Wednesday 28 September 2022 

Community Contributions

Dean Parkin, Director of From the Heart appeared on Sky News to discuss the results of a survey released by Sydney Morning Herald and The Age confirming the Australian public is in broad support of a constitutionally enshrined Voice to Parliament. Click here to watch.

Ten young disabled people are now enrolled in Children and Young People with Disability Australia's (CYDA) third national leadership program, and will be working hard on personal and leadership development over the next five months. CYDA look forward to fostering these leader's development and working towards their goals. Click here for more information and to get involved.

UnitingCare Australia is urging the Senate to scrap the Cashless Debit Card and restore choice and control to communities in the four trial sites. Appearing before the recent Senate Inquiry, UnitingCare Australia National Director, Ms Claerwen Little, expressed concern that while compulsory income management should be abolished, it is vital that communities are offered adequate wrap-around services to support the transition. Click here to learn more.

Applications are now open for the ABC’s 2023 Trailblazers program, which showcases the stories of regional Australia’s brightest new leaders. Trailblazers is an opportunity for young innovators, aged 18 – 28, who have started social, educational and economic development projects in their regional communities, to have their work celebrated nationally. Click here to learn more.

Community Conversations

The Uluru Dialogue releases ad campaign for the Voice

The Uluru Statement has released its new ad which is part of its grassroots referendum education campaign, History is Calling.

The ad tells the story about how First Peoples achieved a Voice to Parliament with the help of Australians everywhere. It's hopeful of what the future could look like, but makes it clear there is a long way to go.

The ad, and broader History is Calling campaign, is about raising awareness in the lead up to the referendum and encourages Australians to show their support for the Uluru Statement. 

Click here to view the ad

National Carer's Week - 17 October 2022

Carers are people who provide unpaid care and support to family members and friends who have a disability, mental health condition, chronic condition, terminal illness, an alcohol or other drug issue or who are frail aged – anyone at any time can become a carer.

National Carers Week is an opportunity to raise community awareness among all Australians about the diversity of carers and their caring roles.

Click here for ways to be involved

The next phase of Passing The Message Stick

One year on from launching Passing The Message Stick, Australian Progress are launching the next phase of the project to develop persuasive messages that shift public narratives and build support for First Nations justice. 

The First Nations Law and Justice Messaging Fellowship is designed by and for First Nations people, to develop new and effective strength-based communications approaches for law reform and justice campaigns.

Applications are now open for 20 First Nations advocates working on law and justice campaigns - including family members whose loved ones have died in custody, grassroots activists, organisers and journalists - to join a unique Fellowship program, designed for, and led by, First Nations people.

Click here for more information
 

Community Sector Events

  • Blak Up! is a national First Nations event, led by the First Nations Team at Foundation for Young Australians (FYA) for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people aged 16-35 years old. The all Blak line-up will be a 4-day camp, all expenses paid including travel, featuring yarns from Elders and experienced campaigners, practical workshops, art and performances - Applications close 30 September - Click here to learn more and to apply
  • The Australia Institute's Revenue Summit 2022 will explore revenue raising options to meet Australia’s growing public spending needs - 6 October 2022 - Click here to learn more and to register
  • The Government Relations Masterclass is a two day training delivered by Australian Progress and Australian Democracy Network to build the skills and knowledge of changemakers leading policy advocacy. The on-location training, happening at Parliament House in Canberra, includes a unique opportunity to learn from the Hon Dr Andrew Leigh MP, Assistant Minister for Competition, Charities and Treasury and key crossbench staffers, as well as experienced civil society policy advocates and government relations experts - 22-23 November 2022 - Click here for more information and to apply

Community Sector Resources

  • Climate change is supercharging our atmosphere and leading to more frequent and severe extreme weather events, such as bushfires, heatwaves, flooding and cyclones. Australians are paying the price in costs to their health, lost lives and livelihoods. The Climate Council produced this communication guide so you can accurately explain the link between extreme weather events and climate change. Click here to access the guide.

COSS Corner

The latest news from State and Territory Councils of Social Service

New analysis from QCOSS shows there are 45,958 people on Queensland’s social housing register. 26,286, 90.8 per cent of all applications, have been assessed as having a ‘very high’ need. This represents an increase of 152 per cent from 2017. Click here to learn more.

SACOSS’ upcoming conference Alternative Futures: Ending Poverty will address the big topic of what we can do to achieve a future without poverty. To be held at the Adelaide Convention Centre on 18 November, it will bring together a range of speakers for informative and inspiring sessions. Topics include housing affordability, privatisation, digital inclusion, and the Uluru Statement, as well as public attitudes about poverty, and busting myths about government support.

TasCOSS: Energy customers affected by family violence will soon be better protected following an announcement by the Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC). From 1 May 2023, energy retailers will be required to have family violence policies that set out how they will support and protect customers experiencing family violence. Find out more. 

In a recent survey of renters in WA, 95% of respondents said they would find it difficult or very difficult financially if rents were to increase another 10% in the next 12 months, which what is predicted in WA. As a member of the Make Renting Fair alliance, WACOSS supports the Tenancy Ten - ten asks to improve the life of people renting, one of which includes a cap on rent increases - so that everyone has a place to call home.

VCOSS is proud to share a comprehensive analysis of community sentiment developed during a statewide 'Listening Tour' from February to May 2022. Victorians have nominated loneliness, the 'digital divide', housing struggles, access to decent food and the rising cost of essentials among their chief concerns. Read the report.

ACTCOSS welcomed the expansion of the Home Energy Support Program to include new rebates of up to $2,500 for people on low incomes to purchase efficient electric appliances. Click to read more.

In the aftermath of the Lismore-Bundjalung Country flooding this year, the team at the Koori Mail stepped in to support the community when government agencies could not. In this keynote address on Day 1 of the NCOSS 2022 Conference, Naomi Moran will speak about listening to local Aboriginal voices and Aboriginal knowledge, and taking action to support self-determination. Click here to register.

This week NTCOSS Policy Manager Sarah Holder speaks to ABC TV News about the most recent NTCOSS Cost of Living Report. Click here to watch.

Members in the Media

Bold new plan to support disadvantaged students

Smith Family CEO Doug Taylor featured

Read here

Bridging the digital divide between government and charities

David Spriggs CEO of Infoxchange

Read here

New childcare reforms, including changes to the subsidy, are another step closer. Here's how they'll work

SNAICC CEO Catherine Liddle featured

Read here
 

Feature Tweet

On 26 January 1938, a group of Aboriginal activists held the first #dayofmourning. Their brave work lives on today as we continue to grapple with the truths of our past, and of our present.https://t.co/8fYLZe3wSr#truthtelling

— Reconciliation Australia (@RecAustralia) September 22, 2022
Click here for 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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