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1989

Page history last edited by Social Policy Library 3 weeks, 2 days ago

 

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Children & Families 

'Promise the Children' - Action on Child Poverty, a major national campaign was launched by Hazel Hawke, wife of the then Prime Minister Bob Hawke.  The campaign was run in conjunction with the Councils of Social Service throughout Australia (early May) (Brotherhood Action June 1989 (No.277) pp.1-2; BSL Annual Report 1988-1989 p.12.  VHS 28-minute videotape "Promise the Children - panel discussion" with Bishop Peter Hollingworth, Jenny Trethewey  (see also videotape "Fair Share for the children"). 

 

Workshops were run for low-income parents (by Anne Deveson) which led people through how to effectively use the media, helping people identify the aspects of poverty (and its solution) they wished to communicate and giving them practice in media and particularly television interviews.  The aim was to have confident low-income parents able to talk with the media about bringing up children in poverty ("Promise the Children Action on Child Poverty - Final Report from Coordinator of Brotherhood of St Laurence Campaign Unit's Work" October 1990 p.24). 

 

"The Brotherhood was concerned about single parents being stigmatised because whenever there was a story about single parents and poverty, it would nearly always be 'a blame the victim story'.  Television cameras would come in and instead of filming the person they were talking to - the single parent - the camera would be scouring the ground looking for a dirty nappy on the floor - that kind of thing.  These workshops were to empower people to tell their own stories and to take control of them. ...  If the interviewer said something derogatory about single parents always holding out their hands, the person learned to say: "Yes, I am a single parent," and "Yes, we are very poor, but we wouldn't be poor if only there was decent income support or if only we weren't financially penalised every time we worked."  These workshops were effective in immediate outcomes - which was how to work with the media - but they were also very affirming .  If you have to tell your story and if you continue to tell your story, once you do it in public, then you are saying: 'This is the truth, this is part of a common human experience, it is a part of what can happen to any of us, and I am not ashamed.'"  Anne Deveson, AO, Plenary Speaker, National Families and Community Conference on Drugs - "Voices to be Heard" 10-11 November, 2000    

 

Children's Week, a major highlight of the 'Promise the Children' - Action on Child Poverty campaign ran from 22-29 October, attempting to mobilise concern in the community about child poverty and aiming to help Australians recognise that they could wipe out child poverty by offering disadvantaged young people the same standards of housing, education and health care as the rest of the community enjoyed (Brotherhood Action Spring 1989 pp.3-5).   

 

Follow-up research examined the lessons of the Family Centre Project (1972-1975) for service providers working with low income families.  The research "showed how important the project had been to the families involved in giving practical assistance and in increasing their sense of self-confidence, independence and sense of rights" (BSL Annual Report 1988-1989 p.12). 

 

Negotiations with Whittlesea Family Services by Family Services Development Unit reported to BSL Board (October) (See Working Paper and Board Report, Family Services Development Unit, October 1989).   Metro_FSDU_WorkingPaper_re_Whittlesea_1989-9-18.pdf Metro_FSDU_BoardReport_re_Whittlesea_1989-10.pdf

 

Family Services Strategy Planning Committee formed involving all areas of BSL’s expertise - services, research, administration & regional management - "to dramatically increase our involvement in the provision of family services in the next five years". (November) (Letter from Donna Ward - Manager, Family Services Development Unit - to Bryce Moore, Project Manager, Roxburgh Park (17 November 1989)  

Ward_to_Rickard_re_WhittleseaCombinedStrategy_1989-11-27.pdf

 

BSL Family Services Development Unit expresses interest to the Urban Land Authority in being part of consultation on adequate community services provision in Mill Park (City of Whittlesea) & Roxburgh Park (Shire of Bulla)  (November) (Letter from Donna Ward - Manager, Family Services Development Unit - to Bryce Moore, Project Manager, Roxburgh Park (17 November 1989).   Ward_to_Moore_re_BSL&RoxboroughPark&MillPark_1989-11-17.pdf

 

Fitzroy Youth Music Program began for primary students after school who live in the Fitzroy housing commission flats under the auspice of the Fitzroy Learning Network (Action Spring 1990).  Ward_to_Katsikas_re_Proposal_FitzroyYouthMusicProgram_1989-12-20.pdf

 

 

Employment & Training 

Employment Action Centre (EAC) opened in Victoria Street, Fitzroy in April, bringing together several arms of the BSL's Employment Development Unit (EDU) established in 1987 (Brotherhood Action June 1989 (No.277) pp.4-5; BSL Annual Report 1998-1989 p.14). 

 

The Employment Action Centre's framework of Traineeship Access Courses to assist long-term unemployed 15-19 year-olds to obtain Australian Traineeships was taken up as a model by the Department of Education, Employment & Training across Australia.  The fourth Brotherhood course began in April (Brotherhood Action June 1989 (No.277) p.5).  

 

Two new programs began at the EAC in conjunction with the Commonwealth Employment Service for adults in long-term unemployment and facing significant difficulties in obtaining work: the Job Club program (one of about 6 in Victoria, most operated by the Government) providing assistance in job placement, and the Adult Access Course developed by the Employment Action Centre for adults between 21-54 years who had been unemployed for a year or more (modelled on the EAC’s Traineeship Access Course for 15-19 year-olds) & funded by the Department of Education, Employment & Training (Brotherhood Action Spring 1989 p.6; BSL Annual Report 1998-1989 p.14). EAC_Adult_Access_Course_1989-8.pdf

 

As part of the EAC, the Open Employment Unit re-focused on assisting people with disabilities to find permanent employment in industry (Brotherhood Action June 1989 (No.277) p.5; BSL Annual Report 1988-1989 p.14).  

 

The Brotherhood seconded a Koorie Welfare Worker to provide a link between the Employment Action Centre and the Koorie Community in Melbourne.  Places in the employment courses were offered to Aboriginal people with the assistance of the worker’s advocacy and support (BSL Annual Report 1988-1989 p.14). 

 

Purpose and Conditions of auspice agreement proposed between the BSL and Fitzroy Learning Network  (November 1989) (Letter from John Wise (Director, Community Services) to Rita Sidlauskas, Coordinator, Fitzroy Learning Network (24 November 1989). 

 

Fundraising & Resources 

The Great Korowa Bike Ride organised by students of Korowa Girls School raised $2,500 for the BSL (May) (Brotherhood Action June 1989 (No.277) p.8)  

 

The Parkdale shop closed in May, a decision taken because of the building of the Cheltenham market and the growth of the Southland Westfield shopping complexes.  In the 12 years of operation the auxiliary members had raised $211,000.  The Chelsea shop also closed and a new shop opened in Frankston’s city centre.  A further shop was added in Hastings on a trial basis.  Seven Brotherhood shops operated in Geelong "where 50 Opportunity Shops are now vying for the charity dollar". (BSL Annual Report 1988-1989 p.17;  Brotherhood Action Spring 1989 p.10. 

 

Barbara Elliott took up the position of Fundraising Manager in the recently established Income Development Department (Brotherhood Action Spring 1989 p.11).  

 

33rd Combined Auxiliaries & Volunteers Meeting in October was addressed by Margaret Bell (World President, International Association for Volunteer Effort

 

 

Material & Financial Support 

Nearly 7,000 bottles of shampoos and conditioners donated by L'Oreal and skin care products given by The Body Shop were distributed to hundreds of elderly people living in the Brotherhood's nursing homes and hostels (Brotherhood Action June 1989 (No.277) p.9). 

 

 

Older People

The first of the training modules in the BSL's Quality of Life training program, the Simulation into Ageing exercise, was conducted in November.  Participation in this module was required for all workers in aged care services and all those in other parts of the BSL's services who came into contact with older service users (eg administration and maintenance staff).

 

The Brotherhood ran a free Creative Retirement Seminar in February for people who were soon to retire or had retired, with input from the Executive Director, the Chaplain, the Aged Accommodation Officer and the Volunteers Coordinator (Brotherhood Action December 1988 (No.275) p.5). 

 

SPAN, Thornbury's community group of older people, celebrated its 10th anniversary on 1 March 1989 (Brotherhood Action March 1989 (No.276) pp.1-2). 

 

Funding was received for a pilot project at the G.K. Tucker Settlement involving the delivery of hostel services to cottage residents who chose to remain at home yet needed the additional services provided by hostel care (Brotherhood Action June 1989 (No.277) p.9).  

 

Land in Flemington acquired for the development of the first in the Wintringham hostels project, jointly developed by the BSL & Hanover Welfare Services, with BSL contributing $1million to the capital cost of the project.  Negotiations had begun with the Williamstown Council and Lionsville to construct a hostel on a large block of Crown land. Acquisition of a third site was anticipated in Port Melbourne or South Melbourne through the State Government.  (Wintringham now employs about 300 staff across 15 sites.) (Brotherhood Action Spring 1989 pp.4-5; BSL Annual Report 1988-1989 p.6).  Wintringham_Hostels_&_BSL-Hanover_1989-9.pdf

 

 

Organisational aspects (BSL) 

Heads of Staff Conference (2 days in Daylesford) opened with +Peter Hollingworth’s address Preparing for the last decade of the Millennium  (27-28 April) (Brotherhood Action June 1989 (No.277) p.3.)   Hollingworth_to_BSL_HeadsOfStaff_Intro_1989-4-27.pdf  Hollingworth_to_BSL_HeadsOfStaff_Conclusion_1989-4-28.pdf Hollingworth_to_BSL_Staff_1989-5-3.pdf

 

Draft G.O.S.P.A Five Year Plan for the Brotherhood of St Laurence (Goals, Objectives, Strategies, Plans, Activities) distributed to the BSL Heads of Staff Conference  (27-28 April) (Peter Hollingworth to BSL Heads of Staff)  Hollingworth_re_GOSPA_1989-4_with_comments.pdf

 

St. Laurence Day was marked on 10 August with special church services and a week-long vigil at St. Paul's Cathedral where people were encouraged to pray for the poor and for social justice (Brotherhood Action Spring 1989 p.7). 

 

Review of BSL Family Services (August) and the Family Services Development Unit established.

 

Establishment of the Income & Business Development Directorate, bringing together the fundraising area, metropolitan retail shops and fundraising auxiliaries, the metropolitan Donated Goods Division and the Paper Recycling Division (BSL Annual Report 1988-1989 p.15). 

 

Following the acquisition of Winnipeg Textiles the Donated Goods Division‘s principal export markets were Italy, India, Pakistan, Korea, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon islands and Fiji (BSL Annual Report 1988-1989 p.15).  

 

Fire destroyed the Brotherhood's Frankston Shop on 27 October. 

 

The Brotherhood ceased its involvement in paper recycling.  The Paper Products Division purchased Viking Paper (a specialist printer of ruled and plain office paper notepads for a range of clients including the Federal and State Governments) & relocated the operation from Moorabbin to Thomastown (BSL Annual Report 1990 p.10;  Brotherhood Action Winter 1990 p.3; Brotherhood Action Winter 1991 p.3). 

 

Bill Ford, who had been the Director of Administration & Finance, was appointed Director of Income Development, with responsibility for all existing business ventures, for examining the potential of new business ventures and for all aspects of fundraising.  Bruce Ellis, formerly the Group Accountant, was appointed Director of Administration & Finance (Brotherhood Action June 1989 (No.277) p.12).  

 

Bishop Peter Hollingworth resigned as Bishop in the Inner City and took up the role of Bishop for Community Care (November)

 

Chaplain Father Ross McAuley left the BSL in December to become vicar of the Anglican parish of St Anselm, Middle Park (Brotherhood Action Summer 1989-1990 p.10)  

 

A small bookshop opened at the Fitzroy office.

 

Staff Conference participants were invited to contribute their thoughts to "If I were Executive Director I would …" Staff_Conf_If_I_were_Exec_Director_1989.pdf

 

People 

Mrs Kit Kimpton, who had worked as a volunteer in the Royal Arcade shop for 30 years, passed away (Brotherhood Action Summer 1992 p.4).

 

Two long-standing Fitzroy-based staff members, Leonie Barr (Manager of Sumner House) and Mary D'Aprano (Coordinator of the Material Aid Centre in Brunswick Street) were recognised in the Anzac Awards for their contributions to the community (Brotherhood Action June 1989 (No.277) p.8).  

 

The Brotherhood's Director of Community Services, John Wise, chaired a six-month State-wide Government enquiry into the provision of family support services, aiming to develop new program models and investigating a wide range of services such as counselling, family aides and community houses (Brotherhood Action Spring 1989 p.9).  

 

 

Presentations & publications 

Mini-conference on child poverty was held at the BSL to discuss policies needed to realise the Prime Minister's promise to solve problem of child poverty by 1990, with external participants including Hon Brian Howe (Federal Minister for Social Security), Julian Disney (ACOSS), Professor Bettina Cass (Director, Social Security Review) & Don Edgar (Director, Australian Institute of Family Studies) (March) (Brotherhood Action June 1989 (No.277) p.3). 

 

December 1989 - Final issue of Poverty Watch published by the Community of St Laurence (then taken up by Fair Share until the end of 1994)

 

Launch of the book Aussie Battlers by Jenny Trethewey at a weekend barbeque at the Atherton Gardens estate. The book was based on the experiences of ten of the fifty-seven low-income families who participated in the Social Policy & Research Centre's Income & Expenditure Study. (October) (BSL Annual Report 1988-1989 p.10) 

 

9th Sambell Oration: "Lucky St George" or "Knowing what it is" Christianity and the current crisis by Veronica Brady, at the Brotherhood’s 59th Foundation Day Festival service (December) 

 

The Western Port Emergency Relief Network (an independent organisation funded by the Brotherhood) published a booklet Why Young People leave Home and another Child Poverty in Western Port - Lack of Choice, Lack of Opportunity, written by parents on the experience of bringing up children in poverty. 

 

An agreement was finalised between the Social Policy and Research Centre and Collins Dove publishing house for the distribution of the BSL's books and the co-publication of selected Brotherhood titles.  A small bookshop opened at the Fitzroy office (BSL Annual Report 1988-1989 p.13).  

 

The BSL is referenced in two programs of Film Australia's 6-part video series The unfair go?, examining poverty and welfare in Australia from an international perspective.  The programs were The kindness of strangers (no.4) and Who gives a buck? (no.6). Program 4: "The kindness of strangers" - the role of charities in dealing with poverty and includes information on the work of the BSL.  Program 6 - "Who gives a buck?" - looks at the inadequacy of social security payments and evaluates the BSL’s Family Centre Project, where a sample of families were maintained on a regular minimum income. 

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