Macquarie Correctional Centre inmate donates art to raise money for Sturt House and Youth Foyer

An inmate from a regional correctional centre has donated artwork to a local charity to raise funds for youth accommodation. Here’s how you can get involved.

A Macquarie Correctional Centre inmate has donated art to Sturt House to raise money for a Youth Foyer in Dubbo. Left is Sturt House manager Jamie Butcher. Photo: Tijana Birdjan

A regional correctional facility and a specialist homeless service in the state’s central west are working together to raise funds for a local youth centre.

A Macquarie Correctional Centre inmate has donated artwork to Orana Support Service’s Sturt House, a men’s refuge, to raise funding to build a Youth Foyer in Dubbo for young people aged between 16 to 24 who are at risk or have experienced homelessness.

The Foyer Foundation has lobbied to the Federal Government to invest $184 million to construct 10 40-unit foyers in 10 cities, including Dubbo, over the next three years.

The inmate, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, has been visiting Sturt House to build a relationship within the service and is working towards being involved with the community.
He said Macquarie Correctional Centre had been progressive and provided him the opportunity to grow his creative skill set while giving him a second chance at life.

A Macquarie Correctional Centre inmate has donated art to Sturt House to raise money for a Youth Foyer in Dubbo. Photo: Tijana Birdjan

“People always get branded that they’re one thing, but at the end of the day it’s not about where you started, it’s where you end up,” he said.

“Without the way [Macquarie Correctional Centre’s] progressed and changed, I wouldn’t have changed, and I wouldn’t be doing what I’m doing now.

“I wouldn’t be the person that I am now.”

Even though he is self-taught, the inmate said the facility offered a range of creative support when it came to art and other projects.

“I like the person I am now,” he said.

He said he was excited to donate the piece and help out youths.

Orana Support Services staff advocate for a youth foyer. Photo: Orana Support Services

Sturt House manager Jamie Butcher is planning to auction the piece later this year in an art exhibition.

Mr Butcher and his colleagues would be taking part in the Camino de Santiago Walk in Spain in September to raise money for the foyer.

He is calling for Dubbo artists to donate pieces to Sturt House to contribute to the foyer.

“There’s a heap of youth problems in Dubbo and we’re trying to get more accommodation for them,” he said.

“Youth can stay in their own unit for up to two years so hopefully after that, they’re right to move into their own place.”

Mr Butcher said that while it was independent living, staff would teach the youths seeking accommodation skills to use in their daily lives.

If you are interested in purchasing the inmate’s piece before the exhibition or want to donate artwork, please contact Orana Support Service.

Orana Support Service are also taking donations for the Camino de Santiago Walk to fund the Youth Foyer.

Do you have a story for the Daily Telegraph? Please email [e-mail]