Why Government Needs to Invest in Capital Grants

This week saw the release of the latest Aged Care Capital Grant Opportunity offering $200m to maintain or improve access to quality residential-based aged care services for older people living in regional, rural and remote locations, and First Nations people in any location. While we welcome this round it caused us to reflect on the importance of capital grants for the not-for-profit sector. Capital grants provide funds to assist with the acquisition, construction, repair, renovation, or other capital improvements to physical infrastructure. They build supply of important community assets such as community housing, disability accommodation, and aged care facilities. And they build balance sheets of not-for-profit organisations – which is important because NFPs can then leverage their healthy balance sheet to access loans to build even more community infrastructure.

When government invests in capital grants, it has a downstream effect of enabling NFPs to grow their property portfolios, improve their long-term sustainability, and importantly offer more services to meet their mission. But capital grants are few and far between, and often require ‘shovel-readiness’ as an eligibility criteria. In order to have shovel-ready projects, NFPs must invest hundreds of thousands of dollars in planning, development approvals, and reports – and that’s only if they already own the land. Few NFPs have the resources available to make these kinds of investments in the hope that capital funding becomes available. And with many NFPs operating at a loss, it is difficult to raise capital for speculative investment of this type.

So, we continue to call on government at all levels to invest in the NFP sector. To provide funding for land purchase, planning, and development approvals. To make capital grants available to grow supply and balance sheets. Because the benefits to community will be exponential. CEO, Nicky Sloan.

Aged Care Capital Grant Opportunity for Infrastructure Projects

The Residential-based Aged Care Services Grant Opportunity (GO6989) is now open! This $200 million grant opportunity is for infrastructure projects that focus on maintaining or improving access to quality residential-based aged care services for:

• Older people living in all regional, rural and remote locations (MM 2 to 7).

• First Nations people in any location, including metropolitan areas (MM 1 to 7).

Applications close at 2pm AEST on Thursday 29 August 2024.

Welcome Jake to the Community Industry Group Team!

We are excited to announce that Jake Bradley has joined our team at Community Industry Group, volunteering his skills in policy to progress our advocacy. Jake is a Vice Chancellor’s Leadership Scholar, currently pursuing a double degree in Economics and International Relations at University Of Wollongong, bringing a wealth of knowledge and fresh perspectives to our organisation.

Jake will be contributing to our ‘Issues Papers,’ which are up-to-date research documents which play a crucial role in highlighting the pressing issues that our members and their communities in Southern New South Wales are facing. We use these papers in many ways, including in our advocacy with local, state and federal government representatives. 

With Jake’s academic background and enthusiasm, we are confident that our ‘Issues Papers’ will continue to shine a light on these critical matters effectively. We believe that Jake’s contribution will significantly enhance our efforts to advocate for and address the needs of our communities. Please join us in welcoming Jake to the Community Industry Group. We look forward to working together to make a positive impact in Southern New South Wales.

Stay tuned for more updates on our initiatives and the valuable work our team is doing to support and uplift our community and its members!!

Imparting Cultural Understandings - Support Ongoing Healing.

Written by Jake Bradley, Community Industry Group.

As we enter the second week of July, it is once again time for the nation to celebrate NAIDOC Week. The occasion represents an opportunity for all Australians to recognise and rejoice in the history, culture and achievements of First Nations peoples, while also serving as a chance for many to learn more about the oldest, continuous living cultures on Earth. The NAIDOC Committee has announced this year’s theme to be ‘Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud & Proud’. This message, and the week itself, holds profound meaning for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander peoples - it honours the enduring strength and vitality of the traditions embedded in Australia’s cultural history.

This week is a great opportunity for Australians of all ages to connect with their heritage in a fun and meaningful way. We encourage you to participate in one of the many local events on offer. Whether you are weaving, art making or participating in a smoking ceremony, by sharing skills and knowledge, we ensure traditions continue to thrive.

Participation in any of the various NAIDOC Week celebrations and events each year acknowledges the richness of language, wisdom and customs that First Nations peoples possess, and highlights the importance of passing this knowledge on to younger generations. Imparting cultural understandings to the Indigenous youth and the broader Australian community strengthens their vitality in this country, and supports ongoing national reconciliation and healing. As said by NAIDOC Committee Co-Chair Aunty Lynette Riley AO, “This year’s theme is a clarion call to continued unity and solidarity for all Australians to come together and celebrate”.

See You Later, Super Tessa!

After a decade-long tenure at CI Group, we sadly say a fond farewell to Tessa Parsons, known within our organisation as ‘Super Tessa’. Tessa joined CI Group in 2013 after a stellar career in the community services sector. She took the lead in many of CI Group’s projects and was the driving force behind many of our successful events, including our Conferences, Forums, and our highly successful Awards Nights. Although she originally joined us as a short-term casual, we are very proud that she had the longest tenure of her career with us. While none of the CI Group Board or team wanted Tessa to leave, we wish her a very fond farewell (not goodbye) and a very happy retirement. And of course, Tessa, the door is always open if you get bored!

Future Women Jobs Academy

Future Women Jobs Academy is a free online program designed to boost women's workforce participation, job readiness and economic security in NSW. The program will support 1000 women over a two-year period to equip them with the necessary supports to enter, progress and succeed in paid employment and build careers that benefit them for the long-term.

The program is particularly focused on providing access to:

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait women (for whom applications will be considered first for acceptance into the program).

• Women from culturally diverse backgrounds. 

• Women with disability. 

• Women living in regional, rural, and remote areas.

Participants in the Future Women Jobs Academy program will have access to: 

• Online resources and bespoke learning hub.

• Leadership masterclasses and training programs.

• Professional development, coaching, and mentoring. 

• Jobs and Skills Fair webinars.

• A two-day leadership summit.

• Lifetime Jobs Academy membership.

To be eligible to apply, you need to be living in NSW and over 18 years of age, be unemployed, working in insecure, casualised or part-time work or working in a minimum, or low wage role. Applications for the program are now open and will close on 8 July, 2024. For more information visit Future Women Jobs Academy.

Weaving in Some School Holiday Fun for NAIDOC Week.

Join the Bellambi Neighbourhood Centre Celebrate NAIDOC week with a Family Fun Day! Included in the days events: Smoking Ceremony, MC Kronic, Kobie Dee, Buddy Oldman Master boxer, Aboriginal face painting with Aunty Jane, jewellery making/weaving with Burribun art, fun activities for the kids, stalls, BBQ and homemade soup’s, Fairy floss , ice cream, jumping castle, reptile show and live music!

DATE: Friday 12 July
TIME: 10.00am-1.00pm
VENUE: Bellambi Neighbourhood Centre
ADDRESS: 49a Cawley Street Bellambi
COST: FREE

Bellambi Neighbourhood Centre NAIDOC Celebration in partnership with Illawarra Aboriginal Medical Service.

Draft Evidence - Informed Parenting Programs List Now Available for Consultation.

As part of the recommissioning process, the TEI program has identified a list of evidence-informed parenting programs that service providers should consider if delivering a parenting program. The final list will be included as an appendix to the TEI program specifications.

The list of evidence informed parenting programs is not intended to be exhaustive. The parenting program list should be used as a helpful resource when deciding on the most appropriate parenting program to deliver, in conjunction with considering the local context and clients.

You can read the draft list of parenting programs here. 

Business NSW has launched its 2024 Workforce Skills Survey.

Business NSW has launched its 2024 Workforce Skills Survey. The purpose of the Survey is to gain insights into the labour market circumstances for businesses across NSW from an employer perspective. Findings from the survey inform our contribution to public policy on a range of issues, including vocational education and training, apprenticeships, traineeships, industry engagement with education providers, skilled migration and related considerations pertinent to promoting participation in education and work, and sustaining a skilled economy.

Previous surveys have found a shortage of skills across NSW. A huge 93% of employers responding to our 2022 survey told us they were facing a skills shortage, up from 51% in 2019. Ongoing shortages are also having a greater impact, with 51% of respondents telling us they were facing significant negative impacts to their business as a result of the challenges they faced in meeting skills needs, up from 20% in 2019. Of greater concern were the 10% of employers across NSW indicating their business may not survive if they could not meet their skills needs, up from only 2% in 2019.

Your input will help us better understand how employers across NSW are keeping pace with a dynamic and changing labour market, and will also inform improvements to programs that help employers meet their skills needs. Survey takes between 10 and 15 minutes to complete: The survey closes on Monday 15 July 2024.

Worker Check Application Fees to Rise

The NSW 2024–25 Budget announced an increase in application fees for paid workers for the NSW Working with Children Check (WWCC) and the NDIS Worker Check, each rising from $80 to $105. The fee for the WWCC has been held at $80 since it was introduced in 2013. The NDIS Worker Check was introduced in 2021 at the same cost. Both remain free for volunteers.

South Coast Child Wellbeing Network

As part of a collaboration between the Illawarra Child and Family Services Interagency and the South Coast Child Wellbeing Network (SCCWN), we would like to offer all members the opportunity to be showcased on the SCCWN website. This will provide a comprehensive list of organisations that offer support to local children and families, enabling professionals and families to find accurate up to date information in one convenient location.

To include your organisations information, please complete the form in the link below. The content of the website is at the discretion of the SCCWN and the Illawarra Child and Family Services Interagency Champions group.

https://bigfatsmile.snapforms.com.au/form/sccwn-website-update

Don't Miss This FREE Interactive Day Dedicated to Addressing Major Challenges Facing Home Care, CHSP
& Residential Aged Care Services.

For Providers of Aged Care Services & Commonwealth Home Support Program - this valuable forum brings together sector specialists to provide information and opportunity for Q&A regarding the new standards and legislation and how this will affect your service. Guest speakers include: Paul Sadler (MOW Australia), representatives from The Department of Health & Ageing, representatives from NSW Health, iCare, Community Industry Group, ACCPA, and local service providers. Morning tea and lunch will be provided.

DATE: Wednesday, 17 July 2024
TIME: 9:30am - 3.00pm
VENUE: Batemans Bay Soldiers Club
COST: FREE

National Carer Survey    

Carers NSW is the peak body for carers in NSW and is part of the National Carer Network and a member of Carers Australia. Every two years Carers NSW together with the State and Territory Carer Organisations conducts the National Carer Survey to better understand what carers want and need. The survey is a great way for carers to provide feedback about what is and isn’t working in their caring role, and in the various service systems they access. This information helps Carers NSW and other organisations to advocate for better support and outcomes for carers. The National Carer Survey opens from 1 June to 31 July 2024. Click here to access the survey (available from 1 June). For more information visit www.nationalcarersurvey.com.au

Do You Have Empathy and Patience When Assisting Older People?

Community Industry Group are currently looking for ‘STARS’ Volunteers, a group of dedicated volunteers with expertise in aged care and a genuine passion for supporting older people so they can access the aged care services they need. Our mission? To ensure older people have seamless transitions from hospital to more suitable living arrangements at home or in a residential aged care service. Click the below link to enquire and Tanya, our Policy and Program Officer for the STARS Volunteer Program will contact you directly with your enquiry.

Blak, Loud, and Proud! Keep the Fire Burning.

On the lookout for some new ethical threads? ‘Coomie’s’ NAIDOC clothing range is now live! Celebrate NAIDOC Week 2024 with some new ethical threads from the Coomaditchie United Aboriginal Corporation. Seen above, and printed on an AS colour T-shirt base, the new range, named "Keep the Fire Burning - Blak, Loud & Proud." highlights the strength, resilience, and pride of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. This fantastic new T-shirt, along with the rest of the clothing range for 2024, is now available for pre-sale online, with orders set to arrive on 1 July 2024. To place a pre-sale order, visit the official NAIDOC Week merchandise website or authorized retailers participating in the event. Be sure to order early to ensure your apparel arrives in time for NAIDOC Week celebrations.

12th Annual Illawarra Dementia Public Forum 25 September 2024

Venue: Fraternity Club, Fairy Meadow (Wollongong) Time: 9:30 am - 3:00 pm. Speakers include Mr. Nick Morgan, Australian Government Dept. of Health and Aged Care, Prof. Tanya Buchanan, CEO of Dementia Australia (TBC), Marie Alford, Dementia Support Australia, carers of people living with dementia and people with dementia, allied health professionals and others associated with dementia-friendly communities and dementia research.

From 25 June: Free registrations open (details will be published before this date). Reservations for display tables are open. Major sponsors: Dementia Australia, Australian Government Dept. of Health, Dementia Support Australia, University of Wollongong.

Food For Thought

Highlights from ‘Piinpi’ - Contemporary Australian Indigenous Fashion

Created by the Bendigo Art Gallery, the exhibition Piinpi: Contemporary Australian Indigenous Fashion shone a light on Australia’s leading First Nations creatives, and a design movement that has fast become a national fashion phenomenon. Below are some of the highlights of the show.

Grant Opportunities

Creating Opportunities for Marginalised Young People in NSW

Up to $1.5 million in funding for New Youth Opportunities projects to commence in 2025.

Applications for funding from the Youth Opportunities program are now open. Incorporated not-for-profit organisations and local councils are invited to apply for a one-off grant between $10,000 and $50,000 to deliver a new youth-led project that enables marginalised young people to lead and participate in their communities. Youth Opportunities funded projects support marginalised young people’s participation, engagement, and inclusion in their communities by partnering with them to deliver youth-led community projects. The Youth Opportunities program is a unique way to build authentic and meaningful partnerships with marginalised young people in your community – if this is something you are interested in, then APPLY NOW. The program also seeks to fund a diverse range of projects from across NSW, particularly in rural and regional areas and encourages applications from Aboriginal and multicultural organisations.

Applications open at 9:00 am on Monday, 3 June 2024, and close at 5:00 pm on Monday, 15 July 2024. Funded projects will commence in March 2025 and have till May 2026 to complete.

Applicants are advised to read the Program Guidelines carefully before completing an application for funding. To download these Guidelines and more, please visit the Youth Opportunities Website. Applications are submitted via SmartyGrants, an online grants administration system. SmartyGrants and the online application form can be accessed here. If you have any questions regarding the Youth Opportunities program, please email [email protected].

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