A Brotherhood of St Laurence Staff Newsletter, June 2002 Issue 4 JUSTICE AND COMPASSION FOR REFUGEES Keep your eyes out for a controversial new postcard produced by the Brotherhood’s Promotion and Communication Department and Ecumenical Migration Centre to promote World Refugee Day on 20 June. The card depicts an image of Jesus with the word ‘refugee’ stamped across it. 45,000 copies of the free postcard will be distributed to cafes, independent cinemas and university campuses across Australia through Avant Card’s national network. The strong image is intended to evoke an emotional response and to get people talking about and taking action on the federal government’s treatment of asylum seekers and refugees. The card was designed to appeal to particularly younger people at university and in the inner city. Market research commissioned by Justice for Asylum Seekers (convened by the EMC) showed that young people, and particularly young women, are among the groups most likely to change their opinions about asylum seekers when given new information. Sarina Greco, manager of the EMC, says, ‘If you don’t like the card very much, that’s okay. It’s been developed so we can market it to different audiences than the usual Brotherhood networks. The Avant Card people believe the image will be particularly effective for the groups they specialise in targeting.’ The concept and artwork for the card were supplied by artist Deborah Kelly. Deborah says, ‘I come from a Catholic background, and I have a great love for the religious art of that tradition. I wanted to create an image that is both beautiful and baleful, something that would spark a strong reaction and send a reminder to our nation’s leaders, who all profess to be Christian.’ Various groups, including Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace, have been consulted in the development of the postcard. The commission will be mailing the card out to their supporters and networks. Executive Director Father Nic Frances also approved the card and he asks Brotherhood staff to consider distributing the card to their clients and friends. If you are at a workplace with a reception desk, you might like to leave some cards on the counter for people to pick up free of charge. If you want to order copies of the card, you can email Renaee Churches [email protected]. ‘When 1 feed the poor, they call me a saint. When I ask why the poor are hungry they call me a communist. Bishop Dom Helder Camara BSL FACT I : The Brotherhood of St Laurence’s Koori Community Aged Care Packages Program helps Koori elders or Koori people with a disability stay in their homes for longer. BSL FACT 2: The Brotherhood of St Laurence provided support and services for more than 2000 elderly people on low incomes. BSL FACT 3: More than 200 community services throughout Australia now use The Care Manager, a software program designed at the Brotherhood of St Laurence.
Transcript
A Brotherhood of St Laurence Staff Newsletter, June 2002 Issue 4
JUSTICE AND COMPASSION FOR REFUGEESKeep your eyes out for a controversial new postcard produced by the Brotherhood’s Promotion and Communication Department and Ecumenical Migration Centre to promote World Refugee Day on 20 June.
The card depicts an image of Jesus with the word ‘refugee’ stamped across it.
45,000 copies of the free postcard will be distributed to cafes, independent cinemas and
university campuses across Australia through Avant Card’s national network.
The strong image is intended to evoke an emotional response and to get people talking about and taking action on the federal government’s treatment of asylum seekers and refugees.
The card was designed to appeal to particularly younger people at university and in the inner city. Market research commissioned
by Justice for Asylum Seekers (convened by the EMC) showed that young people, and particularly young women, are among the groups most likely to change their opinions about asylum seekers when given new information.
Sarina Greco, manager of the EMC, says, ‘If you don’t like the card very much, that’s okay. It’s been developed so we can market it to different audiences than the usual Brotherhood networks. The Avant Card people believe the image will be particularly effective for the groups they specialise in targeting.’
The concept and artwork for the card were supplied by artist Deborah Kelly.
Deborah says, ‘I come from a Catholic background, and I have a great love for the religious art of that tradition. I wanted to create an image that is both beautiful and baleful, something that would spark a strong reaction and send a reminder to our nation’s leaders, who all profess to be Christian.’
Various groups, including Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace, have been consulted in the development of the postcard. The commission will be mailing the card out to their supporters and networks.
Executive Director Father Nic Frances also approved the card and he asks Brotherhood staff to consider distributing the card to their clients and friends. If you are at a workplace with a reception desk, you might like to leave some cards on the counter for people to pick up free of charge.
If you want to order copies of the card, you can email Renaee Churches [email protected].
‘When 1 feed the poor, they call me a saint. When I ask why the poor are hungry they call me a communist.
Bishop Dom Helder Camara
BSL FACT I :
The Brotherhood of St Laurence’s Koori Community Aged Care Packages Program helps Koori elders or Koori people with a disability stay in their homes for longer.
BSL FACT 2:
The Brotherhood of St Laurence provided support and services for more than 2000 elderly people on low incomes.
BSL FACT 3:
More than 200 community services throughout Australia now use The Care Manager, a software program designed at the Brotherhood of St Laurence.
Subm it a question about work, social or fam ily life to be answered by our panel of h ighly qualified experts. No problem too trival!
“My m anager’s desk is right across the corridor from me. I know that she is having relationship problems at the moment because I can hear every word she says on the phone to her husband. I have to answer her phone from time to time, and yesterday her husband asked me out. What should I do?"
You are obviously a sensitive and thoughtful person facing a complex ethical dilemma.We assum e you have written to us hoping for an honourable remedy to your problem. The panel however can recommend only one course of action that truly accords with the spirit of the times: blackmail. It is the only truly empowering, enterprising solution. You will either profit from the husband, or you will win your m anager’s high regard for confirm ing her su sp ic ions that she is married to a duplicitous dolt.A win-win strategy!
email: inthehood June 2002
Cra ig ieburn consu lta tion and review
The final report recommends an ongoing BSL presence in Craigieburn, with a clear focus on community development and advocacy for more effective social planning, social enterprise and financial sustainability, community partnerships, and a clear process for ongoing consultation with the community.
The review will be launched by Nic Frances in Craigieburn on Wednesday 26 June. Copies of the report will be available then.
HR News
The Brotherhood has recently completed a review of its centre in Craigieburn. The communities of Craigieburn and Roxburgh Park were consulted about local strengths, needs and gaps and about how the Brotherhood could best develop and manage the centre and services to help meet the developing needs of both communities.
The review was undertaken by consultant Linda Kelly with support from research assistant Meredith Levi and BSL staff member Helen Denney. It provides a solid base for future long-term planning.
Current BSL programs based in Craigieburn include the local Family Day Care scheme, a small family counselling program, a No Interest Loan Scheme and Community Care Packages (Northern). The centre also provides a base for outreach programs operated by other agencies and is home to several local community groups and services.
Craigieburn is located in the rapidly expanding city of Hume, reflecting a mix of both rural and urban areas. The population is young and increasingly diverse, and the majority of residents are low to middle income earners.
While the report highlights the strong sense of community spirit and resourcefulness, the review emphasises four major issues that are critical for understanding the vulnerability and marginalisation of this community. These are:
« isolation and access, including social isolation and isolation from services;
■ high financial committments, with many residents vulnerable to increasing interest rates and insecure employment;
■ inadequate public transport system which fails to keep pace with the development of the community;
■ gaps in services, including inadequate health services, especially mental health services, services for young people, inadequate child care, not enough high schools and a lack of low cost housing.
The report states that ‘the overwhelming picture that emerges from the research data is of communities with many assets where for some people, distance, limited available money and insecure or unreliable employment, together with a lack of services, creates a stressful and marginalised existence’.
EEO general awareness sessions
General awareness sessions are running in June. Everyone should attend one of these sessions. Managers have a list of the times and dates. Make sure you discuss this with your manager and work out the best session for you to attend. There’s no need to book. We should have ample room at each session. Contact HR if you have any questions.
OH&S training
OH&S training is continuing. If you are interested in health and safety in your work area and would like to attend the training, contact Louise Hogan in HR and discuss it with your manager. There are still places available in courses which will run over the next few months.
Staff Consultative Committee
The Staff Consultative Committee is made up of representatives from general staff (both union and non-union staff are represented), staff nominated by the Executive Team and members of the Executive. Michelle Stretton from HR coordinates the committee, and Sian Owen, an independant external consultant, is the chair. The committee currently is working on two
The team at Craigieburn.
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ssu email: inthehood June 2002
projects, a standard Performance Development and Review System and a Job Grading System.
If you’d like to find out how these projects are progressing, or you have something you’d like to raise with the committee, contact one of the following: Richard Gales, Julie Kun, Sue Azzuibar, Himadri Potter, Eliza Ryding, Rob Cook,Pat Jones, Isobel Strapps, Joanna Dimopoulos, Michelle Stretton (coordinator), Sian Owen (Chair).
Any further questions about the committee can be emailed to Michelle Stretton.
What’s the deal?To help build a better knowledge among staff about HR policies, we're going to give a brief summary of particular policies in each issue of In the hood. You can always find more detail about HR policies by looking at the HR manual on eflash.So, what’s the deal with ...
Maternity LeaveWho’s eligible?Maternity leave is available to permanent employees giving birth or adopting a baby. To be eligible for unpaid maternity leave you need to have completed twelve months employment at the date your leave commences and for paid leave of three months you need to have completed two years of continuous service at the time you begin your leave. Normally maternity leave will commence between six and four weeks before you are due to give birth. The maximum amount of leave that can be taken is twelve months, so staff on paid leave are eligible for a further nine months of unpaid leave.
How do I apply?If you’re planning to take maternity leave, you need to make application for the leave at least three months before you plan to begin the leave, normally in the fourth or fifth month of pregrancy.
Can I extend my maternity leave?Yes. You need to notify your manager at least one month before the date on which you had planned to return. Normally only one extension of maternity leave is granted. Leave cannot be extended beyond twelve months from when the leave commenced.
What’s the process for returning to work? You need to contact your manager to confirm the date on which you’ll resume work at least one month in advance. Normally, you will return to the same substantive position (your normal permanent position) at that time. If you want to alter you position (for example work part-time), this may be negotiated. The BSL will attempt to accommodate these requests, however this is not always possible.
Top 5 Aussies List - Here is a list of the 10 most nominatedRecently staff and clients were asked to nominate and submit their top 5 Australians to the Fundraising and Development department. Thanks to clients from the Coolibah centre who responded enthusiastically to the task. Prize money of one hundred dollars in cash was also offered to encourage people to participate. Lucky Yolande Murray won the prize money. The top 10 Australians that staff chose are as follows...
1. Cathy Freeman with 53 votes
2. Ian Thorpe with 31 votes
3. William Deane with 30 votes
4. Pat Rafter with 28 votes
5. Eddie McGuire 24 votes
6. Dawn Fraser 20 votes
7. Gough Whitlam 19 votes
8. Bob Brown 1 2 votes
9. Peter Garret 1 2 votes
10. Bert Newton 11 votes
Winners of the NCAP petition competitionCongratulations go to Brian and Cuthbert, the receptionists at 67 Brunswick St Fitzroy, for their first prize win in collecting the most signatures for the National Coalition Against Poverty (NCAP) petition. They were presented with a sandwich maker, an electric kettle and two bottles of wine.
The petition is calling for all pensions and benefits to be increased to at least 25 per cent of the male average weekly earnings. It also calls for a royal commission into poverty in Australia with the aim of developing measures to determine an a dequate standard of living for all people. (Find out more at www.bsl.org.au/ncapwebsite.)
The staff at BSL Craigieburn came a close second, winning a CD player and two bottles of wine for their efforts.
As a sign of appreciation, morning tea was provided at Head Office for Brian and Cuthbert, and also at BSL Craigieburn for the Craigieburn staff. Thanks to everyone who collected signatures for the petition.
NCAP aims to present approximately 20,000 signatures to the House of Representatives in October. The Brotherhood is continuing to collect signatures, so those services or stores that have not had the opportunity to promote the petition at their reception desk or with their clients and staff can still do so today. Copies are available from Sally Jope (9483 1306) or from the NCAP website: www.bsl.org.au/ncapwebsite.
As well as being an active member of NCAP, the BSL is also running a major campaign to help bring about an Australia free of poverty. If you’ve
Brian and Cuthbert receive their prizes.
got other ideas for ways to take action on poverty, we want to know about them! Contact Renaee Churches on 9483 1170.
HIPPY Australia was fortunate last month to secure the services of Adelaide-based children’s author Elizabeth Hutchins for
two weeks to help develop Australian content for HIPPY learning materials.
HIPPY Home Tutors currently use American children’s books that are often inappropriate for the Australian context.
Elizabeth’s time in Melbourne was funded by May Gibbs Children’s Literature Trust to
promote Australian writing for children.
Elizabeth is the author of There’s Something About Mondays, Look Them in
the Eye, A Matter of Cats, Brat Cat, and Operation Teddy.
She spent her time getting an overview of HIPPY and assessing the needs of the
program. She also spoke to schools and illustrators while she was here. Elizabeth Hutchins talks to Hippy Home Tutors.
S ta ff C o n s u lt a t iv e C o m m itte eThe Staff Consultative Com m ittee is made up of representatives from general staff (both union and non-union staff are represented), staff nom inated by the Executive Team and m em bers of the Executive. M ichelle Stretton from HR coordinates the committee, and Sian Owen, an independant external consultant, is the chair. The committee currently is w ork ing on two projects, a standard Performance Developm ent and Review System and a Job Grading System.
If y o u ’d like to find out how these projects are p rogre ssing, or you have som eth ing y o u ’d like to raise with the committee, contact one of the fo llow ing: Richard Gales, Julie Kun, Sue Azzuibar, Himadri Potter, Eliza Ryding, Rob Cook, Pat Jones, Isobel Strapps, Joanna D im opou los, M ichelle Stretton (coordinator), Sian Owen (Chair).
Any further questions about the committee can be emailed to M ichelle Stretton.
Denver callingThe BSL Library and Information Service took a call from Denver, Colorado last week. It was from a father who was helping his son with a school assignment. He had found the book he wanted in the Library of Congress catalogue, but it was 11.30pm in Colorado and there was no way to get access to it. He decided that Melbourne Australia would be a good place to find a library that was open, so he called Australian directory assistance wanting to know the number of ‘the most important library in Melbourne’. Needless to say he was referred straight to the helpful staff at the Brotherhood Library, who were of course able to assist him with his request!
in the hood is produced by the Promotion and Communication Department. Email: inthehoodEdited by Andy Macrae, design by Len Taylor. Contributors: Sarina Creco, Helen Westerman, Matthew MacDonald, Jill Webb, Eileen Buckley, Rosemary lacono, Sally Jope, Patricia Newell. Layout: Didier Moutoussamy.
