When are the professional unemployed in receipt of Newstart not really unemployed? When they provide professional services as volunteers in community organisations.

Picture below is from here

What is the difference between a paid job and what is carried out by volunteers?  In some cases, not much at all, if anything.  In fact, we are not facing up to things.  Should much of the activities carried out regularly by volunteers be called what it is? Unpaid Work. And should Unpaid Work carried out by Newstart recipients be measured and categorised?

This has been brought home to me by a friend of middle years who is unemployed and receives Newstart.  My friend is not short of work ethic; nor short of qualifications - a primary school teacher and IT trainer.

My friend volunteers for various organisations and has also done unpaid mentoring in a public school.

The tasks carried out by my friend under the guise of "volunteering" is work, skilled work, undergirded by professional qualifications.  It is the sort of work, in my view, that if there was no one available to volunteer to do this work, it would have to be paid for.  The only trouble is that the volunteering is for community organisations.  These community organisations tend to rely on funding from a variety of sources - all tiers of government, their own fundraising, donations.  In short, they are not able to provide the resources and investment available to private organisations.  

I'm not sure how volunteer work in community organisations is categorised or valued.  My friend is using professional skills based on professional qualifications.  Not all volunteer work in community organisations could be classed as professional but I am sure there are many other people besides my friend using professional skills on an unpaid basis who would like to be paid for their work.  

I would love someone to advise me on 

1. What is work in this context?
2. Are statistics kept in a manner that is discernible about the professionally qualified services provided by Newstart recipients?

For more on long term unemployment,

please go here

National Volunteer Week 11-17 May 2015 --- and there's a job on the Yarrowee for you with billy tea and scones to follow.

High Tea on the Yarrowee - Saturday 16th May

High Tea on the Yarrowee National Volunteer Week - Working Bee Saturday 16th May, 2015 Yarrowee River Hummfray Street, South (footbridge), Mount Pleasant 1:00 - 3:30pm   More than 6 million Australian volunteers give happiness to others each year. And research says that that those volunteers are happier as a result. So this National Volunteer Week (11-17 May 2015), help us make Australia the happiest place on earth, by giving as much of your time as you can. Give Happy. Live Happy. To celebrate the Leigh Catchment Group will be holding a working bee on the Yarrowee River. We will be doing some maintenance on a planting completed in 2014 and preparing some ground for planting in June 2015. All volunteers will be rewarded with 'High Tea on the Yarrowee' . This will include scones with jam and cream, tea, coffee and bush tea for those who would like to try something different. BYO: Gloves and sturdy footwear We will meet at the footbridge on Hummfray Street, South, Mt Pleasant (near the Prest Street bridge). For a map of our meeting site click here For further information contact: Kate Constance Mobile: 0409 585 998 Phone: 5341 2364 e-mail: katelcg@iinet.net.au For further information on the benefits of volunteering click here

Forward Facebook Website

Dale Hess Calendar 13-10-21

Tuesday 22 October, 7 pm sharp: Climate Change vs. Nukes: Screening Climate of Hope andWomen of Fukushima. Discussion with Jim Green, Friends of the Earth. Free event. Venue: Longplay Bar and Cinema, 318 St Georges Road, North Fitzroy. Full program and more details at the Facebook event here.

Wednesday 23 October, 9.30 am – 11.30 am: Linking Asylum Seekers with Volunteering Opportunities. MORELAND CITY COUNCIL, 90 Bell Street, Coburg ( Concert Hall, entry from Council foyer) parking off Urquhart St. - Mel ref: 17 J12. Contact: Anne Gedye, Community Strengthening Officer, Moreland City Council, agedye@moreland.vic.gov.au or phone: 9240 2367

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From Fear to Freedom - Ending Violence Against Women from Deb Bergeron on Vimeo.

Thursday 24 October, 5.30 pm for 6 pm start: Film screening of 'From Fear to Freedom: Ending Violence Against Women'. The film will be followed by a public forum on how to address this global epidemic. Panelists: Stephen Fontana, Assistant Commissioner, Victoria Police; Roscel Diego, Gender Advisor, International Programs, World Vision; Murray McInnis, Director and Lead Ambassador (Legal Sector), White Ribbon; Fran O’Toole, Deputy Chief Executive Officer and Director of Services, Berry Street; Facilitator: Professor Jacqui True, Professor of Politics & International Relations, Associate Dean Research, Faculty of Arts, Monash University. Deakin Edge, Federation Square, Melbourne. Free event. RSVP essential. REGISTER ONLINE NOW

Friday 25 October, 2 pm – 3 pm: Wurundjeri Stories Event. Reconciliation and landcare supporters, as well as local residents, community groups, churches and schools are warmly invited to join the Wurundjeri Elders at a very special ceremonial event at the Bukkertilibul Dreaming Site at Wittons Reserve in Wonga Park. The site is known as a sacred women's space and ancient dreaming site, and is possibly the most significant Aboriginal site in the area. The ceremony will involve a welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony, and a cleansing ceremony, dance and song performed by the Wurundjeri women, who will share their connection to this sacred space to help build knowledge and future care for this sacred site, 'Bukkertilibul'. Please join us to support and celebrate our unique Wurundjeri cultural heritage at Wittons Reserve, Reserve Road, Wonga Park. This is a free event, no bookings required.

Monday 28 October, 7 pm – 8 pm:  Webinar on Renewables. Things are unfolding fast in the renewables campaigning world, and it is high time we got together for an update on the priorities for 100% and Solar Citizens. Low down from 100% Renewable National Director,Lindsay Soutar, and update on next steps for 100% and Solar Citizens. Register:https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/5266473034304243969 

Friday 1 November, 6.30 pm – 8.30 pm: ICAN film screening: FALLOUT. FALLOUT is the documentary that explores the iconic filming of Nevil Shute's novel 'On The Beach' in Melbourne in the late 50s. Shute’s novel depicts the last huddle of humanity preparing to die as a cloud of nuclear fallout drifts towards Australia. World leaders instructed each other to read it, and Hollywood liberal Stanley Kramer headed to Melbourne to make a star-studded film of it which staring Gregory Peck, Ava Gardner, Fred Astaire and Anthony Perkins. Cinema Nova, 380 Lygon Street, Carlton.

Sunday 3 November, 6.30 pm: Premier of film: Mary Meets Mohammad. This film follows the arrival of Tasmania’s first detention centre through the eyes of local Christian woman and knitting club member Mary and Muslim Afghan Hazara asylum seeker Mohammad, who is detained inside the centre, as they connect through the gift of a knitted beanie. Venue: Kino at45 Collins Street with a filmmaker Q&A after the screening. On Thursday 7 November, 7 pm: Special Q&A after; screening with film composer David Bridie & Filmmaker. On Friday 8November, 7 pm: Q&A after screening with QC Julian Burnside & filmmaker. Please book, limited seats, & encourages more sessions to be scheduled! Phone (03) 9650 2100 to book tickets or go online here:
http://www.palacecinemas.com.au/movies/marymeetsmohammad/

 

Tuesday 12 November, 7 pm sharp: 17,300 Nuclear Weapons: Screening Maralinga Pieces, Genie in a bottle: Unleashed and The War Game. Discussion with Dimity Hawkins, Tim Wright (International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons) and Gisela Gardener. Free event. Venue: Longplay Bar and Cinema, 318 St Georges Road, North Fitzroy. Full program and more details at the Facebook eventhere.

Wednesday 13 November, 6.30 pm - 8.30 pm: Human Rights Under Threat in Australia? Spirit of Eureka (Melbourne) together with Rob Stary & Associates are organising a public forum. Speakers so far include: Ged Kearney, ACTU President; David Manne, Human Rights Lawyer, Refugee and Immigration Legal Centre; Humphrey McQueen, activist historian. Invitations to speak have also been sent to Julian Burnside and Robert Richter. The forum will be chaired by Rob Stary, democratic rights lawyer. The forum has been endorsed by Liberty Victoria, IPAN, and several other community organisations. The Wheeler Centre, 176 Little Lonsdale Street, Melbourne. Further info:Shirley 0417 456 001.

Tuesday 26 November, 7 pm sharp: Muckaty and Radioactive Waste: Screening Muckaty Voicesand Into Eternity. Discussion with Dave Sweeney, Australian Conservation Foundation. Free event. Venue: Longplay Bar and Cinema, 318 St Georges Road, North Fitzroy. Full program and more details at the Facebook event here.

Older adults, volunteering and health. Down, down, the blood pressure's down when you volunteer.

Are you an Elder yet? If you are in your senior years, I highly commend Ronni Bennett's blog, Time Goes By,  to you.  I was so taken with this post of Ronni's that I have to snitch it to ensure that Networkers get a look at it.

~~~~~~~~~~

Picture from here

Tuesday, 18 June 2013

Volunteering Linked to Reduced Risk of Hypertension

”New research from Carnegie Mellon University shows that older adults who volunteer for at least 200 hours per year decrease their risk of hypertension, or high blood pressure, by 40 percent.

Hypertension is estimated to affect 65 million Americans. It leads to cardiovascular disease which is the number one killer in the United States. So this is fascinating news for elders who are physically able to contribute.

As reported at ScienceDaily, 1,164 adults age 51 to 91 from across the United States were interviewed in 2006 and 2010. All participants registered normal blood pressure levels in the first interview and each time, volunteering along with social and psychological factors were measured. (Emphasis is mine)

”...showed that those who reported at least 200 hours [per year] of volunteer work during the initial interview were 40 percent less likely to develop hypertension than those who did not volunteer when evaluated four years later.

“The specific type of volunteer activity was not a factor - only the amount of time spent volunteering led to increased protection from hypertension."

Isn't that the most terrific thing? Just helping others goes a long way to reducing the risk of high blood pressure. And the amount of time isn't much. There are approximately 250 business days per year which is equal to 2,000 hours. So only one-tenth of the time we spent employed, on average, is effective.

Certainly, regular TGB readers know how I bash on from time to time about how blogging – writing or reading – helps reduce isolation and loneliness at a time in life when we no longer have the camaraderie of the workplace and some other means of social interaction. That appears to also be true for volunteering.

The lead author of this research, Rodlescia S. Sneed, a Ph.D. candidate in psychology in [Carnegie Mellon's] Dietrich College of Humanities and Social Science suggests that this is what is at work in the reduced hypertension risk with volunteering:

"As people get older, social transitions like retirement, bereavement and the departure of children from the home often leave older adults with fewer natural opportunities for social interaction. Participating in volunteer activities may provide older adults with social connections that they might not have otherwise.”

Exercise is good for reducing blood pressure. So is maintaining a reasonable body weight, they tell us, along with eating a healthy diet and cutting back on sodium intake.

Now we know that something as fulfilling as helping out others can give a big boost to our health. It's something anyone can do - even if you cannot get out and about easily, there is plenty of need for people who can contribute via telephone and computer.

In reporting on this research WebMD warns to keep in mind that the study "found an association between time spent volunteering and blood pressure levels, it did not prove a cause-and-effect relationship.”

Okay. But there is at least one other study that seems to agree. Earlier this year, EverydayHealth reported on similar results with volunteer adolescents:

”After ten weeks, researchers found that the students who volunteered had decreased cholesterol, BMI, and inflammation when compared to those who did not get the opportunity to volunteer.

"'The volunteers who reported the greatest increases in empathy, altruistic behaviour and mental health were the ones who also saw the greatest improvements in their cardiovascular health,' study author Hannah Schreier, PhD, said in a press release.”

This news – for young and old - seems to me to be the sort that if you'd ever given it serious thought, you might have deduced it for yourself. It feels intuitively right, don't you think, that doing things that make you feel good, especially while helping others, would be a health-giving activity?

---

The Network singles out special ones from the Australia Day Honours List

To-day, January 26, is Australia Day - Australia's national day of celebration (that's the settler attitude) or the day to mark survival (that's the Aboriginal point of view).  The Governor-General publishes a list of Australian honours.  It is my Australia Day ritual to peruse the lists nodding in agreement with some (not a lot) and making snarky remarks to myself about others (quite a few).  The snarky remarks go along the lines of  - well, he/she has got it for a job in which they were well remunerated; so-and-so got this level of honour while so-and-so did similar activities and only got a lower level of honour.  

One thing is always clear to me, though, and that is that Honours Lists are status-ridden.  The highest level honours are few, seldom given to women or at least not more than one woman per list, and it is clear that one has to have reached a certain position - usually based on economic position - to be in the running.  Although it is possible to work your way up from one level to another.  This is noted in the lists with the biographies clearly delineating what the recipient has done since his/her last and lower honour.  

For you, dear Networkers, I have singled out a few which are a great fit for the ethos of The Network.  I have excerpted their listings and have placed them in the document below so you can read them in greater detail.  Those that capture my attention are as follows:

• David Rhett BUTLER - Firstly, don't you love the name, Rhett Butler. At least one parent must have loved Gone with the Wind.  And, did he marry someone called Vivian and have a daughter called Scarlett?  That's not why he made The Network Honours List.  No.  It is because he is the chair and founder of Skyjuice Foundation. As Networkers realise, water is a major priority on The Network and so I regard this not only as a gong  for David Butler but for water as well.
• Bryan Andrew KEON-COHEN QC.  Networkers will realise that the First Nations have the highest priority on The Network.  This blog is concerned for recognition and relationships with the First Peoples of all parts of the globe.  This, however, is an Australian blog and The Network's primary concern is with the First Nations of Australia.  Bryan Keon-Cohen's work for which he is honoured makes it perfectly clear that his priority is the same as The Network's priority.
• Jon Stephenson - like myself an old Townvillean - has gone from the midst of us.  Please note, Networkers.  If you wish to nominate someone, please don't wait until they are on their last legs.  Jon's achievements are amazing.  For my money this man should have been nominated years before and received no less than our highest honour.  Neither of these things have occurred.  This man's achievements are many and unique.  We ought to be reading about him in schools and libraries across the country.  Is there a Hall of Fame somewhere for Jon Stephenson?
• Lyn Pengilly of Parkes and Helen Poulos of Bondi Junction touch my heart strings.  The Network emphasises and tries to live and breathe community and communitarianism.  Lyn and Helen display this in their daily lives and have been honoured for it - one in regional Australia, the other in the very centre of Australia's major city.  They are unpaid.  They have done the most basic of volunteer jobs.  Without Lyn and Helen and people like them across this nation and across the world our human community would be poverty stricken in mind, body, and spirit.  They have turned their hands to what needs doing.  They have provided the grease for the wheels of their communities.  

Read more about these wonderful people here:

Edgar's mission needs help, needs voluteeers. Please help.

Mahatma Gandhi got it right when he stated "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated." And if you’ve ever visited Edgar’s Mission Farm Sanctuary, you’ll know exactly what I’m referring to. As many of you will know, Edgar’s Mission is run solely by Pam Ahern.  Surviving on the smell of an oily rag, Pam and all the animals at the Sanctuary, rely heavily on the support and much appreciated assistance from their volunteer network in order to continue to spread the message of compassion and kindness. We’re calling on you to lend us a much needed hand. In a little under 6 weeks, on Sunday October 3, 2010, Edgar’s Mission Farm Sanctuary will celebrate World Animal Day.  Recognised all over the world, World Animal Day is the day when the world celebrates humankind’s relationship with the animal kingdom.  And at Edgar’s Mission, we love to do it in style! World Animal Day is our biggest open day of the year.  But to get the Sanctuary looking spick and spam in readiness for the big day, we need your help!  Aside from our regular monthly volunteer days - thesecond Sunday and third Saturday of every month – we’re putting on a few extra volunteer days if you can possibly spare the time to assist us. And really, what better way is there to get up close and personal with such wonderful creatures like Hamish – the handshaking porcine, Ryan - the cheeky comical goat, Timmy - the friendliest sheep in the world and of course, Tippi – the most gentle cow you will ever meet! As someone, who two years ago was touched by the compassion and spirit that transcends that of Edgar’s Mission, I can assure you that Volunteer days give you such wondrous opportunities to really get to know these animals. But they also give so much more. They give you an opportunity to learn new skills, meet like minded people and give back to the community. As such, we are looking for volunteers to assist on: Saturday 28th August (extra) Sunday 12th September Saturday 18th September Saturday 26th September (extra) Friday 1st October (extra) Saturday 2nd October (extra) And of course, if you can spare any time on any second Sunday or third Saturday of any month of the year, we certainly won’t turn you away! (Check out our website www.edgarsmission.org.au for more details). If you can assist on any of the above listed dates, or on any other volunteer day throughout the year, please contact me via e-mail - tash@edgarsmission.org.au or phone 0419 729 902. And of course, if you are free on Sunday October 3rd, we’d love to see you at the Sanctuary.  Come support our day! And, thanks for all you do for the animals. Cheers, Tash Natasha Reus Volunteer Coordinator If we could live happy and health lives without harming others ...why wouldn't we? www.edgarsmission.org.au

Can the watchers do other than watch? Can watchers become actors and activists?

In the wonderful world of the intertubes, it is relatively easy for the watchers to watch what we say about governments, their agencies, and the corporates.  Don't mind a bit but FEMA dropped by to have a look at this post.  Were they amused or bemused do you think?

But in case they are still watching, I want to put a word in for how Australia handles disasters.  I have been simmering about this since the Katrina aftermath in New Orleans when the USA govt's inability to help its own was shameful.

Now Australia is not perfect as the Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission has demonstrated so controversially.  But we do have a huge network of skilled volunteers across all sectors who spring into action at the get-go - sometimes leaving their own families to cope so they can use their skills to help others.  I didn't see hide nor hear of this in the Katrina coverage and I wonder what is happening now to the Gulf States.  On the news here, it is like Katrina.

We are not seeing the high fliers of the merchant banking and political world.  We are seeing ordinary everyday folk - a lot of whom are not of Anglo origins - struggling against the odds.  And I begin to wonder how much racism or not being in the power elite contributes to the helplessness so many people are clearly feeling.

Now I am sure my words will upset a lot of people but perhaps there are some among you who are clear thinking enough to comment and let me and the rest of us in the Land of Oz know what is happening and how you might be helped.

Blessings to all the affected and may you soon have peace!

Related reading

Mass Care in Disasters: Fema, the Red Cross and Volunteers

Further reading:

Emergency management in Australia

Australian Emergency Management Volunteer Forum

Natural Disaster Resilience Program

Our darkest day

Lennox Head: the spirit of survival

If you can keep an eye on the platypus, it will be a big help....

Bridget Clarke of Upper Goulburn Landcare has written to say:


The people at the Australian Platypus Conservancy are trying to find local people to monitor the Upper Goulburn rivers for platypus.  It takes very little time, especially if you are a walker, or someone interested in going for regular walks along a waterway - maybe four or five minutes. 


The Australian Platypus Conservancy is especially keen for people to monitor upstream and downstream of the pipe-inlet.  There is an information night being held at the Flowerdale Hall on Wednesday the 18th at 7.30pm for all interested.  These sessions are really informative, even if you don't want to do the monitoring.
 

If you are interested, 

please contact the Australian Platypus Conservancy Tel: 03 5157 5568 

or email platypus.apc@westnet.com.au cheers

Castlemaine Permablitz

Click to enlarge

Greetings!

There's been a lot of discussions about community gardening and how we all can be sustainable within our own communities - with that in mind, i write to invite you to the very exciting forming of Castlemaine Permablitz!

Driven by Hamish MacCallum, of Meridian Land Designs, the group aims to intergrate a diverse amount of people from Castlemaine's amazing community - by way of sharing knowledge and skills about edible, sustainable organic food gardens and coming together as a community to bring food gardening to people's doorsteps.

The following is a direct quote from Permablitz Melbourne :

Permablitz Defined

Permablitz (noun): An informal gathering involving a day on which a group of at least two people come together to achieve the following:
create or add to edible gardens where someone lives
share skills related to permaculture and sustainable living
build community networks
have fun
Permablitzes are free events, open to the public, where you learn a lot, share food, get some exercise and have a wonderful time."

The idea is that anyone who comes along and adds their assistance, in whatever capacity, for 3 permablitzes is eligible to put their hand up for a permablitz in their own backyard :o)

there'll also be on the spot tutorials on the day:
- how to construct a bushpost fence,
- using swales in vegie gardens,
- pruning fruit trees
- planting out an orchard,
and many more.

The first Permablitz here in Castlemaine will be at 101 Duke St, Castlemaine (2 doors from Wesley Hill Bakery) onSunday 2 August from 10am to 5pm

All welcome, vegetarian and vegan food provided.

Castlemaine Permablitz

many thanks and blessings to you,
Jika Mills.
0431 283 052
jika@theblessingtree.net

Cry Me a River - on the road and on the river to Melbourne

Yesterday was the beginning of a very special and important project: Cry Me a River - a Journey on the Murray. In the picture above are:

• Liz McAloon (Victorian Women's Trust, Australian Water Network)
• Cam Walker (Friends of the Earth, Melbourne)
• Ellen Hogan (Plug the Pipe, Australian Water Network)
• Steve Posselt (Save the Mary, Australian Water Network)
• (and out of sight behind the camera is Miss Eagle - Australian Water Network, Friends of the Earth, GreenFaith Australia)

Steve is famous for his trip down the Darling and, from the Darling's junction with the Murray, across to the mouth of the Murray by kayak - a kayak with wheels for when the water runs out.

The trip is recorded in his book Cry Me a River.

We met at the Victorian Women's Trust to plan a trip on the Murray travelling upstream in the kayak with wheels from Echuca. He will conclude the trip by kayaking down the Yarra River to Melbourne. The trip will include major rallies and - if it is possible - talks to schools. Dates are not yet set in concrete but we are working around an early to mid-August start date. The journey will take approximately ten to fourteen days. We are looking for all sorts of skills from those who can accompany Steve on land for the journey; journey co-ordination; media facilitation; web facilitation; community facilitation - and then some.

You will hear more of this - but please mark your diaries.

Reconcilitation Victoria bows out - with a silent vigil and a volunteering opportunity

Time is running out for Reconciliation Victoria which shuts its doors on 30 June 2009 because it has been de-funded by the short-sighted Victorian Government.

So.....there are a few things happening.  Networkers please pass on this information to all your networks.

JOIN A VIGIL TO MOURN THE PASSING OF RECONCILIATION VICTORIA

As it has become clearer that Reconciliation Victoria will be forced to close its doors due to the Brumby Government's decision to inappropriately and inadequately fund the organisation. We are calling on all supporters to be part of a silent vigil outside the State ALP Conference onSaturday, 13 June at the Melbourne Town Hall, Cnr Swanston and Collins Streets, from 7.30am - 10am.

Please come wearing black and feel free to bring a poster as a measure of your concern. We want to do a dignified protest, particularly as ALP delegates arrive. Feel free to forward this notice throughout your networks.

It's important that the State Labor Party gets the message that Reconciliation Victoria should be allowed to continue its good work.

MEDIA CONTACT: Peter Lewis, Tel: 0400 586 617

We look forward to seeing you there.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR REC VIC CLOSURE

POSITION PURPOSE

Reconciliation Victoria will be closing its doors as of the 30^th of June. In the coming weeks the closing down of the office and archiving of the records will become a large part of the office activity. Rec Vic is seeking Volunteers to work with the Staff and Council members to sort through Rec Vic’s existing resources, files and documents to take an inventory and pack up for removal.

ORGANISATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS

The volunteers will work with and under the guidance of Reconciliation Victoria’s Policy Officer, Administration Assistant and Council member as well as work closely and collaboratively with all members of the Reconciliation Victoria team, including Office Co-ordinator, Events Co-ordinator and Co-Chairs.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES

The core responsibilities of the position (in coordination with relevant staff), are:

·         Sort through books, DVD’s, magazines, newspapers, publications, documents, files, posters and other resources and write an inventory of what Rec Vic own.

·         Liaise with staff to determine what to archive, what to donate and what to recycle.

·         Catergorise and pack one of everything into archive boxes.

·         Remove posters from walls, empty shelves, tidy up and:

·         Prepare furniture and office equipment for removal.

 

DATES AND CLOSING PERIOD

The Archiving of resources and pack down of the office will begin this coming Tuesday the 9^th of June and will continue every week day from 9.30 am– 5.30pm until the end of the month. We will need volunteers to donate as much or as little time as they can throughout this period.

 

CONTACT

Please contact Stacey Mahar at the Rec Vic office on 9662 1645 or via emailStacey.mahar@reconciliationvic.org.au to express your interest and availability.

 

This is your last chance to show your support to Reconciliation Victoria through volunteering your time as the organisation comes to a close.