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Celebrating NAIDOC 2020 - Always Was, Always Will Be
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A reflection by the Noonga Reconciliation Group Inc. (NRG)
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The first week of July is always one filled with hustle, bustle, fun, family and connection because it's NAIDOC week. Time to celebrate! Time to showcase 60,000 years of skills, talents, traditions, and legacy First Nations People contribute across these lands. Once again, however, COVID-19 has us responding differently to celebrations with gatherings across the nation postponed. NAIDOC Week will now be held in November. In spite of NAIDOC Week being postponed, we acknowledge that instead of the usual jubilation of the week to come, we are experiencing the whole world taking a stand against the horrific treatment of people of colour by policing institutions globally. This has us thinking…
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We can still acknowledge NAIDOC Week at this time and we can reflect on the theme – Always Was, Always Will Be - and share with you two perspectives, from our local inner north Brisbane community. One voice from a First Nations perspective and the other non-Indigenous.
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NAIDOC 2020 – Always was, Always will be
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A statement that evokes a strong sense of justice that Australia’s First Nations People, my people, created a lifestyle a community a history that is forcing all Australian to take another look and realise that our ways, our methods, our culture, and our spirit still remains strong.
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Bruce Pascoe’s “Dark Emu” has dramatically changed the landscape of the history providing evidence of our civilisation, living in villages, communities with an abundance of food fresh and stored. We caught fish for our villages using sophisticated fish traps, careful not to harm the river or the many other stocks of other water creatures that lived there. We knew the river gave us food, therefore must be cared for to continue to supply. Read more from Moira Bligh
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A call out to non-Indigenous generations to keep up with our youth.
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As a white person descended from the English settlers to Australia in the 19th Century, my first thought is I have nothing to offer to a NAIDOC week conversation, other than to listen and try to learn. But of course that is only partly true. As a human, I can stand up for justice, because justice must be blind to colour, race or creed; as an Australian, I can challenge my conscious for the unconscious bias we apparently all have and then politely point out the same when I see it in my family and friends; as a reader and listener, I can gain knowledge that I can then share with my friends and family so I can pique their interest in the cause. Read more from Trish Quirk
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2020 Reconciliation Awards
Congratulation to the winners of the 2020 Queensland Reconciliation Awards. They have been honoured for their inspirational work and commitment to fostering reconciliation across Queensland.
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Businesses, community organisations, educational institutions and government were recognised for their commitment to reconciliation across the state. This significant program improves cultural understanding, fosters respectful relationships and focus's efforts on closing the gap.
For more information about the awards or the inspiring projects and initiatives of this year’s winners and finalists. Click here
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Growing up in Queensland project
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Every two years, The Queensland Family and Child Commission (QFCC) asks children and young people across the state what it’s like to grow up in Queensland. The survey for 13-18 year olds can be found here.
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Youth Advocacy Centre - COVID Factsheet for young people
Here’s the updated version of the COVID-19 fact sheet from Youth Advocacy Centre. More information here
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These fact sheets have been so useful during the last few months. Thanks YAC for always keeping us informed.
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Housing reforms
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The Queensland government has committed to a further $100M Housing Construction Works for Tradies program – with new social housing to be built across Queensland.
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COVID-19 and Homelessness Survey
The research team at Griffith University's Menzies Health Institute Queensland (MHIQ) are completing a survey study about the impacts of, and responses to, the COVID-19 pandemic in homelessness services in Australia.
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They are seeking managers, directors or administrators (or equivalent) in homelessness services to complete a brief survey on the impacts on, and responses of, their organisation to COVID-19. The survey will take approximately 20 minutes to complete. Your responses will be reported anonymously.
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The study's findings may assist homelessness services in their planning and preparedness activities for COVID-19 and future emergencies. The findings may also help to inform the support provided to services during the COVID-19 recovery. Complete the survey here
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QCOSS advises funding guarantees will be made by the state government to all non-government organisations in the social services sector with existing Queensland Government contracts. Find out more here
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After years of advocacy, portable long service leave is real!
This is a WOW moment for the community services sector. As Minister de Brenni stated yesterday, significant reform is never delivered easily. Yet the government delivered portable long service leave for workers in the community services sector as the portable long service leave Community Industry Bill was passed in the Queensland Parliament.
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Minister de Brenni noted his thanks to workers on the frontline supporting our most vulnerable Queenslanders. He further noted that this bill is a culmination of the incredible hard work of those in the community service industry and those in the union. “It’s a long overdue reform. Reforms like this are hard fought and need to be fiercely protected” he said. Minister de Brenni also recognised the complexity of the work of community services professionals and acknowledged their right to long overdue recognition and entitlements such as this.
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For more information click here
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2020 amendments - Youth Bail
Laws to strengthen and simplify the bail decision-making process for young offenders were passed by the parliament on 17 June 2020 and will commence shortly.
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For more information read the:
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World's Largest Lesson Live
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During the #COVID19 outbreak, when so many children are learning at home, World’s Largest Lesson and UNICEF are creating a 40-minute “World’s Largest Lesson Live,” which will premiere on YouTube on 16 June with UN experts and influential young icons. You can watch it here
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Self Care for Youth Workers
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It’s always worth remembering about self-care in the work we do. Here is some information from our colleagues at the Youth Coalition of the ACT.
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ACNC Update
In recognition of the potential impact on charities of COVID-19, the Australian Charities and Not-for profits Commission (ACNC) is providing a blanket extension for the submission of Annual Information Statements for organisations with statements due between 12 March 2020 and 30 August 2020.
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More information from the ACNC about charity operations and COVID-19, here.
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PUBLICATIONS, REPORTS AND SUBMISSIONS
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The Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS) has partnered with UNSW Sydney to undertake a five-year research and impact collaboration to sharpen the national focus on poverty and inequality in Australia. To learn more about the research, and find the two research reports “Poverty in Australia 2020” go here
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Rental Affordability Snapshot 2020
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Renters are on the frontline of the coronavirus pandemic. Many are losing their incomes, and some are scared of being forced out of their homes. Welfare increases have given many Australians much needed relief. However, this year's Rental Affordability Snapshot shows that the private rental market is still failing people on the lowest incomes. Have a look at the Snapshot, produced by Anglicare, here.
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Growing competition for rental properties are causing rents to skyrocket, so every-day workers can no longer afford to rent ordinary homes and don’t have the security they need. With more and more people struggling to afford the private rental market, the demand for affordable or social rental properties is outstripping supply. Find out about Everybody’s Home campaign here.
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Has COVID-19 caused problems for you with your tenancy? Tenants Queensland wants to hear your story. Complete the survey here
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Real renting stories can help us push for better laws.
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Queensland Youth Housing Coalition is a state-wide coalition of organisations and individuals advocating for and with young people who are homeless or at risk and the services that support them.
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The vision of the Queensland Youth Housing Coalition is: All young people need a safe and secure home to be included in our society and experience holistic wellbeing.
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The time of year has come to call for QYHC membership for the 2020-2021 financial year.
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Refugee Week 15th-21st June
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Refugee Week: Celebrating the Year of Welcome
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What a great title for Refugee Week 2020! The week took off with an examination of the intersection of First Nation and refugee rights. Panel speaker Amiel Nuhaba said: “Millions of people are waking up to the ongoing marginalisation of people of colour, which persists even now in 2020. When we refer to black and brown communities in Australia, we are talking about First Nations people but also refugees, people seeking asylum and migrants”. Refugee Week is organised by the Refugee Council of Australia (RCOA), Australia’s peak national body for refugees and people seeking asylum and the organisations that serve them. RCOA CEO Paul Power said this could be Australia’s best Refugee Week yet, despite the difficult circumstances:“As such, we’ve turned lemons into lemonade, taking Refugee Week to the international level and promoting the incredible work of refugee community members around the world.”
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To view refugee events click here
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Kurbingui
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Kurbingui Youth Development is looking for a Local Level Alliance Coordinator. Find out more here
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Zig Zag
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Zig Zag Young Women’s Resource Centre is recruiting for a new position – Intensive Housing Support Worker. Applications close Monday 22 June. Find out more here
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Community Living Association
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CLA is recruiting to fill 3 Key Worker positions.
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These are full time 12-month contract positions with the possibility of extension. Remuneration at SCHCADS Award Level 3 plus fringe benefits. Degree in Social Work or Human Services preferred.
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Applications close 9 am, Wednesday 24th June 2020. Find out more here
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Filthy, Rich and Homeless
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In its 3rd Season, SBS’s Filthy, Rich and Homeless reflects, in so many ways, our knowledge about homelessness, and our collective experiences of working with people who are homeless. It provides facts and data, and includes personal stories of those with lived experience.It also takes a few (necessary?) shortcuts. Criticism of the show includes that it exploits the vulnerable, doesn’t show the full story and is preaching to the converted. It has been suggested that if the intention was to make a difference, surely this would have been achieved by Season’s 1 and 2?
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We don’t know the answer. But we do know that lots of our friends and colleagues have been having similar conversations…what do you think?
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Let us know your thoughts by emailing QYHC or through Facebook.
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