Southwest Sydney’s The Formal Project left homeless before Christmas
The Minto couple behind The Formal Project have given more than 11,000 gowns, suits, heels and ties to kids in need across Sydney and Australia-wide. Now, they need our help.
NSW
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One of southwest Sydney’s most beloved community organisations is in desperate need of “a Christmas miracle”, left in limbo after the shopping mall that houses them decided to rent out the space.
The Formal Project, run by Sam Oakes and her partner, Chelle, has given out free formal dresses, suits and matching shoes to more than 11,500 impoverished kids who couldn’t otherwise afford an outfit for their graduation celebrations.
Ms Oakes and her small army of volunteers have operated rent-free out of a vacant shop in Minto Mall for the past two formal seasons, but were last week given the bad news they wouldn’t be able to stay.
Founder Ms Oakes said she didn’t want to blame the mall owners, but without a new shop front the charity would be forced to turn away thousands of school graduates.
“They haven’t actually kicked us out, we just can’t secure the space for 2025 – they said we might be able to have it for a month, six months, but there was no guarantee,” she explained.
“(The owners) want to rent it out, and we can’t afford rent. They’re still supportive, but they’re business people at the end of the day and they need an income too.”
The news has prompted a desperate plea to relocate the charity to a new home, where they’ll need at least 300 sqm of space for changing rooms and racks for their thousands of second-hand donations.
“We just need help – I can’t do this from home, if I did we could only help a thousand kids … (and) how can I turn them away? Why should I have to,” Ms Oakes said.
“I just need someone who has a big heart to say: ‘Hey, I have a space in the Campbelltown/Macarthur area and you can use it for free.
“There has to be a millionaire out there, somewhere, who loves what we do and will put their hand up with nothing in return other than knowing they’ve made sure these kids get fitted out. If ever I needed a Christmas miracle, it’s now.”
Campbelltown mayor Darcy Lound said he is doing “everything in my power” to make sure The Formal Project finds a new home, and promised a meeting between himself and the Oakes to see how the local council could help.
“I know Sam well, and it’s a tremendous service that they’re doing for the community, when families are struggling for various reasons – whether it’s money, illness, or something going on in the family,” he said.
“The work they’ve done is just inspiring, to help the children get dressed up for such a special moment in their lives.”
Macquarie Fields MP Anoulack Chanthivong also offered to help out where he can, including speaking to the council to see if there are any vacant premises the charity can use.
“I know what an incredible job The Formal Project does providing formal dresses for kids in families who are doing it tough,” he said.
“My office will do what it can to try and find them a new home so they can continue the extraordinary service they provide our local community.”
Campbelltown MP Greg Warren said he hoped “that every opportunity is explored to allow this organisation to continue its operations”.
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Originally published as Southwest Sydney’s The Formal Project left homeless before Christmas
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