Orange Sky Australia

When we kicked off Double the Difference Day last week, we never could have expected this incredible result. Together, with matching partners doubling every dollar given, our community smashed our million-dollar goal and raised a mind-blowing $1,229,080 🤯

We say it often, because it's true: these aren’t just abstract numbers or meaningless figures. Because of your overwhelming generosity, 42,676 people experiencing homelessness or hardship across Australia will be supported with clean clothes and warm showers. More importantly, our shifts create the simple magic of someone sitting down, having a cuppa and genuinely connecting with a community that cares.

On May 28, our team took to the phones to personally thank as many of our wonderful donors as possible. During one of those calls, we spoke with a supporter who actually used our service in the past. Today, he’s in a position to give back, help fund our mission, and connect others to Orange Sky. That's just one story from the thousands who gave generously.

It's as our dedicated Cairns volunteer and donor duo Cathie and John, say - "You treat people how you want to be treated... with Orange Sky, one of the big things is that we are in it together."

Thank you to the volunteers, service providers, corporate partners, remote community teams and supporters who continue to power our mission forward, not just on Double the Difference Day, but year round too. You have shown, once again, that we really are ALL in this together 🧡

Happy 10th Birthday Canberra!

Ten years ago, Orange Sky’s very first van ‘Dasher’ rolled into the city - the beginning of a decade of washing, chatting and connecting with the local community.

What started as one orange van and a dedicated team of volunteers has grown into something truly special. Over the last decade, volunteers have shown up week after week to provide free laundry and shower services, share conversations and create a welcoming space for people doing it tough. Since 2016, we have together delivered:

✨ 20,326 loads of laundry
✨ 216 warm showers
✨ 35,277 hours of conversation
✨ 5,239 shifts

From chilly mornings to late-night shifts, the Canberra community has helped build a service grounded in connection, consistency and kindness.

Of course, none of this would be possible without the volunteers, service partners and supporters who have powered the service with unwavering commitment. Whether you’ve volunteered on shift, donated, partnered with us or supported from afar - thank you for being part of the journey 🧡

Reconciliation isn't something we step into for a week - it's something we show up for every day. For us, that means showing up consistently in remote communities, partnering with local organisations and creating spaces where people can wash, connect, feel supported and have a yarn.

From Aurukun to Kalgoorlie, we walk alongside First Nations communities, listening, learning and adapting. We're so grateful for the partnerships that shape how we show up and continue to guide how we evolve.

At Orange Sky, Reconciliation Week is not a moment in time. It's a continued commitment to action and to showing up every day. Reconciliation will not happen by itself, and it will not happen without all of us working together - we're 'All In' 🧡

Murrup Katherine West Health Board Job Pathways Mala'la Health Service Aboriginal Corporation Children's Ground Central Australian Aboriginal Congress Bega Garnbirringu Health Service North West Hospital and Health Service Thamarrurr Development Corporation

It's smiling faces like these, and 4,500 more across Australia, that make what we do possible.

Orange Sky volunteers aren't necessarily qualified counsellors, they aren't laundry professionals - but they are great conversationalists who welcome anyone and everyone for a good yarn.

They choose to show up - even when it's raining, cold or inconvenient - simply because they care.

To volunteers across the country, thank you. Your impact is real and significant, and our mission is only as strong as the people who power it.

If this sounds like your attitude, and these friendly folks look like your kind of mates, we are always looking for fresh faces to help us power our mission across Australia 🧡 Please head to https://orangesky.org.au/volunteer/ to find out more!

Here's Darren and Matt sharing a yarn and a laugh on their regular shift. For them, Thursday evenings on shift are for sitting down, having a cuppa and catching up on the week that’s been.

Moments of connection just like this are only possible because of our incredible community.

Last year, Orange Sky supporters, volunteers and partners came together for Double the Difference Day to raise an amazing $823,299. It’s this collective effort that keeps our wheels turning, directly powering the weekly shifts where volunteers like Matt and friends like Darren can sit down and connect.

Next Thursday, May 28, we have the opportunity to multiply these vital moments of connection across Australia.

For 24 hours, every donation made to Orange Sky will be matched by our generous matching partners. For friends doing it tough all around the country, this means twice the clean clothes, warm showers and genuine conversation.

Whether you volunteer on shift, partner with our services, donate, power our remote services, fundraise or simply champion what we do - you are part of this impact. That’s the power of two in action, and we are so grateful to have you in our corner 🧡

10 years of Orange Sky on the Sunshine Coast! 🧡

Ten years ago, Orange Sky launched on the Sunshine Coast with just 13 volunteers, one orange van and a whole lot of passion to support the community. Fast forward a decade, and here’s the incredible part… those original volunteers (final slide!) are still volunteering today 🥹 Since 2016, the Sunshine Coast services have delivered:

✨ 28,000 loads of laundry
✨ 37,000 hours of conversation
✨ 4,000 shifts

Since those early days, the service has become part of the fabric of the local community - built on orange chairs, warm conversations and the simple act of showing up for one another. Of course, this impact wouldn’t be possible without our amazing volunteers, service partners, fundraisers and supporters who have backed the Sunshine Coast service over the years. Thank you to every person who has helped make the last decade possible.

10 years later, the washing machines are still spinning, the chairs are still out and conversations are still creating connection. Here’s to the next 10 🧡