport…
“In contrast the transient and marginalised life that homelessness brings serves to rob the child not only of a roof over their head, but the stable relationships that they need for their health, learning, development and wellbeing…
“Sadly, the reality is that the systems that are meant to help children and their families — the early warning systems of health, education and social services — they are fragmented, piecemeal and uncoordinated, described by some as ‘mid-last century’ in their design and ‘not fit-for-purpose’ today.
“This is where we need to focus our efforts.
“We know that children who come into contact with the criminal justice system at a young age have higher rates of disabilities and complex unmet needs, and they are more likely to go on and commit more serious crimes.
“Locking up children does not make the community safer…
“I have spoken to victims of crime around Australia who say that what they want is for governments to make communities safer and to prevent crime, including by children, not to just lock up more children. To achieve that governments need to look at the evidence of what will actually prevent crime…
“One of the barriers is our federation structure, and how responsibilities are divided between the Commonwealth and the state and territory governments…
“In Australia we have national-coordinated systems for problems like countering terrorism and addressing DFV. But we have no national coordination for child safety and wellbeing…
“There is widespread agreement across sectors that co-ordinated national leadership is required, with clear accountability to act on the evidence to address the unmet needs of children.”
Anglicare Southern Queensland’s Chair of the Community Services Commission Tracy Morgan said it was a privilege to represent Anglicare as the beneficiary of the event.
“I was truly humbled to be presented with a cheque of $25,000 at the beginning of the event and even more thrilled to learn this sum had doubled by the end of the day thanks to the generosity of donors in attendance who were moved by our cause,” Ms Morgan said.
“The funds raised will go towards the 14 million dollars we have committed to our Youth Homelessness Accommodation Project at Logan, which will provide a purpose-built centre to house our youth homelessness service in Logan, to address the escalating housing crisis.
“We all know that housing is a fundamental human right, and stable accommodation significantly impacts on psychological well-being, independence and self-agency.
“Anglicare believes every young person deserves a safe and supportive place to call home.
“In addition to housing, this new project will provide a range of vital wrap-around support services, including mental health support, cultural education and connection, support with living skills, financial literacy, relationship building skills and enable them to pursue educational or employment opportunities.
“I extend my heartfelt gratitude to all who have contributed to this critical project, including our major donors, schools, parishes and friends.”
National Children’s Commissioner Anne Hollonds sharing about what ‘home’ means to children and how a national approach is needed to address the causes of youth homelessness in her Loaves and Fishes luncheon address in St John’s Cathedral on Tuesday, 3 June 2025
The project is a modern facility that will provide a mix of 30 one-bedroom and two-bedroom ensuite apartments with provisions for single families and couples.
Future residents will benefit from the safety of 24/7 on-site staff management and security.
Importantly, the development is located in proximity to essential services, shopping centres, public transport, and recreational spaces to make everyday life easier.
More than 300 guests enjoying the Loaves and Fishes luncheon fundraiser, which was held in St John’s Cathedral on Tuesday 3 June 2025
To find out more on the Youth Homelessness Accommodation project, visit the Anglicare Southern Queensland website.
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