Have your say in improving access to Transport in the Illawarra and Shoalhaven

Transport disadvantage is a significant issue across much of the Illawarra and Shoalhaven, particularly in towns and suburbs with low socio-economic indicators. Transport is essential for accessing jobs, education, and critical services. The vast distances throughout the region, coupled with often isolated towns and villages, have left many people facing limited opportunities as well as geographic and social isolation.

The groups most vulnerable to this isolation include young people, individuals living with physical or mental illness or disability, those on income support payments, pensions or low incomes, older people, and carers.

Access to active transport routes and reliable, affordable public transport is inequitable across the region. Some areas have good access, while others only have one daily bus service, with fares that make regular travel unaffordable. Some villages in regional NSW have no active or public transport options at all, forcing residents to rely on private vehicles to access essential services, education, employment, and recreational activities.

Community Industry Group are seeking input from our members to help shape our submission to Transport for NSW’s Strategic Regional Integrated Transport Plan. Your feedback on the transport experiences of you and your client groups will ensure the submission better reflects the actual needs of the region.. Click the link below to attend or scan the QR above.

Vote for our local Community Champion!

Local disability advocate and academic, Dr Shoshana Dreyfus, Associate Professor of English Language and Linguistics at the University of Wollongong, has been named a finalist in the Shaping Australia Awards in the category of The Community Champion for her work on The Playground Project.

In 2019, Dr Dreyfus led a pioneering initiative in partnership with The Disability Trust and Wollongong City Council to create Australia’s first inclusive playground specifically designed for young adults with intellectual disabilities. Located in Wollongong, this unique space features adult-sized, accessible equipment and sensory elements catering to diverse needs. Key highlights include a wheelchair-accessible carousel, in-ground trampolines, and a sensory garden. The vision has now become a reality with the installation of the new equipment at Stuart Park, Wollongong. You can learn more about the project and cast your vote for the People’s Choice award here.

Meals on Wheels Wollongong Celebrates Double Milestone: Illawarra Volunteer Team of the Year and 60th Anniversary!

A big congratulations to the amazing team at Wollongong Meals on Wheels, who have been awarded the NSW Volunteer of the Year Award for Teams. This recognition highlights the incredible work they do, going above and beyond to deliver more than just meals. They provide companionship and support for older people and those with disabilities, helping them maintain independence and stay connected to their community. The team has also been a strong advocate for seniors’ rights, particularly in the area of mental health.

To celebrate this achievement and mark 60 years of dedicated volunteer service in the Wollongong area, Meals on Wheels Wollongong is hosting a BBQ sausage sizzle event. They invite all service providers, sponsors, and partners to join them on Friday, 25th October, from 12:00 pm to 2:30 pm.

Please RSVP by Monday, 20th October to [email protected].

Call to update the SCHADS Award

Most workers in the community services sector are employed under the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services (SCHADS) Industry Award. The classification descriptors in this award were written in the 1990s. They are outdated and no longer provide adequate recognition of skills, experience, qualifications, or the complexity of work. They do not reflect the contemporary expectations of work, nor the ever-increasing and changing expectations of regulators and funding bodies. The limited pay and career progression pathways in the Award are a source of frustration for both workers and employers.

The Australian Services Union (ASU) launched the Skilled, Respected, Equal campaign in May this year. The campaign seeks to update the SCHADS Award classification structure so that it properly reflects the complexity of work in the sector and provides clearer career and pay pathways for community sector workers. Central to this campaign is seeking the support of governments to fund the outcome of any Fair Work decision and the new classification structure.

On Thursday 7 November, the ASU will hold a 'Day of Action' activity. Workers from the sector are invited to attend an hour-long action at the Ribbonwood Centre, from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm, to inform the community about our campaign, reach the media, and call on governments to support and fund the outcome of the case and the new pay and career structure for our members. Scan the QR above to attend this event OR click the link below.

Bulli Hospital Pilot: STARS Program Update

It’s been a big few months for STARS as we’ve worked hard to complete the Bulli Hospital pilot, prepare for more hospitals, and recruit more volunteers.

We’re excited to share that the pilot at Bulli Hospital has been a success, thanks to the dedication and hard work of our STARS volunteers. We’ve learned valuable lessons on how to streamline our processes to fit within everyone’s busy schedules. Megan Foye, ISLHD Divisional Co-Director of Aged Care, has praised the program, noting that the Bulli Hospital team views STARS volunteers as incredibly valuable.

So far, we’ve seen significant referrals at Bulli. While this might seem like a small number, the complexity of each case has provided us with important insights. Each older person referred to us has unique needs, and circumstances are often complex and emotional. The good news is that two older people we supported have successfully transitioned into residential care—both had been in hospital for over five months, with unclear and uncertain transition steps before STARS stepped in.

A family member shared how STARS volunteer Catherine made a significant difference. Catherine took the time to connect over coffee and phone calls, providing essential information and addressing concerns. This personal touch helped the family navigate internal disagreements about the right aged care pathway for their father, ultimately speeding up the transition process.

MCCI Supporting Essential Workers to Settle in the Illawarra Shoalhaven

MCCI is excited to announce that we have been selected to deliver The Welcome Experience in the Illawarra Shoalhaven region. The Welcome Experience is a free service designed to support essential workers and their families who are considering, or have already made, the move to the regions. We understand that when people feel connected to their community, their overall lifestyle improves, and they are more likely to stay long-term.

The service offers support in various areas, from practical assistance such as finding housing, choosing childcare, and exploring job opportunities for partners, to more personal touches like introducing newcomers to their neighbours.

"We’re thrilled to deliver The Welcome Experience to support essential workers and their families relocating to the Shoalhaven, Kiama, and Shellharbour areas. MCCI has a proud history of helping people settle in the region, building connections as they grow and prosper," said MCCI Chair Ken Habak OAM.

Currently available in multiple regional locations including the Far South Coast, Far West, Orana, Riverina, and Upper Hunter regions, The Welcome Experience is expanding to 28 more local government areas across regional NSW. Thinking of making the move? Click here to find out how.

CI Group survey: Federal Parliamentary Inquiry into access to drug and alcohol services Terms of Reference – Parliament of Australia (aph.gov.au)

CI Group is compiling a submission for this Inquiry, which is assessing the effectiveness of current drug and alcohol programs and initiatives across all jurisdictions to improve the prevention and reduction of alcohol and other drug-related health, social, and economic harms. The survey will take approximately 10 minutes to complete, and all responses will be de-identified. We deeply appreciate your input, as it enables us to ensure your voice is heard in this process and that our region-specific concerns are addressed. Please feel free to email any additional feedback to [email protected].

Have your say! Online survey of LGBTIQA+ community members for the National Elder Abuse Research Program.

The Australian Government's Attorney-General’s Department (AGD) has commissioned and funded the Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS) to conduct research on the abuse and mistreatment of older individuals who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer, and/or asexual (LGBTIQA+). AIFS is collaborating with Queerspace, a division of Drummond Street Services, for this project. The survey aims to investigate the abuse and mistreatment of older LGBTIQA+ individuals. It seeks to enhance our understanding of their experiences by exploring the types of abuse they encounter, its impact, and what effective service responses should look like from the LGBTIQA+ perspective.

New Program Logic E-Module and Individual Program Logic Templates

TEI has released a new program logic e-module designed to assist the sector in understanding the use of evidence and program logics within the TEI program. This e-module is in place to support providers in developing their individual program logic for the activities they are funded to deliver.

Access the program logic e-module: TEI Program: Developing a Program Logic (ngolearning.com.au)

The new program logic templates can be downloaded from the e-module and are also available on the TEI website: Key TEI program resources | Communities and Justice (nsw.gov.au)

Further updates to the e-module will follow once the TEI Program Specifications are finalised after the consultation period. For any questions or feedback, please contact [email protected].

Mental Health First Aid Australia - Professional development opportunity.

Discover the power to make a difference with Mental Health First Aid Australia. Our comprehensive course equips you with the knowledge and skills to recognize and respond effectively to mental health challenges in your community. With mental health concerns on the rise, being prepared is more important than ever.

In our engaging and interactive training sessions, you'll learn from experienced instructors who are passionate about mental health advocacy. From understanding the signs and symptoms of various mental health conditions to practicing strategies for offering support and assistance, our course covers it all. Gain confidence in your ability to provide crucial aid to those in need.

Whether you're a teacher, healthcare professional, community leader, or concerned citizen, Mental Health First Aid Australia offers valuable insights applicable to any context. Empower yourself to create a more compassionate and supportive environment for individuals facing mental health struggles.

Upon completion of the course, you'll receive a certification recognized nationwide, showcasing your commitment to mental health awareness and advocacy. Stand out in your field and contribute positively to the well-being of your community.

Join the thousands of individuals who have already made a difference through Mental Health First Aid Australia. Together, we can break down stigma, promote understanding, and foster a culture of empathy and support for mental health. Enrol now and take the first step towards being a mental health champion in your community. 

TIME: 9.00 am till 4:30 pm
DATE: Wed, 13 November and Thurs 14 November, 2024
WHERE: MIND the Gap, University of Wollongong SHOALHAVEN Campus 

To put in a EOI follow this link   

Community Industry Group is seeking input from our members/community to contribute to our submissions in relation to the following.

• Inquiry into the Prevalence, causes and impacts of loneliness in NSW

• Inquiry into the Impacts of harmful pornography on mental, emotional, and physical health

• Inquiry into the health impacts of alcohol and other drugs in Australia

To ensure that the perspectives of our regions are represented and that your insights and case studies enhance our submission, we kindly ask you to complete the questionnaires below. All responses will be de-identified.

Survey Links:

Inquiry into the Impacts of harmful pornography on mental, emotional, and physical health https://forms.office.com/r/MSYAZjs73D

Inquiry into the Prevalence, causes and impacts of loneliness in NSW https://forms.office.com/r/9vjhLhePJQ

Inquiry into the health impacts of alcohol and other drugs in Australia https://forms.office.com/r/PM74efMX0N

Calling for your voice on the impacts of harmful pornography.

Community Industry Group is seeking input from our members to contribute to our submission. Please complete this submission questionnaire (10minutes) to ensure our regions' perspectives are heard - your insight and case studies add depth and weight to our submissions. All responses will be de-identified.

Calling for your voice on loneliness.

Community Industry Group is seeking input from our members to contribute to our submission. Please complete this submission questionnaire (10minutes) to ensure our regions' perspectives are heard - your insight and case studies add depth and weight to our submissions. All responses will be de-identified.

Small Grant Funding Opportunity Available Now! Applications Close 5 Nov 2024

The Shoalhaven Anti-Poverty Committee (SAPC) are excited to announce the launch of round 2 of the Connecting Communities Fund which has been established to provide up to 2 small financial subsidies of up to $1,000.00 (GST exclusive) each to eligible organisations and groups such as incorporated associations, community groups who are auspiced by a not-for-profit organisation, Local Aboriginal Land Councils or School P & C Associations. 

The fund is for new initiatives being offered in the Shoalhaven LGA which will provide opportunities for individuals, families, and communities to participate in community projects to support them to be connected and to belong. 

Applications will be open from 24 September 2024 to 5 November 2024, and successful applicants will receive their funding in January 2025. 

For more information: Refer to the attached guidelines or go to Shoalhaven Neighbourhood Services website sns.org.au and visit the Publications page for a copy of the funding guidelines.

Members News

What’s on for our Members This Week?

Guidelines: If you are a member and want to add something to our Newsletter email your flyer to [email protected].

Member Jobs / Positions Vacant

Grant Opportunities

Aurizon Community Giving Fund

Are you a charity or community group with a project in the areas of health and wellbeing, community safety, environment, or education? If you are looking for funding to complete a project or have a project in mind that you can’t achieve without assistance, we’re here to help.

Aurizon Community Giving Fund applications are now open, offering grants of up to $20,000 to eligible charities in the communities where we live and work. Applications are now open and will close on Friday 25 October 2024 at 5.00 pm AEDT. Together, we can make a difference where it matters most because your community is our community. More information available here - Previous Community Giving Fund recipients (aurizon.com.au) Click Here to Register - Grant Finder portal