 |
Welcome to Debbie's Yarn.
Every 2nd month Debbie Bond will talk about all the wonderful events she has been to and what is happening in the sector.
For previous Debbie's yarns click on the below links:
June 2008
Hello everyone! – It’s been awhile since I have updated my yarn page and I hope this finds you all well. A lot has happened in ARMSU in the last couple of months. We are happy to report that Tina has settled in really well, she is a pleasure to work with and has swept through the ARMSU Resource Centre with such enthusiasm and energy that can only be matched by a Boeing 737 taking off at any airport.
We held the official opening of the Resource Centre on 7th May here at ARMSU and it was a very special morning. Tina had worked very hard (all staff did our very best to support her) preparing for this re-opening, we had many Aboriginal and non- Aboriginal people who attended and together we successfully launched the Resource Centre. So, if you would like to see or use any of these resources please give ARMSU a ring.
I have attached some wonderful photos of that morning for you all to see. By the way the other part of Tina’s role as Indigenous Bicultural Support Worker is also gaining momentum and we see her not only working very hard but enjoying both her roles. Well done and thanks Tina!!!
ARMSU has also been successful in gaining a national contract to perform some Management Strategies Workshops for Aboriginal early childhood services in three States, SA, Victoria and Queensland. By the time you read this blog we would have completed the training in those states. These workshops are over 2 days and involves helping staff understand budgets, why we need to do a budget, and how important a budget is to every thing you do in running a child care service. The second part of this training is based on employment and the processes needed from when a vacancy occurs right through until the contracts of employment.
Two staff from Network SA, Maureen McGuire and Gail Gullickson worked very hard and very long hours preparing training, completing resources and handouts in time for the first training session here in Adelaide. I am the third person involved in this wonderful experience and my job is to include the cultural context of the training. Feedback so far has been good and very constructive enabling staff to refine and revamp some of the information and processes.
The other good news from ARMSU is that on a national level the IPSU’s from each State and Territory have had our first official face to face meeting being held in Alice Springs in mid June.
Lyndal Barrett from the Regional & Remote Aboriginal Children & Services Support Unit (RRACSSU) hosted our very first meeting. Our Agenda was very full and I for one was looking forward to the first opportunity to sit down and discuss our roles, share information and resources and look at way we can support each other. We were very happy with the outcomes from the meeting. Feedback and some photos may be available to put on the web next time.
Don’t forget the WIPCE Conference being held in Melbourne from December 8th is getting closer and closer and to keep up to date on what is happening and all registration details please look up the website: www.wipce.2008.com
Debbie
 |
January 2008
Happy New Year everyone and I hope you all had a great Christmas wherever you were and I hope Santa made it to your house. Well I have only just come back from 5 weeks annual leave (first time ever I have had that much time off at Christmas) and I can’t believe it is nearly Fe
bruary.
I had a wonderful time during my break and it was a great opportunity to re-charge the batteries, spend some quality time with my husband, family and friends and I did spoil myself a little. Late nights watching movies, going to the beach in the country, shopping, cooking, getting up late, going out for dinner, reading, watching the Australian Open Tennis and lastly but most importantly spending hours with my beloved grandchildren at the pool and down at the beach. Who said that life can get boring at times!!!!!!
On the right is granddaughter Mariah with Bob and myself and on the right is Bob and son Shane with a big fish.
Now, this year brings with it a new Government in power, a new Prime Minister and many new Federal Ministers. For us as Aboriginal people in this country it was good news we heard that a national apology is being proposed by the Prime Minister Kevin Rudd. For many of you who would like to know more about this apology can I direct you to the resources on the Apology on the www.reconcile.org.au website and also linked from the RA website, the address for the resource is http://www.reconcile.org.au/getsmart/pages/sorry.php. The resource includes a frequently asked questions document that you will find very useful.
GOOD NEWS!
The other exciting news from ARMSU is that we have a new (but use to be a former staff member of ARMSU ) staff member on board Tina Quitadamo who is taking up the position as the Indigenous Inclusion Consultant with the Indigenous Bi-Cultural Support Program here at Network SA/ARMSU.
What is the Indigenous Bi-Cultural Support Program you ask?
The Indigenous Bi-Cultural Support Program is a capacity building program to assist eligible child care services to include Indigenous children through:
-
Time limited specialist support from Indigenous Consultants
-
Facilitating a smooth transition into care
-
Accessing specific cultural information and advice
-
Developing an inclusive and culturally rich service environment
How Can the Indigenous Bi-Cultural Support Program Help?
- By supporting staff to develop inclusive programming
- By providing access to appropriate Indigenous resources and equipment
- By strengthening a services ability to confidently liaise with Indigenous families
- By linking and working in partnerships with relevant professionals and support agencies
Tina’s email details are:
tina.quitadamo@networksa.org.au
ARMSU number 08 8445 8128
Well I look forward to another exciting year here at Network SA and ARMSU and will chat some more on my next blog.
|