 Sector Headlines
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Recent report on inequality doesn't reflect reality for many
Poverty has remained stubbornly high since the 1980s, with the relative poverty rate hovering around 10% since 1988. The report from the Productivity Commission earlier this month, Rising Inequality? A Stocktake of the Evidence, doesn't paint the picture that we are seeing in WA. The report claims that economic growth has made everyone in Australia in every income group better off, which isn't necessarily the case at all, and has drawn criticism from publications such as The Conversation and The Sydney Morning Herald, among others. 1% of people remained in the same financial situation, and more than 40% of the Australian population were in a lower income group in 2016, than in 2001. Single adults on Newstart have fallen down the income distribution, from the bottom 10% to the bottom 5%. The report is at odds with the research from the Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS) released on Inequality in August.
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Calling all waste champions - Infinity Awards' nominations now open
Nominations are now open for the 2018 Infinity Awards. The awards acknowledge and celebrate the outstanding achievements of Western Australians working towards a better waste future through improved waste practices and innovative waste solutions. All not-for-profits and community service organisations are encouraged to apply and showcase their outstanding work in this area. Nominations close at 5pm Tuesday 9 October 2018. Shortlisting of nominations and judging will take place from mid-October, ahead of a gala dinner and awards presentation at the Westin Perth on Thursday 15 November 2018. For more information about the Infinity Awards, visit wasteauthority.wa.gov.au or contact the awards organisers on 9421 3600 or [email protected]. The awards are an initiative of the State Government of Western Australia and are coordinated by the Waste Authority WA.
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Action Plan for At Risk Youth - upcoming workshops
The Youth Affairs Council of Western Australia (YACWA) have been funded by the Department of Communities to facilitate consultations with the community sector, local government, and Aboriginal organisations, to support the development of an Action Plan for At Risk Youth (Action Plan). The Action Plan will align with the WA Youth Strategy and the 10-Year Strategy on Homelessness. Services working with at-risk youth are invited to attend one of the workshops, on Monday 8, or Tuesday 16 October. Email [email protected] or phone 9222 2829.
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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.
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Local Government Act review
Community sector organisations may be interested in participating in the Local Government Act review, to have your say on issues like community engagement and integrated planning. Surveys will be open until 31 March 2019.
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Have your say on 10 year homelessness strategy
Organisations and individuals can have their input on homelessness in Western Australia, as part of upcoming consultation sessions. Feedback will inform the development of the 10-Year Strategy on Homelessness (the Strategy). Led by the Department of Communities, the Strategy will be a whole-of-community plan to tackle homelessness in WA. The consultation sessions will be held in Broome, Kununurra, Kalgoorlie, Geraldton, Port Hedland, Bunbury, Albany, and in Cockburn, Perth CBD, and Joondalup from the end of September.
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Youth Work WA - Nominations open for Youth Work Awards
Nominations are now open for WA Youth Work Awards, ahead of International Youth Work Week, 5-11 November 2018. The week is an opportunity to acknowledge the work of our youth workers in the sector. Nominate someone for an award, in one of the four categories which include: Emerging Youth Worker Award, Regional WA Youth Worker Award, Professional Youth Worker Award, and Significant Contribution to Youth Work Award.
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28th Annual Silent March against family and domestic violence
In Western Australia, there have been 18 deaths since the last Silent March - already 6 more than last year's total. Save the date and join the Women's Council and other stakeholders for the 28th Annual Silent Domestic Violence March at 10:30am, Friday 23 November 2018 in the Supreme Court Gardens, Perth.
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Pilbara Community Services Excellence Awards - Nominations open
The Pilbara awards have been created to recognise the outstanding contributions made by Pilbara organisations and individuals through hard work, determination, and passion, which have a positive impact on Pilbara communities. Nominations are open until Friday 29 September 2018, and will be announced at the Gala Dinner on Friday 2 November at the Dampier Community Hall.
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Workshops - Working with Complex Trauma
In response to the WACOSS Regional Training Needs Survey the next round of Lotterywest-funded free regional training will include Working with Complex Trauma and Working With Challenging Clients. The workshops will be delivered by WACOSS training partner SARC. Some spaces are still available in Esperance, Geraldton, but workshops are filling fast!
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MyHealth Record Briefing for State Organisations and Stakeholders
With the opt-out period extended to Thursday 15 November, The Australian Digital Health Agency is holding further briefing sessions to continue raising awareness in the community and to support peaks and community organisations. There are two briefings available, 11am-1:00pm, and 6:00-8:00pm, Wednesday 3 October, Level 1, Cloisters, 863 Hay Street, Perth.
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Reducing Social Isolation and promoting wellbeing in older adults
Social isolation can affect all aspects of health and well-being. Improving social connections and promoting an active lifestyle positively influences physiological health, mental health, cognitive function, self-esteem and sense of meaning- leading to healthy ageing. Join Know Injury as they address how to promote well-being and reduce social isolation among older adults, with presentations by Dr Julie Dare, Curtin University; Jackie Tibbets, Consultivation; and Caroline Jackson Pierce, Mentally Healthy WA; 9am-11am, Friday 5 October 2018.
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Consumer Protection Awards 2019 - nominations open
The Consumer Protection Awards provides an opportunity to reward and recognise the achievements of individuals, non-government organisations, businesses, local governments, journalists and media outlets that have increased awareness of consumer issues, provided support for disadvantaged consumers or contributed to injury prevention for children. Potential nominees may have helped consumers with tenancy matters, scam prevention, debt management or understanding contracts. Nominations are open until Friday 16 November.
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Volunteer Grants 2018 funding round now open
Eligible community and not-for-profit organisations can now apply for a share of $20 million of Australian Government funding to support their volunteers. One-off grants of between $1,000 and $5,000 are available to organisations to support their volunteers through practical measures - such as the purchase of equipment, reimbursement for the cost of fuel, training, and screening checks.
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Grant Funding - Community Crime Prevention Fund
The WA Police Force invites incorporated not-for-profit organisations and local government authorities to apply for grant funding under the 2018-19 Community Crime Prevention Fund. Grants of up to $25,000 per project will be available for projects that address an identified priority of the Community Crime Prevention Fund.
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Australian Ally Conference 2018 - Activating Human Rights
Curtin University will host the Australian Ally Conference with the theme Activating Human Rights: Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Intersex Status - Leading the Change, from 27-28 September. Speakers include Disability and LGBTI/Queer Rights Activist Jax Jackie Brown, Nick Lawrence, Founder of Transfolk of WA, and Sam Winter, Transgender health and rights scholar at Curtin University, among others. While the achievement of marriage equality was a high point in the struggle for human rights of LGBTIQ+ people, this accomplishment still does not mean all people enjoy the same rights, and the public debate exposed some entrenched social, cultural, political, economic, and other forms of discrimination and harmful attitudes. There is more to do for human rights of all LGBTIQ+ people.
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New grants program supporting WA Peer Support Groups – open now
ConnectGroups' new Give it Forward (GIF) easy grants program is now open to WA Self Help and Support Groups, managed by ConnectGroups and supported by Lotterywest. The objective of the grants is to help Self Help and Support Groups to grow, increase their capacity to support others and remain robust and sustainable. Grants are now open for submissions up to $10,000, and round one applications are open until Monday 15 October.
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All the graphic design your organisation needs, one affordable option
Are you planning a Conference or a major event and need to quote all the design and printing of your promotionals? WACOSS DropIN Solutions has an affordable option offering all the tailored graphic design solutions you will need, not only for your event, but over a year to fit your purpose. This option is just $4,500 and can be purchased now for use throughout 2018-2019. WACOSS Members receive a $500 discount. Want to know more? Contact Jaime our DropIN Project Officer at [email protected] or at 9420 7222.
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 Sector Training and Events
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27 SEP | Domestic and Family Violence Discussion
Women's Council for Domestic & Family Violence Services - West Perth - $25
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9 OCT | Australia's Private Rental Market
Bankwest Curtin Economic Centre (BCEC) - Perth - Free
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10 OCT | Free Workshop: Empowering women to take control online
Women's Council for Domestic and Family Violence Services - Perth - Free
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11 OCT | Pitch for Good
StartSomeGood/ImpactSeed/City of Perth - Perth - $35.75
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12 OCT | WA Youth Awards 2018
YACWA - Northbridge - $45-65
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14-20 OCT | Anti-Poverty Week
Various - Australia-wide - TBC
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 Job Opportunities
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Aboriginal AOD/Mental Health Counsellor
Women's Health and Family Services - applications closing Friday 28 September
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Post-Release Officer - Pilbara
Pilbara Community Services Ltd (PCSL) - applications closing Friday 5 October
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Co-Chair Position
Connecting Community for Kids (CCK) - applications closing Friday 5 October
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Aboriginal Health Assertive Outreach Workers
St Patrick's - applications closing Monday 31 December
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