Wednesday 8 June 2022

Community Contributions

Kanyirninpa Jukurrpa (KJ) is a Martu organisation – Martu are the traditional custodians of a vast area in the Western Desert of the Pilbara. In 2020, KJ engaged Social Ventures Australia Consulting (SVA) to evaluate their impact on Martu communities between 2010 and 2020. In that evaluation, Martu articulated 11 outcomes that were important to them and KJ’s contributions were measured against those outcomes. Click here to read the evaluation and reflections.

The Volunteering in Australia organisation survey is now open. The survey will directly inform the new National Strategy for Volunteering project. This is an historic opportunity to collectively build a comprehensive picture of the volunteering landscape in Australia today. The findings of this research will be critical to the future of volunteering and the more organisations that take part, the better we will understand how volunteering is faring across Australia. Any organisations or groups that involve volunteers are invited to participate - click here to learn more.

Domestic violence is one of the greatest health risks for women aged 25 - 44 and can also have run-on effects for the children growing up in a domestic violence household. The team at The Benevolent Society spoke to its Centre of Women's, Children's and Family Health to understand why domestic violence isn't just a "women's issue", but also a public health concern. Click here to learn more.

CYDA is again conducting a national survey to gain information about school experiences of students with disability and to learn more about what support is being provided. Also, for the first time, in 2022, CYDA are asking families of young children to share their experiences of early childhood education and care. If you have not already, CYDA strongly urges you to participate. Participating helps strengthen the powerful voice for change. Click here to take the survey.

Applying the United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) principles in Australia would lead to greater certainty for investors, better outcomes for Indigenous Australians and strong returns for members, HESTA says. The UNDRIP establishes universally applicable minimum standards for the survival, dignity, wellbeing and rights of the world's First Peoples and is the result of more than two decades of negotiations between various governments and First Peoples representatives. Click here to read more.

The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day will be held on Thursday 4 August 2022 with this year’s theme “My Dreaming, My Future.” Children’s Day is an opportunity to celebrate our children and their connection to culture, family and community. Each year the Secretariat of National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care (SNAICC) promotes the event to engage children and communities across the country. Click here to learn more and save the date.

Community Conversations

SNAICC - Hope for our children on National Sorry Day

25 years ago the Bringing Them Home report was tabled in Federal Parliament, giving voice to Stolen Generations survivors and highlighting the impact of racist government policies and practices.

National Sorry Day marked this anniversary. SNAICC played a role in instigating the National Inquiry into the Separation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children From Their Families that concluded in 1997.

SNAICC CEO Catherine Liddle said it was an important day to reflect on the continuing unacceptably high rates of children being removed from their families and the ongoing trauma inflicted by these practices. The 2021 Family Matters report found a staggering 21,523 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children were in out-of-home care at 30 June 2020.

Read more

Where you belong - Refugee Week 2022 (19-25 June)

Refugee Week shines a spotlight on the extraordinary people who have come to Australia seeking safety, connection and a new life for themselves and their family.

RCOA has named the SSI Group as a key event partner for Refugee Week 2022. This year’s Refugee Week theme is “Healing”, which can occur through storytelling, through community and through the realisation of our intrinsic interconnectedness as individuals.

Learn about how you can participate
 

Community Sector Events

  • To mark the first International Heat Action Day, join the Australian Institute for Disaster Resilience and the Australian Red Cross to hear from experts about the impact of heatwaves on communities - 14 June 2022 - Click here to register and learn more
  • The National Homelessness Conference, jointly convened by AHURI and Homelessness Australia, returns as a face-to-face event in 2022 – to be held at the National Convention Centre Canberra while also offering a virtual option for delegates unable to travel to the nation’s capital - 8-10 August 2022 - Click here for more information and to register
  • Connect with regional, rural and remote education experts from across the nation at the 2022 National Conference for Regional, Rural and Remote Education (NCRRRE). The conference theme is ‘Partnerships for Collective Impact’, focussing on the rich knowledge, experiences, skills and diversity of local communities, and opportunities for innovative partnerships - 12- 14 October 2022 - Click here for more information and to register

Community Sector Resources

  • Is the remuneration you offer, or are receiving, equivalent and competitive within the NFP sector? After the Great Resignation, now more than ever it is essential to have an accurate view of the industry standard and expectations for pay. The Salary Survey has been helping not-for-profit organisations for 10 years by mapping out trends and offering in-depth analysis. The report allows individuals and organisations to effectively benchmark their remuneration practices, allowing you to offer appropriate salaries to new employees, and manage the retention and satisfaction of existing employees. Click here to learn more.

COSS Corner

The latest news from State and Territory Councils of Social Service

More than $800,000 will be dedicated to amplifying the voices of young people, with NTCOSS to receive $170,000 in grant funding each year for the next five years to deliver the NT Youth Voice Project. The project will strengthen the ability of young people to have their say in the development of policies and strategies that impact them directly. It will assist young people and youth representative bodies to inform, participate and advocate at the highest level of decision-making, and is a critical step to ensuring young people are represented at that level. Click to learn more.

SACOSS has responded to the new SA government’s first State Budget, providing an analysis of areas of interest for our sector and the people it supports. While welcoming a range of measures, we have stressed that much more is needed, particularly to address the rental affordability crisis, but also to tackle the issue of digital inclusion. We are also looking forward to working with the State Government on a full review of government concessions. Find out more.

QCOSS: There’s just a few weeks to go to book early bird prices for the 2022 QCOSS Conference. We’re looking forward to exploring the theme of Power and Politics of the Care Economy with a fantastic range of sessions on issues such as advancing gender equality, the Path towards Treaty, and the implementation of the Human Rights Act 2019 across the community services sector. Speakers include advocate Grace Tame, journalist Amy Remeikis and Queensland Human Rights Commissioner Scott McDougall. Book tickets here.

The 100 Families WA project, with WACOSS a project partner, has launched a second video in the Change Series, a five part video series focusing on how we can improve the systems that help people exit disadvantage. Watch the latest video and listen to Kim, Damien and Len talk about their lived experiences.

As National Reconciliation Week drew to a close, VCOSS reflected on this year's theme - 'Be Brave. Make Change'. This years theme is a challenge to every single Australian to continue to take the steps towards reconciliation so that we can make change for the better - for all. Actions speak louder than words, and VCOSS also recommits to playing our role alongside Aboriginal leaders and communities to support truth, Treaty and healing.

How is disaster recovery organised in NSW? Engaging in disaster recovery - what are the possibilities and barriers? The aftermath of a disaster is a chaotic time and impacts are long lasting. Local community services provide vital support during but it can be hard to find out what recovery support is available, how its coordinated and how your service and community can have a voice. Join this free NCOSS webinar to learn more about advocating for your service & community after disaster.

This week's Legislative Council Estimates Committee hearing has revealed the Tasmanian Government's decision to maintain the $40 aurora+ product fee will impose higher electricity charges on 130,000 Tasmanian households and small businesses. TasCOSS CEO Ms Adrienne Picone said the aurora+ product fee remains a barrier for tens of thousands of households seeking to benefit from better managing their energy usage and costs. Click here to learn more.

ACTCOSS have welcomed the release of the ACT Government’s Draft Multicultural Recognition Bill 2022 for consultation. The Bill is set to be presented to the Legislative Assembly later this year and demonstrates a strong commitment to the vision of Canberra as a diverse and inclusive community. The draft Bill formalises the role and capacity of the Multicultural Advisory Council and proposes a Multicultural Charter declaring the rights and responsibilities of Canberrans. Click to learn more.

Members in the Media

Cashless welfare card to be folded

NACCHO's Pat Turner welcomes end of cashless debit card

Read here

Amber Heard-Johnny Depp trial was ‘devastating’ for domestic violence survivors, advocates say

Hayley Foster – the CEO of domestic and sexual violence support organisation Full Stop Australia is featured

Read here

Victorian Police fail on Indigenous employment target

Change the Record Co-Chair Cheryl Axleby is featured

Read here
 

Feature Tweet

Today marks our 21st anniversary! What started in 2001 as a small community-funded food bank led by a group of passionate TAFE students in Footscray became the ASRC, Australia’s largest independent human rights organisation providing support to people seeking asylum. pic.twitter.com/KYmJvdmxhH

— ASRC (@ASRC1) June 7, 2022
Click here to see full tweet
 

We respectfully acknowledge the traditional owners and custodians of the country on which we work, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation.

We recognise the right of all First Peoples around the country to self-determination.

Please consider the environment before printing this email.

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