CORRECTED LINK: No grounds eviction inquiry

*The link to the Portable Long Service Leave fact sheet has been corrected.

25 July 2024

No Grounds Evictions

On Monday, NCOSS will give evidence at a Parliamentary Select Committee on no-grounds evictions. The Select Committee will look into what grounds are reasonable for an eviction, based on a Private Members Bill introduced by Jenny Leong (Member for Newtown).

NCOSS fully supports the need to end no-grounds evictions. It is a much-needed reform to the current rental system that will protect renters, 20% of whom live below the poverty line in NSW.
We’ll be outlining some recommendations for improving the Bill, based on feedback from members. You can read our full submission to the inquiry here.

Better Homes Campaign

A new national campaign is pushing for the NSW Government to sign up to design standards in the National Construction Code that require new housing developments to offer basic accessibility for all people. This is particularly important in the context of the significant investment in social housing the NSW Government made in the budget this year.

Inaccessible housing leaves people isolated, at an increased risk of injury and unable to age at home. It can also significantly impact quality of life, preventing people from leaving their home or visiting their friends or family.

You can add your name to the campaign by signing the open letter to NSW state leaders.

Allowah Day

Merana Aboriginal Community Association helps to coordinates Allowah Day each year to help connect Aboriginal high school kids with each other. At the end of June, 187 kids took part and participated in activities such as: cultural talks, caring for country talks, tree planting workshops, Aboriginal dance, art, sport, and drumming. NCOSS was proud to make a modest contribution to the event.

Scroll down to our member spotlight to read more about the day and look through the photo gallery.

FONGA

The next Forum of Non Government Agencies will be held online next Friday, 2 August from 10am-12pm. These meetings offer an opportunity to share information, problem solve, and collaborate on shared challenges across the sector.

Scroll down for more information on how to attend. Hope to see you there.

Last month, NSW Parliament passed legislation to establish a Portable Long Service Leave Scheme for the community service sector. The scheme will start on July 1, 2025. The NSW Government will be providing education and awareness raising activities in the lead up to this date.

To help our members in advance of the Government process, NCOSS has created a factsheet to help you understand the new legislation.

The factsheet provides an overview of who is covered, what workers will be entitled to, how it is funded, and what employers need to do.

You can read the factsheet here.

Allowah Day, an initiative of Da Murraytoola Aboriginal Education Consultative Group (AECG), started in 2008 to help connect Aboriginal high school kids with each other.

Then, five high schools were involved – Richmond, Colo, Hawkesbury, Riverstone and Windsor. Bede Polding College joined in 2022.

The kids participate in a range of activities each year like cultural talks, caring for country talks, tree planting workshops, Aboriginal dance, art, sport, and drumming.

Last year, 400 students attended. This was a fantastic outcome but extremely hard logistically. So this year, there will be two Allowah Days. The first, involving year 7-12 students, was held on 25 June. The second, for years 3-6, will be in Term 3, 2024.

Merana Aboriginal Community Association for the Hawkesbury works with the Da Murraytoola AECG, local schools, NSW National Parks and Wildlife (the main funding body) and a range of other organisations to coordinate the event.

If you would like to support future Allowah Days or find out more to hold similar in your area please contact Melissa Stubbings at Merana on 0245885144 or admin@merana.org.au.

Photos by Peter Haynes. Click through to see the full gallery.

The University of NSW is conducting research aimed at improving preventive health information for people with intellectual disability.

This is important because people with intellectual disability face systemic neglect in our healthcare system and find it hard to access preventive health information.

We would like to learn from people with an intellectual disability about their experiences getting, understanding, and using information about staying healthy.

People can contribute by communicating with our team face-to-face, via video call, telephone, or email.

People will receive a $50 voucher for their participation.

To communicate with a member of our research team about doing an interview please contact Maryann Barrington at maryann.barrington@unsw.edu.au or 02 9065 4445.

YWCA are recruiting for three Board Directors – two of whom must be 30 or under at the time of appointment.

They are looking for people with experience within the housing sector, corporate governance or finance.

Interested candidates are asked to submit a cover letter that outlines their experience and interest in the role, and a resume.

Applications will be reviewed by the YWCA Nominations Committee and shortlisted candidates will be interviewed in mid-September.

Find out more information here.

Services Australia in partnership with the National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA) will be conducting information sessions for community organisations to provide an overview of the Youpla Support Program.

They will be visiting the following locations on the following dates and times:

Kempsey

6 August 2024

Sth Kempsey Community Centre

48 Yarravel St, South Kempsey

11:00 to 12:00

Taree

7 August 2024

First Steps Count Child and Community Centre

4 Myall Ave, Taree

10:00 to 11:00

Tamworth

8 August 2024

Tamworth Regional Youth Centre – Youthie

1a Quinn St, Tamworth

10:00 to 11:00

For more information, please visit Youpla Support Program | NIAA or Youpla Support Program - About us - Services Australia

Are you a New South Wales resident who has lived or living experience of suicide?

Have you, or do you care for someone experiencing distress? Have you been bereaved by suicide? 

The NSW Government is introducing new legislation to help prevent suicide. Your voice is important in shaping this proposed legislation, known as the NSW Suicide Prevention Act.

Suicide Prevention Australia is undertaking consultation on behalf of the NSW Government, to make sure your experience is considered in the development of this legislation. We invite you to participate in the consultation by submitting an expression of interest.

Find out more information here.

Connecting Communities Conference
Local Community Services Association
19 & 20 August, Ultimo
$75 - $915 | Register here

The Connecting Communities Conference is premiere event for the Local Community Services Association (LCSA) - the peak body for Neighbourhood and Community Centres in NSW.

The conference provides a unique opportunity for LCSA member organisations and community sector workers to gather together in one place to engage in training, peer support, networking, professional development and social interaction over a couple of days.

Some of the latest from our Jobs Board:

Residential Care Worker (Inner West Sydney) - Foundation House - VIEW JOB

Gambling Financial Counsellor (Camperdown) - University of Sydney - VIEW JOB

Communications Lead (Sydney CBD) - LGBTIQ+ Health Australia - VIEW JOB

CEO (Sutherland) - Open Door Youth Housing - VIEW JOB

Welfare Rights Solicitor (Wollongong/Shoalhaven) - Illawarra Legal Centre - VIEW JOB

Peer Support Officer (Sydney CBD) - Positive Life NSW - VIEW JOB

Case Worker (Cumberland) - Women's Community Shelters - VIEW JOB