Annual General Meeting and 30-Year Celebration

Community Industry Group conducted its 30^th Annual General Meeting today.  A wonderful opportunity to celebrate the history of the organisation and the people who founded and nurtured it over that past 30 years.

We also farewelled some Board Members. Cate McMath had stepped down through the year due to work commitments, and long-term Board members and Life Members, Daphne Olsen and Marlene Calleja retired at the AGM after many years' service to the organisation. 

We give our grateful thanks to all of them for their wisdom and guidance in governing Community Industry Group.

Three new Board Members were welcomed onto the Board:

• Malindey Sorrell 

• Maria Corsiglia 

• Russell Fitzgibbon

They join:

• Danna Nelse 

• Grant Vukasinovic 

• Eleonore Johansson 

• Craig Smith 

• Verica Sajdovska 

• June Lowe 

We are truly grateful to have these committed and talented leaders volunteering their time to lead and guide your Peak Body.

Noah’s Yarning Circle

Last week a couple of our CI Group Policy and Project Officers - Donna and Katelin visited Noah’s Yarning Circle in Nowra. They participated in the unveiling of the guide to Supporting Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Workers in the Shoalhaven.

Crafted by the Shoalhaven Aboriginal Employee Support Network, the guide outlines the networks nature; it’s origin; and the benefits for both Aboriginal staff and their employers. Valuable source of cultural information for all.

Mid-life Health and Wellbeing Webinar

Last week our CI Group team watched a webinar on evidence-based education around menopause and strategies for supporting employees in the workforce experiencing it.

Menopause is a natural stage of women’s lives that occurs at the average ages of 45-55 and can last for five to ten years. For some, the symptoms of menopause can be extremely debilitating.

Where supports are not adequate, women may revert to part-time work, forgo leadership opportunities, or pursue early retirement. This can result in lost wages and superannuation contributions and financial insecurity in retirement.

The CI Group found the wellbeing series about menopause an interesting insight and thought it would be a beneficial resource for our sector, for both Men and Women, as the community sector is made up of predominantly women.

There are lots of resources to check out, a Menopause Toolkit, fact sheet and more!

Check out the webinar and more resources here: HESTA | Wellbeing Series 

CI Group Policy and Project Officer Position - Southern NSW

We are looking for a Policy and Project Officer to join our team.

This is a part-time position, 21 hours per week up until 30 June 2025. Contract may be extended, subject to funding. The salary is Grade 4 of the SCHADS award, and we also offer salary packaging, which ultimately boosts take home pay. 

This position will be based at our office space at Baylink - Batemans Bay.  

The Policy and Project Officer will provide support for not for profit organisations and assist in the development and implementation of policy, research, and advocacy initiatives. By building relationships with the sector, the successful candidate will identify or develop capacity building activities, resource materials and information for our members and stakeholders.

For more information, or to obtain an information package, please email [email protected] or contact the office on 4256 4333. Recruitment agency applications will not be considered.  

Applications should be emailed to [email protected] with the subject line “Confidential – Employment Application. Applications close at 5pm on Sunday 10 December 2023. Late applications will not be accepted.

For more information see the seek ad or our website

Have Your Say - Energy Accounts Payment Assistance (EAPA)

SUBMISSION: Energy Accounts Payment Assistance (EAPA) Proposed Reforms

CALL-OUT FOR COMMENT & CASE STUDIES:

The NSW Office of Energy and Climate Change (OECC) has released a public consultation paper on the proposed reforms to the Energy Accounts Payment Assistance (EAPA) scheme on the NSW "Have Your Say" website at: Energy Accounts Payment Assistance (EAPA) Reform | Have your say NSW

The NSW Office of Energy and Climate Change is revamping the Energy Accounts Payment Assistance (EAPA) program and seeking feedback on the proposed changes. EAPA has aided individuals facing energy bill difficulties due to short-term financial crises or emergencies for over three decades. The review by the NSW Office of Energy and Climate Change involved customer research and consultations with various stakeholders, leading to the identification of potential areas for reform to ensure the program's continued effectiveness and customer-centric outcomes.

Community Industry Group is seeking input from our members to contribute to our submission in response to the proposed reforms.

Proposed reforms: Proposed changes aim to make the energy bill assistance policy clearer and more accessible for all NSW residential customers facing crises. The goal is to help those struggling to pay their electricity or gas bills by providing short-term aid specifically for current usage charges. These changes are meant to meet retailers' responsibilities while stopping the program from being a requirement for other types of help. The reforms plan to define "short-term aid" as support lasting up to two years after a crisis, test a debt program, and work with partners to handle energy debt issues better. They also aim to improve assistance for people affected by domestic violence through staff training, sharing data with energy companies, and referrals from other government agencies. Additionally, the reforms aim to merge assistance for both electricity and gas, removing limits on yearly applications and introducing specific dollar amounts instead of voucher increments. They want to simplify the application process by creating a new system managed by the government. This system should decrease the workload for non-governmental organisations (NGOs), allow various forms of support at the same time, enhance reporting, ensure consistent evaluations, and enable groups like local councils and women’s shelters to assist applicants through a single system.

View the issues paper:

EAPA Review Recommendations

We invite members to share their valuable insights and experiences through the provision of case studies and comments. Your input will significantly enhance the quality and depth of our submission.

Please submit your comments or case studies to [email protected], or feel free to call the CI Group office to discuss 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 are also welcome).

Free Office Furniture for NFPs

GreenChair currently has a range of desks, hutches and filing cabinets free for NFPs in the Illawarra.

GreenChair is a sustainable furniture and goods repurposing program helping Australian businesses to transfer furniture and other unwanted items to NFPs, charities and community groups. This repurposing program reduces waste to landfill and is a part of the circular economy. Sign up to the GreenChair database to access these and to be notified via email about upcoming opportunities for furniture and other goods.

Note: Furniture is allocated on a first come first served basis (via email).

For more information contact Tara at: +61 475 776 387,

[email protected] or www.bateupconsulting.com.au/greenchair

The Basics of DEX Reporting - February and March 2024

This 90-minute online program will run through step by step how to work through your organisation’s DEX Reporting – an essential training for all staff completing DEX.

Training includes:

• What is the Data Exchange;

• How is it Structured;

• More on Outlets;

• Data Exchange Framework;

• Priority Requirements;

• Data Exchange Protocols

There are two times to choose from:

7th February 10.00am – 11.30am 

11th March 2.00pm – 3.30pm

Community and Disability Workers - Have Your Say!

Take this survey now to share your experience of working in the community sector to help us improve your conditions and pay.

The survey takes around 15 minutes. There are no right or wrong answers, most questions can be skipped if you prefer, and you can stop at any time. At the end of the survey you will be given the option to enter a prize draw to win one of 5 x $100 Coles/Myer online shopping vouchers, as a token of our appreciation.

The survey will close on 8th December 2023. 

Survey of Workers in Social and Community Services

How to recognise complex trauma in infants and children and promote wellbeing (re-run)

This webinar will explore how practitioners can develop their understanding of complex trauma to effectively support infants and children. This webinar will explore:

• The evidence about what complex trauma is, how it might present in children and how it can affect their development

• How practitioners can recognise and respond to the effects of complex trauma in infants and children

• How to have preventative and early intervention conversations with parents and caregivers of infants and children who have experienced complex trauma.

Find out more here: Registration (gotowebinar.com)

LINKS and OurSPACE: Findings and recommendations from two trauma-informed services

Join us to learn more about:

• Demonstrating the effectiveness of the LINKS Trauma Healing Service for children and young people in out-of-home care.

• Evaluation of OurSPACE - Specialist outreach trauma therapeutic support: Findings and recommendations

• Question and answer:

  • Elizabeth Hagarty, Director, Psychological & Specialist Services, Department of Communities and Justice

    Questions or comments?
    Contact: [email protected]

  Register Here: LINKS and OurSPACE: Findings and recommendations from the evaluations of two trauma-informed services | Humanitix

Nowra 2023 Christmas Party

Shouthern Cross Housing in conjunction with prosperity in the Park Commitee would like to invite you to our annual Tenant’s Christmas party on Wednesday 20th December 10AM-1PM at Parramatta Park, 7 Parramatta Street, East Nowra.

Join us for:

• Activities

• Food

• Gifts

• Services

All FREE!

Please RSVP by Friday 8th December 2023 by following the OR code below, or by contacting the Communities Assist Department: [email protected] or call 1300 757 885.

Criminalising Coercive Control

This webinar will briefly outline the new coercive control offence expected to commence by 1 July next year in NSW and discuss the cultural and systems reform required to accompany these reforms. It will also outline the monitoring and review mechanisms to ensure continuous improvements and the opportunities for service providers to provide input.

Liz Snell  - Law Reform and Policy Coordinator, Women's Legal Service NSW

When:  Wednesday 29 November, 2023

Time: 11.00am – 11:45am

Where:  After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar

Register Here: Registration (gotowebinar.com)

Inside Out Recovery

• Psychological and Recovery Coach Positions

• Volunteer Position

Care Positions

• Home Instead CareGivers

• Catholic Care Various Positions

Shellharbour Communities for Children Consultative Commitee

The Committee serves an important governance role for the Communities for Children program, providing guidance and recommendations to Barnardos Australia in relation to programs and activities funded through the Department of Social Services Communities for Children initiative. The Committee may also review community requirements based on available evidence in relation to children and community need in the Shellharbour Local Government Area, by listening to the voices of children, having local knowledge and an understanding of best practice research initiatives.

Members of organisations or groups funded through the Communities for Children initiative are not eligible for membership due to the role the committee plays in reviewing funding applications and making recommendations on funded-programs.

We are seeking individuals who:

• Live or have work-related connections in the Shellharbour area

• Can commit to 4 meetings per annum

• Have an understanding of the issues facing the Shellharbour Community and the disadvantage experienced by some children, young people & their families

• Are able to consult with and report back to any organisation or community that they represent

Please see the EOI form along with the terms of reference for an overview of the program.

2023 Tallawarra Community Grants Round 2 

EnergyAustralia Tallawarra is proud to provide community funding for local initiatives that will deliver sustainable benefits to the Illawarra region. 

Applications for Round 2 Community Grants are open now and close 5pm, Thursday 30 November 2023.

EnergyAustralia has two priority areas for grant funding:

• Education: Funding aimed at promoting education and knowledge acquisition. This can include programs with a social or environmental focus and organisations which support career or skill development.

• Social inclusion: Funding aimed at facilitating social inclusion.  This is aimed at initiatives that support community cohesion and can include such things as men’s sheds, upgrading communal facilities, improving local amenities, and supporting vulnerable community members.

Find out more and apply here.

Rural Mental Health Small Project Grants

Do you have a research project that you think will improve mental health service delivery in rural or regional NSW?

The Peregrine Centre and NSW Health are pleased to offer a total of $400,000 in grants for small projects in 2024-2025. Minimum grant amount is $5,000 and multi-year funding will be considered.

Find out more here

New Grant Opportunity Expression of Interest 2023-24 Volunteer Grants

The 2023–24 Volunteer Grants Opportunity is open for Expressions of Interest (EOI) through Members of Parliament (MPs). Organisations interested in a grant must contact their local MP to submit an EOI and confirm when their EOI closes. 

Organisations that are nominated by their MP will be invited to apply for a grant in November 2023.

Grants of between $1,000 and $5,000 will be available to assist eligible not-for-profit community organisations support the efforts of their vounteers. Examples of what grant funding can assist with include small portable equipment purchases, contributions towards the cost of training volunteers, reimbursement of fuel costs for volunteers and undertaking background screening checks for volunteers.

The Grant Opportunity Guidelines are on GrantConnect.

To receive the latest information for this upcoming grant opportunity, please subscribe to the Community Grants Hub or GrantConnect.