Kane Bowden discusses homelessness with Jon Faine and Paul Moulds

Lighthouse CEO Kane Bowden recently joined Paul Moulds and Jon Faine on The Conversation Hour, Radio 774, to discuss the issue of youth homelessness. For a podcast of the segment, please copy and paste the following address into your internet browser: http://www.abc.net.au/local/audio/2008/04/10/2218689.htm?site=melbourne

Father figure, counsellor, saviour, and an orphan himself, Paul Moulds is nothing short of a legend amongst street kids who stumble into Sydney's Oasis Youth Refuge at breaking point. No story is too horrific, no circumstance too dire, no kid too damaged. During his chaotic 25 years of service Paul has helped hundreds of young people.

The Oasis documentary was shot over two years, and is a confronting look at a group of kids who are incredibly damaged, often forgotten by society, whose world has collapsed around them. For 25 years, Paul has been father figure, counsellor and saviour to these kids, as they stumble into the Oasis youth refuge, often at breaking point. He is determined to help them realise their dreams of a better life, and often, he succeeds in doing so.

Kane is the CEO of the Lighthouse Foundation. He comes from a pretty extraordinary family. The Bowdens are: Judy, an amazing Mum and recently retired educator, and Dad Mike who is active in Indigenous Affairs in the NT and is a former Grand Finalist with the Richmond Football Club in the 70's.

His brother Sean is also heavily involved in Aboriginal issues in the Top End (lawyer); brother Charlie lives and works in Mildura as a mechanic; brother Rhett is on Christmas Island teaching; brother Joel is a current Richmond player and All Australian AFL star; brother Patrick an up and coming Richmond star; and sister Majella is completing her teaching studies and working in Alice Springs in Aboriginal Education.

Coming from a family that is committed to social justice, has confirmed Kane's belief that homelessness can be eradicated in a country like ours.