Liza Roberts Centrelink COMMUNITIES STRENGTHENING COMMUNITIES Communities Strengthening

Liza Roberts Centrelink COMMUNITIES STRENGTHENING COMMUNITIES

Communities Strengthening Communities Centrelink, Central and Northern Queensland 2009 Rural Social Work, Liza Roberts

Diverse Rural Landscape Geographical distance- 12 hours drive for one home visit Seasonal challenges- wet season, grey nomads, Diversity of rural industry- commercial cattle stations vs hobby farmers. Limited physical and human resources Limitation of time

Communities strengthening Communities Definition of Community: “a group of interacting people living in a common location” From Latin- “communitas” meaning “fellowship” or “organised society” “a group of people having common interest, a group viewed as forming a distinct segment of society”

Prof. John Mc. Knight defines community as: “the social place used by family, friends, neighbourhood associations, clubs, civic groups, local enterprises, churches, ethnic organisations, temples, local unions, local government and local media etc”

Finding Centres Research, research Talk to everyone, past and present Look at past successes, failures, and analyse Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats Listen to the people Market concept and enlist support Test and evaluate

Example 1 - Centrelink Identification of Centrelink as a centre for engagement with wider stakeholder community Meetings with drought support stakeholders with Centrelink “community” including Social Work, Rural Services Officer, Rural Payments Team, Rural CSC Manager, FISO, Outcomes- invitation to speak at Drought Advisory group meeting, platform for partnerships and joint programs, sharing of resources,

Example 2 -drought support network- email group Email group established focusing on geographical area, and role around drought support. This included Rural Financial Counsellors, Drought Project Workers, Welfare agencies, Rural Payments, DPI, QRAA, DIV GPS, Education. Regular Updates with agreed information content. Outcomes- sharing of information, resources, contacts, partnership opportunities, development of new programs, joint road trips, shared funding submissions, awareness of gaps and minimisation of duplication.

Example 3 - Westech Field Days and Beef 2009 -

Example 3 -Expos and Field Days Westech Field day- over 30, 000 attended. Joint activity with RFDS, Relationships Australia, Centrelink. Beef 2009 - over 65, 000 attended. Joint activity with Child Support Agency, Centrelink, Division of GPS, Centacare, Rockhampton Regional Council

Example 4 -school of the air Mini school days- workshops and access to services Services to parents, students, teachers, tutors Partnership with Beyondblue, Rural Family Support Worker, FACHSIA, RFDS, Rural Financial Counsellor and local welfare service providers. Financial first aid training to community providers Infusion of new programs including “breathe”

Outcomes Information sharing and dissemination Development of partnerships Share and utilise resources Extend reach of program and resources”Multiplicity of contact” Ability to minimise duplication and dissolve gaps in services Better targeting of intervention

Working ethically in a rural environment Human dignity and worth Commitment to Social Justice Service to humanity Integrity Competence