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Children & Families
Parents in the Life Chances study were interviewed when the children were aged three years and several reports, articles and presentations were produced from the study (BSL Annual Report 1994 p.21).
Proposal for a new service facility in Craigieburn on land previously earmarked by the Shire of Bulla for a childcare centre (the majority of the Local Government Area of the Shire of Bulla was amalgamated into the new City of Hume on 15 December 1994) (February) Craigieburn_Centre_Proposal_1994-2.pdf
Literacy in Families Together Project (aka the LIFT Project) was a six-month demonstration and research project funded as part of the Commonwealth Adult Literacy Program grant. This program was for adults with literacy difficulties who have young children and provided intensive individual support to a small number of families to enable them to attend literacy programs. Research involved the Brotherhood staff from the Peninsula and the Social Policy & Research Centre, the La Trobe University and the Women's Activity Group Community House (WAG, Frankston). The Report was published in March 1995 (BSL Annual Report 1995 p.18; Derek Toomey & Janet Taylor, "LIFT project: Literacy in Families Together").
Napier Street Cottage Child Care and Early Intervention Program provided high quality low-cost childcare, an early intervention program with individual children addressing developmental delays, and family support to children and families living in the City of Yarra (BSL Annual Report 1995 p.17).
The Inner Urban Family & Youth Services opened a Toy Library at the South Fitzroy Community Health Centre to provide educational toys for children when resources do not stretch to such items (Brotherhood Action Summer 1994 p.4; BSL Annual Report 1994 p.15).
Health Care for Children Project carried out in second half of 1994, to consider issues of access to health care for children in low-income families. This involved health screening of children at BSL's Napier Street Cottage Child Care Centre, interviews with their parents and focus groups of low-income parents in Hastings and Craigieburn (Janet Taylor, "Access to health care for children in low-income families", in Australian Journal of Public Health 1994 Vol.18 No.1 pp.111-113).
Documentary based on the Life Chances study was funded by SBS, directed & produced by Georgia Wallace-Crabbe & Gregory Miller (screened by SBS 28 March 1995) Life_Chances_documentary_SBS_1994.pdf
Community Issues
The Carrum Downs Community Centre, first established at the Settlement, was relocated to the new Council Community Centre - the Lyrebird Centre - and the Brotherhood relinquished management as it became part of the wider Carrum Downs community (BSL Annual Report 1994 p.18).
Employment & Training
The Barwon View, a monthly community newspaper, is produced by participants in the Geelong JobSkills program for long-term unemployed people. Funded for half-a-year, the first edition was produced on 6 May ("A community view", Brotherhood Action Winter 1994; BSL Annual Report 1994 p.8).
The Provincial Communities Enterprise Project was launched in Ballarat to establish and develop community enterprises and networks, helping people gain employment by establishing small businesses in productive areas. The service was funded directly by the BSL and the Hugh D T Williamson Foundation for two years. One specific aspect of the project was the Aboriginal Employment and Enterprise Unit. This was set up (with the position of an Aboriginal Employment & Liaison Officer) in Ballarat to provide employment assistance to Aboriginal groups, to act as a link between the Brotherhood and the Aboriginal community and to work on producing significant links to employment for Aboriginal people in the community (Brotherhood Action Summer 1994 p.1; BSL Annual Report 1994 p.11).
The Employment Action Centre, Fitzroy, included a Housing Resource Unit (whose work incorporated a seven-day wilderness program) and the Active Placement Unit (providing individual support and developing the skills of disadvantaged 15-20 year olds). With a limited employment market, the centre generated its own employment opportunities through a city car wash service and a catering service (BSL Annual Report 1994 p.10). EAC-Housing_Resource_Unit_Trust_Funding_1993.pdf
The BSL placed 435 people into a six-monthly work experience and training program in community and non-profit organisations through the JobSkills program, funded by the Federal Department of Employment, Education & Training in the 1993-1994 year. This program was designed to assist people over 21 years of age and unemployed for one or more years to re-enter full-time employment. A growing proportion of participants in Fitzroy were from Indo-Chinese backgrounds. The total operational expenditure in 1993-1994 for the BSL's JobSkills programs running in Barwon, Peninsula, Ballarat and Melbourne was $2,428,171. During the year the Government extended the scope of the program to include the La Trobe Valley and Western Victoria, increasing the number of community groups and people eligible to take part (BSL Annual Report 1994 p.8).
The Brotherhood in Ballarat facilitated the Federal government-funded Daylesford & Glenlyon Community Employment & Training Project. Including two weeks of off-the-job training, the eight week program was based on the old Glenlyon sawmill where self-help unemployed participants were to build a set of workshops and studios from which local trade, craft and business people could operate ("JOBTRAIN program with a Difference", Brotherhood Action Winter 1994 p.1).
Eleven employees of the Donated Goods Division from non-English speaking backgrounds successfully completed the Workplace Language and Literacy Skills Course. Voluntarily enrolled in the course, they spent five hours a week learning English skills to assist them in the workplace. Classes were of two-and-a-half hours within work time and the rest within the employees' own time (Brotherhood Action Spring 1994 p.1).
Fundraising & Resources
The annual Easter Appeal was supported by, among others, Cadbury Red Tulip in providing Easter eggs to be distributed to families in need. The annual Winter Blanket Appeal was boosted with support from Tontine Industries and Sheets 'R' Us. The annual Christmas Toy Appeal was supported by Kmart, Jigsaw Toys and many staff social clubs
In Ballarat a shop "providing budget-priced clothing to young fashion-conscious people" was opened to help raise funds (BSL Annual Report 1994 p.11).
The BSL conducted a Wimbledon Grand Slam Raffle offering four trips for two to London (January-March) (Brotherhood Action Summer 1994 p.6; The prizes of 4 trips for two to London included two weeks accommodation at the Holiday Inn, Kensington, tickets for Wimbledon including the Men's Final and Women's Semi Final, flights to and from England including a stop-over in Asia and a side trip to Europe. See also Memo from Bruce Ellis to Directors (22 February 1994). Wimbledon_Raffle_Sales_1994-2-22.pdf
The regular program of $2 raffles raised $370,318 in 1993-1994 and a new mail order merchandising program for Brotherhood Christmas cards and giftware was introduced (BSL Annual Report 1994 p.26)
Four shops were refurbished - Bentleigh, Eltham, Ivanhoe and Malvern and the Rosebud shop celebrated 10 years of operation (BSL Annual Report 1994 p.26).
The activities of the Barwon Region's Donated Goods Division were combined with the management and sorting operations of Donated Goods at Campbellfield, with all stock being obtained from Campbellfield (BSL Annual Report 1994 p.26).
Fundraising events included special performances at the Victorian Arts Centre:
- South Pacific – a Brotherhood Gala Preview at the State Theatre, (3 January) (Brotherhood Action Spring 1993 p.5).
- Hotspur, a new play by the author of the TV series "Mother and Son" and starring Ruth Cracknell and followed by afternoon tea with her (27 April); (Brotherhood Action Summer 1994 p.6; Brotherhood Action Autumn 1994 p.5)
- Pirates of Penzance – the "Gala opening night" (3 August) and a matinee (17 August) (Brotherhood Action Winter 1994 p.6).
The newly-formed Freemasons Public Charitable Foundation gave "a generous donation … to the Brotherhood's work prompted by the Brotherhood's 60 years tradition of justice and care for people in need" (Brotherhood Action Summer 1994 p.6).
A nursery in Hoddles Creek was open to visitors throughout the year offering people the opportunity to pick a range of flowers for a modest entry fee. A substantial portion of money raised was to be given to the Brotherhood (Brotherhood Action Autumn 1994 p.5).
The inaugural Chadstone Wine Festival was held at the Chadstone Shopping Centre on 19-20 August with many wineries offering tastings to help raise funds for the Brotherhood (Brotherhood Action Autumn 1994 p.6).
Corporate sponsorship was highlighted in the article A Developing Partnership which gave some illustrations of the range of support given to the Brotherhood and its activities (Brotherhood Action Winter 1994 p.5).
A Myer customer won a $1,000 'shopping spree' prize. She spent $700 on clothes for Brotherhood families, saying it gave her the chance to pay back the Brotherhood for help she received when in need (Brotherhood Action Summer 1995 p.5).
Material & Financial Support
No Interest Loans Scheme (NILS) commenced on the Peninsula as a joint project by the BSL and the City of Frankston with the worker employed by the Council with representatives of the BSL and the Council on the Program Management Committee. The initial capital base of $40,000 was provided by the BSL (Brotherhood Action Autumn 1994 p.3; BSL Internal Working Paper No.2, "Overview and History of Income Supplementation services in the Brotherhood of St Laurence (1972-1996)", p.29). BSL_Income_Supplementation_Services_1972-1996.pdf
Review of Frankston Material Aid New Goods Shop led to closure of that service (BSL Internal Working Paper No.2, "Overview and History of Income Supplementation services in the Brotherhood of St Laurence (1972-1996)", p.16)
Changes flagged to the Frankston Sharehouse Project in order to make savings of $70,000 (June) (John Forster, Memo to Services Development Forum (7 June 1994).
Research project on Stable Aid (material aid program in Maryborough) carried out by 5 welfare students in June-Nov 1994 at suggestion of BSL Central Highlands Community Development worker Tim Roberts ("Stable Aid" - a research report by 5 Associate Diploma of Social Science (Welfare) students, Maryborough, Victoria, November 1994). BSL_Central-Highlands_&_Maryborough_StableAid_1992-1994.pdf
Older People
The Banksia Day Care Centre in Frankston extended its hours of care and provision for overnight respite care (BSL Annual Report 1994 p.17).
Organisational aspects (BSL)
The Brotherhood's operations were managed in a regional framework, covering the Metropolitan, Barwon, Central Highlands (based in Ballarat) and Peninsula (based in Carrum Downs) Regions.
Workshop (convened by Services Development Forum & Review of services for older people) facilitated by Hayden Raysmith with presentations by
- Connie Benn, Newton Daddow & David Green on Who should Brotherhood services be working with in the 1990s? What does disadvantage mean and how is a service focus on disadvantage best put into practice? and
- Mark Lyons & Barbara Spalding on The national and state policy environments in which Brotherhood services are likely to work during the next ten years. (13 April)
(For details of the presenters at that time see Services_Development_Workshop_Presenters_1994-4-13.pdf )
Two Papers prepared for the Service Development Forum & Focus Groups: The Meaning of Disadvantage in terms of the Brotherhood’s future focus by Meg Montague and Strategic influence: promoting change through existing services, new services and advocacy by John Forster (September) (Meg Montague, 1994 "Disadvantage in terms of the Brotherhood’s future focus" ; John Forster 1994 "Strategic influence: promoting change through existing services, new services and advocacy"). Montague_Meaning_of_Disadvantage_for_BSL_future_focus_1994-9-1.pdf Forster_Strategic_Influence_Promoting_change_1994-9-5.pdf
A new Work & Family Policy was developed and introduced into the Brotherhood, along with Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Officers under the direction of an EEO Coordinator and an advisory Committee (BSL Annual Report 1994 p.31)
The report by the Industry Commission - Benchmarking Community Social Welfare Organisations - included data based on the BSL’s four "emergency welfare relief centres" and two "in-home respite and personal care services". The BSL was provided with a report describing the performance results for the BSL "to help them to identify where the inefficiencies exist in their own welfare centres" ("Benchmarking Community Social Welfare Organisations - Brotherhood of St Laurence", October 1994, London Economics, Melbourne; Michelle Keenan, "Benchmarking in the community services sector" in Brotherhood Comment July 1995 pp.4-5). (October) Benchmarking_in_the_Community_Services_Sector_1995-7.pdf
The Directions 2000 review commissioned in 1993 presented the Directions 2000 report to the BSL Board on 5 December. It was accepted without any significant amendment. "Its 21 recommendations … may be summarised in the simple phrase 'work for positive social change for low-income people' whether within the circumstances of that person, the family or society. Some indication of what this means can be gained by reading the chapter on Directions 2000 and detail of the three frameworks which arose from the review, namely, the Operating Charter, the Guiding Principles for Service Involvement, and the Decision Criteria for Service Participation which are to be found in the appendix of (the 1995) annual report." (These were reframed in 2008 as part of the Beyond 2000 review - see 2008) (BSL Annual Report 1995 pp.2, 8-9, 46-47). BSL_Annual_Report_1995_Directions2000_Summary.pdf
Three 'frameworks' from the Directions 2000 report (Charter, Guiding Principles for service involvement, and Criteria for service involvement) were applied to all existing and proposed activities to assist in determining their continuation and shape BSL_Annual_Report_1995_Directions2000_3Frameworks.pdf
A manual on Guidelines to Management of Volunteer Services was finalised to assist in the orientation and induction of new volunteers (BSL Annual Report 1995 pp.35).
The Brotherhood was able to support staff through the allocation of an amount equal to 1.5% of its gross salary to appropriate (and diverse) training & development opportunities for staff and volunteers in 1993-1994. While the key organisational training programs and Orientation days continued, additional courses included support for working in a multicultural environment including working with interpreters. Other areas included conflict resolution, negotiation and presentation – benefiting staff and volunteers not only in their work but also on a personal level (BSL Annual Report 1994, p.31).
People
International Volunteers Day was celebrated on 5 December with a Garden Party for BSL's volunteers at Bishopscourt. This included a farewell to Gladys Lever who retired after 50 years as a volunteer, first in Fitzroy from 1943 and then in the Malvern and Glenhuntly shops (BSL Annual Report 1994 p.28).
The third annual lunch for BSL staff who had been working for the organisation for more than 15 years was held in Fitzroy. New members of the Fifteen Year Club were presented with certificate of recognition acknowledging their continued commitment to the principles and work of the Brotherhood (Brotherhood Action Winter 1994, p.3).
BSL's Warrandyte Auxiliary members, particularly founding member the late Lady Dorothy Reid (dec'd. 28 July 1994), and the Rosebud shop volunteers were recognised for their service (Brotherhood Action Spring 1994 p.3).
People with disabilities
The Peninsula Linkages service was expanded to include young people with disabilities in the Cranbourne area and a commercial computer information system was in development by the BSL for use by all linkages projects in Victoria (BSL Annual Report 1994, p.16)
The BSL was asked to extend its Pre-School Support Program (due to its success) from the Peninsula region to cover the Victorian Health & Community Services Department's Southern Region (BSL Annual Report 1994 p.15).
Presentations & Publications
Address of the Executive Director to the BSL's Annual General Meeting Challen_to_AGM_1994.pdf
The Executive Director, Bishop Michael Challen, spoke at the National Press Club, Canberra, on the importance of a workable strategy for reducing unemployment following the release of the Commonwealth Government's White Paper on Unemployment (Brotherhood Action Winter 1994, p.2. Citation in National Library of Australia catalogue: "Bishop Challen outlines the Brotherhood of St Laurence's hopes for the Keating Government's White paper on employment. He argues that four main principles need to underpin employment policy: that the cost of reducing unemployment must be borne fairly; policy initiatives should increase available choices; income inequalities must be avoided; and policies and spending be sustained and sustainable." (<http://catalogue.nla.gov.au/Record/351680>3 May 2010. For an audio recording of this address see National Library of Australia "A turning point for unemployment [sound recording] : address by Rt Rev. Michael Challen, Executive Director, Brotherhood of St Laurence, to the National Press Club, Canberra, on 14 April 1994." A transcript is also available from the same source.). (14 April) Challen_Turning_Point_for_Unemployment_NationalPressClub_1994-4-11.pdf Challen_@_National_Press_Club_in_Action_Winter1994.pdf
The Brotherhood Companions held an evening Social Economic Forum on developing a framework of action for alternative economics (Brotherhood Action Autumn 1994 p.6). (27 April)
64th Foundation Festival at Christ Church South Yarra on 19 June with Robert Fordham (former Deputy Premier of Victoria & prominent Anglican layman) as guest speaker. The celebration was moved from December, the month when the Brotherhood first began in 1930, to June, the month when the order moved to Fitzroy in 1933 (Brotherhood Action Autumn 1994 p.4).
Full page advertisement in Vogue magazine featured Bishop Michael Challen "I have my work cut out, helping those who have had their work cut out" (October)
Advert_Vogue_for-personal-&-corporate-support_1994-10.pdf
Conferences Putting Social Development on the Australia-Asia Agenda (28 October) and Social Development in Australian-Asian relations were jointly convened by Community Aid Abroad and the BSL's Social Policy & Research department (6 November)
Series of four humorous community service advertisements for donations of quality clothes & furniture featuring John Clarke & Bryan Dawe were produced by Jo Lane (Vixen Films) for screening on TV and in cinemas, as well as being audiotaped for radio. Launched at the Kino Cinema in November, these were shown and heard on all major television and radio stations as well as twelve Melbourne cinemas. (November onwards) (Brotherhood Action Summer 1995 p.1; BSL Annual Report 1995 p.30).
The 13th Sambell Oration: Grand beliefs – radical responses was delivered at St Peter’s Eastern Hill by Bishop Michael Challen, the BSL’s Executive Director.
Publications included:
A seminar funded by the Victorian Women's Trust highlighted the Women and the Future of Work project, part of the BSL's larger study on the future of work (Brotherhood Action Winter 1994 p.4).
Young People
BSL Inner Urban Family & Youth Services (at the Cottage) piloted a Family Friends program aiming to give support to socially isolated young women who were pregnant and planning to parent for the first time. The program drew on volunteer women willing to devote 4-6 hours a week to a long-term (at least 12 months, preferably 2-5 years) supportive friendship with a young mother. From October 1994 the program intended to test research findings that emphasised the need of such friendships for optimal parenting (BSL Annual Report 1995 pp.16-17; Dorothy Scott, "Arranged friendship: the final report on the Brotherhood of St Laurence Family Friends pilot program").
Other
Catherine Smith, a Brotherhood Life Member, held an exhibition of Icons she had written over a 10-year period. Catherine gave two of her icons for the Brotherhood's Chapel – a Madonna & Child and one of St Laurence (Brotherhood Action Spring 1994 p.2)
The "foremost collection of Australian children's literature" built up to 35,000 volumes over 30 years by the resident supervisor (Ken Pound) of the Brotherhood's Fitzroy rooming house was acquired by the State Library of Victoria (Brotherhood Action Winter 1994 p.5).
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