Community Industry Group Newsletter

Save The Date! 

Community Industry Group would like to invite you to our 2023 Community Services Awards Night on

22 September, 6:30pm at Wollongong University Hall

Energy Accounts Payment Assistance (EAPA) Program

CI Group was extremely concerned at the recent announcement by the Australian Energy Regulator (AER) of a 23.9% increase in the electricity default market offer (DMO) for NSW. Members who distribute EAPA vouchers have already flagged that demand exceeds supply, and this announcement will only exacerbate energy poverty and increase the demand for this program in the region.

Community Industry Group have reached out to the Minister for Customer Service & Digital Government and to local NSW MPs to call for:

1. Increased funding for the EAPA program.

2. An awareness raising campaign focused on enhancing understanding and awareness of the EAPA program in lower socio-economic areas, First Nations communities, and households from culturally diverse backgrounds.

3. A comprehensive overhaul of the application process to make it less invasive for consumers and less burdensome for time-constrained service providers.

Read the letter here: Energy Accounts Payment Assistance Program Letter

Prevention of Older Person Abuse (POPA) Forum

Community Industry Group is a proud member of the Prevention of Older Person Abuse (POPA) collaborative. World Elder Abuse Day will be on 15^th June this year, and in recognition, POPA held a free forum at Shellharbour Civic Centre. Keynote speakers were Robert Fitzgerald AM, Commissioner of the NSW Ageing and Disability Commission and Ann Wunsch – Approvals, Compliance and Investigations at the Aged Care Quality & Safety Commission (ACQSC).

Attendees heard that elder abuse is the mistreatment of an older person that is committed by someone with whom the older person has a relationship of trust such as a partner, family member, friend or carer. Elder abuse may be physical, social, financial, psychological or sexual and can include mistreatment and neglect. Abuse of older people is a problem that exists across all geographic areas, genders, cultural backgrounds and socio-economic statuses, yet is typically underreported globally.

Aged care providers must notify the ACSQC when reportable incidents occur to people in their care, some older people are not receiving aged care. Therefore, it is important that members of the community speak out if they suspect abuse to be taking place. Both speakers highlighted the importance of speaking out is abuse is suspected and highlighted the close collaboration between their two organisations. This means there is ‘no wrong door’ to making a report.

If you are concerned about an older person, call the NSW Ageing and Disability Abuse Helpline on 1800 628 221. With a few simple questions they can help you with whether a report needs to be made or not. Calls can be anonymous, and all information is confidential.

Targeted Earlier Intervention (TEI) Contract Amendment

Community Industry Group (CI Group) was extremely concerned at the recent proposal by the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) to insert an Additional Supplementary Condition Clause to all Targeted Earlier Intervention (TEI) provider contracts.

CI Group have reached out to the Minister for Families and Communities and to local NSW MPs to address members concerns and negotiate a more balanced and clearly defined clause that ensures transparency, collaboration, and fairness.

Read the letter here: TEI Contract Amendment

TEI Contract Amendment Clause May 2023

Online Non - Profit Board Chair Training

Community Industry Group still has spots available for our Wednesday 14 June 5:30pm – 7:30pm online Board Chair Training.

This is a great opportunity to get FREE (for CIGroup members) training with our amazing trainer Judy Daunt.

Register here - Board Chair Training | Online

If you have any enquiries, please do not hesitate to contact us on 4256 4333 

Member Update Guidelines: If you are a member and want to add something to our Newsletter email [email protected]. Please keep all submissions between 50 and 100 words with a link to further info (images also welcome).

NAIDOC Family Fun Day - EOI Reminders

EOI forms for each NAIDOC event (see specific cut off dates in each):

• Bellambi

• Warrawong

• Koonawarra 

• Shoalhaven 

Community Grants Workshop

This workshop is ideal for any Community Organisation, Not-for-Profit, School, Cultural, Arts or Sports Organisation interested in finding out more about current existing grants, how you can prepare for future funding and how to use it to support your organisation. Current developments in relation to Government & Philanthropic Grants will be discussed as well as how to get your organisation 'Grants-Ready' for any application you will be submitting in the future for the public or private sector.

Shellharbour Civic Centre, Thursday 15 June at 9:30am-11:30. $30 including morning tea.

Register: shellharbour.nsw.gov.au/whats-on

Annual Thrive Together Fair - Register your Organisation

The annual Thrive Together Fair is taking place again on Tuesday 8 August 2023 at the Shoalhaven Indoor Sports Centre from 10:00AM to 2:00PM.

This is a chance for people doing it tough to connect with local financial, housing, legal, government, physical and mental health and wellbeing and crisis support all under the one roof.

Available on the day will also be activities and entertainment to bring people together for some fun to support their wellbeing. Please share this event with the people you assist. Last year we had over eighty stallholders involved and at least 300 attendees!

Register you organisation by July 7 to be a part of this event as a stallholder, follow the link.

For more information on how to get involved, contact Marsha Makary from the Community Connections Team: [email protected] 

Carer Workshop - HealthOne Dapto

Do you provide support to a family member or friend because of chronic illness, disability, mental health or frail/aged care?

This FREE three day workshop includes information on:

• Services and support

• Planning ahead

• Health and wellbeing

• Opportunity to meet other carers

Find out more here: Carer Workshop Dapto

Research Project, Short Term - Albion Park Rail Community Centre Incorporated

Albion Park Rail Community Centre is looking for an experienced and skilled person to undertake an evidence-based community needs assessment project; analyse and collate data and prepare a report with recommendations.

Suitable person needs to be able to:

• Commence ASAP

• Engage with young people, families and the broader community

• Have excellent communication skills, interview and engagement skills

• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills

• Excellent time-management skills

This is a short term paid contract. If you are this person, please contact Danna on 4256 4404 for further information.

Board Member (Voluntary Role) - Healthy Cities Illawarra

Healthy Cities Illawarra is recruiting for a new Board Member (voluntary role). If you are local to the Illawarra/Shoalhaven, are passionate about social health and wellbeing outcomes for the community, and have time to be able to share your skills, networks and wisdom with us, then please take a look at the information on our website, and get in touch if you'd like to chat.

To help diversify the attribute and skill base of the Board, people of diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply. Experience in advocacy, public speaking, networking, philanthropy, or donor engagement is highly desirable. Applications close June 30.

Apply Here: Healthy Cities Illawarra New Board Member

Care Positions

• Home Instead CareGivers

• Catholic Care Various Positions

Multicultural Health Week – Community Engagement Grants

This program aims to support community engagement activities or events with culturally and linguistically diverse communities, focussing on encouraging and promoting any form of physical activity, emphasising that every move counts and contributes to overall health and wellbeing.

The theme of Multicultural Health Week 2023 is promoting physical activity with the tagline of 'Celebrate culture through movement - Every move counts'. It will be held on 4-10 September 2023.

Grant closing date: 17 June 2023 (8 days)

Grants of up to $2,000 are available.

Find out more here: Community Engagement Grant