1991 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999
Children & Families
New model of program implemented at The Cottage (April-May) (Report of the Community Services Directorate to the Executive Director for November 1997).
After joining the Victorian HIPPY Committee (Home Instruction Program for Preschool Youngsters) set up in 1995, the BSL obtained funding to test HIPPY in multicultural inner-Melbourne. First part-time HIPPY coordinator appointed (Joanne Donne) & visited New Zealand to see their program in operation (Brotherhood Action Spring 1997 p.2; "HIPPY Implementation and Research in Australia: Progress and Prospect", Suzanne Dean, Cynthia Leung, Tim Gilley and Jacqueline Grady).
Following the decision by members of the Action and Resource Centre (ARC) to dissolve the cooperative in July 1997, BSL's ongoing support for holiday camps for low income families was channelled through Preston Neighbourhood House. The ARC camp committee were taken into their new organisation and had scheduled camps for September and the Christmas holidays. Ex-ARC members were given priority for all activities (BSL Annual Report 1997 p.12; Report of the Community Services Directorate to the Executive Director for August 1997).
Craigieburn and Roxburgh Park Family & Community Centre opened on 7 May by the Governor of Victoria, Sir James Gobbo. It was built by a bequest from the family of the late Sylvia Emery (a long time supporter of the Brotherhood), donations of land and construction work by the then Shire of Bulla (later known as Hume City Council) and additional funds from the BSL (Brotherhood Action Autumn 1997 pp.1 & 3 & Winter 1997 p.1; February 1998 p.3; Also BSL Annual Report 1997 p.2).
Community Services
In January 1997 Yarra Community Housing Group Ltd (YCH) became an incorporated housing association responsible for future management of the 21 rooming houses leased from the Office of Housing, retaining the staff, office, tenants and service policies & procedures of the BSL Rooming House Service (also known as the BSL's Rooming House Group). These provided accommodation for single and childless couples in the City of Yarra (Fitzroy, Collingwood & Richmond). BSL was one of five founding organisational members, and was represented on the new Board until the end of 2008 (BSL Annual Report 1996 p.26 and BSL Annual Report 1997 p.12. See also the entry in 1993. BSL Annual Report 1996 p.26 and BSL Annual Report 1997 p.12).
"In June 1993, BSL took over the management of a number of rooming houses ... The previous manager of the rooming houses had become insolvent with debts of more than $400,000. At the time when BSL took over the management of these rooming houses, they were violent and dangerous places, with little management control. BSL instituted a system of immediate eviction where there was violence or a threat of serious violence from residents. It also instituted a system of problem resolution through discussion between management and residents. The financial position of the rooming houses improved, so that they now operate with a budget surplus. They became less violent and more secure places in which to live. BSL had originally only agreed to undertake interim management of the rooming houses, until a permanent manager was found. In 1996 the Yarra Community Housing Group Ltd ("YCH") a company limited by guarantee, was formed to manage the rooming houses. BSL transferred management responsibility to this company on 1 January 1997. The Board of Directors of YCH comprised 9 people, of whom one is nominated by BSL." [From the Victorian Anti-Discrimination Tribunal, Clayton v The Brotherhood of St. Laurence [1998] VADT 32 (6 April 1998) at <http://tinyurl.com/342hg6y> 4 October 2010.] See also the entry in 1993 and (See correspondence from 2004 & 2008). YarraCtyHousing_&_BSL_2004.pdf
Future of Work material was used extensively in a CD ROM for all NSW secondary schools. Further research from the project led to submissions on workplace relations legislation to the Senate Economics Committee and the Australian Industrial Relations Commission during the 'Living Wage' case (BSL Annual Report 1997 p.10).
AGBMcNair conducted a telephone survey for the BSL on awareness of general poverty and community welfare, with some specific questions on awareness of the BSL and its work. (6-8 June) (This survey was conducted by telephone contact with people over 18 in Melbourne. In response to Question 4a: "When you think of welfare or charity organisations that support people who are poor or on low incomes, which particular ones come to your mind?", of the first-mentioned organisations 58% nominated the Salvation Army, 11% nil, 10% Red Cross, 7% St Vincent de Paul and 5% the Brotherhood of St Laurence. Question 4b asked "Which others?" and when these responses are taken into account, 76% nominated the Salvation Army, 29% nil, 29% Red Cross, 27% St Vincent de Paul and 27% the Brotherhood of St Laurence with smaller percentages for other organisations. (Copy of the report is with the BSL's Communications department. See also the Roy Morgan Research Centre "Awareness Research" report, August 1991.).
The BSL was an industry partner, together with the Committee of Economic Development of Australia (CEDA), in a major two-year project on tax reform conducted by the Melbourne Institute of Applied Economics and Social Research. The project was to develop options for tax changes which meet both equity and efficiency objectives. The BSL also contributed to the dialogue on tax reform auspiced by the Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS) and the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) (BSL Annual Report 1997 p.11).
Employment & Training
Special Employer Support Program for long-term unemployed people began on the Mornington Peninsula for 50 long-term unemployed people. This program provided twenty weeks of paid, full-time work in a private, public or community organisation with a quarter of that time spent in training either at the workplace or a local TAFE College. Employers were selected on their capacity to offer ongoing employment at the completion of the 20-week program (Brotherhood Action Winter 1997 p.2; BSL Annual Report 1998 p.19).
BSL cited in relation to unemployment & future of work issues in Herald-Sun, The Age & The Australian (January-February) BSL_in_press_on_Future_of_Work_1992-11.pdf
BSL took a stand and refused to apply to run the Federal Work for the Dole program (Comment in Report of the Community Services Directorate to the Executive Director for August 1997: "A senior bureaucrat from DEETYA contacted our Employment Services to determine why we did not apply and what would need to change about the program to attract our support. It appears that a number of the larger agencies have not applied and that overall the number of submissions is less than expected.").
Certificate III in Business (New Enterprise Formation), developed by the Ballarat-based Central Highlands Region Provincial Communities Enterprise Project (PCEP) was accredited by the then Office of Technical & Further Education (OTFE)
First Dentistry Access Training Course targeting young people from "Non-English speaking backgrounds" (NESB). The course for trainee Dental Assistants ran for 12 weeks before the 16 trainees took up positions at the Dental Hospital and 2 participating community health centres. This project was a partnership between STEP, the Dental Hospital and RMIT and targeted a diverse range of trainees given the wide range of ethnic clients of the Dental Hospital. The group was made up of the following cultural backgrounds: 2 Hong Kong, 2 East Timor, 2 Greece, 1 Macedonia, 4 Middle East, 3 English Speaking, 1 Romania, 1 Somalia (Report of Community Services Directorate to the Executive Director November 1997). STEP_Dental_Trainees_in_Action_Feb1998.pdf Dental_Trainees_in_CtyServicesExecRpt_Nov1997.pdf
In the financial year 1996-1997 the Employment Action Centre, Fitzroy, trained, placed and supported 1,078 long-term unemployed young people, some of whom were homeless and facing major barriers to employment. At the Mornington Peninsula services about 65% of the Centre's 300 clients were assisted into sustainable employment (Brotherhood Action February 1998 p.3 (no numbering).
Government funding for the Job Placement Employment & Training Program (JPET) was resumed in 1997. "JPET was evaluated as a pilot in 1995 after operating in some 44 sites nationally between 1993 and 1995. While the findings from the evaluation were positive, the program was not funded in 1996 but funding was resumed in the following year" (JPET - Keeping on Track: Evaluation of the Job Placement, Employment and Training (JPET) Programme - Final Report", by Butlin, Malcolm, Lloyd & Walpole 2000). See also a brief overview of the BSL's JPET program in Footprints 2 the Future Report. (For a brief overview of the BSL's JPET service see
BSL_JPET_service_in_Footprints-2-the-Future_Report_2001.pdf ) (See also 1995)
Fundraising & Resources
BSL Advertisements featuring John Clarke & Brian Dawe again shown on 10 cinema screens courtesy of Val Morgan Advertising for 4 weeks (March)
The Community Enterprises department was restructured, with collection activities separated from the clothing processing operations. For the first time, the entire commercial operations - collections, processing and associated retail activities - were managed by the same Directorate (BSL Annual Report 1997 p.24).
An approach to Anglican Parishes in the Melbourne metropolitan area led to an additional 21 collection bins being placed on church sites throughout Melbourne (BSL Annual Report 1997 p.24).
The CareManager software package developed by Linkages staff continued to gain wide support, being implemented by more than 100 sites around Australia (BSL Annual Report 1997 p.14)
Frankston Furniture Works, the Brotherhood employment project that created and restored furniture and wooden items, opened a retail shop in Ross Street Mall, Frankston (Brotherhood Action Autumn 1997 p.6).
New shops opened early in the year at Niddrie, Northcote, Pakenham and Werribee, and a new mega-retail store in the former McEwans site in the new shopping mall (with nearly 1700 sq metres of retail space) replaced 2 small shops in Frankston. The Werribee & Mornington shops closed at the end of the year (Brotherhood Action Winter 1997 p.6; Operations Directorate report to the Board, January 1998).
Retail division held a Monster Sale in Dandenong Town Hall (November)
Fundraising events included:
- BSL’s 20th major raffle drawn with 3 cars (Holden Commodore, Ford Festiva & a Barina) as prizes (drawn on 28 February) (Brotherhood Action Summer 1997 p.5).
- Group bookings to performances of CHESS the Musical (Brotherhood Action Summer 1997 p.5).
- The Country & Western-themed Family Race Day at Caulfield (Sunday 13 April) (Brotherhood Action Autumn 1997 p.4 ) Bootscootin_Bonanza_Fundraiser_1997-4-13.pdf
- Literary Luncheon with Dr Kate Burridge, La Trobe University linguist on "Words: What was Wrong is now Right" (May) (Brotherhood Action Autumn 1997 p.5 (no numbering)
- The May 'Tax Time' Appeal, with 'unemployment' as its theme, raised almost $390,000, the highest amount for this appeal in six years (Brotherhood Action Spring 1997 p.2)
- Mother’s Day hampers (Brotherhood Action Autumn 1997 p.5)
- Movie matinee ("Paradise Road") & Luncheon (June) (Brotherhood Action Winter 1997 p.5)
- Literary Luncheon featuring Professor David Crystal (broadcaster & authority on the English language) (18 July)
- Along with Community Aid Abroad, the BSL was a beneficiary of the appeal during the 2-hour television program Comic Relief (Channel 7, 7 August) (According to the draft Memorandum of Understanding, the BSL was to contribute $20,000 to production costs. In return, the proportion of donations to be received by the BSL was $20,000 plus 25% of gross donations received in excess of $300,000.)
- Merchandising catalogue featuring "flowering bulbs, gloves & other useful items for the home gardener" (Brotherhood Action Autumn 1997 p.6)
- Special "Spring Wine" offer, supporting the Tight Rope Appeal to help fund the BSL's new Work it Out project (Brotherhood Action Spring 1997 p.5)
- The Royal Melbourne Philharmonic Society's benefit Concert for the BSL's Christmas toy appeal – Magic Moments from Opera in the Melbourne Town Hall (13 December) (Brotherhood Action Spring 1997 p.4).
- Christmas Cards (Brotherhood Action Spring 1997 p.2)
- The Christmas Appeal featuring "Three Men of Comedy" (Brotherhood Action February 1998 p.5).
Material & Financial support
An internal review of Income Support Services was undertaken, set against the framework of Directions 2000.
BSL_Income_Support_Project_FinalReport_1997.pdf BSL_Income_Support_Project_FinalReportSummary_1997.pdf
BSL_Income_Supplementation_Services_1972-1996_Appx-Data.pdf
Following a review of Income Support Services, the Fitzroy Material Aid program was restricted to furniture only and BSL's services in the City of Whittlesea (including the Toy service) handed to other agencies (June) (BSL Annual Report 1997 p.10. ; Olga Estridge, "Furniture Programme Fitzroy", August 1997).
During the 1997 Winter the BSL's Material Aid services assisted 3,797 families; the Winter Blanket Appeal was supported by schools (Geelong College, Melbourne Grammar, Camberwell Girls Grammar) and St Luke's Frankston who helped fund the purchase of blankets and warm bedding for people in need (Brotherhood Action 1997)
Christmas Toy Program (again) operated in Fitzroy & Frankston. The primary focus of Fitzroy's program was on assisting families in the City of Yarra (formerly a broad metropolitan service) though in the last four days of the program families from out of the area were serviced. The Frankston service assisted those in the Westernport Region. Education packs & gardening kits were also distributed in Frankston. Support for the program came from Kmart, Toys R Us, the Myer Foundation, Australia Post, Ingham Chickens, the Frankston Emergency Relief Providers and groups, businesses and individuals. Lease Plan supplied a vehicle (Review paper "Brotherhood of St Laurence 1998 (sic) Toy Program"). In the lead-up to the 1997 program the General Manager reported that "planning for the Christmas toy programs in Fitzroy and Frankston is well underway. Business and schools have been approached to donate toys and the best response to date is 10,000 books from Australia Post. With the closure of Material Aid at Fitzroy there is no existing infrastructure on which to tack the program. Therefore, we have designed the program from scratch with the assistance of Just Essentials staff, new volunteers and the furniture staff. The greatest challenge is having someone to take bookings leading up to the program. We also hope to be in a position to assist Kildonan at Whittlesea and Prahran Mission with toys." (Report from Community Services Directorate to the Executive Director, October 1997).
Older People
Aged Care Master Plan was drawn up by Bill Williams Architects for presentation to Executive Council. Properties included in the exercise were Broughton Nursing Home, Sambell Lodge, Sumner House, Millott House, flats in Keble Court, Moor and Palmer Streets, 22 bedsits at the G K Tucker Settlement and the reorganisation of the Head Office site (Report of the Community Services Directorate to the Executive Director for August 1997).
Coolibah evaluation was completed (August-September), leading to a re-focusing on helping financially disadvantaged people older than 60 living in rental accommodation in the City of Yarra (BSL Annual Report 1997 p.14; BSL Annual Report 1998 p.14)
The Commonwealth's new Aged Care Reform Package came into operation on 1 October.
VicHealth funding received to research the support needs of low-income older people living in insecure accommodation in the City of Yarra (Brotherhood Comment, December 1997, p.13)
The report and resource kit coming out of the Brotherhood-auspiced project Environmental Change Processes in Independent Living (arising from work with three retirement villages) was published in December by Ecorecycle Victoria. (This was the second phase of the Cut Waste & Energy for New Jobs Project generated by the Future of Work program)
Organisational aspects (BSL)
Completion in February of distribution of assets of The Avalon Community to eight nominated organisations with involvement in the Healing Ministry after approval by the Archbishop of Melbourne.
Chaplain Father David Moore resigned in February after 5 years to take up an appointment at Overnewton Anglican Community School in Keilor. The Rev Robert Holland joined the Brotherhood as its new Chaplain (as a child he attended St Cuthbert's, East Brunswick, whose parish priest in the 1940s was the Brotherhood's founder, Father Gerard Tucker) (Brotherhood Action Autumn 1997 p.6 & Spring 1997 p.5).
Eleven managers from across the Brotherhood of St Laurence completed the training module "Effective Working Relationships" offered through RMIT (and government subsidised). As a pilot, this 3-day program was successful in providing challenging learning; motivation and reward came partly through the knowledge that this is an accredited program. The flexible-learning model was deemed appropriate for the BSL's Management Development Program, and negotiation continued with Australian Catholic University (ACU) for the presentation of eight workplace-based modules in 1998. (ACU accessed government funds to subsidise this program.) (Operations Directorate report to the Executive Director, January 1998)
The Father Tucker staff canteen closed at the end of the 1996-7 financial year due to Brotherhood budget constraints following changes in government funding for training programs (Executive Summary, Brotherhood of St Laurence Annual Plan 1997-1998).
Baillieu Myer and former Deputy Prime Minister Brian Howe became Charter Members of the Brotherhood at the 1997 Annual General Meeting (Brotherhood Action February 1998)
People
The Brotherhood's Administration Manager, Rob Cook, was named Fleet Manager of the Year by the Australian Fleet Managers' Association for his contribution to effective and efficient fleet management. He was also formally recognised by the Federal Office of Road Safety for the Brotherhood’s safety program that significantly reduced the number of accidents and the cost of insurance premiums (Brotherhood Action February 1998 p.4).
The BSL's Director of Finance, Paul Bird, was part of a delegation in November to the Philippines (organised by the Myer Foundation). The group, drawn from Australian business and non-government organisations was on a study of how to improve corporate philanthropy. The Philippine example where 300 local companies had committed to giving 1 per cent of their pre-tax profits to community projects each year was considered to be world’s best practice (Brotherhood Action February 1998 p.4 (no numbering); "Companies take a lesson in how to give", P. Hartcher, Financial Review, Nov. 24, 1997).
People with disabilities
Following the completion of extensions, Banksia Day Centre (Frankston) introduced a Carer's Initiative Program providing Saturday, overnight and Sunday care. Four beds enabled respite care to be offered three nights a week (BSL Annual Report 1997 p.14).
Presentations & Publications
67th Foundation Festival Eucharist at Christ Church South Yarra (15 June). Preacher - Father James Minchin
The 16th Sambell Oration: Welfare after the welfare state: Reimagining Social Christianity was given by Dr Trevor Hogan (La Trobe University sociologist) during Brotherhood Week.
Distribution of a specifically marketed flyer showing BSL publications that matched the 1998 VCE requirements in 'Economics', 'Industry and Employment' and 'Industry and Enterprise' study designs
Publications included:
- Kooris at work, Vincent Sully - a report of the Future of Work project
"In a study of Koori workers, Sully (1997) attempted to identify some of the specific work and family cultural needs of Koori workers. Sully was particularly interested in the composition of Aboriginal families and the roles of family members, the differences between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal communities in terms of values, and the consequences of these differences for the workplace, as well as any associated difficulties balancing work and family needs. The study also attempts to explore employment practices designed to assist workers with family responsibilities, positive benefits of family-friendly practices and any barriers to their introduction." (Diannah Lowry & Megan Moskos, "Labour Force Participation as a Determinant of Indigenous Health", Chapter 6, p.98 of "Beyond Bandaids: Exploring the Underlying Social Determinants of Aboriginal Health", Papers from the Social Determinants of Aboriginal Health Workshop, Adelaide, July 2004. Edited by Ian Anderson, Fran Baum and Michael Bentley, 2007) (At <http://www.crcah.org.au/publications/beyond_bandaids.html>23 February 2010)
The Brotherhood made submissions to four Federal Government Committees, all of which focused on the needs of people already financially disadvantaged ("Dialogue with Government", Brotherhood Action Winter 1997 p.4):
- Schooling costs - using the experience of a material aid survey of users, showed the difficulties many parents on low income have in meeting schooling costs and what this meant for their children's education
- Housing - the Government's decision to reduce rent assistance for single people who share accommodation included some people in boarding and lodging houses as well as younger people sharing a house or flat who were to lose up to about $500 per year.
- Unemployment - discussed effects of new competitive arrangements of employment services agencies and effects on those people who the government decides will be unlikely to benefit by extensive employment assistance, as well as the controversial work for the dole scheme.
- Aged residential care - a Senate inquiry into reforms of residential aged care services resulting from the 1996 budget decisions. The submission focused on needs of financially disadvantaged people and concern about the levels of subsidies and abolition of basic hostel care.
Young people
The Fitzroy Homework Centre moved to larger premises for the 1997 academic year given the increase in the number of students to nearly 50 ("Helping with homework", Brotherhood Action Autumn 1997 p.4)
An Early School Leavers pilot project Work it Out - to involve the Fitzroy Employment Action Centre, the Social Action & Research Unit and Community Services - began with appointment in February of a project worker. The first partnership with Brunswick Secondary College was formally launched in July. The Work It Out transition project aimed to become an integral part of the support network for students facing hardship either in study, or during the transition from school to the labour market. The key innovation was locating Brotherhood staff at the school in order to develop relationships with the young people before they left school, enabling ongoing support. Students unable to access intensive assistance in the new Job Network system were assisted into further training and employment. This program was re-named mid-year as the Transitions Project "(A new project for school kids", Brotherhood Action Winter 1997 p.2; Brotherhood Action Spring 1997 p.1; Report of the Community Services Directorate to the Executive Director for September 1997: "To date the Work It Out project at Brunswick Secondary School has had 20 referrals. Interim outcomes include 1 exit to TAFE, 1 interview with DSS for income support, 1 re-entry to school, 1 interview with the Group Training Company and 2 assisted with resume preparation. Self referrals have increased, mainly by Year 10 and 11 students seeking vocational guidance for possible exit at the end of 1997. Given that this is a new project work on clarifying the role of the project worker versus that of the Work Education Coordinator and the role of the various committees is required." BSL Annual Report 1998 pp.18-19). Programs_for_Disadvantaged_Youth_&_Unemployed_People_in_Action_Winter1997.pdf
Work-it-Out_Program_Launch_in_Action_Spring1997.pdf Transition_Project_Draft_Agreement_BSL-BSC_1997.pdf Transition_Project_Beginnings_1997.pdf Transition_Project_Progress_Report_1997.pdf
BSL_Transitions_Project_in_Footprints-2-the-Future_Report_2001.pdf
The Prevention of Youth Homelessness project was finalised with launch of the report Strengthening Attachments. The project's outcomes included the Alternative Behaviours to Violence program, Peer Mediation program (undertaken with Ballarat Secondary College) and the booklet Getting it Together. The publications were launched in Melbourne & Ballarat. Secondary schools throughout Australia and every primary school in Victoria received a copy of Getting it together, the Brotherhood's report on alternative behaviours to violence and peer mediation programs aimed at helping students at risk (Brotherhood Action February 1998 p.1). Getting-it-Together_PYHP_Project_in_Action_Feb1998.pdf PYHP_Brotherhood_Comment_1997-12.pdf PYHP_Getting_It_Together_Booklet_Pt1_1997.pdf PYHP_Getting_It_Together_Booklet_Pt2_1997.pdf PYHP_Strengthening_Attachments_Booklet_1997.pdf
Other
The Brotherhood of St Laurence was successful in its tender to provide the Rental Housing Support Program (RHSP) in the Southern Region - from Port Melbourne to Phillip Island (the largest of the 4 Metro DHS regions with 12,550 public housing tenants and 16,767 on the waiting list). The funding of about $600,000 per annum until June 2000 was to provide tenancy advice and support services, management of community facilities and a regional needs study. With an 'official' start date of 22 October it formally commenced on 12 November (
Report of the Community Services Directorate to the Executive Director for November 1997: "We formally commenced the program on 12 November after protracted contract negotiations with the Office of Housing. Substantial changes have been made to the contract as a result of our representations. The benefits of an improved contract have also flowed to the other providers of this service. However, there are still 2 difficulties with the contract that the department has committed itself to amending. They relate to intellectual property and the management of community facilities. Given that we have not had time to employ the necessary staff all existing tenancy workers have been employed for one month to ensure that there is continuity of service. The program manager has been selected and a tenant participated on the interview panel." See also "Building Better Lives, No.4, Summer 2000" p.4 (no numbering). (Click here to see the Evaluation from April 2000)
A season of two short La Mama productions by playwright by Daniel Keene, directed by Ariette Taylor, was presented in the Brotherhood's furniture warehouse in Fitzroy from 11 to 16 November. The plays were Homeland and A Glass of Twilight. Every review was favourable. For the Brotherhood the exercise brought together two strategic elements - firstly, advocacy about poverty and secondly, a new theatre audience who may not otherwise have had awareness of the Brotherhood's work (See Brotherhood Staff Link No.29, 11 November 1997. "A new kind of theatre born at the Brotherhood", Brotherhood Action February 1998 p.6 (no numbering). For details of cast and reviews see http://www.ausstage.edu.au/indexdrilldown.jsp?xcid=59&f_event_id=31252. See also 1998. See transcript of interview with actor Dan Spielman who had roles in the plays: "The work that Daniel (Keene) writes is often about dispossessed people or dead people or mad people - people on the fringes, that have been marginalised. Our work started with the Brotherhood of St Laurence, in their furniture warehouse in Fitzroy. So it was already out of the normal context for theatre. It wasn't a gig in the same sense. It had meaning. The people at the Brotherhood appreciated the work because it explored the reasons why people might end up needing that furniture or needing those emergency services." (from ABC Television "Sunday Arts" program 17 June 2007 <http://www.abc.net.au/tv/sundayarts/txt/s1954513.htm> 14 December 2009). The Keene/Taylor Theatre Project won the award for Outstanding Contribution to Theatre (Green Room Awards, 1998) and the Kenneth Myer Medallion for the Performing Arts.). (See details of cast and reviews)
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