Western Australia’s brightest media professionals gathered last week to celebrate the achievements of industry professionals and agencies ... and raise funds for the Salvos Crossroads West program.

2017 Oasis Ball and Campaign Brief Awards, an initiative of the Western Australian advertising, media and communications industry, gathered 800 professionals to its premiere event.

The annual awards event is instrumental to the continuation of Crossroads West, which provides for young people whose home lives are severely disrupted by a parent or guardian’s alcohol and drug addiction, physical abuse or abandonment. Hosted by The Footy Show’s Rebecca Maddern and Nine Perth’s Tim McMillan,the annual event has raised more than $2 million since the partnership began 22 years ago. 

“The Oasis Ball fully funds our independent living program. Without it we wouldn’t have an external support and accommodation program,” says Yvonne Hunt, Director of Crossroads West. “It also assists in operational and inspirational opportunities for young people.”

Held at Crown Towers Ballroom in Perth, decked out in an Arabian Nights theme, the Crossroads West team worked closely with the Oasis Ball committee to prepare a presentation about their work. The event committee also toured Oasis House to fully understand the breadth of services it provides for young people. While it is too early to pre-empt this year’s total, the 2016 Oasis Ball provided Crossroads West with $160,000 funding.

“As an industry we’re sometimes seen as self-serving but the more than $ 2 million we’ve raised over 22 years tells a different story,” said Oasis chairman Brendon Lewis to the WA News. 

The prestigious awards ceremony included a silent auction, offering more than $550,000 in advertising and luxury accommodation packages. “The major auction was a roaring success. It was very well received which was awesome for us,” says Yvonne.

 In 2016, it worked with young adults to reunify families, cultivate independent living and find accommodation.