Melbourne Couple Beats a Field of 700 and Scores a Finals Spot In the Cool Company Awards

PRLog (Press Release) - Dec. 4, 2011 - A local Melbourne couple has been honoured at the annual Anthill Magazine Cool Company Awards for their work linking local schools and families with development projects across Asia Pacific, proving once and for all that having a social conscience is officially cool.

Destination Dreaming, which works with young people across Australia, was recognised as one of three finalists in the Social Capitalist Award category, beating a field of over 700 nominees.
 
The Anthill Magazine Cool Company Awards celebrate Australian organisations that are doing things differently to bring about positive change in the world.  The magazine describes ‘Social Capitalists’ as those companies, which successfully apply commercial principles to social issues and achieve lasting, sustainable success. Finalists need to have demonstrated the ability to address a targeted social need in an organised, innovative and entrepreneurial way.

Since 2004 Destination Dreaming has specialised in taking school and family groups on expeditions throughout the Asia Pacific region that provide participants with an opportunity to contribute to a developing community.

Participants support sustainable, collaborative health and education projects in remote communities, fostering an ongoing relationship between the school and host community.

In announcing the finalists Anthill Magazine said, “Destination Dreaming differs from many ethical-travel initiatives because, rather than providing a one-off, cookie-cutter experiences, it works to develop ongoing relationships between the communities and Australian school and other groups.”

In the past seven years, the social enterprise has grown to work with communities across Australia, Fiji, Samoa, Timor Leste, and Kenya.
•   It has run educational programs for over 400 young people from Melbourne, Warrnambool, Ballarat, Launceston, Perth, Sydney, Canberra, Brisbane and the Gold and Sunshine Coasts
•   Assisted a rural village of over 500 people gain access to clean water
•   Secured government support for a primary school in remote Fiji
•   Supported the construction of two shelters in Timor Leste so 120 children can play safely outside

Destination Dreaming Director Kate Miller said, “As a social enterprise, it is wonderful to be recognised for the life-changing work we are achieving with young Australians and the capacity we’ve built within our partner communities. Community service is at the core of all our programs, and it’s the ‘real’ creation of collaborative and sustainable partnerships between our client schools and their host community that leave the greatest impact on the communities and in the hearts of those who travel with us.”

For information on why community contribution needs to be at the core of more education programs, contact Destination Dreaming on (03) 9077 2207 or visit http://www.destinationdreaming.com.au.

# # #

Destination Dreaming is a social enterprise empowering people to build stronger relationships, learn about themselves and drive social change. Specialising in education and cross-cultural programs for schools, families and teachers throughout AsiaPacific.