Orange Sky Australia

Phil is known as the resident comedian of his regular Thursday night shift, a father and a brother.

"I love telling jokes - it makes me laugh, it makes other people laugh."

Since coming to Cairns he's been living in a share house, and struggling to find work. Orange Sky has become a stable part of his week, a community for him to be part of and a place connect with volunteers - even without using the laundry services.

"I come to Orange Sky because some people here are really nice to talk to." Yet, despite his cheerful exterior, Phil is the first to admit to his heavier internal reality after going through "a hell of a lot."

"I've been struggling with depression for most of my life, through everything that's happened to me."

The volunteer team - Kristyn, Jessica (pictured), Daniel, Del and Barbara - know all Phil's favourite jokes, and genuinely look forward to connecting with him week in, week out.

"I'm just so grateful to Orange Sky for doing what they do."

We were so proud and honoured to welcome the Governor-General, Her Excellency the Honourable Ms Sam Mostyn AC Governor-General of Australia, to one of our Brisbane shifts last month 🧡

It was a wonderful opportunity to share more about Orange Sky’s mission, show Her Excellency our services in action and connect over the importance of supporting people experiencing homelessness and hardship across Australia.

We’re incredibly grateful for the time she took to get to know our community, volunteers and friends on shift, and for her support of the work happening every day inside our orange vans.

Numbers don’t always land. So we made our impact easier to picture 👉🏻

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