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Reichstein Foundation from 2002 to 2005
Registered Office Financial Advisors Reichstein Foundation from Material in this report
Reichstein Foundation Mr Gordon Moffatt 2002 to 2005 may be reproduced with
2nd floor, 172 Flinders Street Mr David Gale, Carnbrae Report coordination and acknowledgement to
Melbourne 3000 Mr Christopher Reid, writing: Deborah Davison Reichstein Foundation
Victoria, Australia Bell Potter Editing: Helen Macrae
telephone Honorary Auditor Photography:
+61 (03) 9650 4400 Schoenfelds Rachel Lowe
facsimile Legal Advisors Peter McConchie
+61 (03) 650 7501 John Emerson and Design and production:
info@reichstein.org.au Alice Macdougall of Freehills VIOLA Eco-Graphic Design
www.reichstein.org.au Joey Borensztajn www.violadesign.com.au
ABN 610 663 84211 Peter Seidel Printing:
Leonie Thompson www.cleangreenprint.com
and Caryn Van Proctor of on 55% recycled paper with
Arnold Bloch Leibler vegetable based inks
Blake Dawson Waldron
1
contents
Our history 1
From our Chair 3
From our Executive Officer 5
Our trustees 7
Our workers 9
Our priorities for grants 10
Our stories 11
Justice for land and people
• Indigenous peoples
• Environmental sustainability
• Regional and rural concerns 13
Level crossings aren’t level for all
• People with a disability 15
Until we have a just, safe and welcoming environment…
• Refugees and asylum seekers 17
Refugee children have the same rights as all children
• Refugees and asylum seekers 19
Meeting the victims, taking responsibility, making amends – that’s tough justice
• Justice and correctional issues 21
Classrooms to talk about, hear, and understand same-sex attraction
• Regional and rural concerns
• Addressing discrimination against same-sex attracted people 23
Through the eyes of women - police responses to family violence
• Addressing violence against women
• Regional and rural concerns 25
Pie in the sky no more
• Regional and rural concerns 27
Our granting facts and figures 29
A different way to achieve our aims - our support for special ventures 30
Our capacity building work with Indigenous communities 31
Our belief in social change philanthropy and support for
Changemakers Australia (CMA) 33
Our thanks 35
1
our history
The Reichstein Foundation was endowed by Lance Reichstein in 1971. He was born in
1900 into a farming family at Morchard, South Australia. Lance excelled at school and
won a scholarship to continue his education and to attend Adelaide University,
where he studied engineering.
He founded his company, Lance’s daughter, Jill Through this work Jill saw how As Chair, Jill has encouraged
Industrial Engineering, in 1928. Reichstein, is now Chair of the philanthropy could be used the appointment of trustees
He was an innovator and a risk Foundation. After Jill completed creatively to support social that have experience working
taker. His company became a sociology degree at Monash change. Inspired by the work of as activists in our priority
successful nationally and University, she helped establish Tracy Gary, who pioneered funding areas.
internationally. the first women’s refuge in social change philanthropy in
Victoria. She went on to the US, Jill has spent the past The family involvement
Lance Reichstein set up the develop community-based fifteen years mentoring others continues with Lucy Larkins,
Foundation to give back to the childcare for the City of who have inherited wealth. Lance’s granddaughter, who is
community that helped create Brunswick, where she gained Under Jill’s guidance, the actively involved on the Board.
his wealth. The Foundation experience in social planning, Reichstein Foundation has In time his grandson Tom may
continues to build on his legacy community consultation and encouraged individuals and also join the Board.
by using community building community development. foundations to support social
and social justice approaches change philanthropy projects. In
to its grant-making. the early 1990s Jill started the
Women Donors Network, which
was the genesis for the
recently created
Changemakers Australia, a
progressive funder’s network.
Lance Reichstein set up the
Foundation to give back to
the community that helped
create his wealth.
2
3
from our chair
The Reichstein Foundation has always been committed to community-based
organisations which work for equality and justice. Philanthropy Australia’s research
of their members’ grant giving confirmed that gay and lesbian concerns and issues
regarding the criminal justice system received the least philanthropic dollars. In 2001
we selected these two areas as funding priorities because they are often the least
popular ‘causes’ and therefore attract the least funding.
In addition we identified seven In 2004 Christa and Kaye One of our key goals is to Over the past two years, the
other priority areas. These are Bratetich, the Officer Manager, expand social change Foundation has initiated two
illustrated in this report by eight developed and ran a capacity philanthropy and to teach donor circles - the Environment
project stories. building program in conjunction people about social justice Donor Circle (in partnership
with RMIT. It was offered to values in grant giving – for with the Mullum Trust) and the
We are determined to be more Indigenous groups that were example inclusiveness and Refugee and Asylum Seeker
accessible and relevant to funded by, or were in contact accountability. We are very Donor Circle (in partnership
organisations that are involved with, the Foundation. The pleased to be involved in the with the Eastweb Fund). A
in these priority areas. In 2004 course and its outcomes are development of Changemakers donor circle brings together
the Reichstein Foundation did detailed in this report. By all Australia (CMA), an individuals and foundations that
away with closing dates and accounts it was enormously organisation which seeks to have an interest in a particular
maximum funding amounts and successful. If community support and educate donors area in order to learn more
is now committed to funding groups have a better about community generated about the issues related to it
some projects for more than understanding of the way projects which are aimed at and work collaboratively to fund
one year. We are growing into philanthropy can operate in solving the root causes of projects.
this new way of operating, but partnership with them, they are problems. It urges donors and
the response of grant seekers more likely to build more philanthropic organisations to We also organised five project
has been positive. sustainable and effective become more accountable, briefings - where a number of
organisations. strategic, inclusive, funded organisations described
Christa Momot, our Executive compassionate and their projects and discussed
Officer, has worked supportively With this in mind we collaborative. The Reichstein project outcomes with donors.
with many of our grant seekers encouraged and supported the Foundation provided an initial Briefings on criminal justice;
– giving advice about resources Collective of Self Help Groups seeding grant, is represented the environment (in partnership
and assistance with applications (COSHG) and Victorian Council on the interim management with the Mullum Trust); refugee
and project development. of Social services (VCOSS) to committee and provides and asylum seekers (in
Although time-consuming, this apply to the Community administrative assistance partnership with the RACV
approach brings forward Support Fund and the Victorian to CMA. Foundation); Indigenous issues
interesting projects and Law Foundation for capacity (in partnership with Foundation
highlights the need for building resources. They were for Young Australians); and
organisational capacity building successful. same-sex attracted people (in
by many small community- partnership with the Gay and
based organisations. Lesbian Foundation of
Australia) were held.
4
We are determined to
be more accessible and
relevant to organisations
that are involved in these
priority areas.
During the last few years, our Between 2002 and 2005 a In 2003 we welcomed Kaye I thank my fellow trustees,
work with donors has increased number of trustees completed Bratetich as Office Manager. donors, Christa, Kaye and all
considerably, with 72 donors their term and new trustees She has made a productive our volunteers for their
currently registered with us. were appointed. Jenny contribution to the work commitment to our work. Being
Registration gives donors Florence, Barbara Spalding and of the Foundation. involved in philanthropy is a
access to the Reichstein Rhonda Galbally all spent many privilege and very rewarding
Foundation’s grant giving years as trustees and each We have considerable support and, whilst it contributes to
information. They get access to made a significant contribution from volunteers. They enable community wellbeing, it also
well researched social change to the Foundation through their us to achieve much more than adds to the lives of all of us
projects and they can work commitment to innovative and would be possible without who are involved.
together as part of a challenging projects for social them. They add to the
community of donors. change outcomes. We thank knowledge, skills and
them for their inspired support. experience we draw on to meet
It is very exciting that the I also thank Kenny Bedford our goals.
number of donors who co-fund for his involvement with the
projects with the Reichstein Foundation, before leaving Many of our projects have
Foundation has grown - this to work in the Torres achieved results beyond Jill Reichstein OAM
allows us to support many Strait Islands. expectation; a number of these
more projects. are highlighted in this report.
We welcome Fiona Smith and The Foundation thanks our
Our vision is to effect social Ian Seal as trustees. They each partners – both donors and
change through strategic, bring a wealth of knowledge community group members –
community-based solutions and and direct experience of for making this possible.
we rely on our trustees, staff addressing disadvantage. Their
and volunteers, through their professional lives and
connection to community, to community activism are highly
accomplish this vision. Christa relevant to the priority concerns
Momot works creatively with of the Foundation. All our
staff, volunteers and trustees to trustees are engaged in project
refine and strengthen our visits and contribute to a
model of philanthropy. number of committees
associated with the
Foundation’s work.
5
from our
executive officer
There is a persistent belief that social justice grantmaking requires significant grantmaking
resources. It does not. Often times, simply convening people to talk about an issue publicly
is enough to begin to influence public opinion and begin to change the system.
Raising the public profile So often, philanthropic The Reichstein Foundation In 2004 and 2005 I ran 23
of social inequities that funding is about providing a adopted this process and information sessions and had
maximum sum of money, developed a work plan to 52 face-to-face meetings with
exist related to poor within a time specified period increase access to grants. We groups in rural areas. Rural
people, people of colour, (usually only one year), with aligned our activities and outreach incurs expenses (time
women, individuals with strict closing dates and with processes to complement the and cost) for the Foundation
disabilities, or gays and an expectation that projects way community development but the rewards are
will demonstrate innovation takes place. encouraging. Since 2002 the
lesbians does not require
whilst being risk-free. number of rural projects funded
large amounts of money. It My work prior to has increased.
does require the will and This is not the climate in which commencement at the
the courage to use the social change occurs. Foundation was in community Capacity building assistance is
Foundation’s cachet to development with very included as a goal. Community
Social change is best nurtured disadvantaged communities in based, consumer controlled
legitimize a topic as being when the funding body and the Melbourne’s western suburbs, organisations require additional
worthy of discussion. recipient form a working and homeless women and their support and resources. Often
partnership to find solutions children. these organisations and groups
Emmett D. Carson, Reflections and when the recipient can’t call on people with
on Foundations and Social organisation involves those In my current role I have built accounting, legal, management
Justice, Keynote address to the affected by project outcomes in on my previous experience with and community development
Synergos Institute’s Global all aspects of the project. project development - except experience. They are run by
Senior Fellows Meeting, that I can now support this people who have ‘life
Oaxaca, Mexico, 2003 This process is slow, requires work with access to experience’ of the issues but
different types of support philanthropic resources. do not always have the formal
(capacity building, mentoring, Our strategic plan lists five skills, networks and resources
leveraging pro bono support) goals and the strategies to of larger not-for-profit
and assistance with submission achieve our mission of Change organisations.
and project development. The not Charity. It also outlines the
project funding often comes approach to our work with The capacity building program
later. grant seekers in a sustained (outlined in this report) is a
and satisfying way. practical way to work with
Various foundations in San Indigenous organisations. They
Francisco all committed to Our goals state that we will can become more effective in
social change funding, which I work in partnership with governance, project
visited in 2004, affirmed this community groups, individual development and submission
formula again and again. donors and other foundations writing and thus more
to assist organisations that successful in sourcing funds
work on priority issues from philanthropy.
identified by the Reichstein
Foundation. This work includes
assistance with project and
submission development.
6
This investment of time and For example, our environmental The work of the last four years
resources resulted in a marked work included an internal audit has given me a sense of pride
increase in project proposals that resulted in significant and achievement, not possible
from Indigenous communities. changes to our own practices. without the support of the
In 2002 and 2003 we funded We are coordinating a bulk dedicated staff, volunteers,
nine Indigenous projects. In purchase of environmentally trustees and donors I work
2004 and 2005 this rose to friendly (post consumer waste) with, in particular Jill Reichstein
eighteen. photocopying paper for use and Kaye Bratetich. Thank you.
within the philanthropic sector
Working in alliance and with the assistance of Going
collaboration is a key goal to Solar.
achieve social change. Macro
social issues cannot be tackled The life experience of most
in isolation. We ask grant paid and unpaid staff and
seekers to demonstrate their trustees aligns with our priority Christa Momot
links with peak bodies and funding areas. This, combined
relevant stakeholders. with their skills and
commitment to social change
The Foundation contributes to advocacy, makes sure that our
this process by convening a grantmaking is relevant and
Violence Against Women accessible.
Network in collaboration with
the Victorian Women’s Trust.
This network brings groups
funded by us or the Trust
together at quarterly meetings
to collaborate on common
issues.
Walking the talk is a goal we
aspire to. The priority funding
areas we have identified form
the basis of our own work. We
aim to be consistent in our
approach to grant making and
our own every day operations.
7
our trustees
Jill Reichstein (Chair) Lucy Larkins Jane Tewson Father Peter Norden
After graduating from Monash Lucy Larkins is the Jane Tewson moved to Father Peter Norden is a Jesuit
University, Jill Reichstein granddaughter of the late Australia from the UK in 2000. Priest, Policy Director of Jesuit
helped establish the first Lance Reichstein. Lucy joined In the UK, Jane founded Social Services, and an Adjunct
women’s refugee in Victoria. the Reichstein Foundation as a Charity Projects and Comic Professor in the School of
She went on to develop full Trustee in 2001 after Relief – the organisation from Social Science and Planning at
community-based childcare for turning eighteen. With a which the phenomenally RMIT University. Among his
the City of Brunswick, where commitment to environmental successful Red Nose Day was many previous roles, Peter was
she gained experience in social sustainability, Lucy has been conceived. Jane also founded Chaplain to Pentridge Prison in
planning, community actively involved in the Pilotlight UK and since Melbourne.
consultation and community Australian Youth Parliament for relocating to Australia, is
development. the Environment. She also has Founder and Director of Over many years Peter has
a strong interest in the criminal Pilotlight Australia – a catalyst been involved in addressing
As Chair of the Reichstein justice system and, having just organisation that seeds concerns in the criminal justice
Foundation, Jill is actively finished her final year of a innovative forms of social system, drug law reform and
involved in developing combined Arts/Law degree at action through creative strengthening communities in
partnerships with the many The University of Melbourne, partnerships. inner-city neighbourhoods. One
community groups supported plans to spend 2006 travelling of his current focuses is
by the Foundation. As a strong and doing voluntary legal work Through Pilotlight, Jane research and public policy work
supporter of social change overseas. continues her life work – to highlighting the unequal
philanthropy, Jill was push the boundaries of distribution of wealth in
instrumental in establishing philanthropic thinking and Australia. In conjunction with
Changemakers Australia and is action - bringing fresh Professor Tony Vinson, Peter
a member of the interim board. approaches to achieving social has been investigating
justice. Jane also sits on The locational disadvantage
Jill is also currently a board Virgin Foundation Board, throughout the country and is
member of the Trust for Young known as Virgin Unite, and mapping the concentration of
Australians; the Koorie Heritage Malvern Central School Council. poverty by postcode.
Trust; Melbourne Community
Foundation; and Australia Peter is a National Board
Centre, The University of Member of the Australian
Melbourne. Council of Social Service and
the Convenor of the Victorian
Criminal Justice Coalition.
8
our trustees
Jill Reichstein (Chair) Lucy Larkins Jane Tewson Father Peter Norden
After graduating from Monash Lucy Larkins is the Jane Tewson moved to Father Peter Norden is a Jesuit
University, Jill Reichstein granddaughter of the late Australia from the UK in 2000. Priest, Policy Director of Jesuit
helped establish the first Lance Reichstein. Lucy joined In the UK, Jane founded Social Services, and an Adjunct
women’s refugee in Victoria. the Reichstein Foundation as a Charity Projects and Comic Professor in the School of
She went on to develop full Trustee in 2001 after Relief – the organisation from Social Science and Planning at
community-based childcare for turning eighteen. With a which the phenomenally RMIT University. Among his
the City of Brunswick, where commitment to environmental successful Red Nose Day was many previous roles, Peter was
she gained experience in social sustainability, Lucy has been conceived. Jane also founded Chaplain to Pentridge Prison in
planning, community actively involved in the Pilotlight UK and since Melbourne.
consultation and community Australian Youth Parliament for relocating to Australia, is
development. the Environment. She also has Founder and Director of Over many years Peter has
a strong interest in the criminal Pilotlight Australia – a catalyst been involved in addressing
As Chair of the Reichstein justice system and, having just organisation that seeds concerns in the criminal justice
Foundation, Jill is actively finished her final year of a innovative forms of social system, drug law reform and
involved in developing combined Arts/Law degree at action through creative strengthening communities in
partnerships with the many The University of Melbourne, partnerships. inner-city neighbourhoods. One
community groups supported plans to spend 2006 travelling of his current focuses is
by the Foundation. As a strong and doing voluntary legal work Through Pilotlight, Jane research and public policy work
supporter of social change overseas. continues her life work – to highlighting the unequal
philanthropy, Jill was push the boundaries of distribution of wealth in
instrumental in establishing philanthropic thinking and Australia. In conjunction with
Changemakers Australia and is action - bringing fresh Professor Tony Vinson, Peter
a member of the interim board. approaches to achieving social has been investigating
justice. Jane also sits on The locational disadvantage
Jill is also currently a board Virgin Foundation Board, throughout the country and is
member of the Trust for Young known as Virgin Unite, and mapping the concentration of
Australians; the Koorie Heritage Malvern Central School Council. poverty by postcode.
Trust; Melbourne Community
Foundation; and Australia Peter is a National Board
Centre, The University of Member of the Australian
Melbourne. Council of Social Service and
the Convenor of the Victorian
Criminal Justice Coalition.
8
Fiona Smith Ian Seal
With over twenty years Ian Seal has been a teacher, a
experience as a public interest youth worker, a consultant to
lawyer, with Federal and State government, a tutor/lecturer,
tribunals, government agencies and a community project
and the not-for-profit sector, worker. Ian is active in a
Fiona Smith’s energies have number of areas with young
focussed on social regulation people who are marginalised –
and policy, anti-discrimination creating safe schools for same-
and human services. sex attracted young people,
advocating for improvements to
Fiona has a long history of the foster care system,
involvement with self-help developing models for
groups and as a human rights connecting disadvantaged
and social justice advocate. As young people to school and
a woman with a physical community, and identifying
disability, Fiona has personal ways in which schools in
experience of disadvantage. disadvantaged communities
Through work with others, she can work with families to
has made a significant support the wellbeing of their
contribution to advocacy young people.
our
regarding systemic
discrimination. Ian is a member of the
Ministerial Advisory Committee
In 2004, Fiona was appointed on Gay and Lesbian Health and
to a sessional role as in 2003 was awarded a
Chairperson of the Equal Centenary Medal for service to
Opportunity Commission. She is improving sexual health
also Chair of the Business outcomes for rural and
Licensing Authority and an marginalised youth.
Ambassador for the Melbourne
Community Foundation.
trustees 9
our workers
Staff Volunteers Chris Soderiou Traineeships
Community Development
Christa Momot Marlee Bundle worker Norma Seip
Executive Officer Administration worker Leadership Plus
Whitney Solomon
Pep Dalton Patricia Foster Administration worker Russell Smith
Admin & Finance Officer Community Development Indigenous Philanthropy
Barbara Wilson
(Sept 2001-June 2002) worker Internship
Resource Library Co-ordinator
Fae Wilson Deborah Greene Whitney Solomon
Admin & Finance Officer Archiving project worker Students on Administration Trainee
(July-August 2002) fieldwork placement (Certificate III in Business
Jenni Mitchell
Administration)
Mandy Bathgate Archiving project co-ordinator
Helen Dobbyn
Office & Communications
Beng Neoh Community Development
Manager (Sept 2002-
Community Development Student
June 2003)
worker (in training)
Derek Fagan
Kaye Bratetich
Adriana O’Donnell Social Work Student
Office Manager
Granting/Donor Liaison
(from June 2003) Rachel Lowe
project officer
Community Development
Judith Freidan
Heather Osland Student
Finance Administrator
Administration and
Beng Neoh
reception worker
Community Development
Mark Samuel-King Student
Community Development
Marie Theophanides
worker
Social Work Student
10
our priorities for grants
The Reichstein Foundation receives many requests for assistance from very different
groups and organisations. To be considered for funding community groups must:
• actively work towards the pursuit of human rights and social justice for
disadvantaged members of the community;
• involve consumers in the management and decision making of the group; and
• use community development processes to address concerns.
To assist both potential grant • concerns of the western In this report, each priority Each story demonstrates that
recipients and the Foundation, metropolitan region of granting area is illustrated by a with vision, will, strategic
priorities are set to guide our Melbourne (in recognition of project story, one of many. Each thinking, collaboration,
grant giving. Currently, our Lance Reichstein’s story outlines the driving resources and hard work,
priority is to support: involvement in this area). motivation for the project, the groups of people can, and do,
• Indigenous peoples; way the funded group or make a sustained difference –
Projects that result in structural organisation/s acted on their to their own lives, the lives of
• people with a disability; and change are our priority, with the concerns, the alliances and others, their community and the
• refugees and asylum seekers. common thread of our granting partnerships established, and environment.
being the promotion of human the outcomes achieved.
We also fund projects which rights and sustainability. By this
address: we mean dignity, fairness and
justice for all people; self-
• violence against women;
determination for Indigenous
• justice and correctional peoples; safety, respect and
issues; wellbeing for marginalised
• environmental sustainability; people; and care and protection
of our natural environment.
• discrimination against same-
sex attracted people;
• concerns of regional and rural
communities; and
year funded 2002 Action for More Independence and
Dignity in Accommodation Past,
Broadmeadows Uniting Care –
FairWear Campaign Promotion of the
Brotherhood of St Laurence with
Catholic Commission for
Action for Community Living Present and Future (Supported No Sweat Shop Label, Accreditation Development, Justice and Peace The
Leadership Plus $20,000 Residential Services – Peer Process & Homeworker’s Code of Human Rights Alliance of Australia
Education Kit) $8,000 Practice $20,000 This project was $20,000 This project was supported
Action for Community Living No supported by R. Swart by Fleur Spitzer
Limits – Disability Media $26,000 Action on Disabilities within Ethnic
Communities From Carer Support to Brotherhood of St Laurence and City of Port Phillip Elwood/St Kilda
Action for Community Living with Empower $15,000 This project was Australians for Native Title and Neighbourhood Learning Centre
Disability Support Workforce supported by Melbourne Community Reconciliation Treaty Consultation $6,000
campaign group Stakeholders Forum Foundation Discal Fund Project "Fanning the flames of
"Who Cares – ensuring the quality of Reconciliation" $15,000 Collective of Self Help Groups A self
attendant care support services" help forum – Sharing our Knowledge
$6,500 $5,000
11
Communications Law Centre Disability Justice Advocacy Inc. Environment Victoria Victorian Footscray Community Arts Centre
Telecommunications: Disability and Safe Transport Campaign Coordinator Graphic Information and Logistics and Performing Older Women’s
Unfair Practice $12,800 $38,000 over two years Database $20,000 This project was Circus Women Alone $5,000
supported by Precision Foundation
Darebin Community Legal Centre Elizabeth Hoffman House From Footscray Community Arts Centre
Temporary Protection Visa Holders Shame to Pride donation $1,000 This Environment Victoria Save with the Performing Older Women’s
Access Worker $14,500 This project project was supported by Rick Begg Goolengook $3,000 This project was Circus Same/Different $30,000
was supported by Precision supported by the Mullum Trust
Foundation Environment Defenders Office On Footscray Community Legal Centre
the Ground in Victoria’s Native Family Planning Victoria and Cutting and Energy Action Group Redlining
Disability Discrimination Legal Forests: Protocol and Education Edge Same-Sex Attracted Youth in Essential Services $6,500
Service Sexual Offences and $2,093 Shepparton $20,000
Disability Project $20,000
12
our stories
Free Kindergarten Association of Holden Street Neighbourhood Jesuit Social Services – St Ignatius Melbourne Workers Theatre
Victoria Inc. Empowering early House Inc Northern Fitzroy Housing Centre for Social Policy and Research No! by Andrea James $10,000
childhood professionals to advocate Estate Community Participation Prisons: The new asylums of the Third
on behalf of asylum seeking children Project – Community Development Millennium $15,000 Mental Health Legal Service
and their families $15,000 worker $3,000 Involuntary Patient Experience of the
Melbourne City Mission in Mental Health Review Board
Friends of the Earth Melbourne and Human Rights Centre for Mental partnership with Western Young $40,000 over two years
Yorta Yorta Nation Aboriginal Health Inc and Western Region Peoples Independent Network
Corporation Barmah-Millewa Liaison Community Garden Group Footscray Supporting Refugee and Migrant Mietta Foundation Presentation
Project $20,000 This project was Community Garden: A food security Young People to Lead Themselves of Forum Series $30,000 over
supported by E.M. Horton Trust and community building project $11,000 This project was supported three years
$3,000 by Fleur Spitzer
13
Our stories:
Justice for land and people
Barmah-Millewa is the largest river red gum forest-wetland in
the world. Its current ill health is attributed to non-Indigenous
mis-management. Daily degradation by cattle grazing and
logging is of great concern to Yorta Yorta Elders, but
management using traditional knowledge of land can
restore the forest to good health.
Lee Joachim, Chairperson Yorta Yorta Nation
Aboriginal Corporation
The Yorta Yorta see the While their unsuccessful Land national park contains the Environmentalists have not
forest from a holistic Claim was under appeal in same principle. It proposes always appreciated this
1999, the Yorta Yorta Nation direct Indigenous decision- viewpoint. As Jonathan La
viewpoint. The forest considered other political making through a majority of Nauze, Barmah-Millewa Forest
nurtured our ancestors strategies to achieve land Yorta Yorta Nation people on Liaison project coordinator
and provided for them…. justice and protection of their the Board of Management. from Friends of the Earth
In turn, the Yorta Yorta cultural heritage. A jointly puts it:
managed Barmah-Millewa Second, this model of joint … greenies and traditional
looked after the forest
national park was seen as a management of the forest will owners come from a different
and nurtured it for the way to protect a very important require a legislative framework place, but we can make perfect
future. And when these tract of their heartland, and to that in turn will support joint allies. On the Murray there is so
practices and methods of gain a big say in its management agreements with much we have in common –
forest management and management. In collaboration Indigenous peoples throughout but it takes time and
with Friends of the Earth Victoria. In the Barmah-Millewa commitment to develop the
care are measured Melbourne they set out to region, the Yorta Yorta Nation necessary relationships and it
against more recent pursue the goal of making the Aboriginal Corporation meets requires that we (greenies) do
events, it is clear that Barmah-Millewa forest a to make decisions with the away with our assumption of
they have an excellent national park. Council of Elders, representing being rightful occupiers of the
the sixteen family groups of the land.
track record that stands
The project was region. All joint management
firm in its own right. groundbreaking on two main agreements need to respect The Barmah-Millewa Forest
counts. First, the project local decision-making Liaison project, funded in
Yorta Yorta Murray Goulburn partners recognised that the processes. partnership with a private
Rivers Clans Inc Yorta Yorta Nation has donor, E.M. Horton Trust, goes
sovereign rights to speak for to the heart of developing this
country. The joint management relationship. The Yorta Yorta
model for the proposed Nation and Friends of the Earth
Moreland Council and Y-Glam Project Respect Inc From anecdotes Salvation Army, Inner South Swinburne University of Technology
Performing Arts Project $15,000 to action, from recording data to Domestic Violence Service and Action Research Project $3,000
creating reform: laying the Winja Ulupna Women’s Service
NIDKids Support Group Ltd NIDKids foundations for effective advocacy by Indigenous Women’s Domestic Tenancy Support & Consultancy
Coordinator $10,000 women in marginalised communities Violence Education Program $9,000 Services – Loddon Mallee Ltd Prison
$15,000 This project was supported by Housing Information Project $14,000
Positive Women (Vic) Inc A Positive
Pregnancy Experience: Information Precision Foundation Today-Tomorrow Foundation
Reconciliation Australia Ltd
for HIV positive women who are Community Education Materials Star Victoria Inc Inclusive Education Community Action: The Crossing
considering having a baby or who are $15,000 – Inclusive Communities $10,000 Place $15,000
already mothers $15,000
Reinforce Inc Capacity Building Statewide Women’s Community Uniting Church Promoting Inter-
Grant $7,340 Housing Service Women with Cultural Dialogue in Victoria: A pilot
Disability and Housing Advocacy project $20,000
Group $14,500
14
Participants of the Dharnya Conference, Oct 2005
were funded to provide media had to think about their own The project also added to Project:
liaison, community education, interest in land, and their own government agency awareness. Barmah-Millewa Forest Liaison
skill-sharing, and public connections to country. It all For example, the terms of Organisations:
presentations on the benefits took time. The people involved reference for the Victorian Yorta Yorta Nation in
of an Aboriginal-owned and in the partnership organisations Environmental Assessment collaboration with Friends of
managed Barmah-Millewa started with discussions Council’s Red Gum the Earth, Melbourne
National Park. amongst themselves before Investigation now include Priority areas:
involving other local groups and investigation of possible Indigenous people
Consultations involving Yorta then moving to wider public Indigenous involvement in land Environmental sustainability
Yorta people, reconciliation forums. management. Regional and rural concerns
supporters and
environmentalists have been This liaison project has led to Because of these new
vital in forging partnerships and better understanding and conversations, understandings
the formation of a long-term awareness of Yorta Yorta and alliances, a co-managed
community learning strategy. connections with country by Barmah-Millewa National Park
Through forums, camps, key stakeholders and the is a lot closer to realisation.
workshops, barbeques and broader local community, One day soon, traditional land
gatherings, a dialogue on land especially environmentalists management of this ancient
rights was created in the and environmental groups. A place will begin the steps to
community – with the Yorta joint statement by all restore Barmah-Millewa’s
Yorta voice at the heart of it. stakeholders has endorsed delicate ecosystem to health.
Indigenous ownership of the
And there was far more to the proposed Barmah-Millewa
conversation than learning National Park.
about Indigenous attachment to
land. Non-Indigenous people
Uniting Church Australia – Hotham Victorian Arabic Social Services Inc Western Region Centre Against WiN Support Services And Western
Mission Asylum Seeker Community Temporary Protection Visa Refugees Sexual Assault Inc (WestCASA) and Homeless and Housing Action
Advocacy Project $21,000 This Support Network $10,000 Horn of Africa Community Network Network Community Advocacy to
project was supported by Claire Partnership in Action: Addressing Review Local Office of Housing
McNamara and Hartline a sub fund of Victorian Foundation for Survivors Sexual Assault Issues with Horn of Policy $13,000
Melbourne Community Foundation of Torture Inc with Pilotlight Australia Africa Communities $18,273
Project Director $38,000 over Women’s Housing Ltd and VCOSS
Upper Murray Family Care two years Western Suburbs Legal Service Inc Housing is a Human Right $20,000
Indigenous Women, Law and It Could Be You $5,000
Leadership Workshop $1,500 This Victorian Immigrant and Refugee Working Women’s Health Women’s
project was supported by Fleur Women’s Coalition VIRWC Western Suburbs Legal Service Inc Report Card $15,000 This project
Spitzer Volunteers Support $10,000 and Refugee Action Refugee Voices was supported by Fleur Spitzer
Project $12,000
Victorian Aids Council Anti Violence
Project $10,000
15
Our stories:
Level crossings aren’t level for all
On 25 October 2001, Chris Jones, a long-time campaigner for public transport safety for people with disabilities,
was hit by a train and killed at a level crossing. Chris wasn’t able to get out of the way of the train in time. Those
who knew and respected him felt loss, anger, profound sadness and a determination to continue his struggle to
make public transport accessible and safe for all users. Chris worked with others in this struggle – he was a
board member of Disability Justice Advocacy at the time of his terrible death. In December 2001 another
wheelchair user was killed at the Noble Park level crossing.
The public transport system Members of the group point out STAG got public transport Sustained community pressure,
developed at a time when most that economic rationalist policy safety issues widely publicised, active participation by
people with disabilities were had a devastating effect on and used this platform to consumers in consultations,
hidden from view in institutions safety. Privatisation of public challenge the status quo and well-formed arguments,
or in dependent domestic transport rationalised staff - put pressure on for conscientious involvement of
circumstances. Now people which leaves stations without improvements. Members STAG members, and the
with disabilities are more visible staff. Privatisation puts pressure worked on several fronts. contribution of many other
and mobile, but public on the bottom (financial) line – disability activists, combined to
transport’s rolling stock, lines, which leaves level crossing There was overwhelming achieve long and short-term
operation and maintenance maintenance in an unsatisfactory public support for the call that results. Most importantly,
have changed little. All public state. Worse still, the government something must be done. The government has agreed that
transport users are vulnerable, sold off different parts of the media were interested in level crossings will be made
but people with a disability are public transport ‘system’ to the story. safe and will be maintained to
more vulnerable. different companies. With no one remain so - $12.5million has
agency responsible for all STAG called upon the been allocated to this end.
With funding from the aspects of the system, the buck government to take responsibility
Reichstein Foundation, for safety had nowhere to stop. for their issues regarding safety Another positive outcome is
Disability Justice Advocacy, an on public transport with that people with a disability are
advocacy organisation for Although STAG speak of the consistent, concerted and now represented on relevant
people with disabilities, formed death of Chris Jones as the committed action. government public transport
the Safe Transport Action starting point, the project administrative bodies. The
Group (STAG). The group set always stressed the universal Strong alliances formed and government is willing to be
about raising awareness; benefit of safe public transport were very effective. Disability held accountable and there is
building alliances; promoting for all users. A coronial inquest Justice Advocacy, the a better chance that future
the importance of safety and after Chris’ death severely organisation that auspiced governments will attend to the
stressing the urgency of a criticised the Department of STAG, launched a disability needs of all public transport
safer transport system. They Infrastructure. discrimination complaint at the users.
understood the deep-seated, Human Rights and Equal
structural dimensions of unsafe Opportunity Commission. This
public transport and were concluded two years later at
committed to advocating for the Federal Court. Although the
long-term change, not a results are confidential,
quick fix. systemic change was achieved.
Year funded 2003 Asylum Seeker Resource Centre
Campaign for Change $20,000
Brotherhood of St Laurence-
Ecumenical Migration Centre Making
Child and Family Services Ballarat
Family Violence in the News $20,000
Action for Community Living Justice For Refugees a Reality
Broadmeadows Uniting Care – $20,000 This project was supported Clean Ocean Foundation State
Disability Media – No Limits $20,000 FairWear Campaign Promotion of the Ocean Outfall Audit $5,000 This
by Fleur Spitzer
Action for More Independence and Homeworker’s Code of Practice and project was supported by the Mullum
Dignity in Accommodation Raising No Sweat-shop Label and Brotherhood of St Laurence-The Trust
Our Voices Radio Show $2,500 Participation in Outwork legislation Torch Project Re-igniting Community
Campaign $20,000 This project was North West $5,000 Collective of Self Help Groups The
ALSO Care and Benevolent Society supported by E.M. Horton Trust COSHG Rural Roadshow $10,000
Inc. and Victorian Gay and Lesbian CASA House, Royal Women’s
Hospital and 16 Days Violence Community Connections (Vic) Ltd
Rights Lobby Making it Equal – Cross Cultural Awareness in
Achieving Federal Gay & Lesbian Law Against Women Working Group 16
Days Campaign Coordination $5,000 Warrnambool and the District $8,000
Reform $20,000
16
The introduction of a 1800
phone number to report level
crossing damage and
maintenance requirements is
another appropriate, practical
outcome of this project.
Trackwalkers and engineers will
be trained in disability
awareness.
This project harnessed the
enthusiasm, knowledge and
determination of many
individuals with a disability. It
connected individuals and
groups in solid alliances who
worked together to enhance
their public transport safety,
dignity and rights.
Project:
STAG - Safe Transport
Action Group
Organisation:
Disability Justice Advocacy
Priority area:
People with a disability
Community Connections (Vic) Ltd, Darebin Community Legal Centre Disability Justice Advocacy Inc Emma House and Violence Against
Warrnambool Public Tenants Administration and Law Reform Opening the Doors media campaign Women Integrated Services Raising
Association and Portland Public Worker $10,000 This project was $5,000 Our Voice $20,000
Tenants Association Training for supported by an anonymous donor
Committee Members $3,000 Elizabeth Hoffman House From Federation of Community Legal
Disability Discrimination Legal Shame to Pride $10,000 This project Centres ChangeXchange $10,800
Daily Activities and Self Help Inc and Service About Change – About was supported by Melbourne
ASPIRE Reaching Out $5,000 This Justice – About Time $20,000 Community Foundation E. M Horton Fitzroy Legal Service Activists
project was supported by an Family Fund Handbook – Our Rights 2nd edition
anonymous donor Disability Justice Advocacy Safe $10,000
Transport Action Group $20,000 Emergency Accommodation and
Support Enterprises Inc. (EASE) Flat Out Inc. Children:
Women’s Rights and Legal Response Unacknowledged Victims of Social
$25,000 Justice $20,000
17
Our stories:
Until we have a just, safe
and welcoming environment…
Footscray Community Arts Centre Friends of the Earth Melbourne and Inner East Community Health Service Maldon Neighbourhood Centre Inc.
Shadowlands $7,000 This project was Environment Victoria Biodiversity and Victorian Medicare Action Group Social Justice Officer $8,000
supported by R. Swart & Sandra Information Strategy $20,000 Building Community Capacity to
Bardas Improve Health Care $30,000 Public Tenants Advice and Referral
Genetic Support Network of Victoria Service – Tenancy Support &
Footscray Community Arts Centre Outreach to Rural and Regional Jesuit Social Services Building Consultancy Services (Loddon-
and Wyndham Community Arts Victoria $7,000 Community Justice in Victoria Mallee) Ltd Family Violence – Office
Alliance A Hole in the Ground $15,000 of Housing Public Response $20,000
$10,000 Hotham Mission Asylum Seeker
Project Asylum Seeker Community Jesuit Social Services with Victorian Refugee & Immigration Legal Centre
Free Kindergarten Association Advocacy $25,518 This project was Criminal Justice Coalition Keeping Inc. East Timorese Legal
Children’s Services Advocating, supported by Melbourne Community Justice Within the Criminal Justice Representation Project $30,000
promoting and supporting refugee Foundation Morawetz Social Justice System $3,500
children’s rights $20,000 Fund & Brencorp Foundation
18
When asylum seekers come to Australia for protection, they are either placed in an
immigration detention centre or they live in the community, depending on their status
on arrival. Complex policy dictates the different visa classes during and after the
determination process. Very variable welfare, income support, education, health and
employment entitlements are accorded to visa holders.
Many asylum seekers have no Although many church and The dire position of asylum This project makes anecdotes,
entitlements at all – no right to community members already seekers engenders deep personal stories, statistics and
work, no income, no right to support this work, Hotham compassion in many people, research available to
Medicare, no right to any Mission needs broader but in others their presence government. Influencing
welfare payment - they often community awareness and evokes fear, loathing and decision makers with such
live in extreme poverty. How do understanding to grow active misunderstanding. This divided material assists in meeting the
they survive? support for policy change and response causes deep social long-term goal of policy
law reform, and thus division where complex asylum change.
Hotham Mission helps many strengthen their capacity to seeker issues are often
with housing, payment of influence governments. portrayed in ‘black and white’. The work of the Asylum Seeker
utilities, emergency relief Through careful collation and Community Awareness project
money, compassionate The Asylum Seeker Community analysis of ‘real life’ situations is strengthened through
personal support, and referrals Awareness project makes the confronting asylum seekers, alliances and partnerships with
to other groups that may be constraints, concerns and the Asylum Seeker Community many organisations.
able to help. difficulties confronting asylum Awareness project has Partnerships which expand
seekers – both in detention contributed an essential community reach; change
However, Hotham Mission’s centres and in the community – information base for the minds, views and behaviour
response to the plight of more visible. Greater development of alternative towards asylum seekers;
asylum seekers does not end community knowledge and policy responses to detention increase practical assistance
with practical, material understanding also comes and to entitlement rights. given; complement work
assistance and support. through the involvement of undertaken; confirm research
Practical help is the beginning more people in direct services Another important component outcomes; consolidate the
of a comprehensive research, and action for policy change. of long-term policy change is demand for social change and
policy and advocacy response The number of asylum seeker engagement with decision give hope to thousands men,
to the people and their support networks, and the makers on a level where they women and children.
situation. Hotham Mission’s number of people who work in can see workable, alternative,
advocacy is designed to them, has increased across community-based approaches The Reichstein Foundation, in
persuade government to adopt metropolitan and rural Victoria. to detention in action first hand. partnership with The Scanlon
more welcoming, supportive On-going liaison and invitations Foundation, the Melbourne
and just policy responses to to visit community-based Community Foundation and the
asylum seekers. facilities create opportunities to Morawetz Social Justice Fund,
show the impact of current is proud to be part of this
policy on asylum seekers and compassionate, comprehensive,
to demonstrate the realities of collaborative and effective
an alternative approach. network of alliances.
Project: Asylum Seeker Community Awareness
Organisation: Hotham Mission
Priority area: Refugees and asylum seekers
Refugee Council of Australia The Butterfly Foundation Victoria University and Iramoo Victorian Council of Social Services
Refugee Policy and Advocacy Project Outside Looking In $10,000 Sustainable Living Precinct, and Federal Charities Legislation 2003:
$20,000 Friends of the Striped Legless Lizard Resourcing the community sector
Uniting Care Outreach Mission Advocating for Wildflower Grassland response $3,500
St Mary’s House of Welcome Social Change Model $5,000 Conservation and Ecologically
Homeless Peoples’ Association Sustainable Living in Outer Western Victorian Women’s Trust and Women
$10,000 This project was supported VicServ – Psychiatric Disability for a Humane Refugee Policy Women
Services of Victoria Inc. Melbourne $10,000 This project was
by The Panel Christmas Wrap Ltd supported by Belinda Gross & an for a Humane Refugee Policy
Promoting Social Justice Community Development Activities $3,000
Tenancy Support and Consultancy Participation for Persons with Mental anonymous donor
Services LTD (Loddon-Mallee), Illness $3,000 Victorian Council of Social Services Western Suburbs Legal Service
Centre Against Sexual Assault Community Sector Clearing House Reprint of Asylum Seeker Poster
(Loddon Campaspe) and Emergency Victoria Mental Illness Awareness $800
Council Rural Outreach $20,000 and Governance Training Project –
Accommodation and Support Stage 1 $10,000
Service Access to Justice in the
Loddon Campaspe Region $20,000
19
Our stories:
Refugee children have
the same rights as all children
The voices of children are amongst the least heard in our community. This is never truer
than in the case of refugee children who are denied equal services, adequate care and
human rights in Australia.
Real Rights for Refugee There are many significant RRRC for information, articles, After pressure from many
Children (RRRC) works to outcomes from the Real Rights training and speakers have a directions the federal
release children from detention; for Refugee Children project ripple effect beyond early government altered its policy
develop and distribute that will reap ongoing benefits childhood. For example, interest regarding refugee children in
resources to refugee children for all refugee children and from primary schools led to detention. Neither the new
and those working with them; their families. another project, also funded by policy, nor the policy of the
and advocate for the support the Reichstein Foundation, to federal opposition, fully meets
that children and families need Early Childhood Australia, the update information for primary the demands of the Real
to recover from the distress, peak national advocacy and schools and to prepare a Rights for Refugee Children
harm and trauma of detention. policy body for the early comprehensive teaching (RRRC) project group. Their
childhood sector, now has a resource for all schools. demands are based on the
Project group members are clear policy supporting the United Nations Convention on
early childhood professionals rights of refugee and asylum The Real Rights for Refugee the Rights of the Child.
who subscribe to the United seeker children. This policy is Children project has built a Nevertheless, the project rightly
Nations Convention on the promoted by the organisation broad alliance between early claims a significant role in
Rights of the Child and Early and is displayed on its website. childhood education services raising awareness and creating
Childhood Australia’s Code of staff, parents and children; the environment that led to this
Ethics. These documents give Five thousand colourful posters other children’s services; policy change.
all early childhood professionals with pictorial and multilingual refugee advocacy groups; and
a responsibility, and a clear information are displayed in local government – in Victoria Project:
mandate, to be concerned Victoria’s early childhood and in other states. Real Rights for Refugee
about and act for refugee services. Five thousand Children
children. Members of RRRC comprehensive information The human rights perspective of Organisation:
are acutely aware of the rights sheets, which can be easily the refugee and asylum seeker Free Kindergarten Association
and needs of children. They copied, are circulating in the issue has often been clouded by Children’s Services
recognise the vulnerability of community. Three thousand political motivations, narrow Priority area:
children and their rights to a Real Rights for Refugee interpretations and legal jargon. Refugees and asylum seekers
safe and healthy environment, Children logo stickers are on This project highlighted human
security, respect, education, to fridges, cars, bikes, shop and human rights dimensions by
live as part of a family with an windows, notice boards, filing promoting equality and by
identity, culture and language, cabinets and students’ folders. providing facts, information and
and to have an advocate so These materials spark support to a sector that
their voices will be heard. discussion and action within understands the vulnerability of
centres, teacher education children and has some capacity
institutions, community services to change their lives.
and families. Requests to
Wilderness Society (Vic Branch) Year funded 2004 Alternative Life Style Organisation Australian Conservation Foundation
Addressing Social Central Highlands Foundation in partnership with in partnership with Cardinia
Rescue Campaign $10,000 This Action for Community Living with Australian Gay & Lesbian Environment Coalition Community
project was supported by E.M. Horton Attendant Care Workforce Action Multicultural Conference Australian Engagement in Sustainability
Trust & Emil Gross Group Attendant Care As It Should Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, Indicators in Cardinia Shire $15,000
Be $18,000 This project was Intersex and Queer Multicultural
Women with Disabilities Australia Conference: Living and Loving in Bendigo & District Aboriginal Co-
Improving the Status of Women with supported by an anonymous donor operative, in partnership with The
Diversity $9,000
Disabilities in Australia $20,000 Advocacy and Rights Centre Limited Torch Project Reigniting Community
Loddon Campaspe Justice Campaign – Bendigo & Castlemaine $15,000
Women’s Health Goulburn North
East/Cooroonya House Towards $9,830 This project was supported by
Integration $20,000 Fleur Spitzer
20
Brenda House with Domestic Carers Victoria Developing a Carer Disability Justice Advocacy Inc in Friends of the Earth Australia
Violence and Incest Resource Centre Voice About the Residential Aged partnership with Disability Australia Climate Justice Campaign $23,000
Violence Against Women With a Care System $8,000 Ltd An International Disability This project was supported by the
Disability $3,000 This project was Convention – Why We Need It and Mullum Trust
supported by Fleur Spitzer Changemakers Australia How Can I Be Involved!! $10,000
Seeding grant $20,000 Friends of the Earth Australia
Broadmeadows Uniting Care – Elizabeth Hoffman House From Climate Justice Campaign $23,000
FairWear Campaign Participation in Collins Street Baptist Church – Shame to Pride project $1,000 This This project was supported by the
Outwork Legislation, Community Urban Seed Fair Gambling $15,000 project was supported by Rick Begg Mullum Trust
Education and Ongoing Promotion of Disability Advocacy and Information
the Homeworkers’ Code of Practice Fitzroy Legal Service Activists Rights
Service Focus on Access $5,000 Handbook $3,000
$20,000
21
Our stories:
Meeting the victims, taking
responsibility, making amends –
that’s tough justice
Friends of the Earth Melbourne and Hotham Mission Asylum Seeker Inner East Community Health Service Mental Health Legal Centre Inc.
Yorta Yorta Nation Aboriginal Project Fearing Going Home: with Victorian Medicare Action Involuntary Patient Experience of the
Corporation Barmah-Millewa Australia’s Return of Rejected Asylum Group Funding for Project Officer for Mental Health Review – What Is It
Campaign $31,000 This project was Seekers, Temporary Refugees and Victorian Medicare Action Group and How Does It Work Post 2004
supported by E.M. Horton Trust and Others From Refugee-like Situations $30,000 Amendments Of The Mental Health
the Bardas Foundation $15,000 Act $20,000
Jesuit Social Services in
Headway Victoria Get Real $5,000 Hotham Mission Asylum Seeker collaboration with Victorian Criminal Mildura Aboriginal Corporation
Project Asylum Seeker Project $518 Justice Coalition Prisoners and Public Indigenous Self Determination
This project was supported by Health Consultations $3,000 $4,000
Melbourne Community Foundation
History of Photography Fund Melbourne Workers Theatre Yanagai!
Yanagai! Regional Victorian Tour
$15,000
22
Despite efforts by successive governments to create alternatives to custody, Victoria’s prison population
continues to hit record levels. This is despite the fact that crime rates are falling. In June 2003 more than 20%
of the 3780 people held in adult prisons were young adult offenders under 25 years of age. More than 40% of
prisoners return for a second custodial sentence, swelling prison numbers. Correctional services throughout the
western world are all bearing the brunt of courts imposing longer and more frequent sentences.
Despite all this there is concern professional concerns and the By working with consumer Project:
within the community that punishment of the offender. groups, key stakeholders and Building Community Justice in
prison sentences served by Switching to a restorative decision makers the project Victoria
many of those convicted of approach requires a change of has influenced and helped Organisation:
serious crimes are too short. values, thinking and shape the policies of the Jesuit Social Services
Many victims of crime feel understanding by the Victorian Government. One Priority area:
excluded from the justice community. It also needs a example is the change to the Justice and correctional issues
system, and that their pain and change in legal thinking, age jurisdiction of the children’s
suffering is not heard or valued practice and procedures. Wider court (criminal division)
in dealing with the crime, the introduction of community whereby the definition of child
punishment or the rehabilitation justice hinges on the is increased from seventeen to
of the offender. successful development of a eighteen years of age, thus
coalition of individuals and diverting younger offenders
Jesuit Social Services believes organisations that have the will, from the adult prison system.
that there is a way to resolve interest, expertise, influence
some of these concerns - by and authority to make changes. The introduction of restorative
extending restorative justice The project undertaken by community justice is a long
solutions in corrections. With Jesuit Social Services - haul venture requiring vision,
restorative justice or community Building Community Justice in leadership, resources,
justice, the victim and the Victoria - formed such a community support and political
offender (and their respective coalition. will for the next ten years or so.
support networks such as Project funding provided
family members, friends, work Similarly, the development of resources to develop a
mates) are directly involved in community justice needs to community justice framework
the resolution of the crime. complement other services, to guide this work and to
Offenders take responsibility programs, initiatives and legal ensure that core social justice
for the harm done. The reforms. Diverse groups are values such as fairness and
punishment fits the crime. involved in the project – victims, respect for all individuals are
Underlying issues are police, lawyers, ex-offenders, the foundation of the
addressed and long-term policy developers and decision framework.
solutions sought. Prison, with makers. The project took into
its inadequate resources to account the views and
rehabilitate, is not always the concerns of all groups. As a
most effective option. result, this criminal justice
project has successfully
Restorative justice is different influenced public debate.
from the existing criminal
justice system, which tends to
ignore victims and rarely
actively engages offenders in
their sentencing or
rehabilitation. The existing
criminal justice system is too
often dominated by
Mildura Aboriginal Corporation Child Refugee Council of Australia The Wilderness Society and Central Villamanta Legal Service Community
Removal, the Last Resort $20,000 Refugees and Asylum Seekers in Highlands Alliance Baw Baw Report Inclusion Forums $20,000
Victoria – Promoting Policy Dialogue $4,000
Molly’s House Women’s Refuge in and Improving Outcomes $20,000 Women’s Domestic Violence Crisis
partnership with Domestic Violence VICSERV – Psychiatric Disability Service Victoria AFL Grand Final
and Incest Resource Centre (DVIRC) Rural & Peninsula Disability Support Services of Victoria Inc. Promoting Street Poster $2,000 This project
Maintain the Focus $4,000 Inc Together We Move Mountains Social Justice and Community was supported by Fleur Spitzer
$10,000 Participation for Persons with Mental
Footscray Community Arts Centre Illness $17,000
with Performing Older Women’s SKATV Activist Awards $1,000
Circus Performing Older Women’s Victorian National Parks Association
Circus $2,000 This project was The ALSO Foundation Love Makes Victoria’s Natural Environment Is In
supported by the Bardas Foundation A Family $5,000 Crisis; What Motivates Us to Protect
It? $15,000
23
Our stories:
Classrooms to talk about, hear,
and understand same-sex attraction
For many same-sex attracted young people school can be a place of prejudice,
harassment, and discrimination because their sexuality is ridiculed, misunderstood, or
ignored. Like all young people, same-sex attracted young people have the right to safe,
secure and rewarding education.
surveys with 750 self-identified poorer health and mental They conducted an audit or
same-sex attracted young health (for example, a higher report card on schools and
people between the ages of 14 rate of self harm and suicide) community organisations, giving
and 21. Of this group, 13% than the general population. credit to safe, non-
indicated that they had been discriminatory and harassment-
physically abused, and 46% This situation is compounded in free services and education,
that they had been verbally rural areas as they have fewer and motivating improvements
abused. Nearly 70% of this health services with knowledge where necessary.
abuse happened in school and expertise of same-sex
settings, initiated by both attracted young people, higher When the whole school
students and teachers. levels of homophobia, and community is involved,
reduced access to support attitudes, biases and
In 1996, the National Centre in There is emerging awareness networks. misunderstandings around the
HIV Social Research that sexual orientation and issues for those who are
conducted a survey with 1200 gender identity are key social Cutting Edge Uniting Care and exploring their sexuality can be
14-16 year old rural high determinants of physical and Family Planning Victoria tackled uncovered. Conversations in
school students. Of these, 11% mental health inequality. Those this problem in several ways: by the classroom about same-sex
said they had experienced who are anything other than direct support to same-sex attraction benefit all students
sexual attraction to the same ‘straight’ heterosexuals often attracted young people in the and staff. The curriculum can
sex. In 1998, Writing suffer from homophobia or Shepparton area; support be used for informed
Themselves In: A National heterosexualism – the belief groups for their parents; discussion that will create a
Report on the Sexuality, Health that everyone is, or should be, training for teachers and more accepting and diverse
and Well-being of Same-Sex heterosexual and that any other community workers; resources future generation.
Attracted People reported on sexuality is unhealthy, for education; and building the
unnatural, and a threat to capacity of schools and
society. Same-sex attracted community agencies.
young people experience
Year funded 2005 Asylum Seeker Resource Centre
Campaign for Change $23,000 This
Bendigo and District Aboriginal
Cooperative Strengthening the Voice
Brophy Family & Youth Services with
Sexual Diversity Working Party
Action for Community Living project was supported by Melbourne of Indigenous People in Loddon SSAFE in the South West $15,000
Leadership Plus $20,000 Community Foundation Morawetz Mallee Region $25,000
Social Justice Fund, Fleur Spitzer, & Brotherhood of St Laurence in
Aspire in collaboration with Daily Belinda Gross Brenda House and Domestic Violence collaboration with ANTaR Victoria
Activities and Self Help Inc (DASH) & Incest Resource Centre (DVIRC) The Reconciliation is ‘whitefella’ business
Our Own Path, Our Own Place Australian Conservation Foundation Right to Safety, The Right to Services, $15,000
$10,000 with The Mittagong Forum Research The Right to be Heard – Violence
Project to Examine Best Options for Against Women with Disabilities Central Highlands Community Legal
Delivering Capacity Building $12,000 $22,500 This project was supported by Centre Women’s Voices For Justice
Nordia Foundation and Human Rights $20,000
Australian Federation of Disability
Organisations Media Kit & Campaign
Strategy $3,520
24
Damien Stevens, Mathew Mills and Rowena Allen, CEO - Cutting Edge, Uniting Care, Shepparton – celebrating “Diversity”
The whole school approach and teachers who, often because of often lonely, isolated and Project:
collaborative work with other an unsupportive environment, confusing situation. The project SSAY Shepparton (Same-Sex
organisations created a model are fearful and unable to provided these materials and Attracted Youth in Shepparton)
to support same-sex attracted change. Training is the key to identified how such resources Organisation:
young people and challenge better staff understanding and could continue to be developed, Cutting Edge Uniting Care
heterosexualism. The model practice. distributed and promoted. Youth Services with Family
can be used by rural Planning Victoria
communities to: clarify values This project gave people the A major outcome is a set of Priority area:
and attitudes; lift the capacity opportunity to talk to and hear framework strategies to Regional and rural concerns
of the local community to build one another, to understand one challenge misconceptions and Same-sex attracted people
its own support; encourage another in a non-threatening to build understanding and
active participation of young way, and to demystify what it support. They will have an
people; address the urgent means to be gay or lesbian. affirming influence on the
need to change school policies health and wellbeing of same-
and practice; foster strong This ambitious project showed sex attracted young people in
leadership; get adequate that the role of parents is rural and regional Victoria, and
resources; and enlist media complex and difficult. Parents will be an example for
support. said that there is much work to education in diversity within
be done on how they can best rural and regional schools.
Within schools there are support their same-sex
committed, knowledgeable and attracted children in rural
skilled teachers, keen to ensure Victoria. Information and
that a school environment is resources found in print and via
created where same-sex the Internet are a lifeline in an
attracted young people are
acknowledged, supported, and
protected. There are other
Central Highlands Community Legal Child and Family Services Eastern Access Community Health Emma House Domestic Violence
Centre Family Law Court Project Ballarat/Delacombe Community Mullum Mullum Gathering Place Services Inc in collaboration with
$4,000 House Action Group Chewing the Capacity Building Support $248 Violence Against Women Integrated
Fat $32,500 This project was Services Raising Our Voice: Phase II
Centre for Contemporary supported by Portland Foundation Eastern Health with Yarra Valley $50,000 This project was supported
Photography with ANTaR Vic. Community Health Service by Grosvenor Settlement
Black On White Exhibition $3,000 Collective of Self Help Groups Capacity Building support $1,599
This project was supported by the Improved Access to DGR $4,983 Federation of Community Legal
R. Swart Family Centres About Change, About
Darebin Community Health in Justice, About Time (Sexual Offences
Changemakers Australia collaboration with Al-Amel TPV Project – Stage 3) $20,000
Organisational support $13,000 This Holders Association A Voice for
project was supported by Fleur Permanency $30,000 This project
Spitzer & R. Swart was supported by Margaret
Henderson
25
Our stories:
Through the eyes of women -
police responses to family violence
The consultation paper Reforming the Family Violence System in Victoria Report - a
report of the Statewide Steering Committee to Reduce Family Violence 2005 states that
in 2003-04, Victoria Police recorded 28000 Family Violence Reports.
Police intervention in times of If women do report, the police, The project found that the However, when officers
family violence has the potential despite guidelines and quality of the police response, provided quality service and
to do great good in women’s protocols, often fail to respond whether negative or positive, information, and law
lives. But women who in the most appropriate way. has a significant impact on enforcement action, to women
experience family violence need There are a range of reasons whether a woman will report experiencing family violence,
to trust the system that police why this is so – negative future acts of family violence. women were empowered to
act within before they will use it attitudes and lack of This is significant: 34% of deal with the abuse.
to full advantage. Very often understanding, myths and family violence attendances by
women who experience misconceptions regarding police are repeat attendances. They took a statement and
violence do not call the police. family violence, lack of training some photographs of my
and family violence seen as not The project interviewed women face…I had a little bit of
Less than 20% of affected real police work or a waste of about police responses to swelling, nothing like there was
women report violence to the time. It’s true, policing of family family violence in the Bendigo the day after but obviously
police with disinclination to violence is time consuming, area. Police responses as enough to indicate that there
report being due variously to frustrating and dangerous work. described by the women are had been an assault…Police
fear of retribution, shame, often damning. charged him with four counts
reluctance to leave their homes The Women’s Rights and Legal of assault.
and communities, fear and lack Response project researched I remember asking them (the
of knowledge of the justice police responses to women and police), ‘Can you take him Woman interviewed in Through
system; fear of child protection children who suffer domestic away?’ And they said, ‘Well, he Women’s Eyes – Police &
services; or reluctance to violence, and worked in lives here, too’ and that’s why I Family Violence, EASE 2003
potentially expose the person partnership with Victoria Police always had the impression that
who uses violence to jail. to improve police I was the one who had to leave The information drawn from the
understanding of, and response the house. And ever since, I’ve interviews was analysed and
Reforming the Family Violence to, family violence. The had worse floggings and I just used to formulate a
System in Victoria Report, 2005 Foundation appreciated that never called them… It was not comprehensive set of
this work would take time an option. They just don’t recommendations to Victoria
therefore funding was provided, understand. Police and the Department of
in stages, over three years. Justice. Community
Woman interviewed in Through organisations looking to
Women’s Eyes – Police & improve their services to
Family Violence, EASE 2003 women and children are using
the insights of this report.
Fitzroy Legal Service The Fitzroy Friends of the Earth Melbourne Gippsland Asbestos Related Headway Vic – Acquired Brain Injury
Legal Service Criminal Record Project Plantation Forestry Impacts on Water Diseases Support Inc Asbestos Association Inc. in collaboration with
$20,000 This project was supported Supplies $15,000 Awareness and Advocacy Project the Young Persons in Nursing
by E.M. Horton Family Trust $25,000 Homes consortium Our Futures, Our
Friends of the Earth Melbourne with Ideas $25,000
Footscray Community Arts Centre in Yorta Yorta Nation Aboriginal Gippsland Carers Association Inc
collaboration with Performing Older Corporation Diplomacy Training Capacity building – Helping Headway Vic – Acquired Brain Injury
Women’s Circus Age Shall Not Weary Program $1,634 Gippsland Carers be in the fore-front Association Inc. Young People in
Her $15,000 of disability service reform $10,000 Nursing Homes $5,000 This project
Geelong Ethnic Community Council was supported by Hartline a sub fund
Friends of the Earth Melbourne Sudanese Women’s Support Group Gunditjmarra Aboriginal Cooperative of Melbourne Community Foundation
Port Phillip Bay $3,000 $1,000 This project was supported by Capacity building support $4,214
an anonymous donor Hepburn Health Service
Don’t Shaft Access $1,900
26
... when officers provided quality service and
information, and law enforcement action, to
women experiencing family violence, women
were empowered to deal with the abuse.
Further, the stories of domestic An application by the Advocacy The criminal justice system Statewide Steering Committee
violence showed that the and Rights Centre, in alone cannot ensure the best to Reduce Family Violence
state’s Intervention Order partnership with EASE and possible response to family 2005 recommends just that
system wasn’t working as Loddon Campaspe Centre violence. The partnership model approach. The outcomes of this
intended. Inappropriate Against Sexual Assault, to recommended and project detail the specific
application of an Intervention research unmet legal need in demonstrated in this project actions required to make that
Order, or no application at all, the region and to harness encourages collaboration approach a reality.
was common. An assessment support for the establishment between the courts, police,
of what is required for of a Community Legal Centre community corrections, support Name of Project:
Intervention Orders to be used in the area (see next story), services and government Women’s Rights and Legal
effectively followed. was succesful. agencies to achieve a practical, Response
significant, effective response Name of Organisation:
Detailed recommendations Developing effective responses to the issue of family violence. Emergency Accommodation
resulting from this project form for responding to family and Support Enterprise (EASE)
the framework for a way violence requires many The recent government Priority area:
forward for Victoria Police and strategies, including genuine document Reforming the Addressing violence against
Department of Justice policies, self-reflection by Victoria Family Violence System in women
protocols, and practice in Police. This self-reflection must Victoria Report - a report of the Regional and rural concerns
response to family violence. acknowledge room for
improvement and lead to a
This project pinpointed a willingness to act. This process
service gap. The community is well underway. The Victoria
needed legal advice, Police Code of Practice for
information, advocacy and Family Violence was launched
education. It needed a in August 2004.
community legal centre.
Hotham Mission Asylum Seeker Jesuit Social Services Same Sex LaTrobe University on behalf of Gay Mayone Bulluk Community
Project Asylum Seeker Community Attractedness Education in Catholic & Lesbian Health Victoria Rainbow Association Inc. Resource the
Advocacy Project $32,000 This Schools: Best policies and processes Network State-Wide project: Building Mayone Committee $1,000
project was supported by Melbourne for reducing abuse $15,000 Capacity, Sustainability and Change
Community Foundation Morawetz $45,000 Mercy Care in partnership with
Social Justice Fund, Jane Jobs Australia Ltd, ACOSS and Western Women’s Domestic
Abercrombie & Scanlon Foundation VCOSS Charity Now: Redefining Lifeline South West in collaboration Violence Support Network
Charity Law for a New Millennium with After Hours Crisis Support (WWDVSN) Addressing Unmet
International Women’s Development $20,000 This project was supported Working Group After Hours Crisis Need and service gaps in relation to
Agency Sharing Women’s by Fleur Spitzer Support Research Centre $5,000 domestic Violence crisis and post
Leadership to Address Violence This project was supported by crisis support within Victoria $15,000
Against Women $11,000 This project Andyinc Foundation Ltd.
was supported by Rick Begg
27
Our stories:
Pie in the sky no more
The Loddon Campaspe region covers the shires of Macedon Ranges, Mt Alexander,
Central Goldfields, Greater Bendigo, Loddon and Campaspe. 16.6% of regional Victoria’s
total population lives in these shires. Research shows convincingly that social and
economic disadvantage in Loddon Campaspe has a significant, negative impact on
local people, families and culture.
A Jesuit Social Services Report previous story), three Loddon without a car and money. Many idea through community media,
(2004) found Central Campaspe community of those who desperately need a Victorian Government
Goldfields was the most organisations set out to get a legal help get none. Even so, ‘community cabinet’ meeting
disadvantaged local community legal centre for overstretched community legal held in the region, and
government area in rural and their region. centres in neighbouring regions education about the findings
regional Victoria - 19% of accepted around 4000 clients presented in the earlier
residents earn under $300 per The Advocacy and Rights Centre per year – a fraction of the Through Women’s Eyes -
week and unemployment is managed the Access to Justice demand – to tackle issues like Police & Family Violence report,
over 12%. Only 19% of in Loddon Campaspe Region domestic violence, debt and built support for their powerful,
residents in the Loddon project but it was an alliance of credit, consumer and tenancy evidence-based case for a local
Campaspe area finished Year local agencies. The partnership issues, family law and community legal centre.
12. Of all social problems, organisations, Emergency intervention, disability and
sexual assault and child abuse Accommodation and Support mental health. If they can come and get free
have the worst impact on Enterprise (EASE) and the legal advice, and referrals, they
individuals and families. Long- Loddon Campaspe Centre The Access to Justice in can then resolve issues outside
term drought, agricultural Against Sexual Assault knew, Loddon Campaspe Region of legal arenas. Legal
restructuring, inadequate through their work, that social project raised awareness of the education is about empowering
services and poor infrastructure disadvantage was deepened for need for legal services in the people to do things themselves
put considerable strain on residents in the Loddon area and mobilised the and is the preventative work.
individuals and communities. Campaspe region by their community behind the demand Dealing with a situation before
inability to get access to legal for a fully funded community it becomes a legal problem.
Spurred on by the 2003 advice and information services. legal centre. Supporters argued
Reichstein funded project and Many local residents and that such a centre would give Rachael Skipper, Acting
the recommendations in it’s community workers also knew of their community an essential, Coordinator, Advocacy and
report, Through Women’s Eyes the need for a community legal and very different, third option Rights Centre
- Police & Family Violence (see centre. However, making this a for legal information beyond
reality seemed out of reach. Legal Aid and private solicitors. Through this work, the need
and demand had been
Because Legal Aid is limited, They used public forums, convincingly demonstrated and
and there are insufficient surveys, and consultations with so in 2004 two other
community legal centres across both the general public and philanthropic organisations, the
rural Victoria, far too many private solicitors, to make the William Buckland Foundation
people are denied legal case that local legal and the Ian Potter Foundation
information, advice or disadvantage, and the social provided funding to establish a
representation. When people problems that cluster around pilot community legal centre in
have to travel 120 kms to 410 legal disadvantage, must have the area.
kms to get to a community legal the services of a community
centre in neighbouring region, legal centre to make a
access to justice is impossible difference. Promotion of this
Mildura Aboriginal Corporation Refugee & Immigration Legal Centre SKA TV in partnership with Koorie St Lukes Anglicare and Bendigo
Tooleybuc Forum $1,000 Temporary Protection Visa and Heritage Trust Preserving Culture Neighbourhood House The
Offshore "Family Reunion" Legal $20,000 This project was supported Neighbourhood Houses and Learning
Polyglot Puppet Theatre Headhunter Assistance and Advocacy Project by Belinda Gross Centres (NH&LCs) Sector DGR
$5,000 $40,000 This project was supported Research and Advocacy Project
by the Ivy H. Thomas & Arthur A. South Western Centre Against $20,000 This project was supported
Project Respect Advocating For the Sexual Assault (Department of South
Pathways Project $27,000 This Thomas Trust as administered by by Melbourne Community Foundation
Equity Trusts Ltd. West Healthcare) Ensuring equity for Morawetz Social Justice Fund
project was supported by Andyinc victims of sexual assault $15,000
Foundation Ltd and Sandra Bardas Sisters Inside Women Prisoners The Victorian Foundation for
Research Project $5,000 Survivors of Torture Family
Resilience: Relating between
Cultures $25,000 This project was
supported by E.M. Horton Family Trust
28
In July 2005 the State
Government provided on-going
funding to establish and run
Loddon Campaspe Community
Legal Centre with legal advice
services starting at the centre
in October 2005.
This is the ‘pie in the sky’
outcome. It’s a phenomenal
achievement in the space of 2
or 3 years.…a little bit of hope
(and funding!), a mountain of
determination and community
support go a long way to
positive, tangible outcomes for
social change.
Rachael Skipper, Acting
Coordinator, Advocacy and
Rights Centre
Project: Access to Justice in
Loddon Campaspe Region
Organisation: Advocacy and
Rights Centre in partnership
with Emergency
Accommodation and Support
Enterprise (EASE) and the
Loddon Campaspe Centre
Against Sexual Assault (CASA)
Priority area: Regional and rural
concerns
The Wilderness Society Western Suburbs Legal Service Inc Yarra Valley Community Health Youth Affairs Council of Victoria in
Cool Temperate Rainforest Survey Racial Discrimination, Vilification and Service, Eastern Health Indigenous collaboration with Victorian Student
$6,500 This project was supported by Harassment Project $23,400 Health Unit Bringing the Community Representative Council Rural and
Grant Mathews, the Dadon Family & Together $20,000 Regional Networking of the Victorian
Margaret Henderson Westgate Community Initiative Student Representative Council
Group in collaboration with Social Young Peoples Legal Rights Centre $5,000
The Wilderness Society in Firms Australia Advocating for Inc (Youthlaw) Log On: Write Your
collaboration with The Central Access: Structural Changes to Rights $16,000
Highlands Alliance Water Project End Workplace Culture $25,000
Logging in Melbourne’s water supply
$15,000 Women with Disabilities Australia
Proposed Welfare to Work Reforms
$2,000
29
our granting
facts and figures
Total funding 2002–2005 $3 198 807
Violence against women
$236 968 (7%) Refugees and asylum seekers
$583 655 (18%)
Indigenous peoples
$276 155 (9%)
Justice and correctional issues
$319 663 (10%)
General
$549 026 (17%)
Environmental sustainability
$393 303 (12%)
People with a disability
$654 536 (21%) Discrimination against same sex attracted people
$ 185 500 (6%)
Where projects fall into more Regional and Rural $739 078 (23%)
than one priority area, the Western metropolitan region of Melbourne $309 473 (10%)
funded amount is distributed
equally across the appropriate
areas.
30
A different way to achieve
our aims - our support
for special ventures
31
A different way to achieve our aims - our support for special ventures:
Our capacity building work
with Indigenous communities
When I look around the table what I see is a really wise investment. When I say that, I am saying that the
investment in the people, the most valuable asset we have in all of our communities, and our Aboriginal
communities across Victoria, and the investment that they - Reichstein Foundation and RMIT - have made in us
by giving us all that knowledge, the tips of how to approach a world that has been so foreign to us and open
those doors of opportunities. I don’t think there has ever been two partners that have done that before, that I am
aware of, and given that knowledge and listened to Aboriginal people. The course, for me, really strengthened my
ideal of survival and hope.
Vicki Walker, participant Capacity Building Program
In 2004 we reviewed our The seeds of a capacity challenges, concerns and gaps Invitations to express interest
granting profile of the past few building program for were identified, recorded, were sent to Indigenous
years. The statistics showed a Indigenous organisations were collated, reported back to the organisations that Reichstein
minimal number of applications well and truly sown. We organisation, and then used by had funded or knew of, and
received from, and a low developed an educational us to shape the training that met Reichstein’s general
acceptance rate for, Indigenous program to help Indigenous materials and strategies of the funding requirements. Our fear
community projects. The organisations plan and present education program. that we would get limited
projects were worthwhile but better-developed project interest and that people would
applications lacked the proposals for funding. The We asked participants to be unable to attend the quite
supporting information, program included: commit a substantial amount of lengthy program was blown
evidence and documentation • Governance and their time and asked their away. We were overwhelmed by
against which all applications to infrastructure – building a organisation to support workers the interest and keenness of
the Reichstein Foundation are strong well functioning to attend. In return we individuals to attend and by the
assessed. When Christa organisation undertook to impart the skills support their organisations.
Momot, our Executive Officer, • Project development – they needed to share the
discussed Reichstein’s concern evidence of needs and issues; knowledge and experience they The 17 day program ran over a
about this with people working involvement and support of gained with their organisations 6 month period in 2005, 16
in Indigenous community the sector; submission writing and their communities. participants completed the
organisations they said: • Philanthropy – who funds program.
We don’t necessarily what; what their requirements Christa discussed a partnership
understand the words used by are. arrangement with Julian I’m amazed - the majority
funding organisations. We Silverman, Program of people have finished –
aren’t given feedback on why Before the program started we Coordinator, Community Work
our application wasn’t engaged Deb Davison, a at RMIT University, for RMIT to
it’s just so encouraging.
successful. We don’t know who community educator, to run a provide the Certificate IV in
to apply to. governance health check with Workplace Training and Auntie Glenys Merry, participant
the Indigenous organisations Assessment. At the same time Capacity Building Program
that registered for the program. discussions were held with the
Deb visited each organisation Lumbu Foundation to
for discussions with staff and incorporate culturally
governing committee members appropriate processes and
about how their organisation is communication strategies.
governed. Organisational
achievements, strengths,
32
The impressive list of They have opened up a lot of
organisations that made new doors and networks and
enthusiastic and interesting given us opportunities that we
presentations gives an idea of haven’t had and its come at a
the range of topics covered: time for us when we were
feeling overwhelmed and
Management Support Online; bogged down and wondering
Good Company; Skills Bank; where we were going to go for
VCOSS; Arnold Bloch Leibler; help with all this work that we
Public Interest Legal Clearing wanted to do to build the
House; Australian Domestic capacity of our community.
and Family Violence Clearing Capacity Building Program participants
House; Friends of the Anne Jenkins, participant
Earth/Yorta Yorta; Brotherhood Capacity Building Program Without this program we
of St Laurance Library & wouldn’t be where we are
Information Services; The Helen Macpherson Smith today – we have put in some
Federation of Community Legal Trust funded the RMIT submissions already so we are
Centres; Community Support component of the program and feeling a lot more confident in
Fund, Department of Victorian the R.E. Ross Trust funded the where we are going in the
Communities; Lumbu majority of requests for future.
Foundation; Koorie Heritage assistance with travel and
Trust; Rio Tinto Aboriginal associated costs. We also Anne Jenkins, participant
Foundation; Telstra Foundation; appreciate the support of Capacity Building Program
ANZ Foundation; Foundation Arnold Bloch Leibler and their
for Young Australians; Helen staff - we were able to use Reichstein and other
Macpherson Smith Trust; their facilities to hold sessions philanthropic organisations are
Aboriginal Affairs Victoria; in a very comfortable setting. now getting high quality
Social Ventures Australia; applications from organisations
OurCommunity; and R.E. Ross It just proves that there are that participated. Two
Trust. partnerships between participating organisations, on
Indigenous and mainstream their first application to
Resources came from many communities that can work, and philanthropy, were successful.
other organisations. An do work. They will receive significant
important resource was amounts towards their projects.
Philanthropy Australia’s Robert Johnson, participant
Indigenous Guide to Capacity Building Program The friendships and the
Philanthropy. networks made around the
We put in an enormous amount table have been unbelievable.
I have found that this has been of effort (and some funding)
one of the most valuable things but it was more than worth it to Vicki Walker, participant
that I have done. I have worked see changes in group Capacity Building Program
in education for the past 10 dynamics; confidence built;
years and I think it’s a credit to ideas formed; deeper Kaye Bratetich
Julian, Chris and Kaye for the understandings between Coordinator, Capacity Building
tremendous work that they Indigenous and non-Indigenous Program
have done in making us feel people; networks forged;
comfortable and welcome, and resources used; and new funds
in understanding all the tapped.
information.
33
A different way to achieve our aims - our support for special ventures:
Our belief in social change
philanthropy and support for
Changemakers Australia
The Reichstein Foundation is pleased to be involved in the establishment of Changemakers
Australia (CMA).
Reichstein is a foundation member, provided an initial seeding grant, is represented on the interim management
committee and provides administrative assistance to this new organisation in the philanthropic sector. CMA
encourages philanthropic organisations and individuals to work for lasting change in partnership with groups that
directly experience disadvantage and discrimination.
community + social
change philanthropy
= changemakers
australia
34
CMA believes that the CMA believes that social Whilst still an independent
philanthropic dollar will best change philanthropy must pay organisation, CMA is a partner
solve issues of poverty, attention to: project of the Community
discrimination and injustice in Advocacy Unit in the School of
Australia, when it is invested in Where money is directed – so Social Science and Planning at
community organisations that that it addresses underlying RMIT University. This promises
work for social and economic causes, rather than symptoms to be a mutually beneficial
justice, environmental of social and environmental arrangement, with a number of
sustainability, and equality of problems; and joint projects in the planning
opportunity for all. stages. The partnership
How money is given – by provides CMA with tax
This approach is summed up as urging individual donors and deductibility status for To find out more about
‘change not charity’. In the end philanthropic organisations to donations made to support our Changemakers Australia, and
services for disadvantaged become more accountable, activities. how to be kept informed of
people will not of themselves strategic, inclusive, future activities, contact
create justice and equality. collaborative, democratic and As part of its first five-year info@changemakers.org.au or
Reform of public policy, new creative. Grant-making must be strategic plan, CMA will develop visit the website
institutional practices and characterised by genuine, resource materials and hold www.changemakers.org.au
changed community attitudes respectful partnerships events for grant-makers that
yield more lasting benefits. involving funders, recipients advance CMA’s vision for a
and other groups involved with society free of discrimination
Many people see wisdom in the or concerned about the issue. and disadvantage, leading to
aphorism: better outcomes for all.
‘Give a man a fish and he Progressive philanthropic
can eat for a day. organisations and individuals in Victoria’s Public Advocate,
Australia have consciously tried Julian Gardner, in his speech to
Teach a man to fish and to practise ‘change not charity’ launch Changemakers Australia
he can eat for a lifetime’. in recent years. on 24 October 2005 said:
Social-change groups take this They discussed and promoted Individual advocacy - actions
a step further. Recognising that this approach informally, first taken to protect the rights and
problems like hunger have through a group called Women interests of individuals – is and
myriad causes, these groups in Philanthropy and then will remain important. However,
support hungry people to ask through Horizons, a funders’ the actions that we take to
tough questions: ‘Why doesn’t network for social change. In change attitudes, practices,
society teach all people to fish? 2003 a number of those active funding and laws have an
Who owns the pool? Who in Horizons agreed they wanted ongoing benefit and produce
wrote the rules about how a more focused and consistent positive changes for a far
ponds get used, and how can approach to social change greater number of people.
they be changed? Who is philanthropy. Two years later
polluting the pool, and how can Changemakers Australia was This message - the value of
they be stopped?’ Social born. CMA has learnt much systemic advocacy - needs to
change philanthropy supports from organisations in the be more widely understood.
people to work for fundamental United States dedicated to The establishment of
change in political, economic promoting the same model of Changemakers Australia is a
and cultural institutions. philanthropy. significant step to achieving
this.
Adapted from Slepian and CMA will work collaboratively
Mogil, Welcome to Philanthropy, with Philanthropy Australia,
1997 academic centres for the study
of philanthropy such as those
at Swinburne University and
QUT, and with other
organisations that share its
vision.
35
our thanks
The following have provided probono support to the Reichstein Foundation,
or the the community groups we work with.
Arnold Bloch Leibler Rachel Lowe Jocelynne Scutt
Blake Dawson Waldron Fiona Macdonald Ricci Swart
Deborah Davison Steve Mathews Genevieve Timmons
Serena Everill Claire McNamara Tress Cox and Maddox
Mary Finnemore Gordon Moffatt Al Webster
Patricia Foster Pilotlight Australia June Wilson
David Gale Moira Rayner Eva Wynn
Tracy Gary Christopher Reid
Simon Longstaff, Schoenfelds
St James Ethics Centre
36
