A conversation with Orange Sky Laundry founders Nick Marchesi and Lucas Patchett
[{"id":"24","title":"Story","subCats":[{"id":"53","title":"Sponsored"},{"id":"208","title":"Podcast"}]},{"id":"155","title":"Profiles","subCats":[{"id":"27","title":"Users"},{"id":"116","title":"Contributor"}]},{"id":"157","title":"Booms"}]
[{"title":"Issues/Alcohol & Drugs","id":96},{"title":"Issues/All Issues","id":5},{"title":"Issues/Animal Welfare","id":6},{"title":"Issues/Arts & Culture","id":93},{"title":"Issues/Cost of Living","id":94},{"title":"Issues/Disability","id":90},{"title":"Issues/Discrimination","id":108},{"title":"Issues/Employment","id":97},{"title":"Issues/Environment","id":8},{"title":"Issues/First Nations","id":11},{"title":"Issues/Healthcare","id":10},{"title":"Issues/Homelessness","id":91},{"title":"Issues/Housing","id":98},{"title":"Issues/Human Rights","id":95},{"title":"Issues/LGBTQIA+","id":7},{"title":"Issues/Men's Health","id":101},{"title":"Issues/Mental Health","id":13},{"title":"Issues/Multiculturalism","id":100},{"title":"Issues/Policy","id":99},{"title":"Issues/Refugees","id":86},{"title":"Issues/Senior Citizens","id":12},{"title":"Issues/Sex","id":102},{"title":"Issues/Sustainability","id":9},{"title":"Issues/Technology","id":89},{"title":"Issues/Vaping","id":676},{"title":"Issues/Violence","id":14},{"title":"Issues/Women","id":87},{"title":"Issues/Youth","id":92}]
[{"issue":"Animal Welfare","articles":[{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/users\/359\/posts\/stijn-te-strake-UdhpcfImQ9Y-unsplash.jpg","title":"Rejecting speciesism could save us from the climate crisis and future pandemics","id":"817"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.auimages\/users\/453\/posts\/501\/501.jpg","title":"Protecting Pets and Families","id":"501"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.auimages\/users\/388\/posts\/483\/483.png","title":"Kosciusko National Park is worth fighting for","id":"483"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/248\/248_thumb.jpg","title":"Holiday gifts that actually give","id":"248"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/12\/12_thumb.jpg","title":"Empty The Tanks: A Movement To End Marine Mammal Captivity","id":"12"}]},{"issue":"LGBTQIA+","articles":[{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/users\/359\/posts\/pablo-padilla-B0U_OFXXSNo-unsplash.jpg","title":"Bending the Bars marks forty years of the dicriminalisation of homosexuality in Victoria","id":"786"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/users\/359\/posts\/Screenshot 2020-04-02 14.31.30.png","title":"Local drag queens\u2019 identities are being continuously challenged in Tasmania","id":"666"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.auimages\/users\/540\/posts\/492\/492.png","title":"Queer Muslims, Islamophobia and mental health in the wake of Christchurch","id":"492"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.auimages\/users\/388\/posts\/491\/491.png","title":"Becoming female: Chaye's transition","id":"491"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.auimages\/users\/381\/posts\/481\/481.jpg","title":"Supporting Minority Voices: Sydney theatre to watch in 2019","id":"481"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/361\/361_thumb.jpg","title":"Queer festival Fambo celebrates all kinds of families","id":"361"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/300\/300_thumb.jpg","title":"Read the Vibe: the fight to keep Newtown weird, safe and unapologetically queer","id":"300"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/252\/252_thumb.jpg","title":"It was a win, but at what cost?","id":"252"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/239\/239_thumb.jpg","title":"TJ's story on Transgender Day of Remembrance","id":"239"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/142\/142_thumb.jpg","title":"What would Fred Nile's gay-only nation state look like?","id":"142"}]},{"issue":"Environment","articles":[{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/users\/359\/posts\/stijn-te-strake-UdhpcfImQ9Y-unsplash.jpg","title":"Rejecting speciesism could save us from the climate crisis and future pandemics","id":"817"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/users\/359\/posts\/mick image.jpg","title":"Bloody hard work: Reforms and regulations desperately needed to solve farming labour crisis","id":"784"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/users\/359\/posts\/Screenshot 2020-07-27 14.32.19.png","title":"Big green profit machine: meet the companies making sustainability profitable\u00a0","id":"768"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/users\/359\/posts\/infullbloomjellyfish.png","title":"In full bloom: What jellyfish tell us about our oceans ","id":"670"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/users\/359\/posts\/Screenshot 2020-03-19 15.36.50.png","title":"Climate Act Now ","id":"657"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/users\/359\/posts\/Screenshot 2020-02-28 17.35.42.png","title":"Green New What? ","id":"654"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/users\/539\/posts\/Screenshot 2019-10-03 16.56.04.png","title":"Climate action is moving at a glacial pace ","id":"589"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.auimages\/users\/438\/posts\/504\/504.jpg","title":"A Brief History of Climate Terminology","id":"504"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.auimages\/users\/379\/posts\/498\/498.png","title":"Sewing the way to a plastic-free NSW","id":"498"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.auimages\/users\/453\/posts\/493\/493.jpg","title":"Australia's Seaweed Warrior ","id":"493"}]},{"issue":"Sustainability","articles":[{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.auimages\/users\/456\/posts\/499\/499.png","title":"Thyme for change: Schools plant local bush food gardens","id":"499"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.auimages\/users\/379\/posts\/498\/498.png","title":"Sewing the way to a plastic-free NSW","id":"498"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.auimages\/users\/453\/posts\/493\/493.jpg","title":"Australia's Seaweed Warrior ","id":"493"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.auimages\/users\/379\/posts\/488\/488.jpg","title":"Reduce, Reuse, Reground","id":"488"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.auimages\/users\/388\/posts\/483\/483.png","title":"Kosciusko National Park is worth fighting for","id":"483"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.auimages\/users\/454\/posts\/480\/480.jpg","title":"Urban farming creates solutions for sustainable produce","id":"480"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.auimages\/users\/456\/posts\/476\/476.jpg","title":"Going against the flow: Making sustainable period products the norm","id":"476"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/366\/366_thumb.jpg","title":"Championing children to reduce food waste","id":"366"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/363\/363_thumb.jpg","title":"Conversations to save the planet","id":"363"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/333\/333_thumb.jpg","title":"The V-word","id":"333"}]},{"issue":"Healthcare","articles":[{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/users\/359\/posts\/Daisy and Casper at trial appointment.jpg","title":"A contentious experimental drug offers opportunity to children living with achondroplasia","id":"791"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/users\/359\/posts\/democracypendemic.png","title":"What does it mean to be a democracy during a pandemic?","id":"736"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/users\/359\/posts\/Screenshot 2020-04-10 15.08.59.png","title":"I go to the store to buy milk ","id":"668"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/users\/359\/posts\/Screenshot 2019-10-16 17.41.14.png","title":"Nathan Filer on why we must reimagine mental healthcare ","id":"593"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/users\/359\/posts\/Screenshot 2019-09-25 17.27.51.png","title":"Denying Asylum Seekers Medical Treatment \u2013 the Medevac law","id":"586"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.auimages\/users\/532\/posts\/502\/502.jpg","title":"Multicultural Care","id":"502"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.auimages\/users\/533\/posts\/500\/500.jpg","title":"The culture of women and pain in Australia ","id":"500"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.auimages\/users\/536\/posts\/496\/496.jpg","title":"Homeless Period","id":"496"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.auimages\/users\/458\/posts\/478\/478.jpg","title":"Born a girl during China's One Child Policy","id":"478"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.auimages\/users\/388\/posts\/477\/477.jpg","title":"Feeling lonely? You're not alone","id":"477"}]},{"issue":"First Nations","articles":[{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/users\/359\/posts\/Screenshot 2020-08-04 14.51.46.png","title":"Reimagining the past to shape the future: Contesting dominant narratives in Indigenous history","id":"771"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/users\/359\/posts\/Screenshot 2020-04-17 11.41.34.png","title":"Telling her story: the podcast challenging stereotypes of female imprisonment","id":"673"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/users\/359\/posts\/Screenshot 2020-03-27 15.58.44.png","title":"Yerrabingin: Bringing Indigenous thinking to food and design ","id":"663"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/users\/359\/posts\/Screenshot 2019-11-21 11.03.53.png","title":"#JusticeForWalker cannot be divorced from Australia\u2019s colonial legacy ","id":"618"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.auimages\/users\/456\/posts\/499\/499.png","title":"Thyme for change: Schools plant local bush food gardens","id":"499"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.auimages\/users\/457\/posts\/490\/490.png","title":"Indigenous Elders ask what it will take to stop the NT fracking industry ","id":"490"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.auimages\/users\/538\/posts\/484\/484.png","title":"Is the actor an agent of colonisation who we are neglecting to address?","id":"484"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.auimages\/users\/381\/posts\/481\/481.jpg","title":"Supporting Minority Voices: Sydney theatre to watch in 2019","id":"481"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/175\/175_thumb.jpg","title":"5 young people on why Australia needs to do better","id":"175"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/220\/220_thumb.jpg","title":"Blak Markets fight against the fake Aboriginal art trade","id":"220"}]},{"issue":"Senior Citizens","articles":[{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/77\/77_thumb.jpg","title":"Embracing death as a part of life: Palliative care volunteering","id":"77"}]},{"issue":"Mental Health","articles":[{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/users\/359\/posts\/pablo-padilla-B0U_OFXXSNo-unsplash.jpg","title":"Bending the Bars marks forty years of the dicriminalisation of homosexuality in Victoria","id":"786"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/users\/359\/posts\/Screenshot 2020-07-28 11.41.10.png","title":"Mental health in injured athletes: Elle's story ","id":"769"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/users\/359\/posts\/Screenshot 2020-04-10 15.08.59.png","title":"I go to the store to buy milk ","id":"668"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/users\/359\/posts\/Screenshot 2019-10-16 17.41.14.png","title":"Nathan Filer on why we must reimagine mental healthcare ","id":"593"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.auimages\/users\/388\/posts\/491\/491.png","title":"Becoming female: Chaye's transition","id":"491"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.auimages\/users\/382\/posts\/487\/487.jpg","title":"Boys don't cry: Talking mental health in the barbershop","id":"487"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.auimages\/users\/533\/posts\/479\/479.jpg","title":"Breaking the taboo: Mental health in immigrant communities ","id":"479"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.auimages\/users\/388\/posts\/477\/477.jpg","title":"Feeling lonely? You're not alone","id":"477"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.auimages\/users\/536\/posts\/475\/475.jpg","title":"The challenges of mental health services for Chinese-Australians","id":"475"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.auimages\/users\/382\/posts\/385\/quino-al-225747-unsplash.jpg","title":"Mental health in professional women's sport deserves a seat at the podium","id":"468"}]},{"issue":"Violence","articles":[{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/users\/359\/posts\/Screen Shot 2020-08-09 at 6.57.14 pm.png","title":" Supporting Lebanese Victims: A decimated capital as the economy collapses ","id":"773"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.auimages\/users\/453\/posts\/501\/501.jpg","title":"Protecting Pets and Families","id":"501"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.auimages\/users\/540\/posts\/492\/492.png","title":"Queer Muslims, Islamophobia and mental health in the wake of Christchurch","id":"492"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.auimages\/users\/539\/posts\/489\/489.png","title":"Three Australian Muslims talk solidarity after the Christchurch shooting","id":"489"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.auimages\/users\/535\/posts\/474\/474.jpg","title":"Project Coffee gives Chinese international students a safe space to say #MeToo","id":"474"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/340\/340_thumb.jpg","title":"'Me too.'","id":"340"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/312\/312_thumb.jpg","title":"No short-term solution for domestic violence","id":"312"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/245\/245_thumb.jpg","title":"Keeping the bastards honest: Why every university campus needs a Women\u2019s Collective","id":"245"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/159\/159_thumb.jpg","title":"Changing the space of gender inequality","id":"159"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/261\/261_thumb.jpg","title":"Why representation in the #MeToo movement matters","id":"261"}]},{"issue":"Refugees","articles":[{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/377\/377_thumb.jpg","title":"Your Tradie Has A Story: Hedayat Osyan's Social Enterprise","id":"377"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/371\/371_thumb.jpg","title":"Rural Australians for refugees: an enduring model of support?","id":"371"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/345\/345_thumb.jpg","title":"Grandmothers Against the Detention of Refugee Children","id":"345"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/342\/342_thumb.jpg","title":"Crocheting Dissent","id":"342"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/293\/293_thumb.jpg","title":"Waters skills are a universal life saver","id":"293"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/270\/270_thumb.jpg","title":"House of Welcome","id":"270"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/241\/241_thumb.jpg","title":"GROW: A mental health initiative for Australia's refugees","id":"241"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/243\/243_thumb.jpg","title":"All We Can't See: Humanising the untold stories of Nauru","id":"243"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/178\/178_thumb.jpg","title":"Benita de Wit's Manus Island Project","id":"178"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/155\/155_thumb.jpg","title":"For some refugees, art can make all the difference","id":"155"}]},{"issue":"Women","articles":[{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/users\/359\/posts\/Screen Shot 2021-08-05 at 3.26.26 am.png","title":"Up-close Lena Cruz on The Unusual Suspects, Filipino culture and stardom","id":"809"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/users\/359\/posts\/image006.jpg","title":"Garment workers paying the price for fast fashion industry's COVID-19 collapse","id":"790"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/users\/359\/posts\/Screenshot 2020-04-17 11.41.34.png","title":"Telling her story: the podcast challenging stereotypes of female imprisonment","id":"673"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/users\/359\/posts\/Screenshot 2020-03-24 13.38.14.png","title":"Revolutionising period education with Bright Girl Health ","id":"661"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.auimages\/users\/453\/posts\/501\/501.jpg","title":"Protecting Pets and Families","id":"501"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.auimages\/users\/533\/posts\/500\/500.jpg","title":"The culture of women and pain in Australia ","id":"500"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.auimages\/users\/536\/posts\/496\/496.jpg","title":"Homeless Period","id":"496"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.auimages\/users\/432\/posts\/494\/494.jpg","title":"Injecting Intersectionality into Art Practices ","id":"494"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.auimages\/users\/532\/posts\/485\/485.png","title":"Female voices of colour are making a groove on the nation's literary landscape","id":"485"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.auimages\/users\/458\/posts\/478\/478.jpg","title":"Born a girl during China's One Child Policy","id":"478"}]},{"issue":"Technology","articles":[{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/users\/359\/posts\/Screenshot 2020-04-21 10.45.25.png","title":"Experts offer unexpected solutions on how to increase public compliance and prevent a second wave of COVID-19","id":"674"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.auimages\/users\/453\/posts\/493\/493.jpg","title":"Australia's Seaweed Warrior ","id":"493"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.auimages\/users\/454\/posts\/480\/480.jpg","title":"Urban farming creates solutions for sustainable produce","id":"480"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/368\/368_thumb.jpg","title":"Blockchain: A new era of trust?","id":"368"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/364\/364_thumb.jpg","title":"Asian Australian art goes online","id":"364"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/344\/344_thumb.jpg","title":"The Facebook group delivering a hug in a box to struggling farmers","id":"344"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/167\/167_thumb.jpg","title":"Minerva uses data science to increase social impact","id":"167"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/264\/264_thumb.jpg","title":"Homelessness and digital inclusion","id":"264"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/112\/112_thumb.jpg","title":"A Woman Reimagining the Limits of Science: Kelly Wong","id":"112"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/125\/125_thumb.jpg","title":"Access to water should be democratic","id":"125"}]},{"issue":"Disability","articles":[{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/users\/359\/posts\/Daisy and Casper at trial appointment.jpg","title":"A contentious experimental drug offers opportunity to children living with achondroplasia","id":"791"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.auimages\/users\/388\/posts\/495\/495.png","title":"Rehearsal for revolution: How theatre can improve disability healthcare ","id":"495"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.auimages\/users\/388\/posts\/473\/473.png","title":"Surviving meningococcal septicaemia: Ripu\u2019s story ","id":"473"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/376\/376_thumb.jpg","title":"Does NDIS address the needs of traumatic brain injury thrivers?","id":"376"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/127\/127_thumb.jpg","title":"Skeletons and Self-Portraits: Emily Dash challenges representations of gender and disability","id":"127"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/100\/100_thumb.jpg","title":"Reading By Ear: 2RPH brings print media to life","id":"100"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/90\/90_thumb.jpg","title":"The Many Faces of Ableism","id":"90"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/229\/229_thumb.jpg","title":"Voices from the Fringes to the Heart of Advocacy: Centring lived experience","id":"229"}]},{"issue":"Homelessness","articles":[{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/users\/359\/posts\/Screenshot 2020-05-07 11.04.47.png","title":"How are Australian charities adapting to pandemic conditions? ","id":"734"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.auimages\/users\/536\/posts\/496\/496.jpg","title":"Homeless Period","id":"496"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.auimages\/users\/532\/posts\/469\/469.jpg","title":"A home for girls without a home ","id":"469"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/360\/360_thumb.jpg","title":"On My Feet: A unique approach to homelessness","id":"360"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/248\/248_thumb.jpg","title":"Holiday gifts that actually give","id":"248"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/253\/253_thumb.jpg","title":"A conversation with Orange Sky Laundry founders Nick Marchesi and Lucas Patchett","id":"253"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/227\/227_thumb.jpg","title":"Community gardening as therapy with Street Growth","id":"227"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/258\/258_thumb.jpg","title":"Indigenous disadvantage hits home","id":"258"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/264\/264_thumb.jpg","title":"Homelessness and digital inclusion","id":"264"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/236\/236_thumb.jpg","title":"Humanising Homelessness with Sydney's Safe Space Kitchen","id":"236"}]},{"issue":"Youth","articles":[{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.auimages\/users\/456\/posts\/499\/499.png","title":"Thyme for change: Schools plant local bush food gardens","id":"499"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.auimages\/users\/432\/posts\/494\/494.jpg","title":"Injecting Intersectionality into Art Practices ","id":"494"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.auimages\/users\/532\/posts\/469\/469.jpg","title":"A home for girls without a home ","id":"469"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/366\/366_thumb.jpg","title":"Championing children to reduce food waste","id":"366"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/361\/361_thumb.jpg","title":"Queer festival Fambo celebrates all kinds of families","id":"361"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/345\/345_thumb.jpg","title":"Grandmothers Against the Detention of Refugee Children","id":"345"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/335\/335_thumb.jpg","title":"The Sydney Story Factory teaches marginalised youth the art of storytelling","id":"335"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/312\/312_thumb.jpg","title":"No short-term solution for domestic violence","id":"312"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/248\/248_thumb.jpg","title":"Holiday gifts that actually give","id":"248"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/116\/116_thumb.jpg","title":"Beyond Adelaide's Fringe Festival: Girl Space and Sanaa","id":"116"}]},{"issue":"Arts & Culture","articles":[{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/users\/359\/posts\/Screen Shot 2020-08-24 at 8.25.15 pm.png","title":"Suzy Wrong of Hungry Ghosts on why we need more powerhouse roles for trans women on Australian television","id":"775"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/users\/388\/posts\/Screenshot 2019-09-16 13.36.30.png","title":"Australian reading hour: Rediscovering the joys of reading ","id":"584"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.auimages\/users\/388\/posts\/497\/497.png","title":"Bankstown Poetry Slam: A powerhouse of performance poetry ","id":"497"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.auimages\/users\/388\/posts\/495\/495.png","title":"Rehearsal for revolution: How theatre can improve disability healthcare ","id":"495"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.auimages\/users\/432\/posts\/494\/494.jpg","title":"Injecting Intersectionality into Art Practices ","id":"494"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.auimages\/users\/532\/posts\/485\/485.png","title":"Female voices of colour are making a groove on the nation's literary landscape","id":"485"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.auimages\/users\/538\/posts\/484\/484.png","title":"Is the actor an agent of colonisation who we are neglecting to address?","id":"484"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.auimages\/users\/381\/posts\/481\/481.jpg","title":"Supporting Minority Voices: Sydney theatre to watch in 2019","id":"481"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/364\/364_thumb.jpg","title":"Asian Australian art goes online","id":"364"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/361\/361_thumb.jpg","title":"Queer festival Fambo celebrates all kinds of families","id":"361"}]},{"issue":"Cost of Living","articles":[{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/users\/359\/posts\/image006.jpg","title":"Garment workers paying the price for fast fashion industry's COVID-19 collapse","id":"790"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/users\/359\/posts\/Screenshot 2020-04-10 15.08.59.png","title":"I go to the store to buy milk ","id":"668"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.auimages\/users\/378\/posts\/471\/471.png","title":"Lentil As Anything","id":"471"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/248\/248_thumb.jpg","title":"Holiday gifts that actually give","id":"248"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/236\/236_thumb.jpg","title":"Humanising Homelessness with Sydney's Safe Space Kitchen","id":"236"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/29\/29_thumb.jpg","title":"#WeLiveHere2017: Fighting for the Towers One Post at a Time","id":"29"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/28\/28_thumb.jpg","title":"A Violent Solution To The Housing Crisis","id":"28"}]},{"issue":"Human Rights","articles":[{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/users\/359\/posts\/image006.jpg","title":"Garment workers paying the price for fast fashion industry's COVID-19 collapse","id":"790"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/users\/359\/posts\/pablo-padilla-B0U_OFXXSNo-unsplash.jpg","title":"Bending the Bars marks forty years of the dicriminalisation of homosexuality in Victoria","id":"786"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/users\/359\/posts\/mick image.jpg","title":"Bloody hard work: Reforms and regulations desperately needed to solve farming labour crisis","id":"784"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/users\/359\/posts\/Screenshot 2020-05-15 13.47.59.png","title":"'Now is the time for empathy\u2019: new virtual museum to explore the UN\u2019s Human Rights declaration","id":"737"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/users\/359\/posts\/democracypendemic.png","title":"What does it mean to be a democracy during a pandemic?","id":"736"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/users\/359\/posts\/Screenshot 2020-04-17 11.41.34.png","title":"Telling her story: the podcast challenging stereotypes of female imprisonment","id":"673"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/users\/359\/posts\/Screenshot 2020-03-20 11.07.15.png","title":"Experts weigh in on what makes an effective protest ","id":"659"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/users\/359\/posts\/Screenshot 2019-09-25 17.27.51.png","title":"Denying Asylum Seekers Medical Treatment \u2013 the Medevac law","id":"586"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.auimages\/users\/388\/posts\/486\/486.jpg","title":"Fighting to end slavery in the 21st century ","id":"486"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.auimages\/users\/537\/posts\/482\/482.png","title":"An inside look at the Vixen Collective: the only peer-run sex worker organisation in Victoria","id":"482"}]},{"issue":"Alcohol & Drugs","articles":[{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/users\/359\/posts\/mona-miller-EfUwk0C3RE8-unsplash.jpg","title":"Australia, we need to talk about our drinking problem. ","id":"772"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/300\/300_thumb.jpg","title":"Read the Vibe: the fight to keep Newtown weird, safe and unapologetically queer","id":"300"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/296\/296_thumb.jpg","title":"Court for Cannabis: The fight for a chronic cure","id":"296"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/269\/269_thumb.jpg","title":"What would drug decriminalisation do to Australia?","id":"269"}]},{"issue":"Employment","articles":[{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.auimages\/users\/453\/posts\/493\/493.jpg","title":"Australia's Seaweed Warrior ","id":"493"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/377\/377_thumb.jpg","title":"Your Tradie Has A Story: Hedayat Osyan's Social Enterprise","id":"377"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/371\/371_thumb.jpg","title":"Rural Australians for refugees: an enduring model of support?","id":"371"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/360\/360_thumb.jpg","title":"On My Feet: A unique approach to homelessness","id":"360"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/241\/241_thumb.jpg","title":"GROW: A mental health initiative for Australia's refugees","id":"241"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/109\/109_thumb.jpg","title":"Online vs. Campus: Which degree is getting us further in the career ladder?","id":"109"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/131\/131_thumb.jpg","title":"Female garment workers have their voices heard in new documentary","id":"131"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/238\/238_thumb.jpg","title":"Travelling the world on Addison Road","id":"238"}]},{"issue":"Housing","articles":[{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/265\/265_thumb.jpg","title":"Deciding To Make A Difference","id":"265"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/236\/236_thumb.jpg","title":"Humanising Homelessness with Sydney's Safe Space Kitchen","id":"236"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/29\/29_thumb.jpg","title":"#WeLiveHere2017: Fighting for the Towers One Post at a Time","id":"29"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/28\/28_thumb.jpg","title":"A Violent Solution To The Housing Crisis","id":"28"}]},{"issue":"Policy","articles":[{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/users\/359\/posts\/image006.jpg","title":"Garment workers paying the price for fast fashion industry's COVID-19 collapse","id":"790"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/users\/359\/posts\/mick image.jpg","title":"Bloody hard work: Reforms and regulations desperately needed to solve farming labour crisis","id":"784"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/users\/359\/posts\/ANU EH.png","title":"Life not as you know it for Australia's international student community","id":"765"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/users\/359\/posts\/Screenshot 2020-04-21 10.45.25.png","title":"Experts offer unexpected solutions on how to increase public compliance and prevent a second wave of COVID-19","id":"674"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/users\/359\/posts\/Screenshot 2020-03-20 11.07.15.png","title":"Experts weigh in on what makes an effective protest ","id":"659"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/users\/359\/posts\/Screenshot 2020-03-19 15.36.50.png","title":"Climate Act Now ","id":"657"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.auimages\/users\/438\/posts\/504\/504.jpg","title":"A Brief History of Climate Terminology","id":"504"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.auimages\/users\/388\/posts\/503\/503.jpg","title":"Jews for Palestine: In conversation with Naama Carlin","id":"503"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.auimages\/users\/388\/posts\/486\/486.jpg","title":"Fighting to end slavery in the 21st century ","id":"486"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.auimages\/users\/537\/posts\/482\/482.png","title":"An inside look at the Vixen Collective: the only peer-run sex worker organisation in Victoria","id":"482"}]},{"issue":"Multiculturalism","articles":[{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/users\/359\/posts\/Screen Shot 2021-08-05 at 3.26.26 am.png","title":"Up-close Lena Cruz on The Unusual Suspects, Filipino culture and stardom","id":"809"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/users\/359\/posts\/ANU EH.png","title":"Life not as you know it for Australia's international student community","id":"765"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.auimages\/users\/388\/posts\/503\/503.jpg","title":"Jews for Palestine: In conversation with Naama Carlin","id":"503"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.auimages\/users\/532\/posts\/502\/502.jpg","title":"Multicultural Care","id":"502"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.auimages\/users\/388\/posts\/497\/497.png","title":"Bankstown Poetry Slam: A powerhouse of performance poetry ","id":"497"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.auimages\/users\/432\/posts\/494\/494.jpg","title":"Injecting Intersectionality into Art Practices ","id":"494"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.auimages\/users\/540\/posts\/492\/492.png","title":"Queer Muslims, Islamophobia and mental health in the wake of Christchurch","id":"492"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.auimages\/users\/539\/posts\/489\/489.png","title":"Three Australian Muslims talk solidarity after the Christchurch shooting","id":"489"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.auimages\/users\/532\/posts\/485\/485.png","title":"Female voices of colour are making a groove on the nation's literary landscape","id":"485"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.auimages\/users\/538\/posts\/484\/484.png","title":"Is the actor an agent of colonisation who we are neglecting to address?","id":"484"}]},{"issue":"Men's Health","articles":[{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/users\/359\/posts\/pablo-padilla-B0U_OFXXSNo-unsplash.jpg","title":"Bending the Bars marks forty years of the dicriminalisation of homosexuality in Victoria","id":"786"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.auimages\/users\/382\/posts\/487\/487.jpg","title":"Boys don't cry: Talking mental health in the barbershop","id":"487"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/369\/369_thumb.jpg","title":"The power of the mo: How Movember is saving men's lives","id":"369"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/367\/367_thumb.jpg","title":"#YesAllMen must take responsibility for the darker side of masculinity","id":"367"}]},{"issue":"Sex","articles":[{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/users\/359\/posts\/pablo-padilla-B0U_OFXXSNo-unsplash.jpg","title":"Bending the Bars marks forty years of the dicriminalisation of homosexuality in Victoria","id":"786"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.auimages\/users\/537\/posts\/482\/482.png","title":"An inside look at the Vixen Collective: the only peer-run sex worker organisation in Victoria","id":"482"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.auimages\/stories\/250\/250_thumb.jpg","title":"Sex workers face financial discrimination","id":"250"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/95\/95_thumb.jpg","title":"Sex workers speaking for themselves","id":"95"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/31\/31_thumb.jpg","title":"Is This Real Life Project","id":"31"}]},{"issue":"Discrimination","articles":[{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/users\/359\/posts\/image006.jpg","title":"Garment workers paying the price for fast fashion industry's COVID-19 collapse","id":"790"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/users\/359\/posts\/mick image.jpg","title":"Bloody hard work: Reforms and regulations desperately needed to solve farming labour crisis","id":"784"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/users\/359\/posts\/ANU EH.png","title":"Life not as you know it for Australia's international student community","id":"765"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/users\/359\/posts\/Screenshot 2019-10-28 18.59.39.png","title":"Strategic white tears: An interview with Ruby Hamad","id":"602"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.auimages\/users\/539\/posts\/489\/489.png","title":"Three Australian Muslims talk solidarity after the Christchurch shooting","id":"489"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/219\/219_thumb.jpg","title":"What is sexual racism?","id":"219"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.auimages\/stories\/250\/250_thumb.jpg","title":"Sex workers face financial discrimination","id":"250"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/268\/268_thumb.jpg","title":"The pay gap bowl-out in women's sports","id":"268"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/123\/123_thumb.jpg","title":"Sexual racism: Why do you swipe right?","id":"123"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/130\/130_thumb.jpg","title":"No to 'not all...'","id":"130"}]},{"issue":"Vaping","articles":[]}]
;
Story

A conversation with Orange Sky Laundry founders Nick Marchesi and Lucas Patchett

Stories/253 , Issues/Homelessness
Orange Sky Laundry, Albion QLD 4010, Australia
14th Dec 2017
A conversation with Orange Sky Laundry founders Nick Marchesi and Lucas Patchett
Orange Sky Laundry is the first free mobile laundry service for the homeless.

It was described as 'a world first' by every major media outlet in Australia when it launched back in 2014, an idea created by Brisbane locals Nick Marchesi and Lucas Patchett when they were in their final year of high school. Orange Sky Laundry is the first free mobile laundry service for the homeless, and since that lightbulb moment they have revolutionised the way ordinary people help the homeless all over Australia.

Fast forward three years, and Orange Sky has 22 vans in operation around Australia, and over one thousand volunteers who wash and dry 7.2 tons of free laundry on a weekly basis. In late 2016, they also set up Orange Sky Showers, a mobile van that offers a hot, clean shower to people living on the street. The showers are an effort to prevent the difficulties that come with sleeping on the streets in the same clothes each night, such as bed bugs, mould, eczema and scabies.

Source: Orange Sky Laundry
Source: Orange Sky Laundry.

How did two such young, otherwise typical teenagers come up with such an innovative idea for such a niche? Nick was a cameraman at Channel 7 before co-founding Orange Sky, and Lucas was fresh from a bachelor's degree in engineering and commerce. On Australia Day in 2016, Marchesi and Patchett took to the stage in front of the whole country to jointly accept the Young Australian of the Year Award. They've earned the respect of CEOs, TV personalities and established philanthropists.

"Our eyes were really opened to the big culture of homelessness at a really young age, and when we left school we wanted a way for our friends to give back to the community, as well as help the homeless," says Nick.

"Something we believe has been overlooked is access to simple things, such as clean clothes. So, we had the crazy idea to throw a washer and dryer into the back of a van, and go to them."

Orange Sky's vision began simple - the hope that they can continue finding ways to help people, whether it be washing and drying clothes or fostering conversation. "We just want to find ways to positively connect people who are homeless to their own communities," says Nick.

And they aren't simply focusing on the homeless meccas such as Sydney and Melbourne. Orange Sky vans run as far north as Darwin, and as far south as Hobart. And they've definitely soared on a global scale. Their legacy is spreading internationally, with Facebook pages cropping up in French, German, and even Indonesian. Something that started so small, in the back row of a classroom in Gregory Terrace, has snaked its way through the world, inspiring hundreds of like-minded people to start projects in their own communities. Orange Sky isn't just a brand - it's become a well-loved movement that Australia has embraced with pride.

Their latest endeavour to add to the family is Orange Sky Digital, a new project aiming to create even more of a community than just washing and drying clothes. Sponsored by Optus, the car has a screen and 30 orange foldout chairs. In their media campaigns, the boys accentuate on the pros of community involvement, an aspect that is just as important to them as the washing and drying.

Source: Orange Sky website
Source: Orange Sky website.

"What we feel for our homeless friends is that they're disconnected from the community and that's what we are trying to improve, and our vision is a world where people who are homeless are positively connected to the community," says Nick.

"What we're passionate about doing is breaking down the stereotypes around who is a homeless person and what can we best do to help them."

That isn't to say they weren't treated with trepidation when first venturing out into the homeless community. "It's a massive privilege to take someone's only possessions and be trusted to wash and dry them," says Nick. "But the really great thing is aside from the opportunity to get their clothes cleaned, there's the potential to sit down and have a chat, and through that a certain kind of trust is formed."

That perception is strengthened every day, by meeting people who never take the simple things in life for granted. "I think we have a lot to learn from them, because we already have what they dream of - a home."

As a registered charity, Orange Sky reported a profit of $1.16 million in the 2015-16 financial year. "Any money we make is reinvested into our charity," Lucas says.

Orange Sky operates on three main income sources: donations (dubbed 'Mum and Dad' donations), sponsors, and donors. They are expanding at a rapid pace, but Kelly Wishart, Orange Sky's Communications Officer, says they have budgeted to coincide with van expansions and other organisational growth. "We ensure we raise enough money for a van before it's launch so we don't overstretch ourselves," she says. "We have over 1000 volunteers nationwide who commit time to us - and that number is growing."

There's a mild stirring that the aim of Orange Sky isn't sustainable by relying on the philanthropy of individuals and major companies. But in the age of corporate social responsibility, perhaps it's the best time for Orange Sky's concept to boom.

"Orange Sky has been overwhelmed with response, not only from Australian's but from people all over the world,' says Kelly. "Our marketing campaigns aim to spread awareness of both Orange Sky and homelessness, and encourage involvement from volunteering and donations.

"We're restoring dignity and positively connecting communities, filling a gap in the community where there is one in the community," says Kelly. "Having access to showers and clean clothes means someone can attend a job interview, feel comfortable using public transport, and it restores dignity.

"We're also providing a connection to the community through conversation."

Source: Orange Sky Laundry.
Source: Orange Sky Laundry.

However, there are still skeptics among not-for-profit communities. Some have voiced concerns Orange Sky isn't sustainable long term, and is too dependent on sponsorship and donations. Others say Orange Sky isn't doing enough to prevent the ongoing issue of homelessness in Australia, and perhaps the funding could be better used towards breaking the cycle of homelessness. There are also claims Orange Sky is undermining the dignity of people who are homeless.

When he spoke to the Sydney Morning Herald Dr. Cameron Parsell, a senior researcher at the University of Queensland's Institute of Social Science Research, said services such as mobile laundry and shower facilities undermined the dignity of people who are homeless.

"Not only is it ineffective, it really undermines any dignity person may feel having to shower and wash in public spaces, particularly when we know ending their homelessness is possible and cost-effective," he said.

Likewise, acting chief executive of the Council to Homeless Persons Kate Colvin agrees safer community housing would keep the homeless population from resorting to decrepit options such as caravan parks and squatting.

"Philanthropists and organisations need to consider where to channel their energy and funding," she said. "And the reality is that ending homelessness starts with boosting affordable housing, not providing comfort measures."

It raises the debate that while we shouldn't be criticising other people's good intentions, - according to 2016 statistics, one in 200 Australians are homeless on any given night - we should also be looking for a method to end the cycle of homelessness rather than service it.

Source: Orange Sky.
Source: Orange Sky.

However, the Brisbane-based duo are the first to admit they are no statistical experts on the social matter of homelessness. They rely on their friends on the street for advice. "Lucas and I are two young blokes who are volunteers and by no means are we experts in the homelessness sector."

Could Orange Sky potentially use their donations to something that can be more proactive in ending the cycle of homelessness? "We are constantly working to expand our Training and Employment program to provide more employment opportunities to friends on the street. There are many reasons that someone may become, or choose to be homeless." They have also recently launched a training and employment program, where they employ people from the street to co-ordinate commercial washing contracts.

So what are the long-term goals for Orange Sky? "We are looking to expand internationally and look to provide the service to as many as people as possible, while ensuring we are sustainable in this endeavour. We will provide more training and employment opportunities," says Kelly.

"There is no one solution to homelessness, because there is no one cause."

See the bigger picture

What you're saying Issues Nearby

Become part of the QUOmmunity

{"lat":"-27.4315513","lng":"153.045069"}

Your support keeps our unique approach to independent journalism accessible to everyone. Support independent media

Support independent media

Your support keeps our unique approach to independent journalism accessible to everyone.

No matter how small your donation amount is, rest assured that it will make a difference to us.

Support Us