Uniting Care Australia

Not-for-profit organisations can receive up to $2,500 to help pay for their volunteers' petrol bills part of the Federal Government's $21 million Volunteer Grants Program 2008, announced Minister for Community Services, Jenny Macklin, on 4 September 2008. Applications open on Saturday 6 September and close on Friday 17 October. Organisations will receive funding by the end of the year.

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UnitingCare Burnside's CEO Jane Woodruff has welcomed support of the Newpin (New Parent Infant Network) program in Federal Parliament by Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, Jenny Macklin. Newpin with children and their parents to prevent child abuse and increase child wellbeing. UnitingCare Burnside has been operating this UK developed program in Western Sydney for ten years with great results. UnitingCare Burnside currently runs 4 Newpins in NSW and licenses Newpin services in Victoria and Tasmania in partnership with non-government organisations. Jane is leading a campaign for 20 more Newpin sites to be funded in disadvantaged communities across Australia.

"I welcome Minister Macklin's recognition of Newpin as a solution in child protection. It would be great to see Newpin included in the National Child Protection Framework," said Jane.

"Newpin makes a real difference to the lives of Australian kids at risk. We are keen to get Government support to make Newpin available to more disadvantaged Australian families."

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The Federal Government has provided Blue Care with $100,000 to appoint a regional Indigenous employment coordinator in Cairns to work with local communities to develop an Aged Care Indigenous Employment Strategy. The funding comes after the Federal Government called for tenders to develop new workforce training to help Indigenous people working in aged and community care in the Northern Territory on 19 August 2008. The project will give priority to 254 people in 49 remote communities as well as other Indigenous people working in Home and Community Care (HACC) throughout the NT.

The Blue Care Cape York Employment Facilitation Project is an initiative of the Department of Education Employment and Workplace Relations and Blue Care. Mr O'Connor said Blue Care was nationally recognised as a leader in the employment of Indigenous staff in the aged care industry after increasing its Indigenous staff numbers from eight to 100 in seven months last year.

"Blue Care has made a substantial contribution to successfully supporting Indigenous jobseekers to find and retain employment within their organisation," Mr O'Connor said.

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Blue Care announced on 4 August 2008 it will raise wages for nursing staff by 18 per cent over the next three years. The increase is part of the latest Blue Care Queensland Nurses Union (QNU) Enterprise Bargaining Agreement (EBA) covering Registered Nurses, Enrolled Nurses and Assistant Nurses, and has been a welcomed by the QNU.

Blue Care and the QNU together signed the EBA after 10 months of negotiations and 96 per cent of nursing staff voting in favour of it. Improvements to the former agreement include four pay increases over three years and substantial increases in monetary allowances for uniforms, laundry, qualifications, on-call rates of pay and supervisory allowances.

To improve workplace conditions, the agreement has introduced a practical workload management tool to assist in managing the amount and causes of workload pressures. The paid long service leave entitlement will increase from 10 weeks to 12 weeks after 10 years of service, sick leave will be paid out on termination of employment, and nurses will be able to cash out a proportion of their annual leave. There will also be bereavement leave for same sex partners.

For more information click here

Australia's 40,976 registered not-for-profit organisations received $74.5 billion in 2006-07, according to figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) on 5 August 2008. The study found the main recipients of this income were organisations undertaking education and research (22%), social services (16%) and culture and recreation (16%) activities. The primary sources of income were funding from federal, state and local government (34%), income from services (29%), and donations, sponsorship and fundraising (9%).

At the end of June 2007 registered not-for-profit organisations employed more than 880,000 people, with more than half of these employed in social services (27%) and education and research (24%) organisations. In addition to paid employees there were more than 2.4 million volunteers in the not-for-profit sector during 2006-07.

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In an historic move, a group of Australia's religious leaders have banded together and signed an open letter to the Federal Government on 8 August 2008, calling for immediate and decisive action on climate change.

Signed by 39 leaders from various faith groups and organisations, the letter draws specific attention to the communities across the globe facing devastation through climate change, including the small island nations and low lying areas of the Pacific.

The collaboration coincides with a visit to Australia by Pacific Church leaders, who are deeply concerned about the effects of climate change on the region.

In countries such as Tuvalu, Kiribati, Samoa, Tonga and the Cook Islands, climate change is an urgent issue, with rising sea levels already endangering many of their islands.

"As people of faith, we affirm the fundamental value of the whole of creation, and assert that the responsibility to safeguard human flourishing and ecological integrity extends beyond economic considerations of costs and benefits," the letter states.

The open letter has been facilitated by the independent research organisation, The Climate Institute, and the signatories represent Christian; Baha'i; Jewish; Muslim; Hindu; and Buddhist faiths.

All of them are committed to working for ecologically sustainable living and advocating for communities, both in the Pacific and worldwide, affected by climate change.

To view the letter click here

Nominations are now being called for the 2008 Moderator's Community Service Medal, an award established in 1999 that is presented to volunteers who have contributed outstanding service to the Uniting Church's community service mission in Queensland. Nominees must be a volunteer, past or present, and have exhibited outstanding community service work over a number of years. This could be in a UnitingCare agency such as Blue Care, Lifeline Community Care or a UnitingCare Health hospital, or in an external service agency. Nominations are not open to those who are, or who have been, in paid employment connected to their volunteer work.

Announcement of the six medal recipients will be made at the Uniting Church in Queensland's Synod in Session meeting being held from 31 October - 5 November 2008 at Alexandra Headland.

If you would like to recommend a valued volunteer click here

Uniting Aged Care will temporarily run the Bridgewater Aged Care home while financial investigations of its former provider continue, announced Minister for Ageing, Justine Elliot, on 10 July 2008.

"Uniting Aged Care is one of Australia's largest not-for-profit organisations and will be responsible for ensuring that residents of Bridgewater continue to receive the high standard of care they deserve. Uniting Aged Care has extensive experience in the delivery of aged care in Victoria. They currently operate a number of residential aged care services and care for several hundred residents across the state, said Minister Elliot."

For more information click here

The UnitingCare Community Care Options were launched by UnitingCare Australia's National Director, Lin Hatfield Dodds at the UnitingCare Australia, Uniting Missions Network conference in April this year.

To view the Community Care Options click here

Minister for Housing Tanya Plibersek launched the Wesley Mission Sydney report: More than a bed: Sydney's homeless speak out on 6 July 2008.The report identifies the underlying causes and complex needs of people who are homeless and suggests that longer term support and better integration of services for homeless people is needed to reduce the critically high rates of homelessness.

To view the report click here

UnitingCare Australia is one of 21 organisations to receive part of a one-off allocation of $4.2 million to address the issue of social isolation for elderly Australians. Frontier Services and Wesley Mission Sydney also received grants under this allocation. The Minister for Ageing, Justine Elliot, announced 13 June 2008 that UnitingCare Australia will receive a grant of $500,000.

For more information click here

UnitingCare Australia is a provider representative in the new Ageing Consultative Committee, announced Minister for Ageing Justine Elliot on 25 June 2008. The new Committee merges the former Aged Care Advisory Committee and the Community Care Advisory Committee. The Minister said the Committee has been established to improve consultation with the sector, workforce and consumers representing residents and older Australians. The Committee will meet for the first time this week, chaired by Andrew Stuart, First Assistant Secretary, Ageing And Aged Care Division, Department of Health and Ageing.

For more information click here

Blue Care and the Port of Brisbane Corporation launched a $60,000 plan aimed at helping older people and people with disabilities in Bayside on 19 June 2008. Port of Brisbane Corporation Chief Executive Officer Jeff Coleman said the Corporation would sponsor Blue Care $20,000 per year for the next three years to fund the program.

"We wanted to invest in a program that focused on prevention, long-term goals, and one that would benefit the local community," he said.

"Blue Care is a well-established not-for-profit organisation dedicated to caring for the community, so we were eager to offer our support."

The wellness program is expected to include quarterly expert health advice sessions for community members and wellness checks by nurses at local facilities for the elderly, among other initiatives. It will be based on a pilot trialled by another Blue Care centre in the Brisbane region.

Anti-Poverty Week runs from the 12-18 October this year. Greg Mackay from UnitingCare Centre for Social Justice is part of the National Facilitating Group for the week.

Anti-Poverty week aims to strengthen public understanding of the causes and consequences of poverty and hardship around the world and in Australia and encourage research, discussion and action to address these problems, including action by individuals, communities, organisations and governments.

For more information on how to get involved click here

Blue Care Awareness Week runs from 16-22 June 2008, and actively promotes Blue Care's work and services to local communities, businesses, media and relevant government and healthcare stakeholders.

For more information on how to get involved click here

Minister for Ageing Justine Elliot met with UnitingCare Ageing NSW.ACT on 30 May 2008 to learn about their plans to extend to the North Coast. The Minister welcomed UnitingCare's approach to aged care which seeks to provide positive lifestyle choices for older people.

"I commend UnitingCare for the work they do - and I am glad that the Government's new budget measures will further support this good work," said Minister Elliot.

For more information click here

The UnitingCare Chair in Social Policy and Research, established in partnership with The University of Queensland, will be launched at a ceremony on 3 June 2008 in Brisbane.

This is the first time the University of Queensland School of Social Work and Applied Human Services has established a Joint Chair with a non profit organisation. Anne Cross, Chief Executive Officer UnitingCare Queensland, said that the importance of evidenced based research in shaping the future development of UnitingCare Queensland's service delivery agenda could not be underestimated.

"The development and implementation of a clear research agenda will enable us to better understand the complex and changing needs of the thousands of people that we help each year and to better tailor our services to meet those needs," she said.

"We will seek to invest in research that will result in practical outcomes by informing what services we provide across our agencies in the future and how these can provide the best outcomes for our clients."

For further information about the Joint Chair or the launch on 3 June please contact Dot King, Senior Communications Officer at UnitingCare Queensland on (07) 3025 2009

Earlier this month, UnitingCare Burnside marked 15 years of outstanding social justice advocacy work with an event at NSW Parliament House. The event brought together a number of Parliamentarians, academics, senior bureaucrats and the heads of the stat's peal bodies for children and families.

Speakers at the event shared their understanding of social justice and the impact of Burnside's work in this area. Burnside has put together a special publication commemorating their work, which was launched at the event. The publication provides a brief overview of the last 15 years of policy, research and advocacy work at Burnside and their plans for the future.

For a copy of the publication call (02) 9407 3230

The Uniting Church in Australia (UCA) continues to offer prayerful support for National Sorry Day.

President of the UCA, Rev. Gregor Henderson, said that, ten years since its inauguration, National Sorry Day reminds us that there is much still to do in the reconciliation process.

"We have commended the Federal Government on its official apology to the Stolen Generations," Rev. Henderson said.

"That was a terrific first step from the new Labor Government and we look forward to improved and ongoing consultation with Indigenous peoples, to redress the disadvantage they continue to suffer.

"The UCA works in collaboration with Indigenous Australians, particularly through the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress, as well as our community services and justice agencies.

"We pray that the Government adopts similar partnership practices to effect the best outcomes for Australia's Indigenous communities."

A new ecumenical Indigenous group was launched a week ago in Canberra, the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Christian Alliance (NATSICA).

More than two years since a new, broad, interchurch Aboriginal alliance was first discussed, Rev. Henderson said he was very pleased NATSICA had finally been officially launched.

"The Alliance aims to enable Indigenous Australians to engage directly with government, through advocacy and lobbying," Rev. Henderson said.

"It will enable Indigenous voices to be heard and governments to respond to the issues of Indigenous Christians."

"On National Sorry Day we pray for continued reconciliation and look forward to the activities of the Alliance in the process."

Minister for Ageing, Justine Elliot visited Blue Care's Ipswich Carer Respite Centre on 20 May 2008 to announce an extra $6.9 million in funding for carer organisations.

Attending the announcement were Blue Care Executive Director Stephen Muggleton, Blue Care Community Services Director Linda Dawson, Blue Care Ipswich General Manager Dan O'Sullivan, West Moreton/South Coast Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centre Manager Roger Taylor, and Blue Care Ipswich carers and administration staff.

Mrs Elliot said Australia's ageing population illustrated the value of respite care, counselling and carer support services provided by organisations such as Blue Care.

During her announcement, Ms Elliot noted her many dealings with Blue Care over the years and emphasised the importance of quality aged care service providers now and into the future.

The Federal Government has announced several measures of relevance or interest to non-profit organisations in the 2008-09 Budget. These measures include improving the integrity of prescribed private funds, GST relief for charities and removing the tax deductibility of political donations.

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The national functions of these two organisations will now be carried out by UnitingCare Australia, subject to a renewed Mandate for UnitingCare Australia being agreed to by the Assembly Standing Committee of the Uniting Church of Australia National Assembly.

The National Committee decision followed the UMN's sign off on the merger on 16 May 2008. The UMN membership also agreed to wind up the UMN and transfer all assets to UnitingCare Australia.

UnitingCare Australia National Director, Lin Hatfield Dodds said that the new merged entity would build on the already significant achievements of the two entities, their shared vision and purpose and the strength of the UnitingCare Australia and UMN structures.

"It is also a strong and public statement of our shared identity in the Uniting Church and our genuine commitment to working together for the common good.
UnitingCare Australia looks forward to delivering on a new set of national functions through a new organisational structure," she said.

The new national functions for UnitingCare Australia will be: influencing social policy and engaging in advocacy; developing and maintaining Government and other stakeholder relations; developing the Church's network of, and capacity to deliver, community services; and strengthening relationships across the life of the church.

UnitingCare NSW.ACT has committed to taking on more than 140 new Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff over the next 12 months as part of its recently developed Indigenous Employment Strategy. The specific aims of the Strategy are to recruit Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, be the employer of choice in the community services sector and support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff to become 2% of the total workforce of UnitingCare NSW.ACT.

This will be achieved in a range of approaches including the use of culturally appropriate recruitment processes, job descriptions and selection procedures and providing supportive and sensitive work environments that respect and value Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. UnitingCare NSW.ACT has also committed to providing support mechanisms such as external and internal mentoring, peer support networks and enabling staff to meet cultural obligations such as attending significant community events and gatherings.

Launched early May, at the Riverside Theatres in Parramatta Sydney, the Strategy has been developed in partnership with the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations.

For a summary document of the UnitingCare NSW.ACT Indigenous Employment Strategy click here

UnitingCare Australia’s Director, Lin Hatfield Dodds is an Ambassador for National Families Week 2008. The focus this year is a better balance between work and family responsibilities.

The week runs from 11 to 17 May 2008, coinciding with the UN International Day of Families on 15 May. National Families Week is run by Families Australia on behalf of the Australian Government Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs.

For more information click here

A number of the presentations given at the UnitingCare and Uniting Mission network 2008 conference are now available. The conference included a number of plenary sessions with keynote speakers including the Parliamentary Secretary for Social Inclusion, Senator Ursula Stephens, and the President-elect of the Uniting Church in Australia, Rev. Alistair McCrae.

Senator Stephens emphasised the vital role of the not-for-profit sector in the Federal Government's social inclusion agenda, pointing to the removal of "gag clauses" as central to the new relationship between this sector and the new Government.

Rev. Alistair McCrae spoke about the place of faith-based agencies in a post-Christian world.

Click here to access the presentations

UnitingCare Health is one of only 10 organisations in Queensland to achieve an Employer of Choice for Women citation this year. Awarded annually by the Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace agency, the award acknowledges organisations for achieving outstanding outcomes for women.