"I am proud to be a patron of the Friends of STARTTS.

STARTTS is the service for Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors. It is an organisation that reaches out to people who are severely traumatized and who have suffered greatly in ways that most Australians could not even imagine. It is only able to reach out to people because of the dedicated work of counsellors, psychologists, and people with experience in advising and helping torture and trauma survivors.

I have seen the wonderful people who take part in this work. I admire what they strive to do. They survive on a shoestring budget. They deserve the support of all good Australian citizens. Ours is a much blessed country which has accepted, over the course of this century, many refugees and people who have suffered greatly in their own lands. They and their children typically go on to become sterling citizens of our country. That is why I regard an investment in STARTTS as an investment in human kindness but also in the future of Australia."

The Hon Justice Michael Kirby AC CMG, September 1998

High Court of Australia since 1996

Canberra ACT

Winner of the UNESCO Prize for Human Rights Education 1998

Australian Human rights Medal 1991

UN Association Australian Media Peace Award 1987

International Jury UNESCO Prize for Teaching Human Rights 1994-96

"I am delighted to express my support for Friends of STARTTS.

The Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors (STARTTS) was established in 1988 to provide counselling services for torture and trauma survivors.

STARTTS has led the way in the development of services for victims of torture and trauma. Its programs include the clinical care of adults and specialist clinics for refugee children, a specialist employment officer to assist with resumes and job search skills, and a calendar of cultural and social events for clients and the community.

STARTTS has played a critical role in the successful settlement of thousands of refugees from war torn areas. The skills and expertise developed by the staff of STARTTS is also being used to assist Australia’s neighbours. Later this month a group of workers from STARTTS will travel to East Timor to establish a counselling services for trauma victims.

Friends of STARTTS (FoS) was established in 1992 to raise funds in support of the work of STARTTS. FoS activities help raise awareness in our neighbourhoods and workplaces of the suffering and the courage of people who have come to Australia as refugees.

I am proud to be the patron of this fine organisation.

I encourage everyone who cares about the health and happiness of others to lend their support to the vital work of STARTTS by becoming involved in Friends of STARTTS."

Helena Carr
m. Hon Bob Carr
Parliament House, Sydney

"As a patron on Friends of STARTTS I would like to commend the valuable contribution made by the members of this not-for-profit organisation.

STARTTS enables refugees and survivors of torture to have a voice and send a clear message to the community at large that torture is not to be tolerated.

Without Friends of STARTTS being there to assist in the rehabilitation of these survivors and refugees in their time of personal crisis, financial hardship, emotional stress and anxiety, we would be a much poorer community. Their compassion and commitment is invaluable.

Keep up the good work!"

Kathryn Griener
Counsellor, City of Sydney Council since 1995
Sydney City Council