Community Industry Group Newsletter

Farewell to a Member and Friend

We wish a very happy retirement to Roy Rogers, CEO of the Flagstaff Group. A long-term member of CI Group, and a vigorous advocate for people with disability. Happy trails Roy!

Art for Elders

Community Industry Group on 19th of July sponsored the Art for Elders and family workshop held at Coomaditchie Port Kembla.

The intergenerational workshop was facilitated by well known artists Aunty Lorraine Brown and Aunty Narelle Thomas. A perfect sunny day with everyone from tiny babies to great grandmothers enjoying company and creativity.

Voice Referendum

The team at CI Group are taking the time to be as informed as possible about the upcoming Voice referendum. Last week we watched Prof Megan Davis who was a member of the Referendum Council and the Experts Panel on the Recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Peoples in the Constitution; was an expert member of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (2011-2016); and is currently a member of the United Nations Human Rights Council’s Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous peoples.

Prof Davis’ understanding of the Constitution really helped demystify what the Voice is all about. The video is available here.

Advocacy for increased funding for EAPA scheme

With the rising rates of energy poverty and the ever-increasing cost of living, Community Industry Group (CI Group) recently reached out to the Hon Jihad Dib MP - Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government, Minister for Emergency Services and Minister for Youth Justice, and to local NSW MPs regarding the Energy Accounts Payment Assistance (EAPA) program and the undeniable need for an increase in funding for the scheme.

A response on behalf of the ministers was received this week by the Office of Energy and Climate Change (OECC) highlighting the below key points:

• The NSW Government has allocated $325.5 million to the Energy Social Programs for the 2023/24 financial year and EAPA limits have been temporarily increased to $500 for electricity and gas.

• Eligible customers with both electricity and gas supplies could receive up to $2,000 over the financial year.

• Approved NGOs delivering EAPA receive an allocation of EAPA vouchers based on factors such as demand in their area.

• NGOs that exhaust their allocation can request additional vouchers by contacting the OECC.

• The OECC is actively working to expand its network of NGOs in low socio-economic areas and vulnerable communities.

• OECC is inviting expressions of interest from NGOs to deliver the EAPA program.

• Potential improvements to the EAPA application process and delivery model are being considered. In the

  fourth quarter of 2023, OECC plans to conduct public consultations on proposed reforms.

CI Group will continue to advocate for:

• Increased funding for the EAPA program

• A campaign targeted at enhancing awareness and comprehension of the EAPA program targeting lower socio-economic areas, First Nations communities and households from culturally diverse backgrounds.

• An overhaul of the application process to make it less invasive for consumers and less cumbersome for time poor service providers.

Organisations interested in delivering EAPA can contact the EAPA team at the OECC on (02) 8275 1956 or [email protected]

CI Group Training Calendar July - December

Our Community Industry Groups July - December 2023 training calendar is here!

CI Group Training Calendar July - Dec 2023

Please note this is a guide, we may add additional training subject to demand.

To register for any of our training go to our website here: CI Group Training and Events and for any enquires contact us on 4256 4333 or at [email protected]

Community Service Awards 2023 - Nominations Close Midnight 30 July!

The awards night is all about celebrating the hard work of our industry, so be sure to nominate either yourself/your organisation, or another individual/organisation for a particular project or outstanding work.

Nominees can put themselves forward across five categories, including:

• Brilliant Idea

• Above & Beyond

• Sector Star of the Future

• Business Partnership

• Leadership

To nominate simply fill out the short nomination form and email it to [email protected]

Tickets are half sold out, so be sure to book for our 2023 Community Awards Night here.

Check out our website for more information or contact us at [email protected] or on 4256 4333 with any questions.

Aboriginal Art Experience

As part of our commitment to Reconciliation, Community Industry Group has partnered with Coomaditichie United Aborigianl Corporation to offer this discounted opportunity to learn about local Aboriginal culture in an immersive art experience. Local artists will guide you through creating your very own take-home Aboriginal artwork.

No previous art experience is required, come along and have fun!

Please bring a smock or old shirt to work in.

This session is for our Community Industry Group Members only (includes materials and a light lunch).

See the flyer here to book: Aboriginal Art Experience Flyer

Time Management Workshop 

Overwhelmed with the amount of work you have and don’t know where to start? Struggling to meet deadlines? Not sure what to priorities? Then this is the right training session for you!

At the end of the training, participants will learn how to:

• Improve productivity for yourself and others through effective time management techniques

• Competently select and use a system for prioritising goals and tasks

• Prepare work schedules and learn to prioritise according to importance and urgency

• Set goals that are SMART (Specific, Measurable, Actionable, Realistic, Timely)

Join us at Community Industry Group Mortlock House for the morning with our incredible trainer Judy Daunt. Morning tea and refreshments provided.

See the flyer here to book: Time Management Workshop Flyer

Aged Care Quality Standards Workshop

Join us at this free interactive workshop to explore what you need to know about the Aged-Care Quality Standards and the review process. Facilitated by Anna and Clare from ACCPA, each with a long history in quality and review processes. This is an opportunity to talk about how you provide client services and explore practical ways to provide evidence to comply with the aged care quality standards.

Case studies and sharing of experiences are the core of this workshop focusing on common compliance issues while highlighting leading practices.

For more information or to share, see the flyer here and book through Eventbrite here.

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).

Multicultural Youth Linker Program

The NSW Government's Multicultural Youth Linker Program helps young people from refugee, migrant and similar backgrounds to access government and non-government services and support. ​

Youth Linkers are young people who are also from similar backgrounds. They understand the settlement needs of young people and can provide relevant information and support.

Young people from refugee, migrant and similar backgrounds can book an appointment to speak with a Youth Linker and ask for an interpreter if needed. To book an appointment, please call 13 77 88 or visit the Service NSW website.

We have prepared a toolkit to help you communicate about the Multicultural Youth Linker Program. The toolkit contains suggested newsletter/website copy and social media content translated into Arabic, Russian, Ukrainian and French.

Download the Toolkit here: Youth Linker Program Toolkit

Become a Mental Health First Aider 

About 1 in 4 young Australians experience a common mental illness each year. Youth Mental Health First Aid® (MHFA) training will teach you practical skills to support an adolescent with a mental health problem. Make a real difference to the young people in your community.

• Recognise common mental health problems in young people

• Provide initial help using a practical, evidence-based Action Plan

• Seek appropriate professional help, and

• Respond in a crisis situation

This is a 2 day (14-hour) educational course, not a therapy or support group.

See the flyer here: Become a Mental Health First Aider Flyer

Please email [email protected] to request an expression of interest .

Webinar: Communities will have conflict. How can we lessen the pain?

Navigating disruption, crisis, and conflict are normal challenges in community organisations. Things go awry, from time to time, with people, relationships, and whole group dynamics. It doesn't make it any easier or less painful, however, to know you are not the first person or organisation to come across a difficult individual or experience a schism.

Megan and Kath have both researched these hard to manage—and hard on people—conflict situations, which may include rifts between factions in an organisation; exclusion, bullying and incivility; "sticky situations" with volunteers; power plays; or perceived threats to an organisation’s identity or future existence.

This webinar will be a chance to be introduced to their research, ask questions, and perhaps reframe a seemingly stuck situation—from the present or the past—or to strengthen your organisation's capacity to manage the inevitable incidence of conflict in the future.

Wed 26 July at 4:00pm - 5:00pm - free and online

Find out more and book through the we

bsite here: Webinar: Communities will have conflict. How can we lessen the pain? | Humanitix

SHLV Domestic and Family Violence Caseworker | SEWACS

SEWACS Eurobodalla is seeking an experienced domestic and family violence caseworker to work 32 hours per week in their Staying Home Leaving Violence pilot program based in Moruya. If you have experience working in Domestic & Family Violence, a Diploma Community Services or a relevant tertiary degree and are looking for a challenging and rewarding position please contact [email protected] or 0428136196 or for a Position Description and Selection Criteria (which needs to be addressed for an interview).

Applications close 28 July 2023. The position will be paid depending on qualifications in line with the SCHADS Award.

We recognise the rich diversity of people across Australia. We are committed to ensuring that our team is reflective of the diverse community we serve and to supporting a culture of equity, inclusion and diversity. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and women from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply.

To be female is a genuine requirement for the position under s.31 of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977 (NSW).

Any successful applicant will be required to undergo the Working with Children and Criminal Record Check.

See the full job description: SEWACS Staying Home and Leaving Violence Program - Caseworker Opportunity

Contact Caroline Long on 0428136196 for more information.

Care Positions

• Home Instead CareGivers

• Catholic Care Various Positions

Growing Regions Program Round 1

The Growing Regions Program – Round 1 delivers grants up to a maximum of $15 million over 3 years to deliver community infrastructure projects.

Grants between $500,000 and $15 million to cover 50% or more of eligible expenditure are available for eligible projects.

Two stage application process – Expression of Interest then full application

• EOIs open 5 July 2023 and close 1 August 2023

• Suitable for > $1 million projects that are shovel ready

• Grants $500k - $15m

• 50% co-funding required

• Project start by May 2024 and complete by 31 December 2025

• Building new and upgrading existing community infrastructure

iAccelerate Scholarships Available

Scalapay Scale Up Scholarship

This scholarship worth $10,000 will support Illawarra based Entrepreneurs looking to scale their business at iAccelerate.

LIFT Scholarship for Women

This scholarship will support women from diverse communities and backgrounds to participate in iAccelerate’s pre-accelerator program Activate.

Scholarships for Social Enterprises
This scholarship will support social enterprises to participate in iAccelerate’s pre-accelerator program Activate.

To see more information and to apply click here