SU Australia

Attention Brisbanians! 📣 Would you like to be neighbours with SU? We're looking for tenants to join us in our Fortitude Valley building. If you're looking for office space, we'd love to hear from you. 🏢 Two floors are available - a ground floor and a second floor. The ground floor space contains a reception area, a boardroom, a separate meeting room adjoining the boardroom, a large open-plan area ideal for an auditorium or training space with kitchen and toilets, and an open-plan area that fits 8-10 desks. The second floor includes an open-plan area that fits 35 - 40 desks, six separately enclosed rooms that can be used as offices or meeting rooms, a boardroom/training facility, and an amenities area including toilets and a kitchen. Depending on the tenant’s needs, we can discuss access to an external loading bay with access to the back of the building. Tenants can also negotiate access to the rooftop area which is partially covered and ideal for open-air meetings or gatherings with views over downtown Brisbane. Both floors are available from 1 July 2024. If you are interested please send us an email on assets@su.org.au. So what are you waiting for? Welcome to the neighbourhood! 🌳

“Chaplains have the heart for things people don’t have the time for. It’s those things that really could be the difference in people’s lives.” - Chang As a chaplain, Chang knew he would face challenges. But the darkest time came when his student, Nathaniel, unexpectedly lost his younger brother. Without hesitation, Chang joined the search party, waddling through knee-high waters in the early hours of the morning. As Nathaniel’s grief set in, Chang didn’t hesitate to stand by his side either. Chang has supported and journeyed with Nathaniel and his family ever since. He’s been a steadfast anchor of hope during the family’s storm.  🙏 Your support makes a world of difference. This tax-time, help train up and equip more chaplains like Chang to show God’s transforming love to those in need. 🔗 To donate, tap the link in our bio or visit su.org.au/life  #DiscoveringLifeAppeal 

In Nathaniel’s darkest hour following the tragic loss of his younger brother, he found safety and support in his school chaplain Chang. When the media spotlight turned away, Chang was still there. In his own words, he’s there for “the long haul”.    For families like Nathaniel’s in the midst of despair, your support helps train up and equip chaplains like Chang to be in place to show God’s love to those in need for the long haul. 🌟 Your gift before June 30 will play a vital role in helping children, young people and their families discover hope and life in God’s big story. This tax-time, will you stand with your SU community across Australia to ensure this crucial work continues? Your gift can be the difference. Help raise up more chaplains like Chang, and other youth ministry workers and volunteers, who will be trained and equipped to show God’s love and step into spaces where young people and families are most in need. 🔗 To donate visit su.org.au/life 

This is what it's all about 💚 Callum, one of our SU Chaplains, shared this with us: "The photo is a card I got recently that was particularly special. This young boy (let’s call him Jared) had a fair few things going on in his world during 2022/2023: – Mum and step-dad separated – Moved house fairly far away from the school – Uncle went to jail – Diagnosed with ADHD – Friendship dramas Jared is quite a sensitive 11 year old and all this got a bit much for him at times. A few times I got called to go and be with him while he had panic attacks and trouble breathing. Jared told me that he found it especially useful to offload what he was feeling at the time when I did my weekly catch-ups with him. We talked a lot about how to focus on what he could do about the things going on around him and how to let go of the things he couldn’t control. He had a space to vent about family dramas that were happening and the confusion of his Uncle being in the justice system. A lot of these things are still an ongoing journey for Jared as none of them are quick-fix things. But it’s so special knowing that he feels unconditionally supported and has people in his world who can journey alongside him in his difficult times. A really cool part of this story is that Jared missed a lot of days of school because of his anxiety; often on the day I’d normally see him. But, I was able to pivot when I worked with him and be flexible because I’m full-time at school; something only possible because of generous people like SU supporters! I’m so grateful for your prayers and support!" hashtag #NationalChaplaincyWeek hashtag #SchoolChaplaincy

It's National Chaplaincy Week! ✨ Our chaplains do amazing work in school communities across Australia, so we’re dedicating the whole week to celebrate them! SWIPE ➡️ to kick off the week with some facts about SU chaplains, and share your appreciation for the chaplains in your life in the comments below. #NationalChaplaincyWeek #SchoolChaplaincy #Chaplaincy

“Is this really it, God?” 💭 After dedicating over 19 years to the police force, Andy found himself questioning God’s plans for his life. After listening to the prompting of divine nudges, he decided to step out in faith and become a school chaplain in Blackall, Outback Queensland. God’s blessings exceeded expectations as generous funding from SU enabled Andy to expand to a second school in Tambo, where over 40 children between the schools have been blessed by flourishing tennis and basketball programs. A recent encounter underscored the impact of his work: a student confided in Andy that he was going through a tough time, and they were able to unpack it together. Thank you for supporting SU Chaplaincy. It only takes a small spark to showcase God’s transformative movement in our lives. #SUChaplaincy #SchoolChaplain

Embracing asylum-seeking families with God’s love 👪 Over summer, SU Australia hosted our first-ever Sanctuary Family Retreat, a camp designed to empower asylum-seeking families and provide support to local churches & individuals fostering communities for displaced people. Over 50 campers from various cultural communities, including families, couples, and individuals — some of whom arrived in Australia only only weeks before, and others who are still adapting to their new lives after fleeing their homelands years ago — gathered at Camp Coolamatong to share language, culture, meals, activities, and fellowship. One camper described the retreat as “a piece of heaven,” while a father, witnessing his family sail for the first time, tearfully exclaimed, “This is freedom like we could never have experienced in our home country.” 💙 Read the full story at https://lnkd.in/gFnJxzGw

Shaken but not stirred at Merry Beach 🌪️ Our Merry Beach Mission — a 7-day program led by 39 Christian leaders — aims to share the transformative message of Jesus at the local tourist park. But on the third day of this year's mission, unexpected restrictions by the park's management meant the team couldn't advertise or communicate with campers, leaving them in the lurch. However, thanks to the team's prayerfulness and creative resilience, the youth program continued. And despite the harsh restrictions, the program bore fruit to impactful conversations, heartwarming story-sharing, and meaningful connections. Read the story:

Congratulations to Kylie Conomos, our chaplain at Bald Hills State School, for winning the Bald Hills Plaza's Woman of the Year Community Builder Award! 🏆 Awarded for her tireless commitment to her local community, Kylie has been a driving force in establishing programmes that provide tangible benefits for students and families, including mentoring programs, grocery hampers for families in need, and an annual fundraiser for children living in energy poverty around the world. “It has been an honour and a privilege to care for and support many students, staff and families throughout this time, as well as being able to connect them to wonderful local organisations, community networks, churches, and groups through building a large volunteer base of supporters that bring extra assistance and value to our students and school community," says Kylie. "Thank you to our wonderful community who have brought so much kindness and care to struggling students and families at BHSS. It has been an honour to coordinate your contributions and to accept this award on your behalf”. Go Kylie! 👏 #SUChaplaincy #SchoolChaplaincy