The idea of Standing Tall Australia began over coffee in Brisbane in 2002 when a group of like-minded Australians started thinking about what they could do to make a positive difference in the world. Sheree Bailey, one of the founding directors, was at the time living in Brussels working with Handicap International Belgium on the ICBL’s Landmine Monitor Report. This connection proved invaluable as Standing Tall Australia was born through the advice and support of many people with vast experience in international non governmental organisations.

With the support of Handicap International Belgium, Standing Tall Australia was legally established in Australia on 14 March 2003.

It seemed a natural fit that Standing Tall Australia should focus its attention on research and support to local organisations in mine-affected countries providing rehabilitation services for landmine survivors and other persons with disabilities. As Sheree and Janecke were regularly visiting mine-affected countries and accessing the socio-economic and physical needs of the disabled (mainly mine survivors) and their communities through research, why not provide a channel for these organisations to receive resources to continue their much-needed work.

Our activities so far include:

• In May 2004, we concluded a 12-month project with the Azerbaijan Campaign to Ban Landmines on a needs assessment for landmine survivors in the country. Funding was provided by the Slovenian International Trust Fund ( http://www.itf-fund.si/ ) for Demining and Mine Victims Assistance.
  ( http://www.icbl.org/index/download/azerbaijan-survivor.pdf )
  
• On 25 June 2004, Commentaries on Arms Control Treaties, Volume 1, by Dr Stuart Maslen, and published by Oxford University Press, was released in Geneva, Switzerland. All royalties from sales of the book are being donated to Standing Tall Australia to enable us to support mine survivors and other people with disabilities in mine-affected countries.
  ( http://www.oup.co.uk/isbn/0-19-926977-7)
  
• At the release of the book, cash donations were given directly to Standing Tall Australia. This money has been given to the Afghan Amputee Bicyclists for Rehabilitation and Recreation (AABRAR), based in Kabul, Afghanistan, and will be used to buy three sewing machines and materials to enable three disabled women to start on the road to economic independence.
  
• In December 2004, we concluded a 10-month project with funding from AusAID, the Australian government’s international development agency. The project involved providing AusAID and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade with research on mine victim assistance in 27 countries.
  ( http://www.standingtallaustralia.org/pdfs/STAIRRSSFinalReport.pdf )
  
• In June 2005, “101 Great Ideas for the Socio-Economic Reintegration of Mine Survivors” was released in Geneva, Switzerland. The portfolio, prepared by Standing Tall Australia in collaboration with Mines Action Canada, aims to motivate, inspire and assist with identifying effective approaches to facilitate the socio-economic reintegration of mine survivors and other persons with disabilities. The portfolio also aims to foster greater understanding and closer links between mine-affected communities and donors, and to strengthen the capacity of socio-economic programs to enhance the opportunities for mine survivors to become economically independent. Printing and distribution of the portfolio was funded by AusAID and the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
  ( http://www.standingtallaustralia.org/pdfs/101GreatIdeas1.pdf )
  
• Also in June 2005 in Geneva, the report “Landmine Victim Assistance in 2004: Overview of the Situation in 24 States Parties” was released. The report produced in collaboration between Standing Tall Australia and Handicap International, was funded by AusAID. The report is intended to provide the Mine Ban Treaty’s Standing Committee on Victim Assistance and Socio-Economic Reintegration with an overview of the known situation of landmine victim assistance in 2004 in the 24 States Parties with significant numbers of mine survivors, and thereby provide the baseline on which to measure progress on the implementation of the Nairobi Action Plan over the next five years to 2009.
  ( http://www.standingtallaustralia.org/pdfs/Landminevic2004.pdf )

Now with four directors and one casual researcher the organisation is starting to take shape and we are proud of what we have achieved so far. But there is still much work to be done as we endeavour to raise awareness and assist local NGOs in developing sustainable programs to support people with disabilities and mine action in mine-affected countries.

We are making progress but we need your help.

To join Standing Tall Australia click here for our membership page or to support our activities please send your donation to:

Standing Tall Australia (STAIRRSS Ltd)
PO BOX 98,
TOOWONG,
QUEENSLAND, 4066
Australia