Oasis Committee Donates Record-Breaking $170k to Salvation Army

The Oasis Committee, lead by Carat WA’s Michelle Testa, beat last year's $162k donation to The Salvation Army’s Oasis Project, with a cheque for $170,302, which was presented yesterday at an intimate morning tea at The Salvos operations centre in Morley -- bringing the total contribution from the last 29 years to $3 million.

During the event, invited guests from across the WA media, advertising, and communications industry, Oasis event sponsors and committee were joined by The Salvos team members -- and three inspiring siblings who know first hand how transformative these donations can be.

While the primary focus of the Project is the Oasis House in Mirrabooka, the funds are also used to allow youth to access their own rental properties for the next step in their journey to independence -- one that can require some assistance both logistically and financially.

The Taylor sisters; Kristi (21), Julie-Ann (19), and Isabel (17) also shared some personal anecdotes about their experiences with homelessness, and how The Salvos had helped them secure a rental property, ensuring they could be reunited and begin reorienting their journeys now that finding a safe place to sleep wasn’t an all-consuming daily pursuit.

They expressed their appreciation for the assistance The Salvos were able to provide due to the support of The Oasis Project, which put their dream of living together once again as siblings within reach.

Guy Rees, state manager, youth services, The Salvation Army, said, “Thank you is just not enough, the incredible efforts of the committee and the funds raised form the Oasis Ball continues to transform lives, break cycles, create opportunity and more importantly create hope for the future, Thank you all.”

Funds were raised at the committee’s flagship event, the Oasis Ball, as well as a growing number of satellite events including the inaugural Oasis Sleepout and a charity movie screening -- with more satellite events to come in 2026.

Michelle, client partner, Carat WA, said, “We are an industry who has the power to make and create. We are an industry who has the power to spark meaningful conversations and enact tangible change. We are an industry who has the power to be a force for good. Today we stand here because we are a enacting that meaningful change."

Accepting the cheque from Michelle was Salvation Army state manager, WA Youth Services, Guy, joined by the Taylor sisters, who are now living together in their own rental.

The cheque presentation represents the third invite-only event of its kind, where stakeholders can connect to the core purpose of the Oasis Ball and satellite events by
speaking with recipients of The Salvos assistance.