Employment and Training


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Employment and Training Initiatives: 1973 – 2011.

1973

The BSL’s Sheltered Workshop (later renamed Laurence Industries) was "officially recognised by the Department of Social Service and became eligible for subsidies which enabled installation of mechanical handling equipment for moving processed newsprint.  Over 100 patients from Larundel, Mont Park, Janefield & St. Nicholas Hospitals, Clarendon & Ernest Jones Clinics, Turana and the Brunswick Intervention Unit have worked with the division."  Twenty-two graduated to full-time employment and 25 moved from their institutions to a boarding house.  Newsprint was collected by schools and church youth groups of all denominations and service groups including including Leo (the youth service program of the Lions), Rotaract (the Rotary-sponsored service club for young men & women) and the Young Liberals.  [1]

 

1974

The 'Sheltered Workshop' renamed Laurence Industries "as it was felt that rehabilitees attending basically require not charity but an opportunity to enable them to rejoin the workforce and Laurence Industries was selected as a more dignified approach to this situation".  In addition to patients from hospitals and clinics "there are also some outpatients who live at home.  One Clinic has patients attend psychiatric therapy before lunch and transport those attending to us after lunch for work therapy.  … The work … has ecological advantages as every ton of newsprint collected and processed saves the felling of 20-27 trees, depending on size."  [2]

 

1975

Proposal for an Employment Resource and Information Centre (ERIC) to provide a service supplementary to the Commonwealth Employment Service was discussed with the Department of Labour & Immigration.  Staffed by low-income people (who, drawing on the experience of the Family Centre, were able to impart their knowledge and skills to other low-income people) the experimental project was to include organised workshops on applying for jobs and job interviews; telephones so that the unemployed could contact employers; and copies of daily newspapers listing jobs.  (See 1976)[3]

 

1976

Legacies enabled the Board to allocate $40,000 for a one year pilot demonstration program  - the Job Centre, the renamed Employment Resource Information Centre (ERIC) that was proposed in 1975, to be run from a shopfront at 181 King Street, Melbourne. [4]

 

1977

King Street Job Centre for unemployed people, designed by students at RMIT, officially opened on 28 February as a pilot project until 30 June 1978 at 181 King Street, Melbourne.  Established to complement the Commonwealth Employment Service, the aim was "practical demonstration in alternative ways to help the Unemployed".  In 14 days over 250 people registered, all with the one purpose of finding a job.  Both morning newspapers - The Age and The Sun - supported the Centre with regular columns. [5]

 

1978

King Street Job Centre for unemployed people published a booklet to help unemployed people Guidebook for the Unemployed.  The Centre closed on 30 June 1978 "because it was unsuccessful in helping people find jobs.  The reason for this is very clear: there are not enough jobs for those seeking them".  The Centre was replaced in late 1978 by the Unemployment Rights Centre in Fitzroy, a specialist service to help unemployed people of all ages to deal with social security matters, providing a link between the unemployed person and government departments, with a broad advocacy and community education role. Assistance was provided for both personal and telephone callers, with more than half contacting by telephone from country centres and the metropolitan area.  [6] Unemployment_Rights_Service_1978-9.pdf

The BSL received a grant from the Victorian Department of Social Welfare to examine and report on whether the resources which were available for programs to assist unemployed people could be better utilised by disadvantaged groups. [7]

 

1979

The Unemployment Rights Service had its public opening on 30 January with a lot of publicity on radio, TV and in the newspapers.  In the first week the Service saw over 60 people.  The Service published Unemployment Benefits: Know Your Rights and the Department of Social Security agreed to prepare and distribute a special edition for its service users . [8]

 

1980

Laurence Industries expanded and moved from West Heidelberg to Preston, with larger premises giving the opportunity to expand the programs for men and women in the "sheltered workshop" environment [[9]]Laurence_Industries_1980-6.pdf 

The Brotherhood conceived the Neighbourhood Employment Development Program (NEDP) and it was implemented as a joint program of the Victorian Employment Committee and the Brotherhood, funded by the Victorian Government.  It was a developmental job creation program for unemployed disadvantaged workers, based on the assumption that there was potential for employment growth in the community services and in small business.  The Brotherhood was seeking to demonstrate its belief that job creation is the only real answer to unemployment.  Local advisory committees were established and job development officers employed in Box Hill and Williamstown, followed by Frankston.  In late 1980 the Box Hill Workforce Cooperative was set up with a manager and three young trainee welders previously unemployed for considerable lengths of time, with the aim of it becoming a viable small business.  [[10]Neighbourhood_Employment_Develt_Program_1979-12.pdf NEDP_Home_Health_Aide_Training_1980-12.pdf

 

1981

BSL launched a proposal for a Commonwealth funded job creation scheme - the JOBS scheme - to provide work experience for unemployed young people.  A second proposal, INCOMES, made recommendations about the junior rate of unemployment benefit, payment of a living alone allowance, and educational allowances to remove disincentive to leaving school.  [11]Jobs_scheme_proposal_1981-5-14.pdf 

The Unemployment Rights Service closed at Fitzroy and moved to Footscray in October as an independent service run by the Western Region Right To Work Committee.  Work with unemployed people took place on a regional basis from Footscray, with a specific local program in St Albans.  The BSL continued to provide over 90% of funding for the service, including one worker; the service was assisted by students from the then Phillip Institute of Technology (now RMIT University Bundoora).  [12]

 

1982

Conclusion in June of the two-year Neighbourhood Employment Development Program demonstration project sponsored by the BSL and the Victorian Ministry of Employment & Training, with a report and preparation of a detailed proposal for Government support for further job creation initiatives.  The program was established in three diverse Melbourne municipalities to determine what role communities could play in creating new jobs for disadvantaged workers.  The Brotherhood then held a public seminar on job creation in the public sector and worked closely with Government officers to support the subsequent introduction of job creation programs for disadvantaged workers by the Victorian and Commonwealth Governments.  [[13]]NEDP_Home_Health_Aide_Training_1980-12.pdf

Neighbourhood Employment Development Program (NEDP) proposal submitted for the development of the Newport Lakes into an urban forest, with funding of $50,000 promised by Williamstown Council, dependent on the granting of government funds.  The scheme intended to train four new apprentices in the relatively new field of urban forestry and it was hoped that a number of councils would approve similar schemes. [[14]

 

1984

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.  [[15]]

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

Video Unemployment isn't working produced by the Employ Media Group and the BSL [[16]]

Affirmative Employment Unit established within the Brotherhood in November 1984, funded by the Victorian Government over two years with four full-time staff (headed by David Green, Director of Community Services), for research and demonstration and as a resource for other non-government Social & Community Services organisations wanting to increase employment opportunities for people disadvantaged in the labour market. [[17]]

1985

Equal Opportunity Consultative Committee established, supported and resourced by the Affirmative Employment Unit.  Membership was predominantly front-line workers, with two volunteers and with the Director of Community Services representing the management. [[18]]

BSL continued to support the Fitzroy and ARC Credit Union by providing a salary and free rental. [[19]]

 

1987

The Affirmative Employment Unit completed its work and the allied research project. [20]

The newly-established Employment Development Unit developed Traineeship Access Courses to assist long-term unemployed 15-19 year-olds to obtain Australian Traineeships (experimental project funded by the Department of Education, Employment & Training - DEET).  The first of these was to provide entry for twenty-one young people into the social and community services sector of the workforce.  In September 1987 DEET accepted the concept to be piloted nationally in twelve areas, offered through TAFE Colleges. [21]

BSL offered twelve residential aide traineeships and six general clerical traineeships to young people from long-term unemployed disadvantaged groups

Major review of Laurence Industries led to resolution to establish new employment program for people with intellectual and other disabilities.  Laurence Industries to cease operating as a sheltered workshop by July 1988

 

1988

Laurence Industries (the 'sheltered workshop') ceased to exist on 1 July 1988 and the operations were renamed the Brotherhood of St Laurence Paper Recycling Division.  The Division continued the traditional household newspaper collections, with other facets such as shredded paper for packaging, confidential document destruction and a recovery service for paper manufacturers. [22]

Open Employment Unit was created to assist former Laurence Industries (sheltered workshop) employees into alternative positions in the open market or further training, providing on-the-job training & back-up counselling services for at least two years. [23]

Employment Development Unit continued the Traineeship Access Courses to assist long-term unemployed 15-19 year-olds to obtain Australian Traineeships and was contracted by the Department of Employment, Education and Training to write and develop a Curriculum and resource package for Traineeship Access Courses. [24]

Five disadvantaged young people who had completed the EAC's clerical Traineeship Access Course (TAC) took up Australian Traineeships with the BSL and completed their traineeships in October.  A second TAC course was run for another ten young people. [25]

 

1989

Employment Action Centre (EAC) opened in Victoria Street, Fitzroy (April) BSL Annual Report 1998-1989 p.14

The Employment Action Centre's framework of Traineeship Access Courses to assist long-term unemployed 15-19 year-olds to obtain Australian Traineeships was taken up as a model by the Department of Education, Employment & Training across Australia.

Two new programs began at the EAC in conjunction with the Commonwealth Employment Service for adults in long-term unemployment and facing significant difficulties in obtaining work: the Job Club program (one of about 6 in Victoria, most operated by the Government) providing assistance in job placement, and the Adult Access Course developed by the Employment Action Centre for adults between 21-54 years who had been unemployed for a year or more (modelled on the EAC’s Traineeship Access Course for 15-19 year-olds) & funded by the Department of Education, Employment & Training. [26]

As part of the EAC, the Open Employment Unit re-focused on assisting people with disabilities to find permanent employment in industry. [27]

The Brotherhood seconded a Koorie Welfare Worker to provide a link between the Employment Action Centre and the Aboriginal Koorie Community in Melbourne.  Places in the employment courses were offered to Aboriginal people with the assistance of the worker’s advocacy and support. [28]

Purpose and Conditions of auspice agreement proposed between the BSL and Fitzroy Learning Network  (November 1989) [29]

 

1990

An Employment Action Centre opened in Ballarat (a regional city with an unemployment rate of 17%) supported by the Variety Club of Australia and Perpetual Trustees, at the invitation of Federal Department of Education, Employment & Training.  The service was housed in the old Mining Exchange building.  Initially the EAC ran Traineeship Access Courses for young people aged 15-19 years who were unable to find work. [30]

 

The Ballarat Employment Action Centre established local employment generation initiatives:

•Pixie Property Maintenance, supported by local Apex, Lions and Rotary groups.  It provided paid work experience (in cleaning, gardening and odd job services) to disadvantaged young people as a step towards full employment as well as accepting young people with court contact referred by other local agencies.

•Small Business Support Service offering office support, employing course graduates awaiting full employment [31]

 

 The Active Placement Unit (APU) was established in the Fitzroy Employment Action Centre to provide a mentor program for unemployed young people.  One-third of the 60 participants in the first year were homeless.  [32]

 

1991

The Employment Action Centre commissioned work on an Action Research Project into Homelessness and Youth Unemployment. In summary this recommended that the BSL through the EAC

•Develop the capacity to meet housing needs of homeless young people

•Provide a more diverse range of training options

•Increase the capacity to place homeless people in Traineeships

•Develop the capacity to meet other needs [33]

 

The Employment Action Centre in Ballarat began a number of business initiatives as an active response to increasing numbers of unemployed young people in the area.  The initiatives, involving training and business skills development included

•Tee Hee Shirts (six cartoonists of The Age gave the right to reproduce their cartoons on t-shirts and windcheaters;

•Pixie Property Maintenance (cleaning & gardening services to the community;

•Small Business Support Service (offering secretarial and accounting services to individuals and small local businesses. [34]

 

1992

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.  [35]

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.  [36]

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. [37]

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. [38]

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. [39]

Three retail trainees made the transition to permanent positions in BSL shops [40]

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. [41]

 

1993

Future of Work project commenced with the appointment of Sue Jackson as coordinator.  The aim was to investigate the changes reshaping work in Australia and to explore the responses required to ensure that the Australia of the future is a fair and cohesive society.  [42]

Coolibah Catering Group, in conjunction with the BSL's Employment Action Centre, commenced a hospitality traineeship program for young people in the Coolibah kitchen (March) with an internal catering function until June.  The catering service had been restructured and extended to include the provision of meals to nearby Sumner House. [43]

Labour Market Programs commenced in the Barwon Region, delivering services to unemployed people [44]

Fitzroy Employment Action Centre

•suggested Vocational Investigation Days as a component of a special 6-week program for older unemployed people, focusing on occupational options and self-development.

•invited 80 agencies to be part of an information & networking day (29 September 1993)

•conducted one-month "Skills Club" courses for unemployed people registered at the Commonwealth

 

Employment Service and between 15-20 years of age (long-term unemployed preferred).  The first week took place at a camp site with life skills training "in an informal and relaxed atmosphere … followed by recreational activities".  The 2nd & 3rd weeks of training took place at FEAC premises in Victoria Street, Fitzroy, focusing on job searching skills.  [45]

 

Father Tucker Shop (a catering enterprise training unemployed people for work in the hospitality industry) opened on 2nd floor of 67 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy, operating Tuesday-Friday, 7.30 am - 2 pm.  (October) [46]

Ballarat Material Aid service developed Creative Community Enterprises as a self-help skills exchange program for unemployed people which also involved them in producing  goods and services for income generation [47]

The Brotherhood was recognised as a registered training provider by the (then) State Training Board and its curricula was accredited as part of the National Training Agenda [48]

The Jobs, Placement, Employment & Training program (JPET) auspiced by the BSL in Barwon [49]

 

1994

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. [50]

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. [51]

An Aboriginal Employment and Enterprise Unit was set up in Ballarat to provide employment assistance to Aboriginal groups and to act as a link between the Brotherhood and the Aboriginal community. [52]

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. [53]

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. [54]

The Brotherhood in Ballarat facilitated the Federal government-funded Daylesford & Glenlyon Community Employment & Training Project where self-help unemployed participants built a set of workshops and studios from which local trade, craft and business people could operate. [55]

 

1995

In early 1995 the Fitzroy Employment Action Centre offered the following programs & services:

•JobSkills (paid work experience combined with formal training)

•Job Club (assistance with job searching)

•Open Access (provision of job search facilities and supports)

•Open Employment Unit (employment placement, onsite training and support to people with disabilities)

•Opening Avenues (careers investigation and jobsearch for people over 45), later called Options Now

•Case Management (a major Commonwealth Working Nation initiative that commenced in April 1994) offering individual planning and assistance to long-term unemployed mature-aged job seekers

•Post Program Support (which provides follow up support for former program users)

•A range of programs providing varying types and levels of training and support to young unemployed people with some particularly targeted at those with multiple disadvantages:

o    Active Placement Unit (vocational guidance and support)

o    Youth Unit (personal development and job search program)

o    MOVE (outdoor skills program)

o    Traineeship Access Course (preparatory training in clerical and retail areas with paid work experience)

o    The Body Shop partnership project, combining the Brotherhood’s pre-vocational training with paid work experience with The Body Shop in a twelve-month Retail Traineeship for young homeless people

o    JPET Linked Access Program (employment placement and support)

o    STEP (a Group Training Scheme utilising traineeships)

o    Housing Resource Unit (information, advice and some advocacy and financial assistance in relation to accommodation for young people using EAC Services). 

The Central Highlands Employment Services offered the following programs:

•Employment Action Centre - Community Based Employment and the New Work Opportunities Program (a joint venture between the Brotherhood and the Ballarat Aboriginal Cooperative)

•Employment Placement Unit

•Pixie Property Maintenance Service

•Highlands Personnel, Ballarat

•Landcare & Environment Action Program (LEAP)

•Provincial Communities Enterprise Project 

The Provincial Communities Enterprise Project established the Ballarat Employment and Enterprise Fund (BEEF) [57]

Koori Work & Family Needs Project (ten-month Federally-funded project through the Department of Industrial Relations) to look at the particular needs of Koori staff was undertaken in the BSL’s Central Highlands region  [58]

In the Barwon region the labour market programs were JobSkills, Job Club, Contracted Placement and JPET.  Barwon Family & Community Services continued to provide financial relief for emergency situations and the No Interest Loan Scheme for low-income families needing to purchase household goods.  [59]

The Peninsula region offered the JobSkills labour market program. Frankston Material Aid service moved to a central location in Frankston.  The No Interest Loans Program co-located, partially resourced by material aid staff, who reported the inability of the program to meet the vast demand.  [60]

The Future of Work project's Cut Waste & Energy for New Jobs Project began in Fitzroy in July.  This was a demonstration project designed to test the potential for generating employment through savings achieved as a result of reduced energy consumption and waste minimisation.  Initiated by the Green Jobs Unit of the Australian Conservation Foundation and the Australian Council of Trade Unions, and taken up by the Brotherhood's Future of Work project, this provided training and employment under the JobSkills program for three long-term unemployed young people.  [61]

The Job Placement Employment & Training program (JPET) which had been established by the Brotherhood in November 1992 was faced with closure.  The BSL's JPET project was the first of its type in Australia and achieved an 80% success rate in placing homeless young people in employment.  More than 40 similar projects were set up in Australia by various agencies following the Brotherhood initiative.  Previously funded by the Commonwealth Department of Health & Housing, JPET was presented with new funding guidelines set by the Department of Education Employment & Training (DEET).  The Federal Government decision to adopt a Case Management approach to employment programs gave rise to the fear that this would not meet the needs of JPET clients, many of whom were long-term unemployed as well as homeless.  At the breakfast organised in June by Employment Action Centre workers to farewell the Oakleigh JPET program, the then Minister for Employment, Education & Training (Simon Crean) "was so impressed with what he saw that he was determined to help keep it going".  Interim funding was made available to the Oakleigh program (also available to other JPET programs) and the BSL developed a new model to provide a program for disadvantaged young people not yet ready for the Case Management approach.  The BSL's Youth Employment Action Centre, replacing the BSL's JPET program, was launched in November in Oakleigh by the local MP Mr Alan Griffin and Bishop Michael Challen.  The Centre provided support and training aimed at getting homeless young people 15-21 years into employment or further study. [62]

 

1996

In addition to its regular programs, the Fitzroy Employment Action Centre provided the Options Now pre-vocational program preparing very long-term unemployed people for participation in the workforce by providing personal development, job-seeking skills, career exploration and support in gaining employment placements. [63]

Frankston Furniture Works, a work experience and training program in making and repairing furniture for people unemployed for 18 months or more was launched on 16 May 1996.  It began as a six-month project funded by the Federal Government's New Work Opportunities Program and supported by a local advisory group.  New and refurbished furniture was distributed at material aid outlets and sold through various retail outlets.  The project also developed and produced a range of new items including children’s furniture and toys and it was anticipated that sale of these through retail outlets might make the project self-sustaining. Later cancellation of labour market programs by the Federal government affected the program's capacity to take on more people and presented considerable challenges in the ongoing development of a sustainable enterprise. [64]

UK Minister for Employment visited BSL (April)

Launch at the Old Butter Factory Gallery, Clunes, of a new Brotherhood initiative extending the Provincial Enterprise Project (assisting unemployed adults to become self-employed) (April)

 

1997

Special Employer Support Program for long-term unemployed people began on the Mornington Peninsula for 50 long-term unemployed people (January) [65]

BSL cited in relation to unemployment & future of work issues in Herald-Sun, The Age & The Australian (January-February) [66] 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 [67]

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: 2 Hong Kong, 2 East Timor, 2 Greece, 1 Macedonia, 4 Middle East, 3 English Speaking, 1 Romania, 1 Somalia. [68]

 

1998

The Fitzroy-based Active Placement Unit (APU) and Disability Access Service (DASU) closed due to the termination of the Federal Government’s Skillshare program.  The Contracted Case Management  program was discontinued in April and replaced by the Job Network which began in May. [69]

In response to the restructure of Federal government employment services, the Brotherhood was one of the initiators of Job Futures, a national consortium of non-profit organisations.  The Fitzroy Employment Action Centre (EAC) became Brotherhood Job Futures in May. [70]

BSL won a tender to provide the Community Support Program in Fitzroy & Frankston.  Aimed at those who have severe barriers to employment and are not eligible for the Flex program, it is poorly funded. (May)

The Body Shop agreed to undertake a Hospitality Traineeship Program with STEP for staff for their restaurant and STEP signed up its first group of 25 Personal Care Trainees with the Villa Maria Society (STEP is the only Group Training Company that focused on disadvantaged jobseekers)  (May)

Frankston Furniture Works supplemented the second-hand furniture of the Fitzroy Furniture Service with beds, wardrobes and tables made at its Frankston factory [71]

In response to the restructure of Federal Government employment services, the Brotherhood was one of the initiators of Job Futures, a national consortium of non-profit organisations in the new Commonwealth-funded Job Network.  Some BSL staff were on the Job Futures Board.  Fitzroy and Peninsula Employment Services were inaugural members.  The Fitzroy Employment Action Centre (EAC) became Brotherhood Job Futures in May.

 

1999

Manager of STEP (the Group Training arm of Employment Services) and two staff in a job-share support position left the BSL, leaving STEP with no internal knowledge base.  Much of the Company's activities were based on relationships which then needed to be renegotiated.

 

The Youth Retail Traineeship Scheme managed by The Body Shop and the Brotherhood’s STEP (Scheme for Training & Educating People) program won in April one of the inaugural Prime Minister’s Award for Excellence in Business & Community Partnerships[1]

 

2000

 

At a time when Victoria's youth unemployment rate was at 27 per cent, the Victorian Government launched the Youth Employment Scheme (to provide 2000 young people with public sector traineeships and apprenticeships) at the BSL's Employment Action Centre (2 March) Youth_Employment_Scheme_launched_at_BSL_2000-3-2.pdf

 

STEP team relocated to 109 Victoria Street from Head Office and commenced reintegration of its services with other employment programs   (September)

 

The Brotherhood, along with a number of community organisations across Victoria, took up the Community Business Employment (CBE) Program, a State Government initiative.  The CBE program was focused on unemployed people between the ages of 15 – 24, those over 45 and people from a multicultural background.  The Brotherhood sought to support five hundred people from the areas of the City of Yarra and the Mornington Peninsula Shire, including unemployed people in the Polish community[2]

 

2001

The BSL's STEP (Scheme for Training and Educating People) Group Training Company for the first time placed 10 trainees into 12-month traineeships within the Brotherhood’s aged care and retail facilities. 

 

 

2002

The BSL launched its own youth fashion label - Hunter Gatherer - at the Melbourne Fashion Festival with No SweatShop label accreditation guaranteeing the clothing is produced in accord with the Homeworkers Code of Practice through the Textile, Clothing & Footwear Union of Australia (TCFUA) and industry bodies (Hunter Gatherer was the first retailer in Australia to become an accredited ‘no sweat shop’ manufacturer)  (March)[3]  Hunter Gatherer Label Launch 2002

 

Education videos Hunter Gatherer: A case study in apparel design & manufacture and No Sweatshop Label at Hunter Gatherer were produced for TAFE students based on the BSL’s retail social enterprise.

 

Under the Community Jobs Program, the BSL began the Atherton Gardens Housing Management Project.  This gave 12 long-term unemployed residents of the Atherton Gardens Housing Estate the opportunity to take up an accredited training program through Holmesglen TAFE..  The Victorian Government’s Office of Housing committed to employing them as concierges, maintenance workers and office administrators on successful completion of the program.  

 

The Atherton Gardens pilot training program (through the State Government's Community Jobs Program) was replicated on the housing estate at Collingwood where the flow-on from the pilot encouraged more than 70 people to apply for 12 trainee positions for jobs in concierge work, maintenance and business administration[4]

 

2003

A partnership between the BSL, GJK Facility Services and the Victorian State Government led to the "Cleaning, Grounds and Maintenance and Waste Management Contract" at the Collingwood and Atherton Gardens Public Housing Estates being awarded to GJK by the Office of Housing on July 1, 2003.  One of the key terms of the contract was the employment of Public Tenants.  The Brotherhood of St. Laurence provided expertise and support around the engagement and on-going mentoring of the PTEP employees. Through working in the collaborative partnership the BSL gained a corporate and contractor delivery based perspective whilst providing expertise in personal support in both the employment and training.  

 

The first 12 participants from Atherton Gardens Estate graduated from the Community Jobs Program to full time paid employment.

 

The STEP Group Training Company trained and supported indigenous trainees through the STEP Up program in partnership with the Federal Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR)

 

The Furniture Works Training Centre (begun in April 1996) was the subject of a presentation to the May meeting of the BSL Board in relation to its future operations FurnitureWorks_BSL_Board_presentation_2003-5-27.pdf

 

The Brotherhood's Fitzroy Job Network program was judged unviable and closed in September, with the Frankston Job Network remaining operational

 

2004

STEP and SAR compiled the research and learnings from the employment and training programs at the Atherton Gardens Public Housing in the report ‘"Helping Local People get Jobs – Insight from the Brotherhood of St Laurence experience in Fitzroy and Collingwood" July 2004

 

The Adult Multicultural Education Services (AMES) & BSL Community Cleaning Enterprise began by training and employing four long term unemployed public housing tenants and CALD clients who provided cleaning services at the BSL's 67 Brunswick St building, later extending to the Footscray AMES building.  Providing a commercial cleaning service operating at industry rates, the transitional model ensures each trainee completes a Certificate III in Asset Maintenance, undertakes a year of paid work and gets the support they need to move into mainstream employment.  Trainees were drawn from job seekers in and around the City of Yarra. [5]

 

The Personal Care Attendant training program for the BSL's aged care area trained eight tenants from the Fitzroy and Collingwood housing estates as personal care attendants at Sumner House and Sambell Lodge.  This project came about as a result of falling numbers of personal care attendants and the need to engage residents of the estates with their community.  The project ran for 12 weeks funded by the Department for Victorian Communities and the DHS. The outcomes of the project were that eight tenants began the course, seven completed and have secured ongoing employment post the training.  St Vincent's hospital is very interested in exploring a similar type program.  (August_IMcH)

 

Furniture Works continued the Capital Works program in the Doveton region, training long term disadvantaged people for 15 weeks in practical skill based learning via capital works in the Doveton / Eumemmerring area (Neighbourhood Renewal site), preparing them for sustainable future employment.  (August_IMcH)

 

In partnership with Green Corps the BSL provided training and employment for young unemployed people through environmental projects in and around Wangaratta and the Peninsula region   

 

In conjunction with community organisations and the Victorian Department of Justice, approximately 1,300 prisoners and offenders received intensive employment assistance.
BSL Craigieburn staff were involved in the delivery of the second New Apprenticeships Access Program (NAAP) funded childcare Course in partnership with the BSL's STEP Program.  Fourteen of the participants became registered Family Day Care Providers, bringing the total of Active Trainees working within the Family Day Care Program to 56.  [6]

 

STEP and Craigieburn Family Day Care won an Anglicare Australian 2004 Award in the category of Innovation for the program STEP into Family Day Care. described as a program that "is all about community capacity building – caring for people so that they in turn can care for others in their community.  The Step into Family Day Care program offered accredited training in community services for unemployed women. Graduates were then offered employment within the day care scheme and further training.  In its first 18 months the program trained 36 unemployed women and 24 existing carers from 18 different cultural backgrounds.  This resulted in 94 families (120 children) coming off the waiting list into family day care."  BSL in Anglicare Australia Awards 2004

 

The BSL received an Anglicare Australia "Highly Commended" Award in the category of "organisational enhancement" for an innovative approach in the face of particular challenges in recruiting for its two inner city residential aged care facilities.  BSL Employment Services worked with BSL Residential Aged Care Services to develop a traineeship program seen as an added employment benefit for people considering work with BSL.  "The program has been operating for nearly three years and in this period 15 people graduated with certificates, 12 of whom found employment in BSL facilities." [7]

 

 

   

2005

The Brotherhood's Greencorps and Transition to Work programs received awards for excellence at the JOBfutures National Conference in October.  The Brotherhood had been a member of JOBfutures, Australia's only national network of community based not-for-profit employment and related service providers, since its establishment in 1997.  The Greencorps award recognised excellence in achieving employment outcomes for participants at the Greencorps sites on the Mornington Peninsula and in Wangaratta.  The Transition to Work program based in Frankston was highly commended for its work with parents and carers returning to the workforce.[8]


The YP4 project is a collaboration between Hanover Welfare Services, the Brotherhood of St Laurence, Melbourne Citymission and Loddon Mallee Housing Services.  YP4, which will run as a three year trial, will assist extremely disadvantaged young people address their employment, housing and health needs.  Every year approximately 80,000 young Australians experience homelessness and unemployment.  BSL Media Release 2005

 

2006

City of Yarra Street Cleaning Enterprise began in late 2006 in conjunction with the BSL as the first step in local employment and training for those disadvantaged in the labour market living in the City of Yarra, with a strong focus on public housing residents.  This led to the identification of other employment and training opportunities - City of Yarra Graffiti Crew and the roles of Foreman/Supervisor, Street Sweeper Driver, Multipurpose Litter, Herbicide Spraying and Road Maintenance.http://bsltimeline.pbworks.com/f/Hannett_Investing_in_Community_BSL%26City-of-Yarra_2009-5.pdf

 

George Housakos, who had been at the BSL since 2000 in a number of positions within the employment area, and from December 2005 in the role of Senior Manager Community & Employment Development, resigned in March.  In the last few years he led the areas of training and community enterprise which resulted in many innovative programs including the Cleaning Enterprise in Fitzroy, using the BSL’s services in Aged Care and Family Day Care to provide traineeships and employment for long term unemployed people, as well as focused on turning around the financial position of STEP and Furniture Works.  George with his team and others in the organisation had been able to creatively match various State and Federal funding streams to develop a comprehensive program of training, support and employment for many vulnerable jobseekers.  He was succeeded by Charlie McShane, appointed to the position of Senior Manager Community & Employment Development on 11 September.[9]

 

2007

 

The Phoenix Fridge refrigerator refurbishment program was relaunched with the opening of the purpose-designed workshop and warehouse in April. Media Release 26/04/2007

 

2008

The achievements of the 2007–2008 Community Enterprise graduates from the Community Contact Service, Street BSL and the AMES/BSL Cleaning Enterprise were celebrated at a Graduation ceremony on 9 May.  Presentations were made by the Hon. Richard Wynne MP, Minister for Housing, and Tony Nicholson, Executive Director, Brotherhood of St Laurence.

 

The Brotherhood, in conjunction with Mission Australia, placed 6 West African refugees as trainees with Crown Casino’s Access program. (October)http://bsltimeline.pbworks.com/w/page/31314954/2008#footnote-7

 

 

The employment program of the development company Grocon included the hiring of long term unemployed people on their sites in conjunction with the Brotherhood of St Laurence[10]

 

Following involvement of the BSL in the workforce planning project led by Dairy Australia (DA, the umbrella body for the Dairy Industry), discussions began between the BSL, Dairy Australia (through the "People in Dairy" team), and the National Centre for Dairy Education (NCDEA) about the development of a pilot project aiming to recruit and train unskilled people from disadvantaged backgrounds into the dairy industry.  Through the partnership of the Brotherhood of St Laurence, WestVic Dairy, the Victorian Government (Victoria Works), the Helen McPherson-Smith Trust, WestVic Staffing Solutions and the NCDEA, this later became the In2Dairy program - a two-week pre-employment program that includes help looking for a job and the option to take up a traineeship.  (See 2010) [11]

 

Closure of Furniture Works Training Centre (Frankston & Rosebud) - Training programs transferred to the High Street Centre (27 November) Frankston Furniture Works Closure briefing paper 2008

 

2009

The BSL and VECCI (Victorian Employers' Chamber of Commerce & Industry) signed a Memorandum of Understanding in relation to matters of mutual interest, e.g. employment of disadvantaged job seekers  (February) [12]

 

In April 2009 the Brotherhood co-convened Victoria the Green Jobs State Summit, sponsored by Sustainability Victoria, which highlighted the potential for green jobs growth which includes long term unemployed and disadvantaged job seekers. Victoria The Green Jobs State Creating a green, prosperous and socially inclusive Victoria, Report 24/04/2009

 

BSL's Yarra Centre for Work and Learning (YCWL) established at 121 Brunswick St., Fitzroy - The YCWL is a demonstration project promoting work and learning opportunities in public housing neighbourhoods with high concentrations of worklessness.  It coordinates the efforts of Job Services Australia providers, employers, enterprises and industry groups, training organisations and community and government support services.  The Centre does this by aggregating employer demand and job seeker supply, working closely with public housing residents’ groups, offering access to accredited and non-accredited pre-vocational training, developing community projects that create supported paid and unpaid work experience opportunities and increasing access to life skills education such as English and financial literacy training. The program primarily is delivered in Fitzroy.  Beginning  August 2009 the Federal Government is to contribute $1.6 m over 3 years towards the project. [13]

 

The Community Contact Service (employment and training program which operates on the Fitzroy and Collingwood Housing estates providing a concierge role for the tenants including information, assistance and support functions) successfully re-contracted to deliver the service at Collingwood and Fitzroy Housing estates for the next 3 years.  The new contract also expanded the service to the Richmond public housing estate.  (October)

 

BSL developed a partnership with the Church of All Nations in the Carlton Employment Project Carlton_Employment_Project_2009-10-22 

 

Under the Federal Government’s DEEWR Jobs Fund the BSL received

 

2010

Within the Centre for Work & Learning the BSL established the position of Work & Learning Advisor/Business Engagement Coordinator.  Covering Fitzroy and the Doveton Neighbourhood Learning Centre, this position included procuring business development opportunities with local providers and, in Doveton, engaging local residents to access the centre and providing jobseekers with opportunities to locate sustainable employment to increase their social and economic participation.  (In the 2010 Victorian State Election the Liberal-National Coalition promised to support the pilot development of Work & Learning Centres on five public housing sites in partnership with the BSL. This proposal also included supporting the development of 3 "Youth Foyers" providing accommodation and training facilities in metropolitan and regional Victoria in partnership with Hanover Welfare Services and the BSL.)

 

The Line of Sight project commenced, developing new models for getting highly disadvantaged job seekers into employment. [14]

 

The BSL's Business Leaders' Lunch entitled Australia’s future: a vision for greater workforce utilisation held on 31 August featured SEEK's joint CEO, Paul Bassat, offering his unique overview of the Australian labour market. (SEEK operates seek.com.au and seek.co.nz, leading employment websites in Australia and New Zealand, and a major player in the vocational training and education market in Australia.) Tony Nicholson, Executive Director of the Brotherhood of St Laurence, discussed the Brotherhood's vision for a fully utilised Australian workforce which would benefit both business and those individuals not yet taking part in the mainstream life of our community and Jane Wilson, Grocon’s Corporate and Government Affairs Manager, spoke about Grocon’s experience of diversity in employment.

 

Through the involvement of the Brotherhood of St Laurence, WestVic Dairy, the Victorian Government (Victoria Works), the Helen McPherson-Smith Trust, WestVic Staffing Solutions and the NCDEA, the In2Dairy program was developed for the dairy industry - a two-week pre-employment program that includes help looking for a job and the option to take up a traineeship.  Dairy farmers who employ In2Dairy trainees receive help with the recruitment process, a S1,000 honorarium for their role as a trainer, optional access to training through The People in Dairy program and free personal protective equipment for their new trainee.  In2Dairy_Assistant_Farmhand_Project_2010.pdf

 

 

2011

Planning underway to build a new Caroline Springs Youth Community Centre.[15]

 

Youth Employment Project funded through the Victorian Government's New Workforce Partnerships from June 2010 to December 2011. Worked with schools  and employers, (including Delfin Lend Lease, Alex Fraser Recycling, Melton Shire and Naturform). The project was aimed to link disengaged young people directly with employers for short-term work experience placements which might lead to ongoing jobs or training for the young people while at the same time responding to local labour needs and skill shortages. For more information see the BSL evaluation: 

Pathways that work: lessons from the Youth Employment Project in Caroline Springs

 

Official opening of new training centre at 95-97 Brunswick St, Fitzroy by Senator Gavin Marshall on the 29th of August 2011. See media release

 

Closure of Goodbye Graffiti on 30  September 2011.  [16](This was a program for employment and training of teams of unemployed residents in Melbourne to remove highly visible graffiti scrawl along agreed metropolitan rail and road corridors).


[1] BSL Annual Report 1972-1973 p.5 (no numbering)

[2] BSL Annual Report 1973-1974 p.5 (no numbering). See also "Brotherhood People" in BSL Action March 1974 (No.203) p.10 and Brotherhood Action March 1977 (No.215) [Laurence_Industries_1977-3.pdf]

[3] Brotherhood Action December 1975 (No.210)

[4] Brotherhood Action December 1976 (No.214) [Job_Centre_under_way_1976-12.pdf]

[5] Brotherhood Action March 1977 (No.215) [Job_Centre_opens_1977-2.pdf]. Advertisement for "Community Worker - Welfare Rights Development" in The Age, Saturday 13 August 1977, p.77. See also "There was something of a delay before Street got on the job" The Age, Tuesday 1 March 1977 p.17; "Minister heckled at job agency" Sydney Morning Herald, Tuesday 1 March 1977 p.21. Also Brotherhood Action June 1977 (No.216)

[6] BSL Annual Report 1977-1978 p.4 (no numbering). See Brotherhood Action March 1978 (No.219): "There are now 17.5 people registered in the Commonwealth Employment Service CES) alone for every job registered in Victoria in December 1977. Prospects for juniors are worse with 31.7 juniors registered for every junior vacancy. However, for most of these people, lack of work is not their only problem: unemployment benefit cheques are late, or take up to nine weeks to arrive; they discover that they’ve been cut off benefits and don’t know why; they have language difficulties and are not understood at the CES or Social Security Offices. The Centre … now operates as a welfare rights and information resource centre … thus concentrating on welfare work rather than job placement which had been the Centre’s initial focus. The main reason for the change in the function of the Centre was a more comprehensive understanding of the problems of the unemployed." See also Brotherhood Action September 1978 (No.221) [Unemployment_Rights_Service_1978-9.pdf] and Brotherhood Action December 1978 (No.222) for the four main objectives of the service.

[7] Brotherhood Action September 1978 (No.221)

[8] Brotherhood Action March 1979 (No.223) and BSL Annual Report 1979-1980 p.4 (no numbering). Also Brotherhood Action October 1980 (No.231)

[9] Feature article "Out of Institutions Into the Workforce", Brotherhood Action June 1980 (No.229) [Laurence_Industries_1980-6.pdf]

[10] See Brotherhood Action September 1979 (No.225) for the original concept and Brotherhood Action September 1979 (No.225) for announcement of Victorian Government support [Neighbourhood_Employment_Develt_Program_1979-12.pdf]. See BSL Annual Report 1979-1980 p.6 (no numbering) and BSL Annual Report 1980-1981 p.6: "The most promising areas of potential job development at this stage (1981) appear to be in the areas of home nursing and handyman services, urban forestry and work cooperatives. NED forms one part of the Brotherhood's conviction that direct job creation is a key element in any strategy to reduce unemployment." Also Brotherhood Action February 1981 (No.233) for first training program [NEDP_Home_Health_Aide_Training_1980-12.pdf] and Brotherhood Action April 1981 (No.234) re the Box Hill Work Co-op.  

[11] Brotherhood Action June 1981 (No.235) [Jobs_scheme_proposal_1981-5-14.pdf]

[12] BSL Annual Report 1981-1982 p.7 and Brotherhood Action December 1981 (No.238). See also "In the beginning - Welfare Rights Unit" 13 July 2009

[13] BSL Action August 1982 (No.242) p.3. Also BSL Annual Report 1981-1982 p.9, BSL Annual Report 1982-1983 p.8 and Brotherhood Action February 1981 (No.233) [NEDP_Home_Health_Aide_Training_1980-12.pdf]

[14] BSL Action August 1982 (No.242)

[15] See "In the beginning - Welfare Rights Unit" 13 July 2009 and 20 Jul 2009

[16] A 20-minute VHS video

[17] See Tim Gilley & Fiona Smith "Equal Employment Opportunity in Social and Community Services", Brotherhood of St Laurence, 1989 . Also "Gaining Ground - Affirmative Action for Women in the Social and Community Services", Brotherhood of St Laurence 1986 p.4 (BSL Library 331.4133 GAI). For the evaluation report see Tim Gilley "Inequality in the Workplace", Brotherhood of St Laurence 1988 

[18] BSL Annual Report 1984-1985 p.20

[19] BSL Annual Report 1984-1985 p.7

[20] BSL Annual Report 1986-1987 p.9

[21] BSL Annual Report 1986-1987 p.4. See also Employment development traineeship programme 

[22] BSL Annual Report 1987-1988 p.12

[23] BSL Annual Report 1987-1988 p.4

[24] BSL Annual Report 1987-1988 p.4

[25] BSL Annual Report 1987-1988 p.4

[26] BSL Annual Report 1998-1989 p.14

[27] BSL Annual Report 1988-1989 p.14

[28] BSL Annual Report 1988-1989 p.14

[29] Letter from John Wise (Director, Community Services) to Rita Sidlauskas, Coordinator, Fitzroy Learning Network (24 November 1989)

[30] BSL Annual Report 1990 p.10

[31] BSL Annual Plan 1991 p.6

[32] BSL Annual Report 1991 p.7

[33] James Boyce "Out of work, out of home" - Report of the action research project "Unemployment and youth homelessness" (Draft) 

[34] Brotherhood Action Winter 1991 p.4 (no numbering)

[35] 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 (BSL Library 331.342592 GRI)

[36] Brotherhood Action Autumn 1992 p.5 Brotherhood Action Autumn 1992 p.5

[37] 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 - Record Number AR907, Archive Number 1993.14A. See also BSL Annual Report 1995 pp.10-12.

[38] BSL Annual Report 1992 p.7

[39] BSL Annual Report 1993 p.10

[40] BSL Annual report 1993 p.24

[41] BSL Annual Report 1992 p.6

[42] BSL Annual Report 1993 p.19 and BSL Annual Report 1994 p.22

[43] BSL Annual Report 1993 p.15. See also Memo from Catering Program Management Group to All Directors & Department Managers (23 June 1993) [Coolibah_Catering_Program_re_Developments_1993-6-23.pdf]

[44] From (19 Feb 2009)

[45] Memo from Employment Action Centre to all Fitzroy-based Managers (12 August 1993) [EAC_to_Fitzroy_Managers_re_Vocational_Investigation_Days_1993-8-12.pdf]

[46] Memo from Julie London - Fitzroy Employment Action Centre (FEAC) to all staff (28 September 1993) [EAC_to_Fitzroy_Staff_re_Father_Tucker_Shop_Catering_1993-9-28.pdf]

[47] BSL Internal Working Paper No.2, "Overview and History of Income Supplementation services in the Brotherhood of St Laurence (1972-1996)", p.20 [BSL_Income_Supplementation_Services_1972-1996.pdf]

[48] BSL Annual Report 1993 p.7

[49] October 1993. BSL Annual Report 1994 p.10

[50] “A community view”, Action Winter 1994. BSL Annual Report 1994 p.8

[51] BSL Annual Report 1994 p.11

[52] BSL Annual Report 1994 p.11

[53] BSL Annual Report 1994 p.10

[54] BSL Annual Report 1994 p.8. 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.

[55] "JOBTRAIN program with a Difference", Action Winter 1994

[56] See BSL Annual Report 1995 pp.10-13 and also BSL Metro Region Strategic Planning Working ,p.46 [BSL_Metro_Region_Strategic_Planning_WorkingPaper_Pt2_1995-3.pdf].

[57] BSL Annual Report 1995 pp.13-14

[58] Minutes of Central Highlands Regional Advisory Committee Meeting, 23 May 1995 [BSL_Central-Highlands_Divestment_Papers_1995.pdf]

[59] BSL Annual Report 1995 pp.14, 19

[60] BSL Annual Report 1995 p.18. See also BSL Internal Working Paper No.2, "Overview and History of Income Supplementation services in the Brotherhood of St Laurence (1972-1996)", p.16 [BSL_Income_Supplementation_Services_1972-1996.pdf]

[61] BSL Annual Report 1996 p.34

[62] Brotherhood Action Spring 1995 p.1 and Summer 1996 p.1. The BSL's JPET project was the first of its type in Australia and asssited 145 homeless young people, achieving an 80% success rate in placing people in employment. More than 40 similar projects were set up in Australia by various agencies following the Brotherhood initiative. ""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". (from " JPET - Keeping on Track: Evaluation of the Job Placement, Employment and Training (JPET) Programme - Final Report", by Butlin, Malcolm, Lloyd & Walpole 2000)

[63] BSL Annual Report 1996 p.15

[64] BSL Annual Report 1996 p.16 and 1997 p.18

[65] See BSL Annual Report 1998 p.19

[66] See "Future of Work Foundation" Press Clipping Quotes [BSL_in_press_on_Future_of_Work_1997.pdf]

[67] 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."

[68] Report of Community Services Directorate to the Executive Director November 1997 [CS12-97.pdf]

[69] BSL Annual Report 1998 p.20

[70] BSL Annual Report 1998 p.19

[71] BSL Annual Report 1998 p.11

Footnotes

  1. Building Better Lives No.2, Winter 1999 p.2; Building Better Lives, July 1999 p.2
  2. "Employment Program targets the disadvantaged", Building Better Lives Winter 2000 (No.5) p.2
  3. "Brotherhood launches fashion label", Building Better Lives No.10, Winter 2002 p.5; BSL Annual Report 2002 p.9. See [Hunter_Gatherer_Label_Launch_2002.pdf]
  4. "Committed to advocacy and innovation", Building Better Lives, Summer 2003 p.2; "Day in the Life_George Housakos", Building Better Lives, Summer 2003 pp.3-4
  5. BSL Annual Report 2004 p.7
  6. Monthly report from the Executive to the BSL Board, June 2004
  7. [BSL_in_Anglicare_Australia_Awards_2004.pdf]
  8. Email from Caterina Wooden to all BSL staff 21/10/2005
  9. [Re - George Housakos Resignation 2006-3-21.pdf]
  10. Media release "Grocon to partner Government in supporting homeless", Thursday, April 24 2008 http://www.grocon.com.au/pdfs/mediareleases/MediaRelease_060308.pdf 28 October 2010
  11. See the entry in 2010 and the article "Dare to dairy" in Australian Dairyfarmer, Friday 1/10/2010 Page 38
  12. email of Tony Nicholson, 10 February 2009: Dear Colleagues, I recently had my regular 'start of year' catch up with Wayne Kayler-Thompson at VECCI. Amongst other things we discussed the proposed MOU and concluded that the latest draft reflects our desire to keep it at a reasonably high level, capturing our broad intentions. We agreed that each organization would nominate one person who will be primarily responsible for looking after the relationship. For this purpose I have nominated Melinda Jones. Within this arrangement, other BSL persons will liaise directly with VECCI people but will be obligated to keep Melinda informed – for example, Michael Horn and his ongoing work with Andrew on matters of employment of disadvantaged job seekers.
  13. From http://www.deewr.gov.au/Department/Documents/GrantsAnnouncements.xls - 7/05/2010
  14. BSL Annual Report 2011 page 12 & BSL_Centre_for_Work_and_Learning_evaluation_report_Jun2012
  15. BSL Annual REport 2011 p10
  16. Internal e-mail dated 16th August 2011 to Records office about closure of the service