Goverment Media Release: New sobering up shelter opened in Katherine

The Federal Minister for Indigenous Health and Member for Lingiari, Warren Snowdon today officially opened a new sobering-up shelter in Katherine today.

The construction of the new $1.5 million facility in Giles Street has been funded by the Australian Government, with the Northern Territory Government providing ongoing operational funds.

“The new Yarrlalah Shelter replaces and upgrades an outdated facility in Katherine and will offer rehabilitation and treatment services to up to eighteen people.

“We know that excessive alcohol consumption is closely associated with a broad range of health, social and economic problems in all populations and has a particularly harmful impact on Aboriginal Australians, their families and communities.

“This upgraded facility will continue to be a valuable asset to the community because it will continue to operate as a safe place for people heavily influenced by alcohol who would otherwise remain on the streets, at risk of being harmed or of causing harm to others,” Mr Snowdon said.

Named Yarrlalah after consultation with Dagaman, Wardaman and Jawoyn people, the facility’s new accommodation, cooking and living areas, will encourage clients to return to a healthy lifestyle. The name Yarrlalah translates to feeling good and being safe and reflects the purpose of the facility.

Health Minister Kon Vatskalis said the NT Government will fund Mission Australia to run the facility.

“Mission Australia will help provide improved access towards rehabilitation and treatment services, which can help clients address substance misuse and other health issues.

“I am confident that this service will continue to support the valuable work being undertaken in the Katherine region to improve the treatment of alcohol misuse. It will also help reduce anti-social behaviour in the community.”

Mr Snowdon said the Australian Government is also providing $1.6 million for the construction of a new sobering-up shelter in Tennant Creek, with the NT Government providing operational funds.

The Australian Government is committed to working with the Northern Territory Government to Closing the Gap In Indigenous health outcomes by providing better access to a range of health and emergency and community services, particularly in remote and regional areas.

In 2010-11, the Australian Government is providing more than $16.3 million across the NT for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander drug and alcohol rehabilitation and treatment.

Media contacts:

• Alice Plate 0400 045 999 (Snowdon)
• Maria Billias 0401 119 746 (Vatskalis)

Media Release issued by Warren Snowdon MP, Federal Member for Lingiari and Minister for Indigenous Health, and Kon Vatskalis MLA, Northern Territory Minister for Health

New kitchen

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Media coverage - Frankston Weekly: Towards a greener future

Twenty young people from the Frankston and Cranbourne areas last week started a 26-week environmental training program with the National Green Jobs Corps.

The program offered in partnership with Parks Victoria, Frankston Council and Mission Australia offers people aged 17 to 24 a combination of work experience, skill development and accredited training to give them the skills for future employment in green and climate change industries.

The 10-person Frankston team will be involved in improving the flora and pathways to natural resources along Seaford foreshore, Kananook Creek Reserve, Sweetwater Creek at Frankston South and Outlook Reserve in Frankston.

Activities will include planting, propagating, landscaping, mapping and surveying weed infestation and constructing pathways, signs, shelters, seating and barbecue areas.

The Cranbourne team will work on the expansion and development of the Royal Botanic Gardens at Cranbourne. This is the first time Frankston Council has been involved in the program.

Above photo: Travis Sandwith and Samantha Marshall, who are starting their training, with Kirra Marks, who graduated from a program at Seaford foreshore last year.

Picture courtesy of Gary Sissons, story courtesy of the Frankston Weekly

Include A Charity campaign launched

Margaret is one of thousands of
Australians leaving a gift in her will.

It's a common misconception that only very wealthy people leave money to charity when they die. The reality is most bequests are made by ordinary, hardworking people who want to make a positive difference to their community.

Mission Australia has joined 107 charities as part of the Include A Charity campaign, which aims to encourage Australians to leave a bequest in their will to charity.

When asked, 29 percent of people say they'd be willing to leave a gift in their will to a charity once their family and friends had been provided for. However, only 7.5 percent of Australians actually end up doing so. But if the percentage of Australians making a bequest were to increase by just 14 percent, an additional $440 million would be created for charities in this country every year.

The official Include A Charity website, which was launched this week, demonstrates just how easy and rewarding it can be to leave a gift in your will.

The site highlights 12 charities in rotation at any time, and these change every time the home page is refreshed. Includeacharity.com.au also enables you to search for your favourite charity by name or by service.

The website also includes a simple guide to leaving a gift in your will, legal information, as well as Frequently Asked Questions such as “Is it okay to remain anonymous? And “How do I make sure my gift will go to those who most need it?”

As part of the national campaign, an Include A Charity television ad has also been created. It will screen for the first on Channel 7’s The Morning Show from 9am on Monday 21 March.

The Include A Charity site also includes links to Mission Australia’s Facebook, Twitter and YouTube pages.

NT Youth impress at Urban Quest - live and by Skype

The search for talented Territorians is heating up, with the early Urban Quest heats unearthing plenty of amazing hip hop artists, singers and guitarists.

Last week’s heats at Darwin High School, Sanderson Middle School, Palmerston Library and Katherine High School attracted around 50 contestants aged from 10 to 19. One keen singer who was unable to attend the Katherine heat in person, due to local flooding, managed to Skype her performance – a first for Urban Quest!

Urban Quest not only gives locals the chance to display their talents, but it also generates funds for Mission Australia to develop accommodation for homeless young Territorians.

There’s been plenty of local interest in this year’s Urban Quest. The Palmerston heats were covered on Stepping Out With Katie Woolf (a local TV segment), view the video at our Youtube channel, and also by Hot 100 FM's Amanda Pernechele.

The next heats take place this Saturday, 19 March, at Malak Theatre, Palmerston Library and Brown's Mart Theatre at 2pm.  Entrants can now register on the day.

Hot 100 FM's Amanda will then join Mark Holden on the semi-finals judging panel on 29 March at Casuarina Square.

All Urban Quest entrants go in the running to win cash, studio recording time, mentoring and iPods.

Ten acts will then experience a workshop with Mark ahead of the big finals night at the Darwin Entertainment Centre on 2 April at 7pm. Deni Hines will perform on the night and also join Amanda and Mark in the judges’ box to choose the NT Urban Quest winner.

You can keep up to date with Urban Quest at facebook.com/missonaust

Media coverage - Scone Advocate: New program for indigenous seekers

A new employment program involving the health and child care industries has recently been launched in Scone, Muswellbrook and Singleton.

The program offers indigenous residents looking for work, a career in the fields of health and childcare and provides ongoing support to the employee in their position.

Launched by Mission Australia Employment Solutions, the Indigenous Employment Program is a joint initiative with the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations.

About 40 Indigenous community members living in the Upper Hunter will be assisted in seeking positions in nursing, aged and disability care, residential support, administration and child care positions, as well as receiving pre-vocational training to improve their job readiness.

Mission Australia Employment Solutions regional manager Jodie Gilliland said with so many job opportunities currently available in these fields and demand expected to increase over the next five years this program provides a great opportunity for local businesses to find the right job-ready employees.

After completing their pre-vocational training, including obtaining their First Aid certificate and a Statement in Attainment in Community Health, participants will move on to receive further qualifications through completing traineeships.

"We're keen to hear from local employers who are interested in partnering with us and benefiting from finding job-ready employees who are raring to go."

Story courtesy of The Scone Advocate

Visit Mission Australia's Aboriginal & Torres Strait Island resources page for our Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), the latest indigenous news, current affairs and policy updates.

Language program opens doors to work, study and the community

Today is the Ides of March, immortalised by Shakespeare in Julius Caesar – but how many people who will hear or read the term today know that in Roman times “ides” simply referred to the 15th (or sometimes 13th) day of the month?

It’s a reminder of how complex and rich the English language is – and just how difficult it must be for non-native speakers to master.

Through its Language, Literacy and Numeracy Programs (LLNP), Mission Australia aims to help people for whom English is second language to build up their verbal and written English skills, and in turn open doors to employment, study and community participation.

Catering for a wide range of backgrounds and ages, Mission Australia delivers this program in 40 city and rural locations. In the Sydney metropolitan area, women make up 70 percent of the 400 LLNP students.

Mission Australia Operations Manager Tom McKay said that LLNP not only provided students with the opportunity to go on to further study and employment, but it also helped them to form friendships and connect with the wider community.

“If you are unable to communicate effectively there can be a feeling of isolation within the immediate community and stronger language skills empower people to be able to get out and be part of the community,” he said.

“Many women in particular find LLNP a fantastic place to forge strong friendships and increase their learning in a very supportive environment that respects and incorporates a plethora of cultures.”

Shakti Sah-Raj, Mission Australia’s Manager LLNP in Bankstown, said one of the great joys of her job is seeing students build self-esteem and gain friends through the classes.

“One of our students, A’idah*, is a Sudanese refugee who has made good friends through LLNP,” said Ms Sah-Raj. “During the recent unrest in Egypt, she was not sleeping or eating well as she was so worried about her daughter in Cairo. Nevertheless, she always made it to LLNP to learn English. By talking to her classmates and her teacher, she said she gained the great comfort and support.”

She added that another student from a Greek background has never missed a day, despite recently being diagnosed with cancer: “She really wants to learn English and is determined to come to school everyday until her operation, and then she’ll be back in class. She’s an inspiration to everyone.”

LLNP students also include Australian-born native English speakers who may missed out of educational opportunities early in life, to those who may not be able to read and write in their own native language and overseas university graduates needing help with their English.

“In today’s society all should have the opportunity to compete on a fair and equitable basis and without the necessary numeracy, literacy and language skills many people will continue to face disadvantage,” added Mr McKay.

LLNP is a Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations program that is available to eligible jobseekers who want to increase skills in speaking, listening, reading, writing and maths. The program is available through Mission Australia in New South Wales, Tasmania, South Australia, Western Australia and the Northern Territory.

To find out more visit the LLNP page on the MA website or call 1300 MPOWER (1300 676 937). 

*Name has been changed