2.1 How did Mobilise get started?

Mobilise isn’t like a lot of other charities - the majority of what we do doesn’t involve directly interacting with those in need. Instead, we believe in ‘connection for change‘: constructing meaningful connections between organisations and individuals, so that we can collectively work towards a more equitable future.

Above all, as we seek to find innovative solutions to homelessness, we want to give people the opportunity to forge their own paths out of hardship - empowering individuals and giving back their autonomy.

Direct giving

Direct giving - providing funding directly to those experiencing or at risk of homelessness - is at the core of what we do. You’ll learn more about it in the next section, but Mobilise has pioneered unique programs that provide support and resources to people quickly and flexibly by working alongside other charities around Australia.

Igniting a movement

Most importantly, we at Mobilise want to unify Australia to solve homelessness together, through storytelling and exciting national campaigns. We aim to facilitate connection between charities, private sector, government, schools and the people we serve. Together, we can change how impact is seen and done in Australia, and eventually, the world.

Our Story

It all began in November 2016, when a 20 year old uni student, Noah (our founder) and his friend headed out onto the streets of Melbourne, giving bags of bread to people sleeping rough. They learnt that people were most interested in having a conversation and connecting.

Noah told his friends about it all, and they started a Facebook group called ‘Operation Mobilise’ - essentially another gathering of friends - and they headed out on their first ever outreach in April 2017.

Then, in September 2017, a gentleman on the street told some of our volunteers that daytime outreaches could be more effective than the night outreaches that were being run - so that’s what we started doing.

Our first interstate outreach was in August 2018 in Sydney. The more people that got involved, the more exposure Mobilise received, bringing along a generation who want to work together for a meaningful cause. Before long, we had expanded to Adelaide, Canberra, Perth and Brisbane.

A big part of how we grew is because along the way, we decided to document our work by filming everything. It was raw, tangible impact - and it was something that few others were getting involved in. Recognising that our strengths lay in documenting stories, Mobilise approached our first charities in Youth Projects and Lighthouse Foundation in late 2017. We weren’t treading on others’ toes; we were using our skills to help the existing, broader mission, which still forms a core pillar of Mobilise today.

When the pandemic came along, Mobilise couldn’t continue with Outreaches like we always had, but it gave us the chance to focus on our internal operations. We became a registered charity with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) in 2020, opening the path to new partnerships and opportunities. Mobilise volunteers stayed connected via regular Zoom meetings, with some experienced volunteers running leader trainings, similar to what you’re on track to completing right now!

It was also during 2020 that Mobilise kicked off in Canberra, when a few friends who had been on an outreach in Sydney decided to bring it back home. However, our volunteers came across a problem (albeit a good one): they were coming across very few people sleeping rough. Rather than giving up, they changed what they were doing to continue having an impact. They set up a clothing stall at a local community centre, where people could come and get warm clothing at no cost, whilst having a conversation with volunteers. Although a different set up to other cities, volunteers in Canberra are able to have a similar impact - it started, once again, with a few friends wanting to make an impact, then adapting their approach when a problem arose.

From here, Mobilise’s growth was exponential, brought about in part thanks to Nedd’s Record Run across Australia in 2022, allowing us to develop Australia-first direct giving programs, which you’ll learn about very soon. Between then and now, Nedd’s Uncomfortable Challenge, our selection as Triple J’s charity partner for their 2025 Hottest 100 countdown and other ventures have placed us in a unique position to help a sector continue doing the amazing work that’s already being done.

And now… your turn

Mobilise didn’t start with hundreds of people straight away - it was Noah and his mates wanting to bring their friends along - and that’s exactly how something big gets started. What began as two mates became a Facebook group, which became a charity, which became a nation-wide movement. Along the way, they saw where the problems were by simply going out there, chatting to people, and ultimately, they discovered where they could play their part. That’s how simple it all is! You don’t need a grand master plan, a normal master plan, or any plan at all. All you need is a desire and a commitment to help people out and the courage to get out there and start conversations.