1991 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999
Children & Families
Limurru refurbished and opened as "Napier Street Cottage Child Care Centre" (28 February) with the official opening by Hon. Peter Staples MP, Minister for the Aged, Family & Health Services. Funding for the renovation project (around $200,000) was substantially from BSL funds with some funding from the Federal Department of Health, Housing & Community Services (Brotherhood Action Autumn 1992 p.2. See also Letter from John Wise to Federal Minister for Aged, Family & Health Services (21 January 1992). Wise_Invitation_to_Minister_Staples_re_NapierSt_1992-1-21.pdf
The Fitzroy Youth Music program secured a $10,000 grant from the Felton Bequest and George Katsikas was a finalist in the Young Achievers Award for his work in establishing the after-school program. The trumpeter James Morrison offered to perform a special benefit concert on behalf of the Program (this took place on 1 April 1993 in the Dallas Brooks Hall with James Morrison and the Moovin’ & Groovin’ Orchestra in support, attended by nearly 1000 people) (Fitz-News Issue 46, 15 December 1992 p.2 ; Fitz-News Issue 53, 7 April 1993 p.3).
Community Issues
The Westernport Material Aid Service was incorporated into a wider "Sharehouse" project. The Frankston service had seen a 163% increase in people seeking assistance since 1989 and was relocated in July to a larger building to allow a social support & referral component including self-help activities, visiting services, recreation program, and outreach (BSL Annual Report 1992 p.8 and BSL Annual Report 1993 p.11; BSL Internal Working Paper No.2, "Overview and History of Income Supplementation services in the Brotherhood of St Laurence (1972-1996)", pp.15-16. See also the submission for funds containing the rationale for the Sharehouse project). Sharehouse_Trust_Submission_1993.pdf
BSL in Craigieburn, renamed as Bulla Family Services (Shire of Bulla was the local government area at this time), began community development work in Roxburgh Park in conjunction with the Urban Land Authority. Work was in social action (in setting up the local transport action group) and starting 2 groups for new mothers and for new residents (Planning document - Metropolitan Division - Northern Suburbs Family Services 1993/94). Northern_Family_Services_93-94_Planning_1992-11.pdf
Craigieburn community development position made full-time, undertaking social action work with residents on infrastructure-related issues (eg planning social services for the massive housing developments, transport concerns) (See "BSL Metro Region Strategic Planning Working Paper", p.53 BSL_Metro_Region_Strategic_Planning_WorkingPaper_Pt2_1995-3.pdf
Craigieburn Family Services received a $120,000 grant (over 3 years) through Perpetual Trustees Victoria Ltd. to support its preventive programs, enabling the development of a range of services to prevent families breaking up, young people drifting away and to provide support for local families in difficulty (The donation was made on behalf of the Percy Baxter Trust, Sir Andrew & Lady Fairley Foundation and the H & L Hecht Trust – see Brotherhood Action Summer 1992 p.4).
The Brotherhood made land available on the Carrum Downs Settlement for the establishment of St Luke's Church and a parish-based Childcare & Community Centre on Williams Road, Carrum Downs (first sod turned on 25 March) (BSL Annual Report 1992 p.12)
A National Day of Action to highlight community concern about the social & economic damage caused by mass unemployment was held on 12 May. The steering committee of the Australian Council of Social Service included the Brotherhood's Executive Director, Bishop Michael Challen.
In response to the national unemployment rate of 10.9% in August, the BSL announced planning for a major project on the "future of work" for the following two or three years (Brotherhood Action Spring 1992 p.1).
Staff and trainees from the Employment Action Centre gave away approximately 500 flowers to women in Brunswick Street, Fitzroy, before Mothers' Day to symbolise that women on low incomes raising families take responsibility for motherhood, often in the face of great adversity (Brotherhood Action Winter 1992 p.6).
Bishop Michael Challen took up the role of President of the Victorian Council of Social Services (Fitz-News Issue 39 (sic) 23 September 1992 p.2).
Employment & Training
The Body Shop and the BSL began the Linked Access Project, a joint project integrating training, work experience, housing and other supports to assist thirty homeless or "at risk" young people to move toward independence through stable employment and housing. The first six trainees graduated from the Traineeship Access Course and began traineeships, with practical employment training in the retail industry while attending TAFE’s Retail training course two days a week. (In July 1992 the Federal Government announced the establishment of the Job Placement, Employment & Training Program – JPET – as part of the Government's National Employment & Training Program – NEAT, with funding to come under the Disadvantaged Youth Program.) (Brotherhood Action Winter 1992 p.1 - Although the EAC had been working with young people who were 'homeless or at risk of homelessness' since 1990, this was "the first opportunity to work jointly with private enterprise to design and implement a unique labour market program". The uniqueness of this program was the "focus on providing integrated assistance to the trainees incorporating training, work experience, workplace support and supervision, housing support, personal support and material support" and "the integrated approach to service delivery … through the input of staff from both the Brotherhood and The Body Shop". BSL Annual Report 1993 p.19. See also Christian Grieves & Helen MacDonald "The Body Shop Linked Access Project - An evaluation" Brotherhood of St Laurence 1995). Body_Shop_Youth_Traineeship_Scheme.pdf BSL_&_BodyShop_Employment_Access_Project_1992-1994.pdf JPET_Federal_Launch_1992-7-27.pdf
At the Prime Minister's Youth Summit on 22 July 1992 the BSL presented the model of a job service for the homeless that had been developed over the previous year by the BSL's Employment Action Centre and The Body Shop. This model was supported by government and in order to give similar opportunities to young homeless people Australia-wide a pilot program was launched at the opening of the BSL's (and Australia's) new job service for the homeless in November 1992. The BSL's program was to be run by the BSL from within the New Chadstone Shopping Centre but moved to Oakleigh shopping centre. This service for 24 homeless young people was funded under the Federal Government's Job Placement, Employment & Training Program (JPET). In total, 44 pilot projects were begun across Australia with funds from the Department of Housing & Regional Development (DHRD). (Christian Grieves & Helen MacDonald "The Body Shop Linked Access Project - An evaluation" p.4, Brotherhood of St Laurence 1995; Brotherhood Action Summer 1993 p.4. Andy Butlin, Paul Phyland & Robyn Lloyd "Closing the Gaps – An Evaluation of the Job Placement Employment and Training (JPET) Pilot Program for Homeless Youth" p.2, Palm Management, March 1995.).
JPET_&_the_influence_of_BSL's_model_1995-7-4.pdf
The Active Placement Unit of the Fitzroy Employment Action Centre held a 10-day camp on the Banksia Peninsula (near the Gippsland Lakes) for disadvantaged and jobless young people. The aim was to improve the morale and self-image of disadvantaged young people who face great difficulty in finding employment (Brotherhood Action Autumn 1992 p.5).
The Ballarat Employment Action Centre offered Jobtrain and JobSkills courses and the Landcare & Environment Action Program (LEAP). LEAP was a Federal Government initiative allowing young people, particularly long term unemployed and those with interrupted or poor educational background between the ages of 15-20 years, to participate in community based conservation projects throughout Australia, gaining work experience and formal training in land care and conservation. The Brotherhood of St Laurence was commissioned by the Australian Trust for Conservation Volunteers (a national LEAP Broker) to develop a curriculum designed specifically to meet LEAP requirements. The BSL's LEAP project commenced in Ballarat in 1992, funded by the Australian Trust for Conservation Volunteers and auspiced by the BSL. In the first year a unique environmentally oriented curriculum (Certificate in Basic Landcare & Environment Action - which was accredited by the Office of Technical & Further Education [TAFE]) - was developed and implemented and training was organised throughout Australia for 100 disadvantaged young people (BSL Annual Report 1993 pp.8-10. For the "Certificate in Basic Landcare and Environment Action" curriculum document, including the Team Leader's Guide and the Trainer's Assessment Journal see the Brotherhood Library Archives Archive Number 1993.14A. See also BSL Annual Report 1995 pp.10-12).
JobSkills, a Federal initiative for long term unemployed people, was taken up by the Brotherhood with the target of placing 350 people over the age of 21 years into work experience and training programs, and to then place them in jobs within the community and in non-profit organisations (BSL Annual Report 1992 p.7).
The Barwon Region formed a partnership under the Building Industries Training Scheme to link training, support and housing into an integrated program to assist homeless young people. This involved 20 young people undertaking building trade apprenticeships and gaining practical experience in the development of a $750,000 Federally funded housing project for homeless young people known as Three Market Street. (The project was later renamed as Smythe Place) (BSL Annual Report 1993 p.10; Brotherhood Action Autumn 1994 p.1)
Three retail trainees made the transition to permanent positions in BSL shops (BSL Annual Report 1993 p.24).
Following an invitation from Archbishop Peter Hollingworth, the Brotherhood’s Employment Action Centre (EAC) model was replicated as an independent initiative in Queensland under the auspices of the Anglican Diocese of Brisbane (BSL Annual Report 1992 p.6).
Fundraising & Resources
Metropolitan Division launched raffle for divisional funding (January) (Memo from John Wise to Metropolitan Executive Members (9 January 1992) BSL_Metro_Division_re_Fundraising_1992-1-9.pdf
The Lions Club of Frankston held a Charity Golf Day to raise money for the Brotherhood's Peninsula Region (26 April)
A regular program of $1.00 raffles was developed, raising $111,975 in 1991-1992 with prizes including three cars, overseas travel and electrical goods (BSL Annual Report 1992 p.19. The first raffle in 1992 was in aid of the Employment Action Centres (see Brotherhood Action Autumn 1992 p.4).
A raffle was conducted with the focus of "Every $1000 raised will assist with the employment of one disadvantaged young person" (Brotherhood Action Spring 1992 p.2)
Hazel Hawke, then wife of the former Prime Minister Bob Hawke (and former Brotherhood staff member), launched her autobiography My Own Life at a luncheon in aid of the Brotherhood at Melbourne's Hilton on the Park (13 November) (Fitz-News Issue 39 (sic), 23 September 1992 p.1; Brotherhood Action Spring 1992 p.2).
Big Bin Opportunity Shop opened in Ballarat (the Central Highlands Region) as part of the Donated Goods Division to augment the operations of the Employment Action Centre (EAC) in Ballarat, working to provide training opportunities for EAC graduates and to raise funds for the Region. Collections from eleven bins supplied the "Big Bin" and mobile shops or were sent directly to Coolaroo. A feature was the Mobile Shop to take stock to country centres (Brotherhood Action Winter 1992 p.4).
The Brotherhood's independent income was assisted by 14 shops and 5 fundraising auxiliaries in the Metropolitan Region, 6 shops in the Barwon Region, 5 shops in the Peninsula Region and one in Ballarat (BSL Annual Report 1992 pp.20-21).
During March the Brotherhood appeal for donations of clothing and furniture was supported by a televised community service announcement donated by Pro-Image, a Melbourne-based television production company, and supported by ABC News Presenter, Clive Hale (Brotherhood Action Autumn 1992 p.4).
Two appeals were launched to support the Material Aid services:
i. The annual May Appeal in order to continue material assistance to the areas hardest hit during the ongoing recession – Fitzroy and the inner Melbourne area, Frankston, the Mornington Peninsula and Westernport regions, Geelong and surrounds, and Lalor, Craigieburn and Ballarat.
ii. The Blanket Appeal for good quality blankets and warm clothing (Brotherhood Action Winter 1992 p.5).
In 1992 there were 650 Brotherhood collection bins located in the Metropolitan and Peninsula Regions, supplemented by home collections through orange Brotherhood bags (BSL Annual Report 1992 p.21).
Students, parents and teachers at Mullum Primary School (Ringwood) produced 23 colourful quilts, made from 140 knitted woollen squares sewn together, for the annual blanket appeal (Brotherhood Action Summer 1992 p.5).
Due to significant turnaround of the Donated Goods Division in 1991-1992 (profit of $608,607 compared to previous year’s loss of $496,003) some services were expanded to meet the demands created by the recession. "However, this excellent result was unfortunately overshadowed by the revelation of a major fraud perpetrated at Coolaroo involving additional income of approximately $250,000. Police charges were laid against a former senior officer."
The Brotherhood Bazaar in Brunswick Road, Brunswick, opened its new Trend Shop, offering clothing especially selected by its youthful staff to meet the tastes of other young people. Two young people began the 12-month Retail Traineeship Access Course with the BSL's Employment Action Centre as well as having direct work experience at the Trend Shop. Young volunteers also assisted in running the shop (Brotherhood Action Spring 1992 p.5).
The BSL’s Fundraising Department secured the rights to a collection outside the MCG on the morning of Grand Final Day (with special Brotherhood aprons) (Fitz-News Issue 39 (sic) 23 September 1992 p.4)
The Royal Recycle Boutique which opened in Royal Arcade, Melbourne in November 1991, while profitable in retailing recycled fashions on a commission basis to professional business women, was unable to obtain adequate levels of quality stock and was closed. (Brotherhood Action Summer 1992 p.6; BSL Annual Report 1993 p.24).
Material & Financial support
Following an investigation into the needs of Melbourne's urban growth areas, Fitzroy Material Aid ceased selling a limited range of subsidised new goods to low income families in March and the funds were allocated to setting up the new Whittlesea Emergency Relief Service in Lalor where unemployment had grown from less than 3% in June 1987 to 12.3%. The service was co-located with a service of Kildonan Homes, servicing people living in Epping, Lalor, Thomastown and Mill Park within the Whittlesea municipality. This provided Financial aid, Referral service, Service information and Advocacy and also included a small Material Aid service run by volunteers (BSL Annual Report 1992 p.8; Brotherhood Action Spring 1992 p.4; BSL Metro Region Strategic Planning Working paper p.55 and BSL Internal Working Paper No.2 Overview and History of Income Supplementation services in the Brotherhood of St Laurence (1972-1996) p.23). BSL_Income_Supplementation_Services_1972-1996.pdf
BSL Central Highlands established a separate Material Aid centre in Ballarat to accommodate the requests being received through the Employment Action Centre. The service provided clothing, gift vouchers for the BSL "Big Bin" shop, referrals to other agencies for food, and financial assistance (including small loans and emergency financial relief) and advice to low-income people in the region (BSL Internal Working Paper No.2, "Overview and History of Income Supplementation services in the Brotherhood of St Laurence (1972-1996)", p.19).
A group of residents in Maryborough, Central Victoria, contacted the BSL in Ballarat (Central Highlands Region) out of dissatisfaction with local providers of material aid. In response, emergency relief was given in form of vouchers, followed by grants ($2,000 to East Maryborough Neighbourhood Centre, $500 to the Salvation Army, $500 to the St Vincent de Paul Society). Food was supplied by the BSL, Victorian Relief Fund & Food Bank. BSL bins were placed in supermarket car parks and volunteers trained by BSL in Ballarat to sort clothing. The group became known as Stable Aid auspiced by Central Victorian Community Health with material aid and opportunity shop as their ventures. BSL worker (Teresa Arnold) assisted the committee to draw up a business plan. (December 1992-1993) ("Stable Aid - a research report by 5 Associate Diploma of Social Science (Welfare) students", Maryborough, Victoria, November 1994; BSL Internal Working Paper No.2, "Overview and History of Income Supplementation services in the Brotherhood of St Laurence (1972-1996)", p.20) BSL_Central-Highlands_&_Maryborough_StableAid_1992-1994.pdf
"Big Bin" Material Aid Store opened by Hon Kay Setches, Minister for Community Services, at 96 Fyans Street, South Geelong in February following an extensive community needs study in 1991-1992 in light of the impact of the collapse of the Farrow Group in 1990. In its first 5 months of operation assisted 2,773 families with clothing, furniture & household goods (Brotherhood Action Autumn 1992 p.1 and BSL Annual Report 1992 p.8. See also Beverley Blaskett (ed), "Geelong Study Part 1 - Community Needs in Geelong", 1992 pp.3-5. See also BSL Internal Working Paper No.2, "Overview and History of Income Supplementation services in the Brotherhood of St Laurence (1972-1996)", p.19). Material_Aid_SouthGeelong_&_Lalor_in_Action_Autumn_1992.pdf
Following a 1991 investigation by Donna Ward, an Emergency Relief service opened in the Whittlesea municipality (co-located with a service of Kildonan Homes in Lalor) - provided Financial aid, Referral service, Service information and Advocacy and also included a small Material Aid service run by volunteers. (May) (BSL Metro Region Strategic Planning Working paper p.55; BSL Internal Working Paper No.2, "Overview and History of Income Supplementation services in the Brotherhood of St Laurence (1972-1996)", p.23) BSL_Metro_Region_Strategic_Planning_WorkingPaper_Pt2_1995-3.pdf
Barwon Family & Community Services Centre established in Corio (Geelong), including a local No Interest Loans Scheme (NILS) and joint sponsorship of the Corio Local Employment Trading Scheme (LETS) as a skills exchange program among people using the NILS service (August). The BSL was one of eight community agencies which jointly applied for funding for the NILS project. The LETS was an associated project developed and supported by the BSL and the Rosewall Community Centre. (BSL Internal Working Paper No.2, "Overview and History of Income Supplementation services in the Brotherhood of St Laurence (1972-1996)", pp.27-28, 30; See also BSL Annual Report 1993 p.13).
In the lead up to Christmas, the BSL
- assisted approximately 10,000 families and individuals with material aid & emergency relief;
- distributed over 8,000 toys to children in need (the Brotherhood, with the Mission to Streets and Lanes, conducted a joint appeal for Christmas toys, receiving wide community support);
- received over $500,000 towards material and emergency relief in the Christmas Appeals (Brotherhood Action Summer 1993 p.1; BSL Annual Report 1993 p.11).
Older People
Banksia Adult Day Centre in Frankston, providing care and respite services for frail older people and people with dementia, introduced overnight respite care (BSL Annual Report 1992 p.11).
The first housing project of Wintringham Hostels, McLean Lodge in Flemington - a joint project between the Brotherhood and Hanover Welfare Services - was built to accommodate 35 residents as well as offering a range of health and support services (Brotherhood Action Autumn 1992 p.5).
The Eric Hart Day Therapy Centre in Lara was renovated and extended with funds from a local legacy, the Jack Brockhoff Foundation and the Ian Rollo Curry Estate Foundation (Brotherhood Action Spring 1992 p.5).
Organisational aspects (BSL)
OrgChart_BSL_1992.pdf
Equal Opportunity Project established to conduct "a review of equal opportunity initiatives, policy and practice with a view to revitalising the Brotherhood position". (April) (Memo from Bruce Ellis to all staff (1 April 1992)
Coordinating Committee of the Community Action & Resource Network for Western Port requested BSL Peninsula Division to take over the management of the network. Given the network's lack of full financial independence and that the BSL’s original intent was for the group to become independent, the Peninsula Regional Committee decided (after five-and-a-half years) to no longer fund the network. The higher priorities in the region at this time were unemployment and homelessness and the network ceased operation following the completion of a report reviewing the activities of the Network. (June) (Terry Holman, "On Shifting Sands", 1992 pp.4, 34-35 and BSL Annual Report 1992 pp.9-10. See also the entries in this timeline for 1987-1991).
Father David Moore appointed BSL Chaplain.
The inaugural Brotherhood Week was held in August. This was established to celebrate the life and work of the Brotherhood of St Laurence and commemorate the patron saint St Laurence. The program incorporated the eleventh G T Sambell Memorial Oration: The Future of Work in Australia Hon Barry Jones. (August) (Brotherhood Action Spring 1992 p.1. Barry Jones "The future of work in Australia: the Eleventh Sambell Memorial Oration", The G.T. Sambell Memorial Trust, 1992).
BSL auspiced the Coordinator of the federal Acquired Brain Damage Project, steering 16 funded projects arising from the Ministerial Implementation Committee on Head Injury (MICHI) for 12 months. The position was filled by Lesley Dredge, later to become BSL’s Regional Director - Peninsula and then Director of Community Services. (September) (Brotherhood Action Spring 1993 p.4)
The inaugural Brotherhood Softball Championship was held between 5 teams - the Barwon Bruisers, the Mets (Metropolitan Region), the Hot Team (Head Office), FEAC (Fitzroy Employment Action Centre) and BEAC (Ballarat Employment Action Centre) - with about 80 people attending the Saturday event. The result was a win for Head Office (with a little help from Metro) (Fitz-News Issue 36, 29 July 1992 p.1).
The framework for a process of BSL staff Performance Development & Review introduced to the Board, Executive Director, Regional Directors and Managers through workshops in September-November. In practice this process included the preparation of annual individual training plans for each staff member (Brotherhood Annual Report 1994 pp.31-2).
Establishment of the Central Highlands Region of the BSL, to be managed by a consultative committee of local community leaders and focused on Ballarat and the surrounding district, was agreed to in principle by the Brotherhood Board in October 1992 (BSL Annual Report 1992 p.4.). Central_Highlands_Origin.pdf
In October, Bishop Michael Challen announced the establishment of a Cental Highlands Region based in Ballarat. Existing operations were the Employment Action Centre and the Big Bin Shop. As a result of growing levels of hardship where over 4,000 people were seeking help from welfare groups each month and nearly 8,000 had been unemployed for over a year, services were to be available to assist people living in Ballarat, Meredith, Stawell, Avoca, Maryborough, Skipton and Daylesford. Mr Ian Brain was appointed as Regional Director. Agreement had also been reached for the Anglican Diocese of Ballarat and the new region to work in a complementary way. (Brotherhood Action Summer 1993 p.3)
Staff Rest & Re-creation Weekends (Thursday evening to Saturday afternoon) organised by the BSL Chaplain, Father David Moore: 8 October - Commonground (near Seymour); 29 October - Campion Retreat House; 3 December - Booth Lodge, Kallista (Memos from or on behalf of Chaplain to Directors & Managers re Rest & Recreation Weekends (various); Brotherhood Staff News 1993. R&R_Weekends_92-93_Programs.pdf R&R_Weekends_re_92-93_Program_1993-2-16.pdf
Services Development Forum established "to provide advice to Directors on significant new project or service proposals being developed across the BSL, through providing a central point for discussion and in put on new proposals". Membership includes "the Executive Director, regional directors, director SPR, director Admin & Finance and a Senior Services manager from each region". (December) (Memo from Deborah Elkington (Services Liaison/SPR) (19 August 1993) with Discussion paper on "Establishment, role and membership of BSL Focus Groups" and draft Terms of Reference (proposed terms of reference endorsed in principle by the Services Development Forum on 26 July 1993).Services_Development_Forum_&_Focus_Groups_Draft_ToR_1993.pdf
The Brotherhood ran a QUIT program at Head Office for staff who wished to give up smoking (again!) (Fitz-News Issue 39 (sic) 23 September 1992 p.3)
Staff Development Committees were formed in each of the regions (BSL Annual Report 1993 p.28).
The Brotherhood spent approximately 1.5% of its gross salaries on training during the financial year 1991-1992. Major staff training initiatives developed during the year covered protective behaviour (for frontline staff including reception), quality of life for Brotherhood residents and service users, and management development programs for administrative and service personnel. Orientation days were offered as an important means of introducing new staff and volunteers to the diversity of the Brotherhood’s work (BSL Annual Report 1992 p.23).
Staff from Head Office, Metro, Lara and Carrum Downs took part in a three-and-a-half day workshop on Recruitment & Selection Skills. The aim was that trained staff be invited to be on interview panels or at least be consulted before interviews were conducted, and that there be at least one trained person in every work unit (Fitz-News Issue 44, 18 November 1992 p.4).
State Government region of Western Port amalgamated with the Southern region to create the South Eastern region (covering Portsea to Springvale to Pakenham to Wonthaggi) with subsequent internal pressure on the extent of the BSL's service delivery area (December) (See Terry Holman, "On Shifting Sands", 1992 p.6 & 15)
People
36th Combined Auxiliaries & Volunteers Day at the Masonic Centre, East Melbourne (25 November)
Alison McClelland returned to the Brotherhood as Director, Social Policy & Research following the departure of Jan Carter (after six years of service) to take up the Chair of Social Work at the University of Melbourne (March) (Brotherhood Action Summer 1992 p.4. & Winter 1992 p.5. BSL Annual Report 1992 p.5)
Father David Moore took up the BSL chaplaincy role (April)
The Peninsula Region established a pilot volunteer centre to test the matching of skills and interests of volunteers with the needs and requirements of the region and its services (BSL Annual Report 1992 pp.22).
Policy developed on clients and their participation in the media Policy_Use_of_Clients_in_Media_1992.pdf
14 volunteer leaders from the Aichi Prefecture, Japan, visited the BSL (Brotherhood Action Autumn 1992 p.4)
The Peninsula Region Manager of Furniture & Collections (and coordinator of the Food For All Appeal), Anne Johnstone, passed away suddenly after 14 years with the BSL (Brotherhood Action Winter 1992 p.4).
Rae Carson, Manager of Cox/Collins Court, retired following 24 years of service (BSL Annual Report 1992 p.23).
Life Memberships of the Brotherhood were presented to Jean McCaughey, John Chester, Kurt Eisner, Professor Ronald Henderson, Lady Dorothy Reid and Catherine Smith at the November Annual General Meeting (Brotherhood Action Summer 1993 p.4).
People with disabilities
The Kindergarten Integration Project was independently evaluated and the report found the project to be a successful and beneficial model which achieved its stated goal of integrating children with disabilities into normal kindergarten (BSL Annual Report 1992 p.9). Information sheet
The Community Access Project providing community access support for older people with intellectual disabilities began in the Peninsula Region. (August) (BSL Annual Report 1993 p.14)
Presentations & Publications
Address of the Executive Director to the BSL's Annual General Meeting Challen_to_AGM_1992.pdf
The inaugural Brotherhood Week was held between 9-15 August with an extensive program of events. This was established to celebrate the life and work of the Brotherhood of St Laurence and commemorate the patron saint St Laurence. The program incorporated the eleventh G T Sambell Memorial Oration: The Future of Work in Australia given by the Hon Barry Jones (Brotherhood Action Spring 1992 p.1; Barry Jones "The future of work in Australia: the Eleventh Sambell Memorial Oration", The G.T. Sambell Memorial Trust, 1992; Fitz-News, Issue 36, 29 July 1992 p.4). Brotherhood_Week_events_1992.pdf
62nd Foundation Festival, Christ Church South Yarra, with Archbishop Keith Rayner as preacher (29 November) (Fitz-News Issue 44, 18 November 1992 p.3; Brotherhood Action Summer 1993 p.3). 62nd_Foundation_Festival_flyer.pdf
Bishop Michael Challen launched the unemployment kit and resource book Unemployed Australia - a resource book and Unemployment – It's In Our Hands at Braybrook Secondary College (BSL Annual Report 1992 p.15).
Publications:
- Unemployed Australia - a resource book, Kirsten Larwill, uses statistical data and personal experience to assist senior students and teachers to answer the central questions about unemployment
- Unemployment – It's In Our Hands, Claire Zara, is a workshop kit produced as a discussion and information guide for students and community groups
- Geelong Study Part 1 - Community Needs in Geelong Beverley Blaskett (ed)
- Research for Action 1-1992: Unemployment: the Economic and Social Costs (2nd edition - revision of Research for Action 2-1988) by Daryl Dixon
- Research for Action 2-1992: Learning to survive: Income and Support for Homeless Secondary Students, Helen Morris & Beverley Blaskett
- Children of immigrants : issues of poverty and disadvantage - Janet Taylor & Helen MacDonald, drawing on the Life Chances project
- Young women's project: support for homeless young women, Kirsten Larwill, Deborah Elkington, Helen MacDonald
- Access to Health Care for Children in Low Income Families Janet Taylor, focused on families living in Fitzroy, Hastings and Craigieburn
BSL research on Children & the Future of Work (Crossley 1990) cited in article "What will work consist of in the future?" - by Susan Oliver and Gib Wettenhall from Australia's Commission for the Future (November) ("Future of Work Foundation" Press Clipping Quotes) BSL_in_press_on_Future_of_Work_1992-11.pdf
Young People
A pilot program to link homeless young females with supportive adult women was developed with help from the Office of Status of Women in the Department of Prime Minister & Cabinet. Beginning in February it was targeted at homeless young women who were attempting to continue with education and training or trying to access the workforce (Brotherhood Action Summer 1992 p.1. Kirsten Larwill, Deborah Elkington, Helen MacDonald, "Young women's project: support for homeless young women", 1992.).
The Body Shop and the Employment Action Centre began the Linked Access Project, a three year joint venture integrating training, work experience, housing and other supports to assist thirty homeless or 'at risk' young people to move toward independence through stable employment and housing. Although the EAC had been working with young people who were 'homeless or at risk of homelessness' since 1990, this was "the first opportunity to work jointly with private enterprise to design and implement a unique labour market program". The uniqueness of this program was the "focus on providing integrated assistance to the trainees incorporating training, work experience, workplace support and supervision, housing support, personal support and material support" and "the integrated approach to service delivery … through the input of staff from both the Brotherhood and The Body Shop". The first six trainees graduated from the Traineeship Access Course and began traineeships, with practical employment training in the retail industry while attending TAFE's Retail training course two days a week (Brotherhood Action Winter 1992 p.1. BSL Annual Report 1993 p.19. Christian Grieves & Helen MacDonald "The Body Shop Linked Access Project - An evaluation" pp.4 & 6-7, Brotherhood of St Laurence 1995).
In addition to the Linked Access Project, the Brotherhood also delivered the Job Placement & Employment Training (JPET) Program which was based on the Linked Access Project model. JPET was a Commonwealth Government labour market program funded through the Department of Human Services & Health and used a combination of pre-work experience, training, employment placement, and provision of a support service for young people (homeless or at risk of homelessness). The Brotherhood's innovative JPET program began in November in Oakleigh, launched by the BSL's Executive Director with the Federal Minister for Aged, Family & Health Services (Peter Staples) and the Federal Member for Hotham (Simon Crean) (Brotherhood Action Summer 1993 p.4; Christian Grieves & Helen MacDonald "The Body Shop Linked Access Project - An evaluation" p.4, Brotherhood of St Laurence 1995).
BSL Central Highlands provided with funds by the St John of God Hospital, Ballarat, to pilot a Mobile Youth Support Services project, leading to an ongoing service established from a bus equipped with a kitchenette. A material aid & support service operated four nights a week after 10 pm providing meals and food parcels, vouchers for clothing, blankets, support and referral services to young homeless people and other low-income people. The aim was to make contact with homeless and 'at risk' young people and provide them with material aid, a contact point for support and referral to appropriate agencies. A local business provided the majority of the food distributed from the bus (BSL Annual Report 1993 p.9; See also BSL Internal Working Paper No.2, "Overview and History of Income Supplementation services in the Brotherhood of St Laurence (1972-1996)", pp.20-21).
Development of the five-year $2.5m Prevention of Youth Homelessness Project (PYHP) began, aiming to identify, implement and test strategies to prevent youth homelessness in the two Victorian communities of Ballarat and Dandenong using an action research approach within a community development framework. Arising from a program proposal developed with the support of the Sidney Myer Fund in 1992, the project was funded by the Queens Trust, the Victorian Government, the Sidney Myer Fund and other philanthropic trusts (Brotherhood Action Winter 1992 p.4; BSL Annual Report 1992 p.16. Brotherhood Comment, Autumn 1992, p.5 (no numbering) "The prevention of youth homelessness project". The initial Project Manager, Fran Linardi, took up the role in mid-November 1992).
During the first six months of the Dandenong Student House Project, established in December 1991 to accommodate three homeless students at a time, seven young local people lived in the house for varying lengths of time (BSL Annual Report 1992 pp.5 & 9).
The Brotherhood presented a submission to the Federal Government's review of the student support scheme, Austudy, highlighting the needs of vulnerable, young, homeless students attempting to complete their secondary education (Brotherhood Action Winter 1992 p.2).
The Peninsula Region of the BSL received funding from the Victorian Government's Youth Homelessness Taskforce for a Youth Income Action Research Project to examine the relationship between young people's access to income and homelessness, focusing on the Frankston and Mornington Peninsula areas. As part of this, a curriculum on independent living skills was developed with the Southern Metropolitan Office of Schools Administration (Brotherhood Action Spring 1992 p.3).
Other
The Victorian Ministerial Implementation Committee on Head Injury (MICHI) was formed to implement the recommendations of the 1991 Head Injury Impact Project (a joint initiative of the Health Department Victoria, Community Services Victoria and the Transport Accident Commission). Over 40 recommendations were made, including the establishment of a statewide case management service for people with non-compensable Acquired Brain Injury. Bishop Michael Challen was made Chair of MICHI. (Michael Summers, "The establishment of a health promoting case management service: a policy process case study", Centre for Health Program Evaluation Working Paper 59 at www.buseco.monash.edu.au/centres/che/pubs/wp59.pdf (12 October 2010).
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