MEDIA RELEASE May 2007

After 23 years Streetwize Communications announces wind down of operations

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, young people and linguistically diverse groups are set to lose a vital source of information on issues such as discrimination, employment and health with the wind down of award-winning not-for-profit agency Streetwize Communications.

Most renowned for their comics, Streetwize has researched and communicated on social issues for over 23 years, effectively targeting hard to reach groups who experience difficulty in accessing mainstream sources of information.

Streetwize Chair Denise North says: "Streetwize has always sought to be part of the solution, not part of the problem. After a long period of concerted analysis of the history, capacity and capabilities of the present business model, the Streetwize Board has made the difficult decision that Streetwize is not sustainable in its current format and will wind down operations by the end of June 2007."

While Streetwize has consistently attracted project-specific funding from a diverse range of clients and funders including state and federal funding bodies, the organisation receives no consistent contribution to core costs. Without core funding Streetwize has struggled to stay afloat financially for the whole of its 20 plus years.

To be sustainable, Streetwize would need to operate on a much larger scale than is currently possible given the resources that are available. Without significant expansion and ongoing untied core funding, the organisation as it currently operates is no longer viable as it is not able to invest in development and growth into new technologies, products or markets in response to the communities' needs.

Streetwize General Manager Jo Taylor says: "I think many people are going to be surprised that Streetwize is winding down. Although many not-for-profits are facing the same challenges around sustainability and efficacy we rarely discuss them openly. Over the years we have been able to stretch our project funding and with the hard work of dedicated small staff teams we were able to produce high quality products and services for our target audience. Without investment into development, growth and infrastructure it simply becomes about the day-to-day struggle to stay open. Our priority should be on the needs of our target audience," says Ms Taylor, "not on simply surviving."

With a model of collaboration and direct input from communities, Streetwize has sought to develop resources with the belief that access to information can give people dignity, strength and promote empowerment.

Manager of Women's Legal Service NSW (WLS NSW) Kim Price laments the wind down. "It is a sad day that after 23 years of service Streetwize is closing its doors. Women's Legal Service NSW recently had the privilege of working with the creative, professional, knowledgeable, thoughtful and well-organised staff of Streetwize, on a legal pamphlet with 'no words'.

"WLS NSW has four telephone legal advice lines for disadvantaged women across NSW. Information about our service needs to be made available to all women across NSW. There are many who have literacy and other barriers to reading material printed in English."

This pamphlet would not have been possible without the creativity and innovative style of communication for which Streetwize is known. They will be greatly missed."

As a Senior Policy & Education Officer in the Consumer Protection Directorate at the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), Miles Larbey has worked with Streetwize for the past four years. "ASIC has worked with Streetwize on a number of important consumer education projects," says Mr Larbey. "We've found them invaluable in getting messages across in a creative and innovative way, which is critical with audiences that are traditionally hard to reach. We thank Streetwize for all their work, professionalism and great ideas."

Over the next 6 weeks Streetwize will release its final publications through its database or partner organisations:

• Healthy Bubs: Positive parenting playing cards.
• No Shame No Blame: Workers Kit and comic for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and carers of a loved one with a drug dependency issue.
• On the Edge: dual diagnosis comic and workers kit
• Women’ Legal Services NSW pamphlet for ATSIC and culturally and linguistically diverse women in abusive relationships.
• Self harm comic and workers kit.
• Reading the Signs: a DVD for the NSW Office for Women empowering young women to make positive choices in relationships.

Press enquiries can be directed to:
Courtney Collins on courtney@streetwize.com.au or 0406066641

If you would like to place an order for a Streetwize resource, please download an order form from www.streetwize.com.au or contact orders@streetwize.com.au before 11th May.

For more information on the wind down process, please go to www.streetwize.com.au/media_release/faq.html

General enquiries can be directed to stwize@streetwize.com.au

STREETWIZE COMMUNICATIONS 1984-2007
Celebrating 23 years of enabling informed choice and creating change.