Update for the 18th June 2010
We have skipped a few weeks due to amount of work and activity happening in Darumbal and further afield. Its getting closer to the end of the financial year (HOW CAN THAT BE, I ASK??). Preparations are in hand for the end of year audit and finalisation of accounts.
MEDIA COVERAGE FOR YOUTH DETOX AND REHAB CENTRE IN ROCKHAMPTON
The past couple of weeks has seen a deal of information in the local paper about the need for a youth detox and rehab centre. Mrs Donna Kawane from CQAICCA received front page coverage in her calls for such a centre. This was taken up and supported by the CEO of Darumbal and Mr John Anderson from Pi-CaTS. The information was well researched by Ms Kathryn Greensill who is a journalist at the Morning Bulletin and she followed up with government Ministers at both the Federal and State levels. There will now be another strategy undertaken to follow up from the great coverage about the issue. Continue reading →
NAIDOC CORPORATE TOUCH FOOTBALL
Once again the Naidoc Touch Football Carnival was a huge success for Lionel & Wade with 12 teams entering the competition this year.
Congratulations to CQID who the winners with Helem Yumba runners up.
Darumbal had 2 teams involved – THE DARUMBAL DREAMERS & THE DARUMBAL DRIFTERS!!! I am proud to say Darumbal Dreamers took out the Wooden Spoon.
Congratulations to both Lionel & Wade for a great day.
BRING ON NAIDOC TOUCH 2011!!
WINNERS OF THE WOODEN SPOON
Skye wins Miss Photogenic
Congratulations to Phillippa Biggs for organising such a wonderful night. She dedicated the night to the 34 entrants & their partners. Over 370 guests attended the ball which was held out at the CQ Uni Sports Complex.
Congratulations goes to all the winners, entrants & their partners for all their hard work leading up to the ball.
Darumbal’s entrant, Miss Skye Penola was announced Miss Photogenic.
Well Done Skye!
Darumbal News for week ended 14th May 2010
What a week!! Its hard to believe that so much can be packed into 5 days. No wonder the time just flies. Darumbal had another amazing set of media stories in the print and electronic media. Catch up with what has been happening and give us your feedback.
HISTORY OF PALM ISLAND
With the recent announcements into the Palm Island matters, I thought that this piece written in 2004 on the history of Palm Island will inform people on how hard life was on this community.
A history of Palm Island
Wednesday, December 15, 2004 – 11:00
Dave Riley
Palm Island is 70 kilometres north-west of Townsville. The Indigenous settlement was established in 1918 after a cyclone blew away the Hull River reserve near Tully.
While it was one of the last settlements to be created under the draconian Aboriginals Protection and Restriction of the Sale of Opium Act of 1897, Palm Island was established with a clear purpose in mind.
The location was seen as an ideal place to confine Aboriginal and Islander people who were regarded as “problem cases” and as uncontrollable on other reserves where the state’s Indigenous population had been herded. Others sent there were the single mothers of mixed-race children and criminals recently released from prison. Over the next two decades some 1600 people from 40 different Aboriginal groups across Queensland were removed by the state government and dumped on the island.
The residents of Palm Island were subject to strict supervision. No-one was allowed to leave without the superintendent’s permission and then only under supervision. Absconders were captured by the police and returned. Relatives and friends needed permission to visit. Mail was vetted and a nightly curfew imposed. Speaking Aboriginal languages was forbidden. Employment opportunities were limited and the wages earned by Indigenous workers were “managed” and misappropriated by the Aboriginal affairs department.
In 1957, the Palm Island workforce demonstrated and threatened strike action when their wages were cut. In response, the Queensland government dispatched 20 police and a patrol boat to put the rebellion down. Seven men and their families were shipped off the island in leg irons and transported to settlements on the mainland. In 1974, only one of the 1200 workers on the island received an award wage. A second strike that year erupted when the government sacked the local community council and threatened to turn control of the island over to Townsville city municipality. By 1980, there were 99 people for each wage earner on Palm Island with an average of almost 12 people in each house.
Formal state control over the island was relinguished in 1985 when title was passed to the community council in the form of a DOGIT (Deed of Grant in Trust). While the DOGIT reforms gave residents on all state reserves a greater say in their administration, on Palm Island the changes led to the removal of much of the government infrastructure. Houses, shops, a timber mill, a dock and farming equipment were disassembled and shipped to the mainland.
Most of the few businesses now on the island are owned by non-Indigenous people. Those with jobs either work for the Palm Island Council, the two schools or the hospital. The biggest money earners on the island are the supermarket, still under state government ownership, and the “canteen” selling alcohol, run by the council. As the council’s adviser Don Peachy has pointed out: ‘They left us with the pub, the biggest revenue raiser for the council, and the source of the community’s self-destruction.” The current Indigenous population of the island is around 2,000. Unemployment is 88%.
For most of its history, Palm Island has functioned as a place of secondary incarceration, employed by successive state governments as the final solution to ongoing Indigenous problems. The Palm Island community carries the burden of the island’s history and represents, as local Murri activist Les Malezer has stated, “the epitome of oppression of our people by the Queensland colonial and state governments”.
From Green Left Weekly, December 15, 2004.
QLD ABORIGINAL & TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER HUMAN SERVICES COALITION HOLDS INAUGURAL SYMPOSIUM IN ROCKHAMPTON 13-14TH MAY 2010.
The Symposium saw up to 70 people attending for both days. The variety of speakers and their knowledge was stimulating and dynamic. It certainly sees the future of Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander affairs is in good hands with the new band of young leaders coming through. It was an honour to have the Social Justice Commissioner, Mr Mick Gooda, to open and close the symposium. His wisdom and humble honesty made us all stop and reflect on how to conduct our business.
There will be an outcomes paper of the symposium and this will be posted onto the website.
The Darumbal Dancers led by Dylan Mann entertained the crowd and closed the Symposium.
Margaret Hornagold, CEO, Darumbal Community Youth Service, Minister Karen Struthers & Wade Mann, Chairperson for Darumbal Community Youth Service Inc at the Symposium
Mitzi Jarvis speaking with Cleveland Fagan from Apunapima Medical Service
Karen Walsh, Chair of QCOSS Board & Mary Doctor from the Coalition catching up over lunch.
DARUMBAL HOLDS MEETING WITH TEAM LEADERS ON CONSTITUTIONAL REVIEW
Geoff Higgins from Performance People met with the Team Leaders from Darumbal on the 12th May to contribute towards the “Taking It Back to Community” Constitutional review. Tony Jansen, Debbie Robson, Krystal Beazley, Rose Melton and Lionel Harbin assisted with their views and opinions.
The next staff gathering will be on the 26th May at the Fitzroy River Boat Club.
FORMER ORIGIN GREATS (FOGS) MAKE DONATION TO DARUMBAL COMMUNITY YOUTH SERVICE INC
Darumbal was pleased to receive a donation from Gene Miles from FOG’s on the 11th May 2010. The work that the FOGs do is similar to that done by Darumbal. Mr Wade Mann and Mr Barry Doyle from the Board attended along with Ms Nina Kemp from the community. The story was featured on WIN News that night. The funds will be utilised for the Carpe Diem gym program.
FORTHCOMING EVENTS
17/5/10: Girlz 2 Woman workshop commences
18/5/10: GenerationOne Roadshow @ Kershaw Gardens from 8am-10am.
18-19/5/10: Tony Jansen & Lenore Blair in Biloela for the Housing & Homelessness Area Network Meeting (HHAN)
19/5/10: Darumbal Finance Sub Committee meeting
20-21/5/10: CEO, Margaret Hornagold, in Brisbane for the Workforce Innovation Conference-Keppel Community Care, Darumbal, Milbi & CEO have been shortlisted for an award during this conference.
FREE PIE RUN!
Darumbal runs a weekly pie run which is kindly donated by Bernies Pies. This takes place on a weekly basis on Tuesday & Friday afternoons. This service is provided to families & clients that may be under the influence or just overcrowding within the home.
If you would like a delivery of Hot Food and Salad Sandwiches/Rolls, please contact Emma Harbin at Darumbal on 49 226 180.
What happened in the fortnight 26 April to 7th May 2010!!!
WHOSE PICTURE WAS THAT LAST WEEK??
The picture posted last week was of Marissa Smith, the Office Manager, taken when she was going to school in Bluff. I think that most of you guessed this by the ABBA songs in the description.
NAME THE PLAYERS AND THE COACH
NEW STAFF ……….NEW STAFF…………………
Its a big welcome to 2 new staff at Darumbal. Ms Marie Kemp is the new Family Support Worker in the Eaglehawk program and Ms Rose Melton is the acting Youth Support Coordinator replacing Tony Jansen. Both women bring a wealth of experience from their previous work and community roles.
STAFF DEPARTING
Ms Sharee Willie is farewelling Darumbal from the 12th May 2010. Darumbal would like to wish Sharee all the best and thank her for her commitment to the staff, clients and Board of Darumbal in the time she has been here.
DARUMBAL BOARD MEETING
The Darumbal Board meeting was held on the 28th April. One of the key items was a presentation by Ms Julie Tanner who is a consultant working with CQID on the CQ WellBeing Centre. Ms Tanner outlined to the Board the progress of this project with land being acquired at CQU by CQID.
“Taking It Back to Community” DARUMBAL CONSTITUTIONAL REVIEW
A workshop was held for Board members with Mr Geoff Higgins from Performance People regarding the review of Darumbals Constitution. A number of key ideas and points were put forward by the Chair, Mr Wade Mann and the Treasurer, Mr Jason Pfingst. Community consultation meetings are being arranged with Darumbals Industry partners, staff and the general community. A community BBQ will be held on Mt Archer on the 11 June commencing at 10.00am and all are welcome to attend. Please RSVP to Chrissie at Darumbal if you are coming and if you require transport.
DARUMBAL CEO INVITED ONTO THE COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH PARTNERSHIP
Margaret Hornagold was invited to be a member of the State-wide Community Mental Health Partnership Forum. The forum gathers senior representatives of Disability and Community Care Services and a broad range of organisations representing the wider community mental health sector. The forum members will focus on strategic and systemic issues arising from policy, programs and practice. Members will engage collaboratively on the future direction of community mental health. A 12 month work plan will be established. The first meeting will be held on the 4th May 2010.
DARUMBAL MEMBER OF THE STOCKLANDS YOUTH ACTION WORKING GROUP
Ms Krystal Beazley, Ms Emma Harbin, Ms Laine Barclay and Mr John Harbin attended the meeting of the Stocklands Youth Action Group last week. Darumbal is engaging an additional 4 VSM Youth Workers to link with youth at Stocklands on Thursday nights to address VSM and other behaviours. The CEO of Darumbal, Margaret Hornagold along with Krystal Beazley and Emma Harbin conducted training for Stocklands Security staff on cultural awareness matters on the 6th May 2010. Although the intent was to do a historical background on Murri issues, the main issues covered was the lack of activities for young people and the concerns that security staff had about the health and well-being of the young people who chrome around Stocklands.
CARPE DIEM………..CARPE DIEM……………..SEIZE THE DAY
We’re in the fight to help our youth
We’re in the fight to help our youth
John Harbin, Brenton Doblo and Margaret Hornagold were all featured in an article in the Morning Bulletin on the 6th May following the successful launch of the Carpe Diem Gym program in Rockhampton. The facility will cater for young people and assist them in getting back on track with discipline and hard work. A number of local sporting identities along with government officials and the Deputy Mayor, Councillor Rose Swadling were present at the launch. The item was also shown on the WIN news on the 6th May. Hats off to John Harbin and Brenton Doblo for this exciting venture.
YOUTH TAKE MESSAGE TO MINISTER
As part of National Youth Week, two youth from the Edge of Dreaming Early Intervention program, Josh Doyle and Lorna Adams travelled to Brisbane along with Laine Barclay and Krystal Beazley to showcase a video made by the young people in the Early Intervention program. They were fortunate to meet the Federal Minister for Housing whilst at the workshop. The story was covered in the Morning Bulletin and the local news.
This is how we do it in Rocky
ART CORE
The Art Core program is BACK by high demand. We are now recruiting young people to help paint the Traffic Light Boxes and the Bus Stops around Rockhampton.
This is a NEW & EXCITING way to get outdoors and experiment with spray paint, brushes and graffiti LEGALLY.
Our program will run every Mondays, starting at 10am. Transport and lunch will be provided.
So if you think you are a deadly artist and would like to display your work within the local community, please contact Krystal Beazley or Emma Harbin on 49 226 180 to secure your placement.
Ubuntu 10.04 LTS released
Released 29 April 2010, the latest Ubuntu is available.
It’s a free Operating System for your PC, laptop / netbook or server. It ’s a good alternative for upgrading from Windows XP or Vista.
What is Ubuntu?
Old pics-do you recognise this person?
This little charmer used to be a dancing queen. All she wanted was money, money, money. People used to ask her does your mother know that you’re out. Who is it?
What happened week ended 23rd April 2010
The past week has been one dominated by staffing movements, recruitment and training.
Modern Awards-QCSEA Workshop 19/4/10 in Gladstone.
Cely Baillie & Margaret Hornagold attended a workshop in Gladstone run by the QCSEA regarding the Modern Awards. Darumbal has been to workshops run by QCOSS, ASU and now QCSEA as well as seeking advice from QCCI on what the award modernisation and transitions mean for staff at Darumbal. Darumbal as a respondent to the old SAC’s award transitioned to the ‘new SAC’s’ award from the 1 January 2010. We can start to make some changes from 1 July 2010 with the transition taking place over the next 12 months. We are waiting for the regulations to be announced that go with the Fair Work Act 2009 that will determine pay rates etc. A Heads of Agreement has been negotiated between the ASU & the Australian Government to protect those pay rates introduced through the State legislation. A federal pay equity case is being run now.
I will endeavour to keep staff and Board up to date on the new awards and what it means for Darumbal.
AVSM Workshop in Townsville
Krystal Beazley attended the AVSM workshop in Townsville from the 19-21 April 2010. A lot of information was gathered to assist the Darumbal VSM program and Krystal gave a presentation of what we do in Rocky. Other services were very interested in the Pie Run project that Krystal set up and will be introducing this into their communities. Good on you Krystal!
Its welcome to the new VSM Youth Worker, Emma Harbin. Emma has hit the ground running literally as she has been working on the Touch with young people with Kylie ODonnell from PCYC.
Constitutional Review-Taking It Back to Community Project
Darumbal is currently reviewing its Constitution and Geoff Higgins from Performance People is assisting us with this. Geoff met with 2 Board members on the 22nd April 2010 to go over some key questions and outline how the community, members, staff and industry partners will be involved in reshaping our Constitution. It is called ‘Taking It Back to Community’ to reflect where it came from and the importance of the communities views and ideas.
Tony Jansen is taking on a new role
Tony Jansen has been the YSC at Darumbal for the past 9 years. He will be taking a 6 month secondment to be the Acting Team Leader at Budaroo House, our Homelessness Service. He will work with Lenore Blair, Dereck Hornung and other staff to get ready for the new Action Plans and strategies rolling out from the White Paper on Homelessness. Tony started at Budaroo on the 22 April 2010.
Ms Rose Melton will be starting in the YSC position from the 29th April 2010 for 6 months. Those of you who have had dealings with Glenmore High School will know Rose from there. We look forward to welcoming Rose to the team.
Staff Training and sharing information on programs and work plans for 2010.
A successful staff awareness and information sharing day was held at Darumbal on the 23rd April 2010. Staff were asked to present their work plans for this year and the information presented has enabled staff especially those new to the service to learn more about what each program does and just where workers go to when they are not in the office. The Administration, Finance and IT sections also presented their work charts for the year.
Staff Team Building Lunches
Marissa Smith & Chrissie Roder have been busy planning different venues with cultural themes for staff to get out of the office and debrief and clear out the cobwebs over lunch. The venue last month was the Punjabi in East Street and today it was the Crooked Cactus at the Saleyards Hotel. This is a delightful spot and the decor, service and meals were very enjoyable.
Hang onto your somberos, hombres
Staff Training in Certificates and Diplomas in Youth Work, Mental Health, Alcohol & Drugs, Community Services
All staff are involved in getting their evidence together for an RPL exercise as well as answering the questions for the different accreditation that they are doing. It will be another successful training result when staff complete the training and are qualified in another range of skills.