1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989
Children & Families
David Green presented a proposal for the development of Limurru as a neighbourhood children's centre
Community Issues
The Victorian Ministry of Housing started a Home Renovation Service similar to the BSL's Home Improvement Service (begun in West Geelong in 1979). Because of the similarity between the two services, the Ministry allocated $20,000 to the BSL to continue the Home Improvement Service for 1981-1982. Home_Improvement_Service_1981-8.pdf
Fitzroy and ARC Credit Union, run by an independent board of directors, operated out of the Sharing Centre premises with the BSL providing 90% of its funding BSL_Income_Supplementation_Services_1972-1996.pdf
Employment & Training
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. 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).
Material & Financial support
ARC (Action and Resource Centre) Community House established in Clifton Hill as an independent co-operative society in June with a Board of Directors elected by the membership. The Brotherhood provided approximately 80% of the funds needed to maintain the project. ARC_Making_the_Break_1981-4.pdf
The Sharing Centre for low-income people opened in the building previously occupied by ARC (116 Fitzroy Street, the original St Mary's Mission at the rear of 67 Brunswick Street). This provided opportunities for low-income people to contribute their time and skills in shared activities and to participate in the provision of services such as cooking community lunches, packaging, pricing and ordering in the shop. The Sharing Centre expanded the role of the old Material Aid Service.
Fitzroy and ARC Credit Union, run by an independent board of directors, operated out of the Sharing Centre premises with the BSL providing 90% of its funding BSL_Income_Supplementation_Services_1972-1996.pdf
Small food cooperatives and a consumer buying service arose from the work of Sharing Centre staff with a number of other groups. The BSL was instrumental in forming the Food Cooperative Support Group.
Older People
SPAN became an independent cooperative from 1 January SPAN_Independent_Co-op_in_Action_1981-12.pdf
Hume Court hostel for the frail aged at St Laurence Park was almost demolished by a freak storm on 9 January. The 52-bed hostel, built in 1972, was completely unroofed with many ceilings and doors blown down. Of the residents only six people were injured. The residents were able to move back mid-year.
Hume Court Hostel information booklet
Sambell Lodge hostel for frail aged persons opened in Clifton Hill in March
Organisational aspects (BSL)
Mrs Concetta (Connie) Benn left the position of head of the Social Policy & Research Department to head the School of Social Work at Phillip Institute of Technology (now RMIT Bundoora)
Father Ross McAuley appointed Chaplain to the BSL
Jessica Millott retired after 30 years with the Brotherhood, having begun as a volunteer in 1951 at Carrum Downs, then at the Coolibah from 1953 (manageress from 1962) Jessica_Millott_retirement_1981-8.pdf
Women’s Issues Group established, operating as a regular open staff forum for women and men
Task Force on Shared Methods of Responsibility established "to explore ways and means by which there can be more effective sharing of mutual responsibility amongst the various people associated with (the Brotherhood’s) work". This was "the basis for later development of the staff manual detailing rights and obligations of BSL employees".
Community of St Laurence began as the more active 'child' of the Companions of St Laurence (begun in 1971) who were a group of people with long connection to the Brotherhood - a number had worked alongside Father Tucker - who kept in touch with the Brotherhood through regular meetings and supported it through prayer and intercession. Members of the Community took on the responsibility of meeting monthly, publishing Poverty Watch, organising the annual St Laurence Day service and helping with sundry Brotherhood functions.
David Green presented a proposal for the development of Limurru as a neighbourhood children's centre
Poverty Education Project closed at end of 1981 and replaced by the Clearing House on Poverty and the new Communications Unit. This group consisted of Executive Director, Coordinator of Social Policy and Research, Senior Research Officer, Public Relations Officer and the new position of Media Officer.
Brotherhood Luncheon addressed by the Governor-General, Sir Zelman Cowen (formerly Dean of the University of Melbourne Law School when the legal aid service was provided through the BSL in the 1950's)
Presentations & publications
The first Sambell Oration: Why care? An attempt to state the theological basis for Christian social action was given by Archbishop Sir Frank Woods
Labour Force or Labour Ward: Is this a choice young women are making? Meg Montague
SPAN : a community project involving older and retired people. Second progress report (September 1979 - September 1980) Jean Hamilton-Smith
Bibliography of Brotherhood of St Laurence publications and papers 1933 to 1980 compiled by Vera Wicks & Shirley Sargent
August 1981 - First issue of Poverty Watch published by the BSL’s Poverty Education Project
As part of the Poverty project between the 8th November 1981 and 8th of December there was a Poverty - Poor Choices Exhibition at St Paul's Cathedral. It was an exhibition of photographs taken by Ian Cosier and Dyranda Prevost showing how poverty in Australia affects every aspect of people's lives - housing, health, employment opportunities and education. They were not the traditional pictures of "poor people" but attempted to demonstrate the ways in which our society failed to provide fair opportunities and equal access to services for all Australians.
See article about the exhibition by Kelly Johnson in Brotherhood News November 1981
Young People
The Northcote Accommodation Project was developed by the Brotherhood to provide accommodation for homeless, unemployed young people to help them acquire the physical, social and emotional skills for independent living. This was funded with $50,000 from the Anglican Diocese, $20,000 through the Brotherhood’s Jubilee Appeal, and $11,000 from the Northcote City Council. A house in Thornbury was leased from the Victorian Ministry of Housing. The funds and the proposal were handed over to the local community "as part of the Brotherhood's new policy of providing resources to local areas with particular needs". Northcote_Accommodation_Project_1981-10.pdf BSL_Proposal_re_Homeless_Program.pdf Homeless_Youth_1982_Senate_Inquiry.pdf Northcote_Accommodation_Project_in_Action_Feb1984.pdf
The BSL made a submission to the Community Youth Support Scheme Task Force established by the Federal Government to investigate the future of the Community Youth Support Scheme beyond 28 February 1982.
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