1. Liza Roberts Centrelink
COMMUNITIES STRENGTHENING COMMUNITIES

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

3. 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

4. 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”

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

6. Finding Centres Research, 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

7. 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,

8. Example 2-drought support network- email group
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.

9. Example 3-
Westech Field Days and Beef 2009-

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

11. 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”

12. 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

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