General WACOSS News

Want to know how the carbon price will affect you?

As the carbon price comes in this Sunday many low and middle income families will be better off with the increase in the tax free threshold changing from $6000 to $18,200. This means that you will not be paying any tax on the first $18,200 you earn in the 2012-13 financial year. To see what the tax changes mean for you visit www.yourcarbonprice.com.au. This website was produce by The Climate Institutes in conjunction with Choice and ACOSS.

2012 Thinker in Residence with Dr Stuart Shanker a success!

WACOSS partnered with the Commissioner for Children and Young People in the 2012 Thinker in Residence with Dr Stuart Shanker which was a great success.

A range of resources available as a result of the residency can be found here.

Modern Award - Update for Community Organisations- Payscale Summary; Latest Advice National Minimum Wage Case Decision and Equal Remuneration Order

Employer Assist on behalf of WACOSS members have prepared a number of fact sheets relating to the Modern Award for organisations that come under the Federal System (Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award 2010). When the Modern SACS Award was introduced in 2010 the rates of pay noted in the award did not apply as Fair Work Australia had yet to consider the Pay Equity application lodged by the ASU. Given the pay equity decision has now been made the rates of pay currently noted in the Modern SACS Award will now apply from 1st July 2012. Additional fact sheets available on our website provide you with indicative rates of pay that will apply from 1st December 2012 (based on the ERO decision and awaiting final orders) to assist you in budgeting for 2012-13. If your organisation falls under the state industrial relations system the WA Social and Community Service Award will apply for community service organisations.

Still confused about whether you are in the state or federal system? WACOSS members can call Employer Assist on 1300 153 154 for free one-off advice and further assistance.

The Modern Award and the FWA Equal Pay Decision Information Forums

NDS, WACOSS and Jobs Australia are co-hosting a series of forums to provide up-to-date information on changes to the industrial landscape occurring during 2012.

For more information on forums click here.

Funding Reform Resources Online and Free One-on-One Consultations on Pricing, Costing and Outcomes

The Sector Funding Reform Program is currently focussing on publishing a range of online materials and useful tools on the sector funding reform.
Please check back to our website regularly to find our most up-to-date info and new materials for your organisations use.

Need more support? Community Service Organisations have the opportunity to request free of charge, one-on-one support from one of WACOSS' expert consultants in the areas of pricing, costing and outcomes. Please contact us to arrange an appointment on 9420 7222 or email maija@wacoss.org.au.

WACOSS Workshops and Seminars

Community Leadership Program – Applications now open!

The 11th WACOSS Community Leadership Program is now taking applications. If you are a manager in the sector and don't have a formal management qualification, this could be the course for you! For all the details and application package, click here.

An Understanding of Contemporary Conflict Resolution in the Workplace for Managers – Wednesday 11th July - Perth

Do you struggle to understanding conflict in your workplace? Do Mediators solve everything?
How does the new Government approach to individuals taking responsibility for conflict help you manage disputes in your work in the NGO sector?
This one day session will guide you through an audit of your own approaches to conflict and assist in normalizing the conflict that we experience on a regular basis in workplace contexts.
For all the details, and to register online, please click here.

New Funding Reform Workshop: Outcomes Based Evaluation - Tuesday 24th July

An outcomes- based evaluation framework takes into account measurement of outcomes as a key indicator of program performance. In this workshop, you will learn key steps and processes around undertaking outcomes-based evaluation.
This workshop is presented by Socialsuite

To register, click here.

Sector News

Launch of the Healthy You, Healthy Baby Website and Mobile App

The Healthy You, Healthy Baby (HYHB) website and phone App is aimed at providing practical advice on healthy lifestyle for mothers and families during pregnancy and the first 18 months. By utilising the App, families are provided with feedback and the latest information and links to resources to promote good health through lifestyle choices.

Click here to view the flyer or for further information contact fchandler@ngala.com.au or phone 9368 9306.

Consultations on the Parenting Toolkit and Evaluation Framework

The Engaging Families in the ECD Story is a Ministerial Council for Education, Early Childhood Development and Youth affairs (MCEECDYA) project led by the Department for Education and Child Development (DECD). The project supports the reform priority under the National Early Childhood Development Strategy to engage parents and the community in understanding the importance of early childhood.

Click here to read more.

SACS Web Launch

The Minister for Community Services, the Hon Julie Collins MP, is leading the whole-of-government communications to keep the social and community services sector informed about Fair Work Australia's equal pay decision and the Government's commitment to pay its share of wage increases.

As part of this strategy, the Minister has launched a new section of the FaHCSIA website dedicated to information about the Government's approach to paying its share.

The website outlines key information about who is in scope of Fair Work Australia's decision and the Government's funding supplementation and will be updated regularly.

The Minister will also provide regular updates as key matters relating to the Social and Community Services case progress. You can subscribe to these updates by following this link: http://eepurl.com/mewYn. By subscribing to the Minister's updates, you will ensure you are kept up-to-date with the latest information.

Mental Health Good Outcomes Awards 2012 - Nominations are now open

The Mental Health Good Outcomes Awards honour and recognise the exceptional achievements of our State's mental health sector and celebrate inspiring role models whose activities and contributions have impacted positively on their community.

Click here for more information.

Expressions of interest for Western Australian Fellowship Program 2012 Round

The Department of Commerce is inviting Expression of Interest applications for the next round of the Western Australian Fellowship Program under the Western Australian Innovation Development Schemes. Applications opened on Monday 11th June 2012. Click here for more information.

Middle Years Network News

The Department for Communities, the Commissioner for Children and Young People and the Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth, hosted the 2012 Middle Years program on 10th-11th May. The program focused on the social and emotional development of children aged nine to 14 (the middle years). Click here to read more.

20% Discount on Accommodation & Venues at Fairbridge Village, Pinjarra

20% Discount for ALL WACOSS members when you book a Venue and/or Accommodation at Fairbridge Village, Pinjarra during the months of July and August 2012.

Click here for more information.

Affordable Home Ownership for Lower and Middle Income Earners - Shared Equity Program

Would you like to own your own home but think you can't afford it? The State Government has introduced two initiatives to support moderate income Western Australians, like those working in the not-for-profit sector, to achieve their dream of home ownership.

Click here to read more about each of these exciting opportunities.

Sector Events

NAIDOC Week Program of Events for Perth

NAIDOC Perth is proud to present the 2012 NAIDOC Week Program of Events for Perth.

This year in Perth, NAIDOC is gearing up to be one of the biggest and best yet with five week long events and over forty individual events occurring throughout the City. The Program shows the depth and variety of this growing festival, which celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, cultures and communities. The celebration will occur nationally between the 1st and 8th of July with the 2012 theme, 'Spirit of the Tent Embassy: 40 Years On'. The focus city of NAIDOC 2012 is Hobart, who will host the National NAIDOC Ball and Awards night on Friday 6th July.

Click here to download the program.

Vocational Graduate Diploma in Family Dispute Resolution

Anglicare WA Training Services would like to announce that we still have a few places left in our accredited course.

This qualification will equip graduates to provide a range of services including family dispute resolution, information,
support and referral to families experiencing high levels of conflict. Family dispute resolution practitioners can offer
separating parents an alternative pathway to attending court by helping them develop workable/effective parenting arrangements.

This course is being offered as face-to-face delivery as of July this year. Click here to download the course flyer and registration form.

Fairground Youth Sector Conference 2012 - Thursday 19th - Friday 20th July

YACWA's Fairground takes place every two years as an opportunity for the youth sector to network and share ideas and common experiences whilst focusing on state-wide issues of importance to young people and the sector.

2012 will be the third Fairground conference following similar events in 2008 and 2010. The conference vision is for a youth sector event that is the most topical, relevant and results-orientated youth conference ever held in Western Australia.

The 2012 conference promises to be a professional, policy-driven event that is inspiring, fun and creative. The keynotes will be informative and gritty, the entertainment unique and the program objective based and functional.

Head to the Fairground website for more information or to register: www.yacwa.org.au/fairground2012

HOMING in on the real issues of homelessness - Homeless Persons Week 2012

Homeless Persons Week is on again this year from Monday 6th to Sunday 12th August. The theme for this year is “HOMING in on the real issues of homelessness”.

Homeless Persons Week is a national annual event coordinated by Homelessness Australia. It is made up of the many different homelessness-centred events and aims to draw attention to the causes and effects of homelessness on individuals, families and the wider community. Click here to read more.

Homeless Persons Week Soccer Showdown Announced - Tuesday 7th August

Laying dormant for some months, the red-hot rivalry between the Big Issue Street Soccer team and WA Community Workers is set to erupt once again this August in celebration of Homeless Persons Week (HPW). The Community Housing Coalition of WA (CHCWA) and The Big Issue Street Soccer Program are thrilled to invite all prospective community players and spectators to a sporting celebration of the fight against homelessness.

When: 7th August, 3:00pm
Where: Wellington Square, East Perth

If you're a community sector worker or volunteer and are interested in pulling on the boots or learning more about this event, please contact Rory Ritchie at CHCWA, (08) 9221 7933 or rory.ritchie@communityhousing.com.au.

Bruce D. Perry, M.D., Ph.D. Australasian Speaking Tour - Monday 13th August

Dr Bruce Perry author of "The Boy Who Was Raised as A Dog" will be presenting a workshop Monday 13th August 2012. Dr Perry is well-known for his research on the impact of child abuse and neglect on a child's brain development. He is an engaging presenter and will provide insight into how developmentally informed and biologically respectful work with at-risk children and families leads to strong potential for healing and recovery. Click here to read more.

WA Carers Conference 2012 - Thursday 23rd & Friday 24th August

A practical, informative and interactive event for people providing care to family members and friends with mental, physical or aged related ill health or disability.

Click here for more information.

Australia to Host World Congress on Adult Guardianship

Experts in the fields of ageing, disability and guardianship, from across the world, will come together in Melbourne in October this year for the Second World Congress on Adult Guardianship. Click here to read more.

Upcoming Courses at Anglicare WA

Click here for information on the following upcoming courses available at Anglicare WA.

Making Sense out of Government Policy
Dangerous Liaisons
MAP Time-in

HepatitisWA 20th Year Celebrations Event

HepatitisWA is celebrating 20 years with a performance of Body Armour by Ilbijerri Theatre and celebrations after.

Save the date!
Monday 17th 17th 2012
2:00PM – 4:00PM
The Empyrean
12 Lake St, Northbridge WA 6003

Where are they now?
Calling all past staff, volunteers, board members and clients! HepatitisWA is compiling a publication that documents the development of the organisation over the last 20 years. If you have a story that you would like to share about HepatitisWA, or would like to be involved in the celebrations, please contact Viv:.

E: vivb@hepatitiswa.com.au
P: (08) 9227 9802

Community Sector Jobs Board

The following positions are currently advertised on the WACOSS/ANSON Community Jobs Board. Click here to view the vacancies in full.

If you would like to advertise your vacancies on the WACOSS/ANSON Community Jobs page please contact John Broweleit at ANSON at jbroweleit@anson.com.au