UWA student Joseph Carlino is one of the people taking part in Convicts for a Cause.
Camera IconUWA student Joseph Carlino is one of the people taking part in Convicts for a Cause. Credit: Supplied/Matt Jelonek        www.communitypix.com.au d442460

Behind bars for Convicts for a Cause

Caitlin TillerFremantle Gazette

“Convict-Con” is the theme of the seventh annual event, held by Rotary Perth and Mount Lawley to raise money for Diabetes WA and Cystic Fibrosis WA.

Rotary Club of Mount Lawley volunteer and Convicts for a Cause marketing manager Louise Youens said the comic convention Comic-Con inspired the theme of the night, where guests would be able to get autographs from notorious characters.

“It’s a way to fundraise with a glass of wine in your hand,” Ms Youens said.

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“If you’re not up to a fun run or climbing a building you can have a good time and a drink and you’re raising money at the same time.”

Ms Youens said she noticed more younger people had volunteered with Rotary.

“This is a network of established business people they want to tap into and a lot of people take a protégé approach and treat others as mentors they can learn from,” she said.

University of WA student Joseph Carlino (21) said he found volunteering both educating and inspiring.

The second-year marketing student, from East Victoria Park, got involved with the organisation in December last year to get experience in his field.

“A lot of volunteering I’ve done has been with uni students but this is something new, because a lot of the people at Rotary are older with full-time jobs so you learn from them,” he said.

“When Louise told me the goal was to raise $120,000 it really motivated me because you know you can make a big difference.”

Mr Carlino said the novelty of seeing community leaders behind bars was what made the event special.

Corrective Services Minister Joe Francis was one of the high-profile figures to be “locked up” at last year’s event.

Mr Carlino said he was considering a Moondyne Joe costume, while Ms Youens said she would dress as Lindsay Lohan.

People who want to be “imprisoned” must raise $500 ahead of the event on November 7.