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Children & Families 

“Open Letter” published in The Age on 28 July 1984 from the BSL (Peter Hollingworth) to Prime Minister Bob Hawke on poverty in Australia argued for a better deal for Australia’s poor and disadvantaged. This highlighted the dramatic increase in poverty among children in Australia over the previous ten years, with nearly one in five children growing up in families with incomes below the poverty line. (BSL 1985, Annual Report, p.9; Hollingworth P, 1984, "Open letter to the Prime Minister" BSL; Brotherhood Action, October 1984 (No.255)).

Community Issues 

The Victorian Government acquired the Brotherhood's historic terrace rooming-houses in Glass Terrace on Gertrude Street, Fitzroy for renovation by the Ministry of Housing.  With the funds  two projects were undertaken:

• St Mary's Mission House, Fitzroy Street (recently used as the Sharing Centre) was converted into a rooming house for 25 people and renamed Millott House in honour of Jessica Millott who had worked with the Coolibah Club for thirty years.  The supervisor, Ken Pound, and a group of twelve long-standing Fitzroy residents moved in from the BSL's rooming house in Glass Terrace (Gertrude Street) following its purchase by the Ministry of Housing for renovation (Brotherhood Action, December 1983 (No.250) p.1; Brotherhood Action, February 1984 (No.251) p.2; Brotherhood Action, June 1985 (No.259) p.4; BSL 1984, Annual Report, pp.2&5).
• The Material Aid Service moved from its premises in the Sharing Centre building to a shop-front at 97 Brunswick Street, a few doors down from the Brotherhood's main office.  The service introduced a section providing essential new goods bought at factory prices and sold at a 20% reduction of the original cost, including the opportunity for lay-by.  This was to provide access to goods otherwise out of reach of a low income person's budget and in a way that enhanced self-worth and dignity     (Brotherhood Action, February 1984 (No.251) p.2; BSL 1985, Annual Report, p.3). 

A Social Policy & Research study to develop a picture of the income & expenditure patterns of low income households was begun in May.  Fifty households around Melbourne and parts of rural Victoria, who were receiving government pensions & benefits or low wages, kept a record of their income and expenditure each month until June 1986 (Brotherhood Action, October 1985 (No.261) p.3).

Twelve women from the Limurru Neighbourhood Parents & Children's Centre wrote their own submissions for funds through Technical and Further Education (TAFE) for their WOW (Women on Wheels) project to enable women to obtain their driving licences.  TAFE provided $500 and this, together with their own contributions, was sufficient for two people to learn (their names were drawn from a hat).  Sufficient funds allowed another licensed driver to take out a manual licence, allowing her to drive the Brotherhood's small bus (Brotherhood Action, February 1984 (No.251) pp.1-2).

Employment & Training 

Funding for the Unemployment Rights Service (Steve Einfeld as coordinator) was discontinued in 1984. During 1984 and 1985, the Brotherhood of St Laurence and the Western Region Right To Work Committee worked with a range of other organisations to identify a sustainable model for a State-wide Welfare Rights centre and adequate funding.  The State-wide Welfare Rights Unit opened in early 1987.  

Proposal developed (originating from Limurru) for establishing an Adult Learning Centre in Fitzroy (July).

Research undertaken to investigate the viability of the Brotherhood manufacturing low cost furniture.  Arising partly from the inadequate supply of furniture for Material Aid, this was seen as a potential innovative project to provide secure jobs for long term unemployed people.  A furniture designer produced a range of prototypes (BSL 1984, Annual Report, p.8).

A 20-minute video Unemployment isn't working was produced by the EMPLOY Media Group and the BSL in an attempt to increase community awareness of the issues surrounding unemployment in contemporary Australia.  It was geared towards senior secondary students, many of whom would be facing the prospect of unemployment themselves.  EMPLOY was a self-help job creation organisation based in St.Kilda and the video was funded by the Reichstein Charitable Foundation.  The video was written, directed and produced by Elizabeth Burke, Rob Wellington and Ben Witham (Community Education Officer with the BSL).   At a time of high youth unemployment, the causes and effects of unemployment on the young are examined. The tape consists of short interviews with people who work with the unemployed.(Brotherhood Action, December 1984 (No.256) p.3).

An Affirmative Employment Unit was established within the Brotherhood in November 1984 and launched on 21 February 1985.  It was funded by the Victorian Government over two years with four full-time staff (headed by David Green, Director of Community Services, with Fiona Smith as the coordinator).  The unit’s role was research and demonstration and to be a resource for other non-government Social & Community Services organisations wanting to increase employment opportunities for people disadvantaged in the labour market.

The unit was funded by a $116,735 grant from the Victorian Ministry of Employment & Training.  (Brotherhood Action, October 2984 (No.255) p.3; Brotherhood Action, April 1985 (No.258) p.3; Brotherhood Action, August 1985 (No.260) p.3; Gilley, T. & Smith, F. 1989, "Equal employment opportunity in social and community services", BSL; BSL 1986, "Gaining ground - Affirmative action for women in the social and community services", p.4; Gilley, T, 1988, "Inequality in the workplace").  

Fundraising & Resources 

Build a mile of clothing for the Brotherhood appeal was run by the Australian Institute of Dry Cleaners.  Over 5000 garments were collected and cleaned free of charge during February.  The Institute calculated that 2000 garments laid cuff to cuff or collar to hem would constitute a mile of clothing – the February result was estimated to be 2.4 miles of clothing.  Conducted all over Melbourne, this was to become an annual event  (BSL 1984, Annual Report, p.10; Brotherhood Action, February 1985 (No.257) p.4).

The Donated Goods operations were restructured due to significant financial losses and the displacement of the basic goals.  The original objectives of the donated goods operations were to recycle second-hand clothing cheaply to low-income earners through the Brotherhood shops and to make a modest profit which could be used for the Brotherhood's other welfare purposes.  But the high cost of processing the goods meant higher prices in the shops and a drop in their usefulness to low-income people.  The West Heidelberg clothing & rag processing plant was closed on 1 June and 48 staff were retrenched.  The new, smaller operation employing 14 staff was relocated to Coolaroo to concentrate on sorting clothing into only four categories – those goods fit to sell in the shops, plus three types for export (Brotherhood Action, June 1984 (No.253) p.2; BSL 1984, Annual Report, p.10; BSL 1985, Annual Report, p.11).

Laurence Industries, where the Brotherhood processed newspaper for recycling, continued to collect newsprint from the northern suburbs.  The thirty-five disabled men sorted and baled about twenty tonnes of newspaper every day which were then sold for recycling (Brotherhood Action, August 1984 (No.254) p.4).

The volunteers and operations of the Clayton and Malvern shops, both Auxiliary shops (with a part-time coordinator at Malvern), were featured in Brotherhood Action. (Brotherhood Action, October 1984 (No.255)).

Material & Financial Support 

The Material Aid Service introduced a shop providing essential new goods bought at factory prices and sold at a 20% reduction of the original cost, including the opportunity for lay-by.  This was to provide access to goods otherwise out of reach of a low income person’s budget and in a way that enhanced self-worth and dignity (BSL 1985, Annual Report, p.3).

The Under Current Cooperative closed, having experienced problems associated with its historical connection with providing residual support to families in the area.  (BSL 1996, "Overview and history of Income Supplementation Services in the Brotherhood of St Laurence (1972-1996)", Internal Working Paper No.2, p.12).

The Fitzroy & ARC Credit Cooperative moved to a shop front in Brunswick Street, Fitzroy.  A salary for the one paid worker, rent and other costs were provided by the Brotherhood, but the management was solely in the hands of the (then) 439 members (most on low incomes) (Brotherhood Action, June 1984 (No.253) pp.1-2).

Older People 

The Group Housing Program for Older People was extended into a third year with the purchase by the Brotherhood of a three bedroom house in Richmond (to allow comparison with the two other four bedroom houses in the program).  Applications for residency were sought through the Councils for each area (BSL 1985, Annual Report, p.5).

Collins Court Hostel at G K Tucker Settlement completed and opened by the Governor-General, Sir Ninian Stephen  (April)  (BSL 1984, Annual Report, p.5; Bennett, B., 1995. "GK Tucker Settlement: An historical record (1935-1995): 60 years with the Brotherhood of St Laurence at Carrum Downs", p.59).

Organisational aspects (BSL)  

A Strategic Planning Committee was established, responsible for "examining proposals in the areas of service development, social policy and other aspects of the Brotherhood’s life as they relate to projected economic and social changes within Australian society" (BSL 1984, Annual Report, p.1).

A vacancy arose on the Brotherhood Board in the (then) B Class membership category which in past practice had been filled by the five most senior members of the organisation in terms of their responsibility (who attended Board meetings as 'consultants' under the 1980 Constitution).  As a commitment to the principle of affirmative action, the Brotherhood Board sought the appointment of a woman to fill the vacancy and consultation with women staff followed.  A short list of 4 names was presented to the Board at its November meeting and Alison McClelland was appointed to the vacancy.    

BSL's first computer was purchased (Brotherhood News October 1983, No. 18; BSL, 1986, "Internal Report: Management Information Systems in the Brotherhood of St Laurence").

People 

Peter Hollingworth was appointed Bishop in the Inner-City in addition to his work as Executive Director of the Brotherhood. The announcement in Brotherhood Action commented: "The Founder of the Brotherhood, Fr Tucker, was never much enamoured of Bishops, yet despite his protests, the Brotherhood has now produced five of them - Archbishop Geoffrey Sambell of Perth, Frank Coaldrake who was elected as Archbishop of Brisbane but died before his enthronement, the Chairman of the Board James Grant, and now Peter Hollingworth and Bob Butterss!"  Bishop Robert Butterss was a former member of the Geelong Council (responsible for St Laurence Park etc) and had been a member of the Brotherhood Board for ten years (Brotherhood Action, December 1984 (No.256) p.2).

Adrian Harris, formerly associated with Community Aid Abroad and the YMCA, was appointed Executive Officer for the Peninsula Region following Graeme Bound's move to the position of Executive Officer of the Geelong Region.  (Brotherhood Action, October 1985 (No.261) p.22; Brotherhood Action, June 1988 (No.273) p.4). 

People with disabilities 

Two employees from Laurence Industries, the Brotherhood’s sheltered workshop in Preston, spent a week's work placement at the G.K. Tucker Settlement at Carrum Downs.  While there, they lived independently in one of the cottages and worked as assistants to the maintenance crew.  This was seen as an important step towards achieving open employment and an avenue for generating confidence and future expectations in employees who rarely get the opportunity to work in a non-disabled adult setting (Brotherhood Action, February 1986 (No.263) p.4).

Presentations & publications 

Fourth G.T. Sambell Memorial Oration: Giving and receiving: the framework of social support for individuals and families Jean McCaughey, a member of the BSL's Board of Directors who was working with the Institute of Family Studies, and was co-author of Who Cares: family problems, community links and helping services (1977)  (McCaughey, J. 1984 "Giving and receiving: the framework of social support for individuals and families - the fourth G.T. Sambell Memorial Oration"; Brotherhood Action, October 1984 (No.255) p.3; Brotherhood Action, February 1986 (No.263) p.3).

Publications included:

• Paying the Price for Sugar and Spice: A study of women’s pathways into social security recipiency (Meg Montague and Jenny Stephens of the BSL for the National Women’s Advisory Council), the outcome of a major research study of the circumstances and life histories of approximately 80 women receiving government pensions. (Montague, M. & Stephens, J. 1985 "Paying the price for sugar and spice: A study of women's pathways into social security recipiency 1985", BSL; BSL 1983, Annual Report, p.8, BSL 1984, Annual Report, p.7).
• "But you'd sooner live at home" - the Footscray Home Care Project for Elderly People Justin McDermott.  An evaluation of the Footscray Home Care Project for Elderly People which had operated since 1982.    (McDermott, J. 1984. ""But you'd sooner live at home - the Footscray Home Care Project for Elderly People", BSL)
• SPAN – The Who, What, When, Where and Why: Establishing a development programme for older people.  A manual published by the Department of Health, Canberra (see also 1978)  (Department of Health).