Australian of the Year Awards

As a 19-year-old student Paul Moulds spent his summer volunteering as a youth outreach worker and 27 years later he is still helping Sydney’s homeless youth, many of whom are drug addicted, abused, damaged or suffering mental illness. As Director of Oasis in Sydney, The Salvation Army’s response to youth homelessness and disadvantage, Paul is literally saving lives every day. With more than 20 innovative services, Oasis offers outreach, accommodation and specialist intervention to help disconnected young people get back on their feet and turn their lives around. Paul manages 70 staff, allocates Oasis’s 55 beds to homeless youth and feeds more than 100 kids a night. When he joined the organisation 12 years ago they only provided a bed and a meal, but Paul generated corporate sponsorship to allow them to undertake a host of day programs, including an onsite radio station run by the kids; internet bus; film, editing and production company; outdoor adventure therapy and counselling; training and employment assistance; work in cleaning and gardening; and handyperson experience.

Paul invests much of himself in offering these young people hope, a sense of purpose and a chance to rebuild their lives.