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Media Enquiries:
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (02) 9581 9185

Top stories from 2023

SBS News – October 2023

Homelessness crisis deepens as climate concerns grow…listen

The Canberra Times – October 2023

El Nino summer taking more of a toll on homeless…read

7NEWS – October 2023

Hundreds set to trek from Parramatta to Kings Cross for Wayside Chapel’s Long Walk Home…read

PerthNow – June 2023

Public housing needed as charities face surge in demand…read

News.com.au – June 2023

Concerning trend in cost of living crisis as demand for homelessness service jumps…read

Womens Agenda – May 2023

A new safe haven: How Wayside Chapel has quadrupled the number of women it can support…read

Newcastle Herald –  March 2023

Wayside Chapel will launch a program on Thursday that offers women a safe space and the opportunity to receive gender-specific support tailored to their individual experiences….read

10 News First Sydney – March 2023

Women over 55 are Australia’s fastest growing homeless population, but, fortunately, there is a new lifeline…watch

Sydney Morning Herald – February 2023

Wayside Chapel in Kings Cross brought a similar message, despite hailing from the centre of the city, when it returned to the parade for the first time since 2018 with a float titled “Absolutely Everybody! – A Community with No Us and Them”…read

ABC News – January 2023

On winning an Australia Day Honour, David Wenham sits down with the ABC to reflect on his career as well has his work with Wayside Chapel. Watch here

Top stories from 2022

Hope FM – December 2022

For the 37,715 people experiencing homelessness in NSW, Christmas is going to be a lonely and difficult time. There will be no presents under the tree, stuffed stockings or a warm family lunch. But there is Wayside Chapel…read

2GB – December 2022

On December 25, Hughes Street in Kings Cross will be transformed into Sydney’s biggest Christmas Party. The event has been running for more than 40 years…read

SBS – December 2022

Australian charities including Wayside Chapel are reporting a surge in demand for relief in the lead-up to Christmas…read

Sydney Morning Herald – December 2022

Growing up, Claudia Karvan lived around the corner from the Wayside Chapel in Kings Cross and as a child was drawn to the “warmth and eccentricity” that emanated from the building…read

Insights – December 2022

Wayside Chapel’s annual Christmas Day Street Party will once again transform Hughes Street Kings Cross with long tables, live music, pop-up events, and a visit from Santa for the kids…read

ABC Organic Gardener – November 2022
For many of us, a garden is a place to escape to; time spent there is a chance to forget the busyness of the world outside and enjoy the simplicity of hands in soil and watching things grow…read

ABC Weekend Breakfast – 19 June 2022
Wayside Chapel Pastor Jon Owen has asked for urgent support as almost 150 people are coming into the centre per day seeking shelter… watch

Eternity News – 17 June 
As Sydney braces itself for bitterly cold winds and wet weather this winter, Wayside Chapel is seeking urgent support from the public to help the influx of people in crisis who will be seeking shelter, practical support and respite from the elements… read

The Guardian Australia – 6 June 2022
Homeless services across Australia are scrambling to provide temporary accommodation for those sleeping rough as they are hit by recent wild weather and the icy snap that has marked the beginning of winter… read

Urban List – 21 January 2022
The “Bondi bubble” exists for good reason. Sitting on Sydney’s picturesque Eastern suburbs coastline, it offers plenty, from a 1km stretch of world-renowned white sand to an outstanding drinking and dining scene… read

Top stories from 2021

ABC News – 21 December 2021
More than 70,000 people in NSW needed services for the homeless, a third of those were Indigenous… watch

A Current Affair – 1 December 2021
Imprisonment rates in Australia are the highest in history, even though crime rates are falling… read

Time Out – 17 November 2021
If you want a coffee and a roll that you can feel really, really good about then this one’s for you… read

The Guardian Australia – 24 October 2021 
The unclaimed: the ashes left waiting in Sydney’s Wayside Chapel…read

Daily Telegraph – 15 October 2021 
Will the drive to reduce rough sleeping last as NSW learns to live with COVID-19?…read

Daily Telegraph – 23 September 2021 
Wayside Chapel Long Walk Home 2021 fundraiser supports homeless during Covid…read

Sydney Morning Herald – 23 August 2021 
Op shops closed for lockdown, so they went online and found a global market…read

Sydney Weekender – 15 August 2021 
Feel good food at our social enterprise cafe Heart Cafe…watch

The Beast – 10 July 2021 
The Beast writes about Wayside Chapel’s social enterprise Heart Cafe, creating employment pathways for at-risk young people with The Wingspan Project…read

ABC News – 30 June 2021 
Sydney’s homeless to get a roof over their heads during COVID lockdown…watch (available until 15 July 2021)

Missing Perspectives – 30 June 2021
Cassandra Ashcroft on connection to culture for Aboriginal people as a path to healing…read

SBS News – 18 June 2021
‘A key factor is love’: How one charity is ensuring Sydney’s homeless community can access the coronavirus vaccine…read or watch

Daily Telegraph – 17 June 2021
Behind the scenes of the Wayside Chapel’s Winter Appeal…read or watch

Wentworth Courier – 10 June 2021
Wayside Chapel Winter Appeal: women and domestic violence victims in crisis…read

Something To Talk About with Samantha Armytage – 4 April 2021
Sam Armytage talks to Pastor & CEO Jon Owen…listen

Daily Telegraph – 4 April 2021
Sydney’s Christian leaders reveal their Easter messages of hope…read

Betoota Advocate Podcast – 8 February 2021
The Betoota Advocate editors interview Father Jon from the iconic Wayside Chapel in Kings Cross…listen

Professional Planner – 5 February 2021 
Leadership in the trenches with Wayside’s Jon Owen… watch

Top stories from 2020

Christmas Day 2020
Although it was not our usual fanfare, the city’s most vulnerable got a meal with all the trimmings and we made sure they were not alone or forgotten on Christmas Day. Read about it in ABC NewsSBS News, & Eternity News.

Gourmet Traveller – 30 November 2020 
In her monthly column, chef Kylie Kwong celebrates the individuals helping to grow a stronger community…read

ABC Radio – On Nightlife – 1 November 2020
Jon Owen and Indira Naidoo talk good leadership and swarm intelligence…listen

Wayside Chapel Op Shop Online and announcement of ambassadorship of Christian Wilkins – September 2020 
Wayside Chapel announced our new ambassador Christian Wilkins, who helped launch our new online op shop. Learn about it in Studio 10 (10 minutes in), Mosman DailyHuffington Post Australia,  BroadsheetConcrete Playground10 MagazineTime Out SydneyGreen + SimpleRagtrader, and Ironed BoxersThe Brag & a piece on Updating your Spring Wardrobe with Mia Morrisey in Sydney Morning Herald.

Sydney Morning Herald – 20 June 2020
‘It was kind of life or death’: A nation’s charities in crisis…read

ABC Radio – On Nightlife – 7 June 2020
This Mortal Coil – Filthy Rich and Homeless…listen

Sydney Morning Herald – 3 June
‘Poverty porn’ reality show can make a difference, says Indira Naidoo…read

SBS – 4 May 2020 
Homeless shelters giving hope for those living on the streets during coronavirus outbreak…read

The Project, Channel 10 – 20 April 2020 
Right now there’s a small glimmer of hope for some of the homeless in this country. And as Tom Tilley finds out coronavirus might just get the blame for some good news. watch

The Guardian Australia – 18 April 2020 
Forced into change by coronavirus, Wayside Chapel hits the streets to help the homeless…read

ABC Radio – On Nightlife – 12 April 2020 
Suzanne Hill speaks with Wayside Chapel Pastor Jon Owen about the message of Easter…listen

Sydney Morning Herald – 12 April 2020 
Prolonged isolation takes its toll on mental health…read

ABC Radio – In Nightlife – 29 March 2020 
Community Gardening in the Social Distancing Era…listen

10 Daily – 27 March 2020 
Domestic Violence Spikes During Coronavirus As Families Trapped At Home…read

Afternoons with James Valentine – ABC 702 Sydney – 17 March 2020
Jon Owen talks to James about what Wayside is doing in response to the coronavirus pandemic …listen  (Jon’s interview at 2:39:00) 

7 News – 17 March 2020
How people experiencing homelessness are affected by coronavirus…watch and on YouTube

The Drum, ABC TV – 17 March 2020
Jon Owen features on the panel of The Drum, discussing the ongoing coronavirus pandemic… watch 

On Nightlife with Indira Naidoo, ABC Radio 
Jon talks to Indira on ways to help us navigate the social issues in the coronavirus pandemic…listen

Top stories from 2019

Christmas Day Street Party and Donate a Plate 2019
Wayside Chapel’s annual Christmas Day Street Party brings together people from all walks of life to celebrate Christmas Day, all thanks to donors of Donate a Plate campaign.

SBS News, Daily TelegraphDaily Mail AustraliaCanberra TimesOBNSydney Morning HeraldWTOPEternity News,

Sydney Morning Herald – 24 December 2019
‘You don’t get a break from homelessness’: Wayside Chapel prepares for Christmas…read

Sky News – 21 December 2019
Wayside Chapel’s Christmas lunch is full of love which will ‘change the world’…watch

Australian Retail Association Blog – 13 December 2019
Why retailers should look outside the standard resume for their hires…read

Sydney Morning Herald – 15 November 2019
The renegade reverend’s bitter pill, and proud legacy, a tribute to Rev Ray Richmond…read

Wentworth Courier, Northern District Times, Parramatta Advertiser, Inner West Courier – 13 November 2019
Wayside visitor Josh Macey is walking in Long Walk Home, a 28km fundraising walk for Wayside Chapel…read

Sydney Morning Herald – 3 November 2019
Sydney’s Wayside Brides to be brought to stage…read

2GB – 30 October 2019
Homelessness on the rise among baby boomers…listen

Daily Telegraph/Central Sydney – 29 October 2019
Sydney mourns former Wayside Chapel reverend Ray Richmond who pioneered injecting rooms…read

Daily Telegraph/Wentworth Courier – 23 October 2019
The shifting character of Kings Cross and more homeless women seeking help…read

Sydney Morning Herald – 17 September 2019
A tribute to visitor Steve McGlashan who passed away… read

2GB 873 – 15 August 2019
Members of Wayside talk to Steve Price, who was broadcasting live from our rooftop in Kings Cross…watch

SBS Online 5 August 2019
Volunteer Rob Pegley tells how volunteering at Wayside put his own life into perspective…read

Sydney Morning Herald  3 August 2019
Danielle Turner, a visitor to Wayside, tells how she turned her life around…read

ABC Radio National 17 July 2019
People with severe mental illness die up to 20 years earlier than those without mental health issues…listen

The Australian 27 June 2019
Dick Smith’s plan to donate his fortune to charity…read

The Morning Show, Channel 7 27 June 2019
What women need to know to avoid homelessness…watch

Sun Herald 23 June 2019
Wayside Chapel seeks to raise $1.2M as more homeless women seek help…read

Sky News 8 June 2019
Jon Owen appears on Sky News: The Changemakers to discuss homelessness on the rise among women…watch

Good Weekend, Sydney Morning Herald 1 June 2019
Heart Cafe included in Good Food’s guide of 52 best brunches…read

Good Weekend, Sydney Morning Herald 1 June 2019
The Two of Us: Wayside ambassador Kylie Kwong and wife Nell…read

Triple J Hack 27 May 2019
Jon Owen goes on Triple J’s Hack program to talk about women experiencing homelessness…listen

Wentworth Courier 7 April 2019
Garden to stem dumping at Wayside Chapel Op Shop… read

ABC Radio National, God Forbid 7 April 2019
Lent in the 21st Century… listen

Sydney Morning Herald, Good Food – 16 March 2019
Eat by Jill Dupleix. Read

Broadsheet – 1 March 2019
Cafe Highlights. Read

Afternoons with James Valentine, ABC Radio – 11 March 2019
James Valentine Chats with Pastor Emeritus Graham Long about their series “The Long View” starting 11 March 2019. Listen

Pro Bono Australia – 6 March 2019
As charities increasingly look to other revenue streams to stay afloat, a guidebook is aiming to help not-for-profit leaders navigate the world of social enterprise…read

Sydney Morning Herald – 16 February 2019
David Wenham and Eden McGuire raising awareness for Valentine’s Day. Photos of the week, 19/38 read

Sydney Morning Herald, Good Food – 5 February 2019
Heart Cafe Bondi, where the feelgoodruns high… read

Daily Telegraph – 5 February 2019
Because nothing says I love you like a clean pair of undies. That’s the message from charity Wayside Chapel running their yearly campaign for some of Sydney’s most vulnerable… read

ABC Weekend Breakfast – 10 February 2019
Jon Owen appears on ABC Weekend Breakfast to chat about our Valentine’s Day appeal…watch

SBS News – 23 January 2019
Jon Owen appears on My Australia to chat about his journey to Wayside Chapel…read and watch 

ABC News 360 – 21 January 2019
Jon Owen talks about the heatwave and how it affects those who are homeless… listen

The Beast – 19 January 2019
Heart Cafe, a cafe with a conscience… read

Not Quite Nigella – 10 January 2019
Heart Warming Heart Cafe, Bondi Beach… read

Sydney Morning Herald – 6 January 2019
A 4-star review for Heart Cafe, Bondi’s first social enterprise cafe and a project by Wayside Chapel…read

Top stories from 2017

Christmas Day Street Party & Donate a Plate 2017 
Read all about our Christmas Day Street Party and Donate a Plate campaign, featured on the following outlets: 2GB Sydney , Time Out Sydney , Channel 7’s House of Wellness , Weekend Today Show , 2SER , News.com.au , Sydney Morning Herald  , SBS Australia , ABC News , 9News 

Wentworth Courier – 20 December 2017 
From volunteer to our Cafe Coordinator, Chantal Denis has been a big part of Wayside…read

Daily Telegraph – December 20 2017 
Rev Graham Long reflects on 13 years of service as he enters his final year as CEO and Pastor of Wayside…read

ABC Radio National – December 7 2017 
Rev Graham Long joins radio legend Richard Fidler for another Conversations…listen online or download.

ABC TV – One Plus One
Our Community Educator Rob Holt tells his amazing story with Jane Hutcheon…watch

Eternity News – December 2017 
Rev Graham Long talks about Wayside’s history…read

SBS – 20 November 2017 
Rev Graham Long says we shouldn’t be deterred from giving…read

Investment Magazine – 1 November 2017
Wayside Chapel’s Chairman Ian Martin talks about the importance of our inaugural event Side by Side …..read

ABC – 1 November 2017 
Dixie Link-Gordon aka Auntie Dixie, a big part of Wayside’s Aboriginal Program tells her story for ABC Women’s Work series…watch

Wentworth Courier – 9 June 2017
A $2 breakfast is served with dignity and respect at The Wayside Chapel…read

7 News – 16 April 2017
Rev Graham Anson speaks about the beauty of Easter at The Wayside Chapel Bondi…watch

Time Out Sydney – 9 February 2017
The Wayside Chapel is asking you to reconsider the flowers or chocolates on Valentine’s Day…read

SBS – 5 February 2017
Reverend Graham Long discussed the reasons and the reality behind a decline of religion in Australia… read

The Sydney Morning Herald – 30 January 2017
The Sydneysiders who bought the letters of the old Kings Cross Coke sign are announced… read