WELCOME
Hello, and welcome to the weekly update from the Disability Advocacy Resource Unit (DARU). If you would like to be removed from this list or kept up to date another way, please reply to this email and let us know.
DARU has been funded by the State government. It is run by a governance group, including members of the Victorian Disability Advocacy Network (VDAN), and the Victorian Council of Social Service (VCOSS). DARU’s staff currently includes a Co-ordinator, Sharon Granek, and a Project Administration Officer, Leah Hobson.
We are always happy to hear from people who are interested in what we do. If you have a question, an idea, some news you’d like to see in the next update, or even if you just want to tell us something we’re doing is good or bad, get in touch! Call us on 03 9639 5807 or email Sharon or Leah.
EVENTS
Seminar: Tax Exemptions for Non Profit Organisations
When: 10:00am – 1:00pm, Wednesday 15th August
Where: Allens Arthur Anderson, Level 34, 530 Collins St Melbourne
Registration: RSVPs are due by 10th August. Registration forms are available online in PDF. For more information, call (03) 9225 6680.
Cost: $20
This is a practical guide to Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) status and other tax exemptions available for Not-for-Profits.
Who should attend?
Thisseminar is open to everyone.It is likelyto be of mostinterest to representatives ofNot-for-Profit organisations includingstaff,managementand board and committee members.
Topics to be covered include:
· What tax exemptions, including DGR, are availableto Not-for-Profits
· Which Not-for-Profit's are eligible and if endorsed, what ongoing obligations arise?
· Ifyourorganisation'sapplication to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) forDGR status is rejected, how to decide:
· Whether to seek review of the ATO's decision?
· Considerotherways to fundraise without DGR.
The presenters are:
Ann O'Connell, Special Counsel, Allens Arthur Robinson
Sue Williamson Tax Partner, Allens Arthur Robinson
Tabitha Lovett, Manager,Public Interest Law Scheme
Lecture: What Difference Can a Human Rights Charter Make?
When: 12:30 – 2:00pm 15th August 2007
Where: Mallesons Stephen Jacques, Level 50, 600 Bourke Street Melbourne
Registration: RSVPs are due by 8th August. A booking form is available online in PDF format.
Cost: $20 full price, $10 concession. Price includes lunch.
In this lecture Lord Robert Walker of the UK House of Lords will reflect on his experience 'judging' human rights under the Human Rights Act 1998 (UK) to consider the difference that a Charter of Human Rights can make to the enjoyment and protection of human dignity, respect, equality and freedom.
This seminar is co-presented by the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commissions.
Leisure Exposed: Leisure, Recreation and Sport in the Eastern Region
When: 1:00 – 5:00pm Sunday 9th September 2007
Where: Hawthorn Aquatic and Leisure Centre, Linda Crescent Hawthorn
OR
When: 1:00pm – 6:00pm Thursday 18th October 2007
Where: Maroondah Federation Estate, Greenwood Avenue, Ringwood
Registrations: For more information contact Christine Mulholland on (03) 9877 0100
Do you want to know about your local club? Would you like to get involved at your local club? The Leisure and Disability Network is holding two Leisure Exposed expos. The expos will include information stalls, come and try activities, exhibitions, presenters, performances and more.
This is all aimed at increasing the knowledge of sport, recreation and leisure opportunities available in the local communities of the Eastern Metropolitan Region, provide the opportunity for clubs and service providers to increase participation and the opportunity for community members to have a chat with local clubs and service providers and have a go at some of the available activities in the region.
Forum: OH&S Vs. Dignity of Risk
When: 2:00 – 5:00pm Thursday 13th September 2007. Registrations open at 1:00pm.
Where: Darebin Arts and Entertainment Centre
Registration: Bookings are essential and can be made online through a text input form. For more information, call 0438 846 584.
Cost: $44.00 per person
Risk is a significant element of our world and it is often what makes life interesting. The community services sector has had increasing expectations to minimise risk on a number of levels. Meeting service obligations around risk management can often have an impact on the service provided to people with disabilities. This short forum explores creating the balance between risk management and impact on service delivery.
Awakenings Festival 2007
When: October 12th – 21st 2007
Where: Horsham
Registration: A PDF registration form can be downloaded here
Cost: Prices vary. See the registration form for more information.
The Awakenings festival is much more than Australia's only regional disability arts festival! This dynamic, inclusive 10 day event draws performers and participants from around Australia to the welcoming community of Horsham for ten days in Western Victoria every October.
The festival welcomes and encompasses all levels of performance experience from grass roots to professional, featuring performing and visual arts that showcase the work of artists with disabilities.
But it doesn't stop there! The program also includes a breakfast conference, workshops, schools and community performances, a ball, outdoor adventures, a photographic competition, live performances at the Victoria Hotel, Awakening Roberts Place (free community festival in the street - performances, buskers, stalls, tactile art activities, wheelchair basketball, displays and more), arts project exhibitions, and a fantastic range of umbrella events: the Horsham Cup, the Orchid Show, the Spring Garden festival, the Rotary Art Show, Freeza events, the Horsham Arts Council annual production and Horsham Greyhounds, which just goes to prove that there is something for everyone in Horsham in October.
Come and experience the difference and diversity of Horsham and October and maybe take some extra time to explore the region as well.
TRAINING
Human Relations Education in Special Schools and Teaching Units
When: 9:30am – 4:30pm Thursday 30th August 2007
Where: Family Planning Victoria, 901 Whitehorse Road, Box Hill
Registration: A registration form is available online in Word format. For more information contact Sharon Davey on (03) 9257 0147 or by email.
Cost: $165.00 (incl GST)
Our staff will outline an effective integrated human relations program that you can use in your special school or teaching unit, as well as strategies for teaching the program. It will include information about the Circles Concept and how to adopt that at a whole school level. Information about appropriate resources will be provided.
The Occasional Counsellor
When: 12:30pm – 4:30pm Wednesday 19th September 2007
Where: Treacy Centre, 126 The Avenue, Parkville
Registration: Registration forms can be downloaded in Word format. For more information, contact David Cherry on (03) 5427 1378 or via email.
Cost: $150 per person including GST.
Workers who are not employed as counsellors may find themselves in a counselling role from time to time. This workshop is aimed at those who are not employed in a counselling role but who are called upon to give support to individuals who are distressed, bewildered, angry or confused. This could include reception staff, nursing staff, carers, home and community care staff, among others.
This workshop is aimed at introducing the participants to simple, practical strategies for assisting their clients, including making appropriate referrals, while clearly remaining within their existing role.
The workshop will be run by David Cherry, Psychologist. David has been providing training in a range of areas for over 25 years, including teaching in counselling courses at Swinburne University and Melbourne University. There are no role plays in this workshop.
CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS
Multicultural Mental Health Australia – Art Competition
Closing date: 15th August 2007
Multicultural Mental Health Australia (MMHA) is celebrating this year's Mental Health Week through art and encouraging people to illustrate their life through a brush stroke, drawing or photograph.
The Multicultural Art Competition as entrants to show how they identify themselves through their culture or how their culture influences how they see themselves. The prizes include books, art supplies and vouchers and the chance for some of the art works to be exhibited at Federal Parliament House in Canberra during the launch of World Mental Health Day.
Participants are required to produce an art piece based on the theme: I Identify-My Identity.
The competition is open to all people who have migrated to Australia. For more information, visit the competition webpage.
Call for Nominations: Bar None Leadership Recognition Project
Closing date: 10th September 2007
The Victorian Government's Office for Disability is seeking nominations from individuals and organisations across Victoria as part of its Bar None local leadership recognition project. The state-wide search launched by the Minister for Community Services Gavin Jennings on 20 July aims to highlight the efforts of people with and without disabilities who have made a difference in their communities.
People with and without disabilities who are working to eliminate barriers in their communities are eligible to enter. For example, people or organisations who are making a difference by doing things like making buildings more accessible or leading the way in providing opportunities for people with disabilities to gain meaningful employment, participate in sport, recreation or the arts are eligible.
For more information or to submit an entry, visit the Bar None webpage.
Moonee Valley Council Community Grants Program
Closing date: Monday 27th August 2007
Four types of grants are available.
Membership Activity Grants (up to $500 per year)
Small groups run by members who provide social activities where residents can meet regularly and share information and resources can apply. Amounts awarded will be calculated on the number of active members living in Moonee Valley which each group has.
Community Development Grants (up to $3,000 for a year)
Incorporated groups with the ability to undertake projects but with limited resources are able to apply. Projects which develop a new approach or activity, establish a new service or support a new community organisation will be favoured.
Partnership Grants (up to $30,000 per year for three years)
Established, incorporated not for profit community groups with a track record of sharing their knowledge, skills and resources can apply for this grant to focus efforts around a specific issue or concern.
Arts and Culture Grants (up to $5,000 for a year)
This grant is available to incorporated groups and individual artists or groups of artists. Focusing on heritage, innovative arts and culture, and increasing the quality and diversity of local cultural activities, these grants are for projects which interpret the local area and/or promote Moonee Valley and have a community benefit.
An information session for applicants will be held on Wednesday 15th August:
10:30am – 12:30pm Flemington Community Centre, 25 Mt Alexander Rd Flemington
6:30pm – 8:30pm Civic Centre, 9 Kellaway Avenue, Moonee Ponds
For more information contact Vivien Routley on (03) 9243 8824 or via email. You can also visit the Moonee Valley Council’s community grants webpage.
IN THE NEWS
Want to help young people in nursing homes? Help Milly Parker win the 3AW People’s Choice Award!
One of 12 monthly winners of the Tattersalls Enterprise and Achievement Award, Milly is now in the running to win the Annual Enterprise and Achievement Award to be announced on August 2nd at a gala lunch at the Park Hyatt Hotel Melbourne! Milly Parker advocates on behalf of young people living in nursing homes. Milly has strived to raise awareness of the lack of suitable accommodation for young people with acquired brain injuries since her own life was turned upside down several years ago when she sustained severe brain injuries in a car accident.
The winner receives a personal prize of $15,000 and a donation of $75,000 to their nominated charity.
In partnership with Tattersall's, Melbourne radio station 3AW will award the People's Choice Award to a monthly winner who is voted the most popular by members of the public. To vote for Milly, visit the website.
Media Release from Mal Brough MP: Time for States and Territories to Make a Commitment to People with Disability and Their Families
Minister for Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, Mal Brough, today demanded that states and territories follow the Howard Government's lead and boost funds for people with disability.
On the eve of a meeting of ministers responsible for disability services in Sydney on Wednesday to discuss the next Commonwealth State/Territory Disability Agreement (CSTDA,) Mr Brough said most states were failing in their responsibilities to some of our most vulnerable citizens.
You can read the rest of the media release here.
Media Release from Community Services Minister Gavin Jennings: Commonwealth should Fund Disability Services Through the States
Community Services Minister Gavin Jennings today called on the Federal Government to fund the states' disability services rather than re-inventing the wheel and duplicating services.
Speaking at the Ministerial Council for Community and Disability Services Ministers, Mr Jennings said the Commonwealth had once again refused to increase funding or indexations for state services.
You can read the rest of the media release here.
Sun Herald Article: Disabled Miffed by Ticketing Plan
VICTORIANS with a disability won't get much joy from the new myki public transport ticketing system, with claims that the new system is no more accessible than the current one.
You can read the rest of the article here.