Sector Headlines
|
|
MyHealthRecord four month opt-out period coming to an end
MyHealthRecord opt-out period is coming to an end. If you don't opt-out before Thursday 15 November, you will automatically receive a MyHealthRecord. To complete the online process you will need your driver's licence and Medicare card.
|
|
Imagined Housing Forums South West Metro
St. Patrick's Community Support Centre, supported by Imagined Futures and WACOSS, is engaging in community conversations around how we can improve housing and end homelessness. In an effort to bring people together around the issue we've tailored a series of four unique community events, aimed at gathering as many viewpoints as possible. We'll be building on the vital work within the community of the WA Alliance to End Homelessness, the State Affordable Housing Strategy, and the State Homelessness Strategy. By examining the work that's been done so far, we can expand and improve upon these ideas, effecting real change. Come along to one of four workshops for community, business, people with lived experience, and frontline and executive workers in early December.
|
|
Week of action for Uluru Statement of the Heart
This week marks One Week of Action for the Uluru Statement of the Heart. First Nations people want a Voice for Parliament. Join in during the week (4-10 November) and share your activities on social media.
|
|
Aboriginal Advisory Panel sought to provide expertise to government
Plans have been announced to establish an Aboriginal Advisory Panel, to provide advice on a range of issues to the Hon. Simone McGurk MLA, Minister for Child Protection; Women's Interests; Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence; Community Services, relevant to the portfolio responsibilities. Nominations are being sought for the advisory panel from respected and knowledgeable Aboriginal people from across Western Australia, with expertise in one or more key areas relevant to these portfolios. Nominations will close Friday 23 November.
|
|
Transforming local government – have your say
Local government reform and the Local Government Act 1995 review has the potential to impact your community organisation. Should community organisations pay rates? How should the community be consulted in local government decision making? How can we increase participation in local government elections? We want to hear your views to transform local government. You have an opportunity to have your say.
|
|
Federal Government funding unknown for FDV program
Future funding from the Federal Government is still unknown for the Keeping Women Safe in their Homes program, which supported more than 700 women and their families last year keeping them safe from family and domestic violence. Six organisations in WA provide this program, which has provided $100 million over three years to provide safety planning, security assessments and home upgrades such as lock changes, surveillance cameras and panic buttons. The McGowan Government has called on the Federal Government to continue its financial support for the program.
|
|
Individuals and organisations recognised at inaugural Pilbara awards
Winners have been announced for the 2018 Pilbara Community Services Excellence Awards in Dampier, with 14 outstanding candidates recognised for their contributions to regional communities. Finalists in the awards included, health, Aboriginal, youth, homelessness, mental health, aged care, out of home care, volunteers and emergency relief organisations.
|
|
Give a child living in a refuge a gift this Christmas Day
The Women's Council for Family and Domestic Violence Services are assisting metro refuges to provide gifts to children on Christmas Day. If you would like to donate a gift or voucher to a child you can do so by dropping into the Women's Council, City West Lotteries House, 2 Delhi Street, West Perth. A couple of things to keep in mind: don't wrap the gift, it does need to be something new, consider one substantial gift rather than many smaller stocking fillers, vouchers are welcome, and a range of gifts for children of all ages (newborn to 17) are encouraged. For inquiries email [email protected]
|
|
Regulation and the contemporary not-for-profit: a summit
Join the inaugural NFP UWA Research Group symposium, in which industry and academics will convene to consider the regulatory framework impacting NFPs and charities. Examining regulation is timely with the recent Review of the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission Act, electoral funding laws and significant market changes such as the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). The summit also extends to broader matters such as regulatory theory and practice, the role of NFPs in our democracy, organisational management and historical and comparative perspectives. The role of NFPs and the wider civil society sector in international law and international relations will also feature. Louise Giolitto will sit on the panel for this event. View the program here.
|
|
ACOSS calls on Federal Government to safeguard LGBTIQ people in law and policy to protect from discrimination
The Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS) has written to Prime Minister Scott Morrison, calling on the Government to safeguard the rights of LGBTIQ people, and legislating to protect people from discrimination. This includes balancing the Right to Equality (Non-Discrimination) and the Right to Freedom of Religion. ACOSS have also called on the Government to take a position that rids Australia of harmful gay conversion "therapies".
|
|
Seniors' events and cyber security and cyber crime prevention sessions
Throughout November there are a range of events for seniors, including cyber crime and cyber safety awareness sessions in various locations across Perth, that have been shared by Council on the Ageing (COTA).
|
|
Talking Leadership - stories from our Aboriginal leaders
The Commissioner for Children and Young People has released a publication that recognises and celebrates a small sample of Aboriginal leaders in our communities. Their stories, quotes and messages of support demonstrate the breadth and capacity of Aboriginal leadership and cross-cultural solutions across the state. They speak to the opportunities and support needed to ensure young leaders’ bold visions for the future are realised, and the role we can all play to achieve those goals.
|
|
Volunteering Australia Federal Election Survey
Volunteering Australia has been gathering feedback in the lead up to the next Federal Election. The survey includes questions that cover priority issues and concerns for the volunteering sector and is open until COB Wednesday 7 November.
|
|
Online survey for the 10-Year Strategy of Homelessness
The Department of Communities is leading the development of the 10-Year Strategy on Homelessness – a whole-of-community plan to tackle homelessness in Western Australia. Consultations on the Strategy were held throughout regional and metropolitan Western Australia in September and October 2018. If you were unable to participate, or would like to provide further input, you are invited to complete the homelessness strategy survey, by Friday 7 December.
|
|
The Children's Report released
Unicef Australia and the Australian Child Rights Taskforce have released a report that shows the Australian government is continuing to fail our most vulnerable children almost 30 years after signing the UN Children’s Convention. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, children with disability, LGBTIQ children, asylum seeker and refugee children, children living in regional and remote areas and children in out of home care are particularly being left behind.
|
|
The Justice Storytelling Campaign: calling storytellers & organisations
Social Reinvestment WA is a coalition of not for profits working for justice reform in Western Australia. The coalition is engaging a Storytelling Campaign, to raise awareness of the issues within WA's justice system. Social Reinvestment is looking for people to share their firsthand experiences and tell their stories for a series of podcasts, videos, and booklets. If someone does not want to be identified, there is scope to engage actors to retell the stories to camera.
|
|
ACOSS report shows 3 million Australians living in poverty
Analysis by the Australian Council of Social Service and the University of New South Wales, has shown national poverty rates remain high despite Australia experiencing decades of uninterrupted economic growth. In the report Poverty in Australia 2018, just over 3 million people (13.2%) are living below the relative poverty line, including 739,000 children (17.3%). The poverty line in Australia is defined as a single adult living on less than $433 per week, or $909 for a couple with two children.
|
|
McGowan Government to trial change to out-of-home care age
The McGowan State Government has agreed to a trial to change the age of children leaving care from 18 to 21. An auditor-general's report released in August found the State Government was lacking in its obligations to help young people leaving its care find somewhere to live, tap into education and find a job. This has been an ask that WACOSS has advocated for in several State Budget Submissions, and has support from many services in the community services sector.
|
|
Everyone can be an advocate - download the Advocacy Toolkit
Download the Advocacy Toolkit, recently produced and designed by WACOSS and the DropIN Solutions team. The toolkit is divided into sections with tips and templates on writing letters to government, how to write and distribute media releases, and ideas for setting up face-to-face meetings with politicians. The toolkit is a resource to enable and empower anyone to be an advocate for change. Hard copies can be provided on request.
|
|
Youth Disability Advocacy Network (YDAN) Workshops & Audits
The Youth Disability Advocacy Network (YDAN) offers training workshops and a unique experiential audit service to organisations in WA to improve awareness and inclusion for young people with disabilities. YDAN presents a number of professional workshops, which are created and presented directly by young people with disabilities and draws on their unique lived experience and stories. Additionally, they also offer tailored experiential audits for services, venues and events to assist organisations with learning about the youth-disability perspective and what they can do to tangibly improve access and inclusion – organisations receive comprehensive feedback on access and attractiveness to youth. Enquire today for a free quote, and receive a 10% discount on bookings for the rest of 2018!
|
|
Sector Training and Events
|
|
26 NOV | Meet the Employer
AASW (WA) - West Perth - $10-$30
|
|
6 DEC | Imagined Housing Workshop 3 - for decision makers
St. Patrick's Community Support Centre - Fremantle Town Hall - Free
|
|
6 DEC | Imagined Housing Workshop 4 - for business & the community
St. Patrick's Community Support Centre - Coolbellup Community Hub - Free
|
|
Job Opportunities
|
|
The Yiriman Project – Men’s Coordinator
The Kimberley Aboriginal Law & Culture Centre - applications closing Wednesday 5 December
|
|
|
|
|