Rugby heroes to join MA staff at Brisbane Winter Sleepout

Queensland Reds and Wallabies players Radike Samo and twins Saia and Anthony Faingaa will tonight join a group of Mission Australia staff from the Brisbane South Employment Solutions team sleeping rough to raise money for our homeless services.

Mission Australia’s Elia Tuqiri said staff taking part in the Sleepout at Citipoint Church are aiming to raise up to $10,000 to help people experiencing homelessness.

“In my job I meet a lot of people who are desperately looking for work as they are at risk of losing their home, or worse, are already homeless,” Elia said.

“In many cases, it’s not just individuals who are homeless, but families with young children without a stable home. Many are couch-surfing at friends’ places or sleeping in their car, because they haven’t got a place of their own. In the toughest cases they are sleeping rough in our community.

“I often think of myself as very lucky to have stable full time employment and the ability to pay my rent, have food on the table and a safe place to shower and sleep.

“Sometimes we take these things for granted – and that is why we have organised this Winter Sleepout to build awareness and raise important funding for Mission Australia’s homeless services.”

Former Reds player, Charlie Fetoai will also share how he turned his life around after suffering a serious spinal injury that brought his Rugby Union career to an end.

Charlie now works as a Mission Australia Indigenous Employment program mentor, helping young Indigenous men and women to overcome challenges in their own lives and get the training and support they need to find work.

“When I suffered a serious spinal injury on the field, I went from the highest point in my life – doing what I loved, playing professional rugby – to the lowest point, where I was terrified I might not walk again,” Charlie said.

“It was through self belief, staying positive and the support of my family, friends and team mates that I was able to recover and walk again. The experience completely changed my outlook on life, and has motivated me to help others who are struggling with barriers in their lives that are holding them back.

“The Winter Sleepout is a great cause, aimed at helping people out there who are struggling with circumstances hard for any of us to imagine – and that is why I am pleased to be a part of this event.”

There will be performances by school and dance groups from 6:30pm and the players will be signing autographs from 6pm.

Meanwhile on the Gold Coast, more than 30 staff from Mission Australia’s Employment Solutions offices and the crew from Southport Rotaract Club offices will brave the winter tonight to raise money for the homeless.

Good luck to all everyone camping out tonight for Winter Sleepout to help us reach our $250,000 fundraising target. To find out more about Winter Sleepout or to make a donation, visit: www.wintersleepout.com.au

Thanks to our City2Surfers for going the distance
Huge thanks to the 150 people who ran, walked and even skipped the 14km in last weekend’s Sun-Herald City2Surf in support of Mission Australia. There was a blur of red and white singlets in almost every category of the event, from the speedy runners to the walkers.

A few even ran the whole distance in their PJs, in support of our Winter Sleepout. Along the way hundreds of well-wishers, including Senator Mark Arbib and NSW Premier Barry O’Farrell, offered their support.

Of all our fundraising supporters, first-time City2Surfer Sook Smith outdid herself, raising over $9,000 for our services and sitting at number eight in the overall top ten individual fundraiser ladder for the event.

She joined Mission Australia staff, supporters and members of Team MA, made up of clients of our homeless services, at a post-race barbecue in North Bondi.

All those weeks of training with the Sydney Roosters paid off for Team MA, with all members crossing the finishing line. Among them was Wayne Richards, who has taken part in every City2Surf since 1974.

In the lead-up to the City2Surf, Wayne attended every training session with players Ethan Lowe, Cheyse Blair, Lama Tasi and Boyd Cordner.

Thanks to Wayne, his team mates, all our fundraisers and their supporters for playing your part in this fabulous community event. Your efforts have raised a much-needed $20,000 for Mission Australia’s support services.

Media Release: Local Mission Australia staff sleep out to help the homeless

More than thirty staff from Mission Australia’s Employment Solutions offices on the Gold Coast & the crew from Southport Rotaract Club offices will brave the winter cold tonight, in an effort to raise money for the not-for-profit’s homeless services.

The driving force behind the local event – Crystal Jousovec from Mission Australia’s Employment Solutions office in Palm Beach – said she decided to organise a Winter Sleepout because she wanted to help people less fortunate than herself.

“In my job I meet a lot of people who are desperately looking for work as they are at risk of losing their home, or worse, are already homeless,” Crystal said.

“In many cases, it’s not just individuals who are homeless, but families with young children without a stable home.

“Many are couch-surfing at friend’s places or sleeping in their car, because they haven’t got a place of their own. In the toughest cases they are sleeping rough in our community.

“I have experienced homelessness personally myself in a brief moment over a year ago.

“I have a young daughter and I understand the despair of not having anywhere to live. Luckily I had the support of my friends and work mates to help bring me through homelessness and I now have my own unit which I pay rent for.

“I often think of myself as very lucky to have stable full time employment and the ability to pay my rent, have food on the table and a safe place to shower and sleep.

“Sometimes we take these things for granted – and that is why I wanted to organise a Winter Sleepout to build awareness and raise important funding for Mission Australia’s homeless services.”

The Winter Sleepout is being held at Southport Rotaract Youth Club, Lawson Street Southport, tonight from 7pm, with the group aiming to raise $1000 or more.

Raffles will be held on the night, with Jupiters Casino donating one night’s accommodation in a superior room for two adults, including buffet breakfast; and local beauty company True Beauty Revealed donating vouchers for facials and massages at their salon.

Mission Australia’s Winter Sleepout, which was first held in 1988 in Sydney’s Martin Place, is about raising both awareness and funds for Mission Australia’s more than 100 services for homeless people nationally.

Last year, Mission Australia assisted close to 30,000 people who were homeless or at risk of homelessness.

This year’s Winter Sleepout fundraising target is $250,000. With your participation, we can reach this target and help transform the lives of more homeless Australians in 2011.

To find out more about Winter Sleepout or to register, visit: www.wintersleepout.com.au

For more information on tonight’s event at Southport contact (07) 5559 6200

Media Contact: Nicola Hazell (07) 3394 8114 or 0467 783 421

Above photo: The team from Employment Solutions Palm Beach in preparation for their sleepout

Government Media Release: 70 jobs in Warwick region Indigenous Employment project

Up to 70 Indigenous jobseekers from Warwick, Stanthorpe, Goondiwindi, St George and Dirranbandi will be part of an employment project thanks to the Australian Government’s Indigenous Employment Program.

Minister for Indigenous Employment and Economic Development Mark Arbib said the Warwick Employment Service Area Industry project, delivered by Mission Australia, showed a commitment to boosting the skills of jobseekers so they could find meaningful employment in the local area.

“The project comprises pre-vocational training, industry-specific training, job placement and post-placement support for the participants and employers,” Senator Arbib said.

“Mission Australia will assess each participant and work with them to draw up an individual action plan outlining the steps the participants needs to take to move into a job. Once employed, participants will receive ongoing assistance for the first six months.

“Some of the key industries in the Warwick Region include transport and logistics, retail, wholesale, horticulture and primary production, food processing, aged care, hospitality and government.

“Industry-specific training will be given to participants based on what skills local employers have identified they need.

“This training can include things like licences and tickets for transport vehicles, forklift and machinery operation or short courses in retail, business administration or hospitality.

“The important thing with this project is that we are showing our commitment to getting Indigenous Australians skilled and employed in a meaningful way, not just providing training for training’s sake.”

Senator Arbib said the project was a result of more than $675,000 from the Indigenous Employment Program and would employ two mentors and a project coordinator with Mission Australia.

“This project follows on from the success of a 2009 Mission Australian Indigenous Employment Project in St George, which saw more than 97 per cent of project participants placed into employment,” Senator Arbib said.

“Thanks to this partnership we are able to continue to build job and training opportunities in regional and remote Queensland for Indigenous Australians.”

Senator Arbib said Treasury predicted 500,000 jobs would be created over the next two years and it was critical that Indigenous Australians had the support and training they needed to take up employment.

“Indigenous employment is not a short-term issue. Over the next four years the Australian Government has committed almost $650 million to the Indigenous Employment Program and $50 million to the Indigenous Youth Careers Pathway Program,” Senator Arbib said.

“This is part of the Australian Government’s target to create more than 100,000 jobs for Indigenous Australians by 2018.”

This media release was issued by Senator Mark Arbib on 17 August 2011

Media coverage - West Australian: Call to give kids drug/alcohol lessons

The WA head of Mission Australia wants more comprehensive drug education in primary schools as children as young as 10 dabble in alcohol and cannabis.

Acting State Director Carmen Acosta said better programs and delivered at a younger age could help the small number of children vulnerable to such drugs in primary school. It would have the more widespread benefit of fortifying students against peer pressure in high school.

Ms Acosta said young people were growing up faster but drug education in primary school appeared ad hoc and in some cases absent or ineffective.

Some children relied on inaccurate information from the internet.

"There is most certainly evidence to show children are dabbling as young as 10," she said.

"The biggest risk time is the first year of high school. We need to fortify them with appropriate information before that."

Ms Acosta said the impact of cannabis and alcohol should not be underestimated. About 80 per cent of people using Mission Australia counselling and rehabilitation had cannabis and alcohol problems.

This compared with only 30 per cent in 1999.

Heroin and amphetamines were bigger problems back then, accounting for half their clients, she said.

"Violence fuelled by alcohol and binge drinking is extremely concerning among young people," Ms Acosta said.

"We are seeing many more young people coming to us concerned about their alcohol use than we have ever seen previously."

Ms Acosta said most children would never have problems with drugs and alcohol but would benefit from getting accurate and age-appropriate information in primary school.

Story originally published in The West Australian on 15 August 2011

Media coverage - South Coast Register: Video links workers with employment

Mission Australia Employment Solutions at Nowra has achieved a first, placing a jobseeker through a video.

Mission Australia recently launched its visual resume program Meetseeker, and Shoalhaven Excavations operations manager Kris Peters was one of the first prospective employers to look at the program.

Mr Peters gave up his time to attended the new program's launch day on June 23 in which he got to meet some of Mission Australia's jobseekers, and also give his feedback on the program.

After regularly turning to Mission Australia for help finding new staff, Mr Peters used Meetseeker to hire Lino Nuualiitia.

"Despite Lino having no previous demolition experience I really liked his enthusiasm and the way he presented himself on Meetseeker, that's what really sold me in the end," Mr Peters said.

Mission Australia Shoalhaven business manager David Rawson said the response from the business community had been overwhelming, with several local businesses "really taking this new technology on board as the way of the future for recruiting new staff".

Above image:  MA sales representative at Nowra, Arnie Schunmann, is on hand as jobseeker Lino Nuuiltiia is welcomed to his first day of work by Kris Peters from Shoalhaven Excavations

Story originally published in the South Coast Register on Monday 8 August.

National data mirrors demand at Mission Australia's services

New national data released today showing an increase in demand for welfare services across Australia mirrors Mission Australia's own frontline experience.

Mission Australia CEO, Toby Hall, said the number of people seeking assistance at Mission Australia’s homeless services and other community assistance programs has continued to rise in recent years – highlighting the ongoing plight of Australians struggling with financial and personal hardship.

Data published by the Australian Council of Social Service today reported a 12 per cent increase in assistance provided by agencies for services ranging from homelessness to mental health to aged care.

The data also showed that despite providing services on 6,180,282 occasions in 2009-10 compared with 5,513,780 in 2008-09, more than half of the 783 organisations polled said they had been forced to turn people away as they were unable to meet demand.

“This is a clear indication of how serious the demand has become for more services to help people who are struggling in our community,” Mr Hall said.

“Everyday, staff at our services are contacted by individuals and families desperately in need of help: people struggling with long-term homelessness; parents who are unable to find work and can no longer afford to pay the rent; and children who are dropping out of school because of the challenges they face on the home front.

“These trends are particularly concerning, when you consider that high unemployment, large numbers of young people not engaged in education or training, and general disengagement from community are the seeds of the kind of activities we have seen in Britain this month.

“This is a strong reminder to Australia of how important it is to provide adequate support services to help disadvantaged members of our community turn their lives around.

“We don’t want to see Australia's level of disadvantage increase. And most of all, we don’t want to see people in need being turned away from crucial services because the demand is just too great.

“At Mission Australia we are committed to helping people turn their lives around – especially those people who have been turned away by every other service provider.

“We don’t want to see anybody left behind – and that’s why we will continue to work with all levels of government to identify new opportunities to support people who are at risk of homelessness or disadvantage," said Mr Hall.

Media Release: International Youth Day – a chance to help young people reconnect

As communities around the world celebrate International Youth Day today, Mission Australia is reminding Queenslanders to spare a thought for those young people who are disadvantaged or struggling to cope in their community.

Mission Australia Queensland State Director Penny Gillespie said there are many young people making a great contribution to our communities – but we need to also ensure those who are struggling to get by are not forgotten, and that we do what we can to keep those young people engaged and connected.

“At Mission Australia, we provide support for some of the most vulnerable young people in our communities – people who have often lost touch with their families, disengaged with education and found themselves homeless or, worse, in trouble with the law,” Ms Gillespie said.

“In recent months, Mission Australia staff have reported a particular increase in the number of young people coming into contact with our services who are not coping in their current school environment – and as a result are avoiding classes or dropping out altogether.

“In many cases, this disengagement with school has also led to young people leaving home and ending up on the streets where they are more susceptible to becoming involved in crime or anti-social behaviour.

“Our youth services, such as Reconnect and Project Circuit Breaker, aim to help those young people to reconnect with their family and support networks, and to find education opportunities that will be supportive and responsive to their individual needs.

“As the demand for these services continues to grow, Mission Australia is encouraging government to think outside the box and support initiatives that recognise the fact, not all young people fit into the system and alternate education opportunities need to be provided.”

Ms Gillespie said the shocking events that have occurred in London over the past week should act as a reminder of how important it is to support young people to stay engaged in the community in order to prevent anti-social, destructive activities.

“The events of the past week in London have horrified the world. It is a very disturbing situation when you have young people taking out their anger on their own communities and fellow citizens,” Ms Gillespie said.

“We are fortunate not to have this sort of situation in Queensland. But these events should act as a warning that we must not allow the seeds of this sort of activity to grow, such as high youth unemployment, large numbers of young people not engaged in education or training, and disengagement from community.

“Mission Australia will continue to work with all levels of government to identify new opportunities to support young people who are at risk of homelessness or disadvantage.

“Queensland youth are the future of our State and we want to see all young people given the chance to engage positively with education, employment, family and community.”

Media Contact: Nicola Hazell – 3394 8114 or 0467 783 421

Media Release: Government must change policy on unaccompanied refugee children

Mission Australia has called on the Australian Government to allow unaccompanied refugee children seeking asylum to stay in the country and is encouraging the leaders of the country’s churches and welfare agencies to raise their voices in public support.

Mission Australia’s CEO, Toby Hall, said most fair-minded people would be uncomfortable with the prospect of deporting unaccompanied minors.

“Whatever their political beliefs, I believe the broader Australian population is not supportive of turning unaccompanied children away,” Mr Hall said.

“It’s morally wrong and the government needs to change its policy.

“Malaysia, Nauru or anywhere else, it doesn’t matter. Sending unaccompanied children away from our shores, to an uncertain future, is against our shared values. It’s not what Australia’s about.

“Gradually we’re seeing a range of voices speak up against the policy. Last week Western Australia’s Premier, Colin Barnett, registered his opposition. This morning, Father Frank Brennan did the same.

“We need more leading Australians – particularly from our churches and welfare agencies – to speak out in similar terms.”

Earlier this week, Mission Australia announced its support of Melbourne’s Crossway Baptist church’s offer to accommodate and care for unaccompanied refugee children – at no cost to taxpayers.

“Mission Australia is proud to back Crossway Baptist Church in its efforts. We’d be happy to work in similar ways with other reputable organisations.

“If the government were to agree to Crossway’s offer, Mission Australia would use its expertise as one of the country’s largest providers of homelessness and youth services to support the church with developing policies and procedures to ensure the care of these children is delivered at the highest standards and with cultural sensitivity.

“When the government was first elected in 2007 it promised a humane and even-handed approach to refugees. It promised community-led care of refugee children.

“We’re calling on them to stick to those principles,” said Mr Hall.

Media contact: Paul Andrews (02) 9219 2080

VicHealth Media Release: Poor housing and illness intrinsically linked, reports show

The Victorian Health Promotion Foundation (VicHealth) and Hanover Welfare Services have put the spotlight on the links between housing and health in Australia, with the launch of two new reports this month.

'Precarious housing and health inequalities: what are the links?' And the 'Precarious Housing and health: research synthesis' show a clear link between inadequate and unstable housing and poor health.

Launched on 4 August, the reports are now available for download from the VicHealth website.

Findings include:

• 10 per cent of Australian households live in unaffordable housing


• Around 12 per cent of people reported difficulties paying their mortgage/bills


• One in four people aged 18 to 24 and half of people older than 64-years-old in private rental experience housing stress


• Unemployed people are 15 times more likely to live in unaffordable housing than full-time employed people


• Women, Indigenous people and people born in non-English speaking countries are more likely to experience housing affordability stress


• People with poor physical and mental health are more likely to experience forced moves from rental properties;


• Around 4 per cent of the Australian population live in unsuitable housing.

Manager of VicHealth’s Health Inequalities program, Kellie Horton, says these reports aim to raise awareness of housing as an important factor in health and signal VicHealth’s entry into this area.

“This research shows there is a clear link between housing conditions and both physical and mental health. We now know that in order to maintain good health, it’s essential for people to live in affordable, adequate and stable dwellings,” she said.

Ms Horton added the reports show a need for integrated housing and health policy and services and better collaboration within the housing and health sectors to address poor housing conditions for disadvantaged groups in particular.

“There are ways to promote good health through housing and these reports provide a great starting point for investigating the options.”

The research was led by Hanover Welfare Services, a leading Melbourne based agency providing services to people experiencing homelessness or housing crisis.

Chief Executive of Hanover Welfare Services, Tony Keenan, says the report has important implications for academics, policy makers and those working in the health and homeless sector.

“Housing and health are both significant and priority areas of government expenditure and service delivery. This research provides hard and direct evidence for what common sense tells us,” Mr Keenan said.

“This research will form the basis of an important movement where housing playing an integral role in improving the health and wellbeing of marginalised Australians.”

Other research partners included the University of Melbourne, the University of Adelaide and Melbourne City Mission.

Interviews with report researchers Shelley Mallet and Rebecca Bentley and VicHealth’s Kellie Horton will be loaded on to VicHealth’s YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/user/VicHealthMedia

Media coverage - Herald Sun: Owen Craigie warns of gambling pitfalls

Be it horses, trots, greyhounds, poker machines or card games, you name it and former NRL star Owen Craigie used to punt on it. Hardcore.

For 12 years, Craigie wrestled the daily demons of a gambling addiction that ultimately cost him everything that he had earned from playing rugby league.

In total, he lost more than $1.5 million. Houses, relationships, friends, family - Craigie went all in and lost the lot. If ever rugby league needed a reminder about the damage gambling can do, this is it.

Broken to the point where he contemplated suicide, Craigie turned to psychologist Phillip Hilder and Gamblers Anonymous for help.

Slowly, he's confronted his addictive personality and the triggers behind it to the point where he has rebuilt his life to work as a gambling education officer for Mission Australia in Newcastle.

"The topic of gambling in Aboriginal communities is just as big as your drugs, alcohol, domestic violence and your sexual abuse.

"Back in the day, I'd gamble every day. When you've got an addiction and a disease, that's what you do. There's no line, there's no limits; reality is you've got a problem.

Described by Andrew Johns as "the most naturally talented player I played with", Craigie made his NRL debut as a schoolboy aged 16 and won a grand final with Newcastle when he was 18.

During his 10-year, 153-game NRL career with the Knights, the Wests Tigers and South Sydney, he pocketed more than $1.5 million in earnings.

In between training and game days, his life was built around TABs and pubs in Newcastle, Rozelle and Redfern, always chasing the next big collect.

These days, instead of rushing to his local every Saturday to settle in for an afternoon of punting, you will find Craigie preaching the value of education.

As part of Mission Australia's Gambling Smart project, he has travelled to 11 Aboriginal communities in the past eight months and has nine communities still to go.

As far north as Tweed Heads, as far south as Nowra, west to Brewarrina and then in the Sydney suburbs of Redfern, Mt Druitt and Campbelltown, Craigie talks about everything from the stolen generation and alcoholism to the awful habit of sniffing petrol and glue.

Read the full article here

New ACT problem gambling service
Last week Mission Australia officially opened its new office in Canberra from where it is providing the ACT’s nation leading Problem Gambling Support Service, which commenced on 1 July 2011.

This service is an Australian first, with a focus on both preventing gambling problems and supporting those currently experiencing problems.

Clients can access the support service in a number of ways including face-to-face and over the phone. The number is 1800 858 858.

Read more about the launch here

Media coverage - Western Advocate: Getting homeless men off the winter streets

There are 30 fewer people sleeping rough in Bathurst tonight, thanks to a new program being run by Mission Australia.

The Central West Homelessness Action Plan (HAP) targets single adult men who are homeless – or at risk of being homeless – in Bathurst and Orange.

“The program was implemented in response to the significant number of single men presenting to services who were in need of support,” Mission Australia’s service manager for the Central West Luke Butcher said.

“It targets single men over the age of 18 who are either homeless and sleeping rough, or people who are in need of support to maintain accommodation.”

Team leader Darren Hunter said the plan had already assisted 30 people.

“We have put a roof over these people’s heads and, in addition, we have found long-term accommodation for seven men in Bathurst and Orange,” he said.

Among those who have been assisted is a man who has been sleeping in Machattie Park for five years.

“We have also helped a number of people who have been sleeping in their cars, one for five years,” Mr Hunter said.

“There are people sleeping out throughout Bathurst, not just in the CBD, and there are also people couch surfing each night.”

Mr Hunter said homelessness is a significant problem in Bathurst.

“If you walk through Hyde Park in Sydney you expect to see homeless people on the park benches, dressed in tattered clothing, and with three stripey bags or a shopping trolley.

“When you come to the Central West, just because you don’t have the visual reminder doesn’t mean the problem doesn’t exist.

“The number of homeless is yet to be clarified, but we are maintaining a database now that should give us reliable figures in six to 12 months.

“The leading causes of homelessness are financial management, debt, domestic violence, mental health issues, drug and alcohol problems, and a tight rental market.

“There is a growing number of people from Sydney looking for accommodation in this area and first home buyers moving into the market are reducing the number of houses available.

“We have also had a number of victims of domestic violence seek assistance.
“Traditionally, men are usually seen as the perpetrators of domestic violence, but this isn’t always the case.”

The HAP program aims to break the cycle of homelessness.

“The program breaks new ground in providing a range of support services as well as brokerage money to fund such things as medical appointments,” Mr Butcher said.

People can self access the service by calling in to 161 Rankin Street, or phoning (02) 6331 5603.

Above photo: Pictured at the Mission Australia office opening are Darren Hunter, Carol McManus and Luke Butcher. Courtesy of The Western Advocate.

This article was originally posted in The Western Advocate

Media Release: Horticulture and environmental programs to help train youth

Mission Australia, in conjunction with Job Futures and Now Green, will launch three new National Green Jobs Corps (NGJC) programs this month to provide young West Australians with valuable environmental and horticultural skills.

NGJC is an Australian Government youth development program, offering people aged 17-24 the opportunity to receive work experience and quality training while participating in projects which contribute to significant environmental and cultural heritage initiatives.

Mission Australia program consultant Kristina Hayley said the six month long programs - Horticulture at City Farm, North of Perth Bushland Regeneration and Perth’s City Conservation Youth Project – gave young West Australians the opportunity to learn skills in a diverse range of activities which benefit the environment and local communities.

“Each program offers a wide range of work experience from regenerating and replanting degraded bushland, growing vegetables and native species to all aspects of plant propagation, small construction projects and weed eradication.

“This includes monitoring the water use and solar panel efficiency at City Farm and maintaining the Urban Orchard garden outside the Art gallery of WA in the Perth Cultural Centre.

“There is even a project that involves growing designer mushrooms using recycled coffee grounds,” Ms Hayley said.

“At the end of the six month course participants will receive a Certificate 11 in Horticulture or Certificate 11 in Conservation and Land Management and be equipped with practical skills and training to help them gain employment in horticultural or environmental industries.”

Event date:  Monday 15 August 2011
When:  2.00pm
Where:  City Farm, 1 City Farm Place, East Perth WA 6104

Interview and photo opportunities:
Kristina Hayley, Mission Australia
National Green Jobs Corps participants

Media enquiries:
Jo Ann Blizzard (08) 9388 0944 or 0416 038 787

Media Release - Andrew Barr MLA: Nation leading problem gambling service officially launched in the ACT

Today Mission Australia officially opened its new office in Canberra from where it is providing the ACT’s nation leading Problem Gambling Support Service which commenced on 1 July 2011.

Problem gambling is an issue the ACT Labor Government takes seriously. I am looking forward to Mission Australia’s contribution to combating problem gambling in the ACT.

This service is an Australian first, with a focus on both preventing gambling problems and supporting those currently experiencing problems.

It will provide counselling services - both problem gambling and financial - educational information on problem gambling, self-help techniques and important links to other services such as family guidance, alcohol and drug assistance as well as housing and employment opportunities.

Another important element of the service will be outreach services to other locations in the ACT. This will include providing support to clubs to help club staff deal with patrons who may be experiencing gambling problems.

Mission Australia is also working with the Australian National University, the ACT Gambling and Racing Commission and industry stakeholders to assist with research on the causes and effective treatment of problem gambling.

The support service is being funded through the Problem Gambling Assistance Fund. All gaming machine licensees are required to contribute to this fund and it also includes voluntary contributions from ACTTAB and Casino Canberra.

Mission Australia was selected from a competitive public tender process and currently provides gambling counselling services at 13 sites across NSW. The service has six full time staff who between them have 30 years of counselling experience.

Clients can access the support service in a number of ways including face to face and over the phone. The number for the service is 1800 858 858.

The service will extend to provide support through e-mail and online contact in the future.

Media release issued on the 4 August 2011 by Andew Barr MLA, Deputy Chief Minister, Treasurer, Minister for Economic Development, Education and Training, Tourism, Sport and Recreation in the ACT Legislative Assembly

Media Release: Worrying trend in homeless deaths reveals vulnerability of life on Sydney's streets

Daniel Strickland, Manager for Mission Australia’s homeless transport service, Missionbeat, says an estimated 10 homeless people have died in the last two months alone from a range of issues. In the last 12 months, an estimated 16 homeless people have died while another seven formerly homeless people have passed away. The main causes of death identified are related to substance abuse and chronic disease.

Mr Strickland said the deaths were concerning given the mortality rates of homeless people relative to the general population. He said the deaths reflected the vulnerability of homeless people, the increased risks associated with their situation and the impact long-term homelessness has on a person’s health.

“I’ve been working at the coalface of homelessness for nine years and I can’t recall seeing this many deaths among homeless people – and this is just in Sydney’s inner-city,” Mr Strickland said.

“It’s an extremely concerning development for our agencies and all those involved in providing services and support to homeless people in Sydney’s inner city.

“At an estimate, altogether more than 20 homeless or formerly homeless people have died in the inner city since late last year – it seems a much larger number than normal.

“Given the range of causes of death – from overdose, long term alcohol abuse and cancer as the most frequently occurring factors but also including assault, accident and suicide – it’s a stark reminder of how vulnerable homeless people are and how exposed to range of factors.

“Because of the transient nature of homeless people it’s very difficult to give an authoritative figure on the number of deaths, but based on our experience this seems to be an abnormally high number for a relatively small subset of the population.

“If this was another subset of the population you have to wonder if this number of deaths would go unnoticed. But because homeless people are often disconnected from family and community networks who might speak up for them it’s easy for a trend like this to slip under the radar.

“There’s no particular reason I can give for the apparent spike – it unfortunately seems to reflect what it is to be homeless in Sydney in 2011.

“As we move through winter, it’s a reminder to all of us, not just those on the frontline, but governments, businesses and the general public, just how tough it is out there and how much effort is needed to turn this situation around,” Mr Strickland said.

Media contact: Leanne Budd 0457 505 342

National Homeless Week stories and media coverage:

• Bold approach to homelessness will take 70 most vulnerable off streets
• Mission Australia warns battle for affordable housing continues among the homeless
• Beds to give away in unique project to help homeless South Australians
• Homeless service staff spend more hours assisting people with mental health than homelessness

Media Release: Mission Australia warns battle for affordable housing continues among the homeless

In a sign that the battle for affordable housing is growing, leading Queensland homeless organisation Mission Australia has reported its staff are now spending almost twice as many hours trying to find appropriate permanent housing for people as they were six months ago.

According to the latest data, Mission Australia’s frontline staff working in seven of its homeless services across Queensland, spent more than 420 hours assisting clients to secure permanent housing and tenancy between 1 January and 25 July 2011.

This compares to 241 hours staff had to spend specifically on securing housing for clients in the six months prior.

State Director Penny Gillespie said the increasing challenge in finding permanent accommodation for people experiencing homelessness shows just how essential the push for more affordable and social housing has become.

“Mission Australia has seven services throughout Queensland aimed specifically at helping homeless people to find permanent accommodation and turn their lives around,” Ms Gillespie said.

“Often our work isn’t primarily about finding someone a ‘roof over their head’; it’s about tackling the issues that stop them being able to maintain independent accommodation such as family conflict, mental illness or unemployment.

“But in the last six months, the amount of time our staff have had to dedicate to simply trying to locate and secure permanent housing for eligible clients has almost doubled.

“This demonstrates just how tough the lower end of the housing market has become, and of greatest concern is the impact such a shortage will have on people who are homeless or at risk of becoming so.

“We don’t want to see homeless numbers spiral in Queensland, leading to more young people, adults and families ending up living on the street or sleeping on a friend’s living room floor.

“We know that the demand for public or affordable private housing in Queensland is very high and we acknowledge the significant efforts of the Queensland and Commonwealth Governments to invest more funding than ever before to boost social housing supplies.

“We also welcome the significant contribution of both levels of government to providing better services and support through the National Partnership Agreement on Homelessness.

“With National Homeless Persons’ Week starting today, this latest data is a strong reminder of how important this investment is and the risks to our community if such investment doesn’t continue.

“Our staff will keep doing everything we can to support people who have nowhere else to go and we will continue to work with all levels of government and other housing providers to assist clients to get a fair go in the housing market.”

Media Contact: Nicola Hazell – 3394 8114 or 0467 783 421

Media Release: Beds to give away in unique project to help homeless South Australians

Mission Australia - one of Australia’s leading community service organisations - has lots of beds to give away – to the homeless or those at risk of being homeless.

Its unique Sleep Better Project targets children, young people and adults that do not have access to a bed or mattress.

"National Homeless Persons’ Week (August 1-7) is a time to acknowledge that there are thousands of people in South Australia who are not able to tuck their children into a bed or lay their head on their own pillow at night,” said Kim Holmes, Operations Manager at Mission Australia.

"Homelessness is not always obvious or visible on our streets – but that does not mean it isn’t a problem. There are families living in cars, young people hoping to find a friend’s couch to sleep on and people living in overcrowded dwellings.

"Homelessness has many layers, but the ultimate impact is a sense of diminished safety, security and certainty,” she said.

As part of Sleep Better, Mission Australia has a large number of single and double beds with mattresses to be distributed through their own homelessness services as well as through their non-government partners for people in need.

"There's no substitute for a home of your own, but many of the people we help don't even have their own bed.

"A bed of your own brings with it a sense of safety, security and rest. It is more than a piece of furniture.

“Mission Australia’s Sleep Better initiative aims to help provide a good night’s sleep so South Australian children and adults can have a better opportunity to participate in education and employment,” said Ms Holmes.

The project has been funded by Community Benefits SA.

Media contact: Renae Sullivan at Rann Communication – (08) 8211 7771 or 0438 980 636

Media Release: Homeless service staff spend more hours assisting people with mental health than homelessness

National Homeless Persons’ Week – 1-7 August

Mental illness among homeless people has become such a significant problem that staff at one of the largest providers of homeless services in Australia spent more hours assisting clients with mental health needs than homelessness in the first six months of 2011.

According to the data, 255 Mission Australia frontline staff, across 75 of its homeless services nationally, spent a total of 5,896 hours assisting clients with mental health issues between 1 January and 25 July 2011.

In the same period, staff spent 4093 hours assisting clients with homelessness issues and another 1,379 hours in relation to clients at ‘risk of homelessness’ – a total of 5,472 hours.

The data illustrates the strong link between mental illness and homelessness and follows on from a groundbreaking study of homeless men by Mission Australia in August 2010 which found close to 70 per cent had a diagnosed mental health or substance use disorder, 81 per cent had “very high levels” of psychological distress (compared to 3 per cent among males in the general population), and exhibited Post Traumatic Stress Disorder at levels 20 times greater than the general male population.

According to Mission Australia’s CEO, Toby Hall, the new data provides an insight into an important aspect of Australia’s broader mental health problem and of the huge demand homeless services face from people wrestling with mental illness in addition to their need for shelter.

“When you look at these figures, there’s no doubting how big an issue mental health is for both the people accessing our homelessness services and our frontline staff,” said Mr Hall.

“And when looked at in combination with Mission Australia’s earlier research on the extent of mental illness among homeless men, we are looking at a hugely significant problem.

“Through Mission Australia’s data collection we’re able to see exactly the type of supports our homelessness services offer young people, adults and families on a daily basis.

“It tells us that in a little over the first six months of 2011, frontline staff in our homelessness services put in more hours assisting people with mental health needs than with issues directly related to their homelessness. That’s quite extraordinary.

“That includes conducting health assessments, providing counselling – both formal and informal – and referring clients to more specialised medical care.

“It also reflects the complexity of the support we provide homeless people. Often our work isn’t primarily about finding someone a ‘roof over their head’; it’s about tackling the issues that stop them being able to maintain independent accommodation.

“For example, a debilitating mental illness that, untreated, makes it impossible for an individual to hold down a job or a home.

“For both homeless people – and the staff that support them – it’s an issue that keeps on getting bigger and bigger.

“This National Homeless Persons’ Week, while it’s important to recognise the downpayment the Australian Government made on mental health in its last budget – at $2.2 billion over five years, a significant amount – we need to keep in mind how huge the demand out there is, particularly among our community’s most vulnerable.

“I suggest that the experience of our frontline staff is just the tip of the iceberg. The government’s mental health funding is going to need to stretch a long way,” said Mr Hall.

Media contact: Paul Andrews (02) 9219 2080 or 0409 665 495

Media Release: Launch and graduation for young environment trainees in Shepparton

Local youths will graduate from an exciting Mission Australia environmental training program and the launch of the final stage of the project will take place on Friday 29 July 2011.

Mission Australia’s National Green Jobs Corps (NGJC) project – a 26 week environmental training program offered in partnership with Conservation Volunteers Australia – offers young people a combination of work experience, skill development and accredited training to equip them with the skills necessary for future employment in green and climate change industries.

During the project, the group of graduates from the Shepparton region have undertaken real work experience activities such as tree planting, propagation, weed control and stabilisation of embankments in newly created wetlands.

The launch of Shepparton Wetlands rejuvenation project will be the last of its kind for the region. Participants will be undertaking real work experience activities including reclamation and redevelopment of the old land fill site at the end of Kialla Tip Road.

Anthony Moore, Victorian Regional Manager for Mission Australia said the team is looking forward to making a difference to the local environment and picking up skills for the future.

“This is an opportunity for a team of local youths to get hands-on experience in projects that benefit the environment and the local community.” said Mr Moore.

Date: Friday 29 July 2011
Time: 12:30 pm
Where: On site – Marquee At the end of Kialla Tip Road

Interview and photo opportunities:

• Anthony Moore, Victoria Regional Manager, Mission Australia
• Tracee Vassallo, National Green Jobs Corps Business Manager, Mission Australia 
• National Green Jobs Corps graduates and their families

Media contact:

• Rachael Nightingale on (03) 9600 0006 0449 881 980 or rachael@fenton.com.au
• Justin Watts on (03) 9600 0006 or justin@fenton.com.au

Media coverage - ABC: Homebuyers shut out until 2020

House prices in capital cities are forecast to stay severely unaffordable for at least a decade, according to a study by the University of Canberra and AMP that found that median house prices jumped nearly 150 per cent between 2001 and 2011.

Sydney remains the most expensive place to buy a house while Hobart is the cheapest.

Ben Phillips from the University of Canberra is the lead author of the report by the National Centre for Social and Economic Modelling (NATSEM) and AMP, which looked at housing affordability from 2001 to 2011.

Mr Phillips says housing in Australia has become severely unaffordable and will remain so for at least the next 10 years.

One of the most surprising figures to come out of the report was how unaffordable houses in places such as Newcastle and Wollongong were.

"It's now the case that these cities are actually just as unaffordable as somewhere like Sydney or Melbourne and the reason for this is because whilst their house prices are a little bit lower, their incomes are significantly lower than a city like Sydney," Mr Phillips said.

"I guess the distinction in this report though is we've sort of split it up into the housing haves and the housing have-nots, and the affordability report looks very much at those trying to get into the market as opposed to those who are already in the market," he said.

Read the full ABC report online

Read highlights from the report here (PDF download - 1.46MB)

ABS Media Release: Consumer Price Index - June quarter up 0.9%

The ABS Consumer Price Index rose 0.9% in the June quarter 2011, compared with a rise of 1.6% in the March quarter 2011.

The most significant price rises this quarter were for fruit (+26.9%), automotive fuel (+4.0%), hospital and medical services (+3.4%), furniture (+6.0%) and deposit and loan facilities (+2.1%). The most significant offsetting price falls were for vegetables (–10.3%), audio, visual and computing equipment (–6.3%), electricity (–1.5%), domestic holiday travel and accommodation (–1.5%) and milk (–4.6%).

Fruit prices increased by 26.9% in the June quarter 2011 mainly due to an increase of approximately 138% in the price of bananas due to shortages created by Cyclone Yasi. Banana prices increased 470% over the six months to the June quarter 2011.

The ABS Consumer Price Index rose 3.6% through the year to the June quarter 2011, compared with a rise of 3.3% through the year to March quarter 2011.

Further information is available in Consumer Price Index, Australia (cat. no. 6401.0) or visit www.abs.gov.au...

The 16th series CPI will be introduced from the September quarter 2011. This will include a new commodity classification and expenditure weights from the 2009–10 Household Expenditure survey. For more details about the upcoming changes to the CPI, please refer to Changes to the CPI from September Quarter 2011.