1 C4C Contacts Sarah Brown, Service Manager: [email protected].au Margaret Osmond, Communities for Children Coordinator: [email protected]om.au Petra Lovey, Community Development Development and Communications Officer [email protected]. au Ph: 40516560 Quote of the month: ³7KHUH LV QR NHHQHU UHYHODWLRQ RI D VRFLHW\¶V VRXO WKDQ WKH ZD\ LQ ZKLFK LW WUHDWV LWV FKLOGUHQ¶ Nelson Mandela EDITORIAL Welcome back! YEAR OF THE DRAGON 2012 According to the Chinese Zodiac, the Year of 2012 is the Year of the Dragon, which begins on January 23, 2012 and ends on February 9, 2013. The Dragon is the fifth sign of the Chinese Zodiac, which consists of 12 Animal signs. The Dragon is a creature of myth and legend. In ancient China, the celestial Dragon represents an emperor and power. Today, it is the ultimate auspicious symbol signifying success and happiness. May the celestial Dragon bring great good luck to everyone. TABLE OF CONTENTS WELCOME BACK YEAR OF THE DRAGON ............................................................................................ TABLE OF CONTENTS ..................................................................................................................... 1 LOCAL NEWS FOR SOUTHSIDE AND YARRABAH................................................................................. 2 WORKSHOPS & EVENTS FOR PARENTS / CHILDREN / FAMILIES .......................................................... 2 FUNDING AND GRANTS .................................................................................................................. 4 SCHOLARSHIPS AND OPPORTUNITIES.............................................................................................. 5 RESOURCES, INFORMATION AND NEWSLETTERS ............................................................................ 13 FEATURED SERVICE ................................................................................................................... 16 APO NEWS:................................................................................................................................. 16 INTERESTING FACTS FROM AUSTRALIAN HISTORY .......................................................................... 17 Corridor Links Newsletter Communities for Children An Australian Government Initiative January Newsletter 2011
Nelson Mandela EDITORIAL Welcome back! YEAR OF THE DRAGON 2012
According to the Chinese Zodiac, the Year of 2012 is the Year of
the Dragon, which begins on January 23, 2012 and ends on February 9, 2013. The Dragon is the fifth sign of the Chinese Zodiac, which consists of 12 Animal signs. The Dragon is a creature of myth and legend. In ancient China, the celestial Dragon represents an emperor and power. Today, it is the ultimate auspicious symbol signifying success and happiness. May the celestial Dragon bring great good luck to everyone.
TABLE OF CONTENTSWELCOME BACK- YEAR OF THE DRAGON ............................................................................................
TABLE OF CONTENTS ..................................................................................................................... 1
LOCAL NEWS FOR SOUTHSIDE AND YARRABAH ................................................................................. 2
WORKSHOPS & EVENTS FOR PARENTS / CHILDREN / FAMILIES .......................................................... 2
FUNDING AND GRANTS .................................................................................................................. 4
SCHOLARSHIPS AND OPPORTUNITIES .............................................................................................. 5
RESOURCES, INFORMATION AND NEWSLETTERS ............................................................................ 13
FEATURED SERVICE - ................................................................................................................... 16
APO NEWS: ................................................................................................................................. 16
INTERESTING FACTS FROM AUSTRALIAN HISTORY .......................................................................... 17
Corridor Links Newsletter
Communities for Children An Australian Government Initiative
After being without a head of State for nearly 20 years, Yarrabah has once again named its king in a traditional coronation. Elders at the community have waited until they felt the time was right before appointing King Vincent Jabaan Shreiber. King Jabaan, of the Kunkanji tribe of the Guru Gulu clan, is the fifth generation of the royal bloodline. Yarrabah is thought to be the only Aboriginal community in Australia that carries on the kingship. With the leadership acknowledgement now formalised, he will use his passion to make sure that culture is carried on to help drive the future direction of the community. National Indigenous Times, Wednesday December 14, 2011 Workshops & Events for Parents / Children / Families
Every effort is made to supply accurate information, but no responsibility is accepted by the compiler
31 Jan 20 Mar Recycle Nuts - Finding art in plastic kitchen waste come along and join a
free 8 week craft group. Hambledon House Community Centre, 177 Bruce Hwy 9 -11am Tuesdays, for parents and their littlies (0 6 year olds), attendance
free; $2 donation for morning tea would be appreciated, register your interest now to Ruby 0437 677 424
31 Jan 23 Mar Family Support Program - Play-Connect-Grow, Where: In the garden at 98 Birch Street, Manunda (opposite Raintrees), Tuesdays and Fridays from 9:30am to 11:30am, Children between 0-5 years with their parent/s or guardian, What happens? A variety of fun filled activities are planned each week. Small morning tea is provided for the children, with tea/coffee available for the adults. No cost involved (gold coin donation appreciated), Reserve a place by phoning 4032 6800
2 Feb 29 Mar Family Support Program - Young Parents and Children - Educational Playgroup for parents 24 years and under, In the garden at 98 Birch Street, Manunda (opposite Raintrees), Thursdays from 9:30am to 11:30am, Children between 0-5 years with their parent/s or guardian, a variety of fun filled activities are planned each week. Small morning tea is provided for the children, with tea/coffee available for the adults. No cost involved (gold coin donation appreciated). Reserve a place by phoning 4032 6800
6 Feb 12 Mar -9 YEAR OLDS experiencing parental
separation. POPPERS aims to support young people in their experience of parental separation, conflict and change in their family situation. Each Monday.
3:30-5:00 p.m. (Afternoon tea provided), Relationships Australia FNQ,
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125 Grafton Street, Cairns, Free of charge, To REGISTER please PHONE 1300 364 277 and ask to be put through to Louise or Klaudija at the Relationships Australia-FNQ Venue
6 Feb 12 Mar -13 YEAR OLDS experiencing parental
separation. POPSTARS aims to support young people in their experience of parental separation, conflict and change in their family situation. Each Monday.
3:30-5:00 p.m. (Afternoon tea provided), Relationships Australia FNQ, 125 Grafton Street, Cairns, Free of charge, To REGISTER please PHONE 1300 364 277 and ask to be put through to Louise or Klaudija at the Relationships Australia-FNQ Venue
7th Feb Pathways to Parenting event at St. Gerard Majella Primary School, 5.30
7.30pm, aim is to provide parents information on support services available to them in their community for children from birth through adolescence. This event
services. More info contact Tauba Naftal any Monday, Tuesday or Thursday on 4054 4805
25th Feb Epilepsy & Acquired Brain Injury Support Group BBQ at White Rock to plan for 2012, more info call 4036 0309 or 0434 778 155
13 14 March CRDVS & Alan Webster Consultancies Invites women health, education and
welfare service providers to: Women, sexual violence, practice guidelines and healing responses training.
9.30am 4.00pm each day, Cairns: TBA, $330.00 Facilitators: Dr. Greta Galloway & Sandi. Attendance Certificates will be supplied
to all participants. For further information contact Sandi at: 40336100 Or Greta Galloway at 40581477 or 0448946998
Multicultural Celebrations
26th January Indian Republic Day 31st Januuary Nauru National Day
5th February Islamic Prophet Muhammad's Birthday 6th February New Zealand Waitangi Day
15th February Buddhist Nirvana Day
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FUNDING AND GRANTS Round 8 of Mission Australia's Grass Roots Funding will open again on the 1st of February and close 26th of February. Local Government Community Grants Cairns Regional Council www.cairns.qld.gov.au/community-information/community-grants Queensland Government Community Grants www.smartservice.qld.gov.au/services/grants/discoverbyname.action Australian Government Community Grants www.aph.gov.au/library/intguide/sp/spgrants.htm Grants LINK Directory www.grantslink.gov.au/ Reef Hotel Casino Community Benefit Fund Closing 28 February (11.59 pm EST) Website: www.olgr.qld.gov.au Email: [email protected] Phone: (07) 3247 4284 Fax: (07) 3247 4348 Freecall (outside Brisbane): 1800 633 619 Postal address: Locked Bag 180, CITY EAST QLD 4002 Australian South Sea Islander Community Foundation Applications for scholarships close on Friday 10 February 2012 In 2012, up to four new scholarships will be available to Australian South Sea Islanders studying an undergraduate degree. Applications for scholarships are invited from students at the following universities: James Cook University (JCU) Central Queensland University (CQU) University of the Sunshine Coast (USC) Queensland University of Technology (QUT). http://www.communities.qld.gov.au/multicultural/community/australian-south-sea-islanders/australian-south-sea-islander-community-foundation/scholarship-program.
Enhance your effectiveness in your personal and business life by gaining the skills to communicate confidently. These sessions are designed for those who wish to improve their effectiveness when dealing with others - be it on a personal level or a professional level.
Gain the confidence to state your views and put your ideas across to one or a group.
COMMENCEMENT: Thursday 2nd February 2012 SESSIONS: 6 weeks x 1-1/2 hrs TIME: 5.30 7.00pm VENUE: 303 Lake Street, Cairns. INVESTMENT: 6 weeks $242.00 [including gst & workbook] Certificate of Achievement awarded on completion of course. Subject matter includes among other, the following:
Voice Body Language , Delivery Techniques , Handling Nerves, Language and words, Getting along with others, Communication barriers, Listening Skills, Self assertiveness, Preparing and delivering a speech
Further information and bookings: (Numbers are limited to small group so please book early.) Phone Patricia Ryan on 4041 5316 or 0418 710 341 Em: [email protected] www.communicationskillsconsultancy.com.au
Asperger syndrome, also known as Asperger's syndrome or Asperger disorder, is an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) that is characterized by significant difficulties in social interaction, alongside restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior and interests. It differs from other autism spectrum disorders by its relative preservation of linguistic and cognitive development. Although not required for diagnosis, physical clumsiness and atypical use of language are frequently reported.
Hans Asperger published a definition of Asperger syndrome in 1944 that was nearly identical with the ) had published
already in 1926. Hans Asperger identified in four boys a pattern of behavior and abilities that he called "autistic psychopathy. The pattern included "a lack of empathy, little ability to form friendships, one-sided conversations, intense absorption in a special interest, and clumsy movements." Asperger called children with AS "little professors" because of their ability to talk about their favorite subject in great detail.
Asperger noticed that many of the children he identified as being autistic managed to use their special talents in adulthood and had an excellent career. One of them became a professor of astronomy and solved an error in Newton ly noticed already as a student.]outlook contrasts strikingly with Leo Kanner's description of autism, of which Asperger's syndrome is often considered to be a high-functioning form. In his 1944 paper, as Dr. Uta Frith translated it from the German in 1991, Asperger wrote:
We are convinced, then, that autistic people have their place in the organism of the social community. They fulfil their role well, perhaps better than anyone else could, and we are talking of people who as children had the greatest difficulties and caused untold worries to their care-givers.
Near the end of World War II, Asperger opened a school for children with autistic psychopathy, with Sister Victorine Zak. The school was bombed towards the end of the war, Sister Victorine was killed, the school was destroyed and much of Asperger's early work was lost.
As a child, Asperger himself appeared to have exhibited features of the condition subsequently named after him. He was described as a lonely and remote child, who had difficulty making friends. He was talented in language and he also liked to quote himself and often referred to himself from a third-person perspective.
Asperger's birthday, February 18, was declared International Asperger's Day by Aspergers Services Australia and is observed by various autism-related organizations.
Communities for Children Grass Roots Application Workshop
Grassroots funding is available to:
Not for profit community organisations and groups and other sections of the general community such as sporting groups, church groups, community kindy, community crèche,
Who should attend?
Does your organisation or group work with children 0-12 years?
Does your organisation or group work with families?
Are you planning a family or child friendly event?
Are there any resources or training for staff you would like to purchase?
If you have answered yes to any of the above then this workshop is for you. Margaret and Petra will take you through the Grassroots application step by step, the selection process and the acquittal process.
RSVP to Petra Lovey by 7th February 2012 Phone 40516560 [email protected]
The Communities for Children Story How does it work? In implementing their local initiative, Facilitating Partners establish a Communities for Children Committee with broad representation from stakeholders in their community. The Facilitating Partner oversees the development and implementation of strategies and activities and manages the funding allocation for the site. Much of the funding is allocated to other local service providers to deliver the activities. Why are we doing this? Australian and international evidence confirms that the early years of a child's life are critical to his or her future development. It is at this time that a child's brain is rapidly developing and the foundations for learning, behaviour and health over the life course are set. The path to poor outcomes such as school difficulties, welfare dependency, and poor physical and mental health, often begins in early childhood with a range of associated risk factors. Early childhood risk factors that impact on outcomes include child characteristics such as poor attachment or poor social skills; parenting styles; family factors and life events; and community factors such as socio-economic disadvantage and lack of support services. However, these risk factors can be offset by protective factors such as good antenatal and maternal health and nutrition, parental communication and positive attention from both parents, family harmony and participation in broader social networks. Communities for Children works towards ensuring that children have the best possible start in life by focusing on well-targeted early intervention approaches that bring about positive outcomes for young children and their families. The facilitating partner in Cairns is Mission Australia.
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RESOURCES, INFORMATION AND NEWSLETTERS Short Courses
Red Cross College now offer a series of short courses over one or two days that teach valuable life skills. Whether you are currently employed or looking for work, our short courses will help you develop skills to enhance both your professional and personal life. Couses currently available include
Business Writing Administrative Support Personal productivity Employee Motivation Budgets and Financial Reports
Visit our website to learn more about our short courses or call 1300 367 428.
Blended E-learning First Aid Learn in your own time
Red Cross College has embraced e-learning and we now offer three of the most popular first aid courses through our online learning portal.
Our award-winning e-learning programs save you time and give you the flexibility to learn at your own pace.
Full and refresher courses available. Visit the e-learning portal and start learning today. Kindergarten Subsidy All Health care Card Holders are now able to claim a subsidy from their service provider. By extending the subsidy available to Health Care Card holders, kindergarten becomes even more affordable, particularly for low-income families. Support for Grandparents Playgroup Queensland in conjunction with Parenting Research Centre are now providing support and information for local Grandparents who are the primary carers whether they have custody or not, of their grandchild aged newborn to 18 years. Grandparents meet in groups and find out about local support that is available for them as they care for grandchildren. To find out more phone Brigitte on 0427 837 327 or visit www.mytime.net.au
The latest edition of Family Matters ''Protecting children: Evolving systems' features a series of articles outlining research into child care, safety, and protection systems. The title paper, by Daryl Higgins, provides an historical overview of child protection statutory systems in Australia and flags current issues and potential future directions. Brian Babington offers an analysis of the achievements to date of the -2020, as well as providing suggested elements for inclusion in the forthcoming second three-year action plan. A new reporton service systems in Indigenous communities has looked at service delivery coordination efforts in regional, rural and remote areas of Australia. The paper aims to assess these practices in order to recommend strategies for enhancing connections between services, and between people and services in order to improve outcomes for individuals, families and communities. The authors emphasise a need for greater evidence of outcomes to underscore decisions about service delivery coordination. Report shows early intervention helps children with disability Jan McLucas Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities The Australian Government has welcomed the findings of a review of the effectiveness of early childhood intervention and the Better Start for Children with Disabilityinitiative. The report by KPMG recommends eligibility for the Better Start for Children with Disability initiative should be expanded, early intervention services be integrated into the development of the National Disability Insurance Scheme, and the model of service effectively links families and children to appropriate early childhood supports in their local communities. Jan McLucas said the government would carefully consider the recommendations of the report. Research reveals importance of parental engagement in schooling Peter Garrett Minister for School Education A reportfrom the Family-School Partnership Bureau has shown parents want a safe and supportive learning environment for their children, teachers who are engaging and passionate about their work, and a principal who provides strong leadership and engages with the school community. Minister for School Education Peter Garrett has welcome
Digital Education Revolution transforming Australian classrooms Peter Garrett Minister for School Education Every Australian student in Years 9-12 will have access to a computer when they return to their school desks on the first day of term next year, according to School Education Minister Peter Garrett.
4 billion Digital Education Revolution have been purchased and allocated by school authorities, taking the total to be delivered under the program to more than 786,000 computers since the first computers were installed in 2008. Under the National Secondary School Computer Fund, state and territory governments and non-government school systems are responsible for purchasing and delivering the computers in their schools. Review of School Funding Report Peter Garrett Minister for School Education The Government has received the final report from the Chair of the Review of Funding for Schooling, David Gonski. The report will help lay the foundations for a new funding system that is fair, transparent and based on student need, according to Peter Garrett. The Government will release the
Review consultation with stakeholders and the community. Latest News:
How Family Communication Influences Teen Depression Families of depressed teens are likely to have lower levels of positivity and warmth, and higher levels of conflict, according to Professor Nick Allen of the School of Psychological Sciences, The University of Melbourne. Professor Allen and his colleagues have studied the influence of family dynamics on depression in teenagers and preliminary findings show teenagers are more likely to have been living in families with these factors present prior to them developing the disorder. While genetics, family
Professor Allen. New hope for children with cancer with more cured Survival rates have improved for children with cancer, according to a new report from oncologists at
seeing better rates, and leukemia survival rates are now between 80-85%. The improved outcomes can be attributed to improved technology and new medications, says report author Richard Cohn. Attitude to food set by 10-years-old A person's attitude towards food and exercise is largely set by the age of 10, Newcastle University research Heather Brown has found. Dr Brown says our attitudes towards even the simplest things like whether to eat breakfast everyday may be decided by 10years old, so the early years are the best time for parents, schotheir attitudes are set," Dr Brown says. Approach to youth homelessness changing The ACT Government is changing its approach to youth homelessness and housing services to provide more focus on preventing family breakdown. A suite of seven service agencies will form part of its new model, which will start operating in March. New services, such as mediation where families are on the verge of breakdown, will form a new focus on prevention alongside improvements to crisis accommodation, according to Maureen Sheehan from the Directorate of Housing and Community Services. Adolescent drinking may be as important a risk factor for criminal activity as illicit drug use A strong relationship exists between drinking during adolescence and the commission of crimes, and criminal victimisation for both genders according to a new study. "This issue is extremely important because adolescents who are criminally active are significantly more likely to be adult criminals," said Michael T. French, professor of health economics at the University of Miami and corresponding author for the study. More frequent alcohol consumption is associated with a greater probability of committing a property crime, committing a predatory crime, and being a victim of a predatory crime, according to Professor French. For more information visit www.aracy.org.au
FEATURED SERVICE - CAINRS YOUTH MENTORING SCHEME The cairns Youth mentoring Scheme is looking for adult volunteers and mentors to kick start the program 2012. Cairns Youth Mentoring program is a voluntary non-profit agency looking for professionals and community members to come on board the Management team 2012. Mentors are community minded people who have a couple of hours free every week or two, to give someone who may need the support and friendship of a trusted adult mentor. Mentoring is a powerful
e training anc checking process, to ensure the safety of those young people we look after. Mentor training courses are planned to commence in April 2012. Prospective Mentors and mentees (children from 12-21 years0 who wish to be involved in the program) can register interest on www.CirnsYouthmentoring.org or phone 4041 5844
APO NEWS:
Cyber-bullying and online grooming: helping to protect against the risks European Network and Information Security Agency 15 December, 2011 erent from that of their parents; virtual environments are increasingly prevalent in private and education environments. This development is detrimental to their physical activities, social skills and the behavioural model that prevailed in previous generations.
Teens, kindness and cruelty on social network sites Amanda Lenhart | Pew Internet & American Life Project 15 December, 2011 | Social media use has become so pervasive in the lives of teens that having a presence on a social network site is almost synonymous with being online. This study aims to understand the social and emotional climate that teens experience in spaces where they can interact with others online.
Industry self-regulation of food and beverage advertising to children The Australian Communications and Media Authority 15 December, 2011 | In September 2009, the Australian Communications and Media Authority (the ACMA) announced its decision to monitor industry self-regulation of food and beverage advertising to children on free-to-air commercial television. For more information visit http://apo.org.au
AUSTRALIAN SOUTH SEA ISLANDERS Australian South Sea Islanders are the Australian-born descendants of predominantly Melanesian people who were brought to Queensland between 1863 and 1904. They came from eighty Pacific Islands, but primarily from Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands. They were brought over to work on sugar plantations and pastoral properties in very harsh conditions. This process was called
er Commonwealth legislation and those who remained were subjected to ongoing racial discrimination and cruel treatment. Australian South Sea Islanders are not Indigenous to this country, nor is English their second language. They have a unique place in Australia and in Queensland history as a distinct cultural group. Their experience has been different to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, who are
South Sea islander (a.k.a. Kanaka) labourers on a Queensland pineapple plantation, 1890s. Photographer unknown. the Indigenous people. They are also different from most other cultural groups who immigrated to this country and who have their own immigration heritage. The Australian South Sea Islander community today feel very strongly about maintaining their culture and encourage the wider community to be aware of their cultural identity.
Useless facts to distract you
-selling fruit. Each Australian consumes about 13 kg of bananas per year.
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Sydney was ranked the sixth most expensive city after Tokyo, Oslo, Osaka, Paris and Zurich Compared with other international cities, housing in Australian capital cities is regularly reported as being among the least affordable. The price of a small apartment in Sydney or Melbourne would probably be enough to buy a reasonably sized family home in Berlin, Houston or Barcelona. Tasmania has the cleanest air in the world. Melbourne has the second largest Greek population in the world, after Athens. The Australian Alps, or Snowy Mountains as they are also known, receive more snow than Switzerland. The Great Barrier Reef is the largest organic construction on earth. Yulara, the Aboriginal name of the Ayers Rock Resort, means "crying", "weeping". Nasty tongues say because that's what visitors do when they see their bill...
