User guides, quick reference guides, videos.

This toolkit, released in June 2016 by the NSW Elder Abuse Helpline and Resource Unit, supports a consistent approach to identifying, responding and preventing the abuse of older people. Each of the 5 steps has practical information and tools which guide staff from elder abuse identification through to response.

On 3rd of March 2015, WSCF launched its Innovation Reconciliation Action Plan 2015 to 2017.  The development of the RAP was championed internally by WSCF’s former Executive Officer, Mary Waterford, and supported by our RAP Working Party.   Consultations with the development of the RAP took place with Graham Davis King, Baabayn Women Elders, and Steven Ross (Aboriginal Development Officer, Parramatta Council). We are now half way through the process of implementing the RAP and are regularly reporting on progress to date.  Some highlights include: Ongoing support for Aboriginal organisations including Baabayn Women Elders and Blue Mountains Aboriginal Culture and Resource Centre and Koori interagencies as requested Publication and launch of ‘We are One’ “Milanda ngiyani waan.gigilanha” – A reflective practice guide for working with Aboriginal staff Provision of a list of Greater Western Sydney Aboriginal Organisations on our website Participation at...

“Stop the violence, break the silence!” The issue of Gendered Violence was discussed by a panel of diverse and influential women, which provided a platform to share personal stories and experiences to explore strategies towards ending violence against women and attitudes of victim-blaming. Phillipa Nagy and Malaina Lo (Western Sydney Community Forum Interns) attended the panel discussion about Gendered Violence on 12 October 2016 at the University of Technology (UTS) Sydney, Ultimo. This event was hosted by students of the UTS and included a panel of diverse women: Jenny Munro (Wiradjuri Elder), Subeta Vimalarajah (Journalist and Human Rights Activist) and Andrea Zephyr (Transgender woman). Reclaim the Night was an empowering event that facilitated a forum for raw, personal experiences to be shared in a safe space. Practical strategies were discussed, which included the perspectives of women who had experienced gendered...

Below are some highlights from the Round 3 - NDIS Provider Forum held at Penrith and other forums held in July and August 2016, particularly focusing on information relevant to Community Care Supports Program (CCSP) providers.

We are one week away from Thrive! Don’t Just Survive – Community Sector Training Day and are pleased to present the program with our exciting list of speakers for the day. Thrive! Don’t Just Survive is an information and skills development day for the community sector about navigating a changing funding landscape. The theme for Thrive! this year is focused on understanding different options for funding and support outside of government grants. Click here to see our program for the day. Thrive! Don’t Just Survive – Community Sector Training Day will be held on Wednesday the 19th of October from 9:00am till 3:30pm at Cabra-Vale Diggers Club, Canley Vale. We’re down to our final tickets, please ensure you register here to secure your spot for Thrive! Don’t Just Survive – Community Sector Training Day. We look forward seeing everyone there!

On Thursday 15 September 2016 the NSW Government released the Western Sydney Airport Environmental Impact Statement 2016 to the public. The EIS contains new technical assessments and revised modeling as well as responses to the feedback gained from community consultations. There were close to 5,000 responses made by community members, community groups, local councils, government and other stakeholders from across Greater Western Sydney. The proposed Western Sydney Airport is set to commence operations in the mid-2020s. The EIS states that the proposed airport will re-distribute employment opportunities towards Western Sydney. It also states that the proposed airport will reduce stress on transport infrastructure leading into the Sydney CBD.  This will be achieved through the $3.6 billion road investment program and potentially new rail networks. A range of views were expressed about the health impacts of a 24-hour airport without a curfew. Technical assessments concluded that a curfew would have adverse economic impacts, and therefore the report confirms...

On Tuesday 20 September 2016, the Federal Government announced a new investment approach to welfare. The Government states that the new approach seeks to improve outcomes for people who experience disadvantage and are reliant on income support, as well as address the increasing costs of the income support system. Termed the Australian Priority Investment Approach, it draws heavily from the New Zealand model and experience and is about intervening early to prevent long-term dependence on income support. A key element of the announcement is that the Government has committed $96 million for a “Try, Test and Learn” fund. The fund enables organisations to compete for a chance to try their policy proposals to create a path out of the welfare system. The Social Services Minister Christian Porter said the fund will be open by the end of the year for...