News & Insight

David Leyonhjelm believes Sydney's lockout laws were a response to a moral panic.

Crossbench senator David Leyonhjelm wants to reignite the debate about Sydney's lockout laws, describing them as an over-reaction to a "moral panic" about one punch deaths.

The Liberal Democrat senator says the controversial laws will be a key focus of his Senate inquiry into the "nanny state" – government rules and regulations that restrict personal choice.

 

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Generosity of the city

Generosity of the city

The Thomas Kelly Youth Foundation was invited to present at a fundraiser in Sydney on Tuesday 10th March 2015.

Along with three other charities, all of whom are doing amazing work to make the world a better place.  We were each given 6-minutes plus 6-minutes Q&A to get our message across to the audience.

The people in the room that night dug deep and donated a total amount of $212,000 to the four charities.  None of us could believe the total generosity of the human spirit in the room that night.

Blown away.  Faith restored in humanity.  Thank you to all of the people who attended that night.

Permalink Thomas Kelly Youth Foundation PO Box 3992 Mosman, NSW, Sydney Australia

Each small step is a step in the right direction - NRL

Each small step is a step in the right direction - NRL

Part of Melbourne Storm coach Craig Bellamy would like to see a return to the days when players sorted out their differences with a flurry of punches on the field and a post-game handshake.

But the Storm coach admits today's society can no longer allow violence to exist in professional sport due to the prevalence of "one-punch" deaths.

Read More Thomas Kelly Youth Foundation Mosman, NSW Australia

Kings Cross crime rates plummet as enforcement of pub lock-outs work

Kings Cross crime rates plummet as enforcement of pub lock-outs work

IT was once seething with violence, where coward-punch assaults were all too common and young people put their lives at risk just to enjoy a night out.  Twelve months after strict and, to some, controversial lock-outs were introduced, Kings Cross is no longer a hot-bed of crime.

Read More TKYF Mosman, NSW, Sydney Australia

Sydney Lord Mayor and NSW Attorney General say "Thanks!"

Sydney Lord Mayor and NSW Attorney General say "Thanks!"

The Lord Mayor - Clover Moore, personally extended an invitation to all of the Take Kare volunteers to attend a "Thank you" morning tea to recognise the volunteers of the 'Safe Space and Take Kare Ambassador Program."

Read More City of Sydney Town Hall Sydney, NSW, 2000 Australia

MEDIA RELEASE: 16th Feb. Late-night safe space trial to be extended

MEDIA RELEASE: 16th Feb. Late-night safe space trial to be extended

In the program’s first 11 weeks, 130 volunteers provided support to more than 1,700 people – including giving first aid to 200 people, charging 170 phones, and handing out 2,300 bottles of water and 250 pairs of thongs. 

NSW Attorney General Brad Hazzard said the government was so pleased with the outcomes, it was investing an extra $37,500 to allow the Safe Space to operate until the end of May.

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Thomas Kelly Youth Foundation partners with NAAPA

Thomas Kelly Youth Foundation partners with NAAPA

The Thomas Kelly Youth Foundation today officially announced its partnership with the "NSW/ACT Alcohol Policy Alliance" (NAAPA).

The alliance now has 47 members calling on the State Government of NSW and the Federal Government to engage with the community to make life-saving policy to address current alcohol harms.

The warning message in this quote made 38 years ago has largely gone unheeded:

“Alcohol is the major drug of abuse in Australia. It now constitutes a problem of epidemic proportions [and] …any failure by governments or individuals to acknowledge that a major problem - and potential national disaster - is upon us would constitute gross irresponsibility.”

Senate Standing Committee on Social Welfare, 1977

Permalink Thomas Kelly Youth Foundation Mosman, Sydney Australia

Why your body loves time off from alcohol (especially if you’re female)

Why your body loves time off from alcohol (especially if you’re female)

Thanks to Febfast, Dry July and Ocsober we're getting used to the idea of a holiday from alcohol – a four-week break that can reconnect us with the  bright side of zero alcohol like more money and less brain fog. But what about the health benefits of taking more regular mini-breaks from wine, beer and spirits – like the two alcohol-free days a week that are often recommended  to  help reduce the risks from drinking?

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Health professionals, police advocates and anti-alcohol campaigners have slammed a possible early review by the New South Wales government into its controversial lockout laws.

Mr Kelly held a joint press-conference with St. Vincent's Hospital's Dr Tony Grabs, who noticed significant changes since the laws came into place.

"We've seen probably a 50 per cent reduction in the number of people coming through the emergency department that have severe intoxication or as victims of violence in association with alcohol," Dr Grabs said.

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Lighten CBD booze controls at your peril!

Lighten CBD booze controls at your peril!

Chalk and cheese. That's the common response from frontline doctors and nurses at St Vincent's Hospital when asked about life before and after the introduction of Sydney's lock-out laws.

Since the NSW Government began to limit alcohol availability in key inner-Sydney areas early last year, the volume and severity of alcohol-related trauma presentations to the hospital has changed dramatically.  The difference is both stark and very human.

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MEDIA RELEASE: TAKE KARE Safe Space Sydney

MEDIA RELEASE: TAKE KARE Safe Space Sydney

Friday 5 December 2014

Young people can look forward to a safer night out in Sydney this summer thanks to a Safe Space trial organised by the NSW Government, the City of Sydney, the Salvation Army and the Thomas Kelly Youth Foundation. 

From tonight, a Safe Space will be established in Sydney Square next to Town Hall to offer first aid, water, phone access and transport information to vulnerable young people who may be intoxicated or affected by drugs.

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