It was wonderful to see Adjunct Professor Muriel Bamblett Hon DLitt SW AO awarded the NAIDOC person of the year. Her life’s work dedicated to ensuring Aboriginal children are safe, strong and thriving and living a life rich, embedded and alive with culture were acknowledged. She is also a significant family violence advocate, adviser and campaigner. Her voice is of great importance in the current dialogue and discourse in society and we look forward to hearing much more from her in the year ahead.

As the week comes to a close, I look forward to bringing news in the next e-bulletin about the ways in which the FRSA members joined with their local communities to celebrate, observe and commemorate NAIDOC week – with the fabulous theme this year – “Keep the Firing Burning – Blak, Loud and Proud”.

Kind regards,
Jackie Brady
FRSA Executive Director

Congratulations to FRSA Executive Director Jackie Brady on 10 years with FRSA. Jackie joined the FRSA National Office on 1 July 2014.

At the time of her recruitment, then Board Chairperson, Michael Austin described Jackie as, “an outstanding candidate in the recruitment process”, and noted that “with her skills, energy and enthusiasm, the Board is confident in her ability to inspire and lead the FRSA network into a new phase of development.”

Since then, she’s done that and more. Jackie has continued to lead the FRSA team with expertise and dedication to, and passion for, the family and relationship services sector. She has cemented FRSA’s place as the national peak for family and relationship services, building strong relationships and successfully securing funding over the years.

During her time with FRSA, Jackie has championed important pieces of work including:

• A research report about strengthening prevention and early intervention services in March 2017
• Commissioned analysis of the impacts on FRSA members of the then expiring Social and Community Services (SACS) Special Account. The combination of tireless advocacy and robust economic analysis contributed to the government’s decision in 2020 to increase baseline funding to meet the shortfall that expiration of the SaCS Supplementation would generate
• Assisting and supporting the membership as we navigated the COVID-19 pandemic
• The recent Cost Benefit Analysis report by the CIE, which demonstrates the significant value of family and relationship services, released in September 2023.

Jackie has always ensured that FRSA is actively engaged in policy development and reform, providing an important conduit between members on the ground and the people they work with, and government and parliamentary decision makers.  She continues to ensure that good practice is developed, shared and showcased, demonstrated through FRSA’s highlight events such as the ever-growing annual National Conference and annual Strategic Leadership Forum.

On behalf of the FRSA Board I extend my deepest appreciation for all Jackie’s contributions and achievements. Jackie holds at the heart of her work the children, adults, families and communities that FRSA members work with each day and we look forward to Jackie’s demonstrated ongoing commitment to the Membership of FRSA.

– Teresa Jayet, FRSA Board Chair

FRSA is pleased to announce that we will be continuing to deliver Communities of Practice (CoP) discussions in 2024-25 and are opening up more spaces for participants!

We invite program managers and senior practitioners from providers of the five programs below, which are funded under the Department’s ‘Families and Children’ Activity, to express their interest in joining our online Community of Practice (CoP) discussions:

• Family & Relationship Services (FaRS)
• Specialised Family Violence Services (SFVS)
• Family Mental Health Support Services (FMHSS)
• Child & Parenting Services (CaPS)/Budget Based Funded (BBF)
• Communities for Children Facilitating Partners (CfC FP)

To express your interest in participating in a CoP, please follow this link.

Note: if you have been participating in one of the CoP groups over 2023-24 you do not need to register your interest.

If you have any questions about the CoPs please contact the CoPs Project Officer, Lisa Curtis on 02 6162 1811 or projects@frsa.org.au

Expressions of interest close COB Friday 2 August 2024.

These CoP sessions are delivered with the support of the Australian Institute of Family Studies and funded by the Department of Social Services.

We’re highlighting the amazing work that the Family and Relationship Services (FRS) Sector do in our latest video series. We’ve chatted to people working in FRS organisations from around the country to find out what it’s like working in a range of different areas in the FRS Sector.

We’ll be releasing a new video in each edition of the eBulletin for the next few months. In this first video we spoke to Angela Pesavento, Family Relationship Services Service Manager at Upper Murray Family Care in Victoria.

A landmark report shedding new light on the alarming intersection of intimate partner violence and filicide, the act of a parent killing their child, has just been released.

The study, co-led by ANROWS and the Australian Domestic and Family Violence Death Review Network presents the first national figures for filicides that have occurred in Australia in the context of domestic and family violence.

Key Findings:

• In 9 in 10 (88%) cases there was a history of intimate partner violence.
• In 8 in 10 (78%) cases there was child abuse. This included physical, sexual or emotional violence perpetrated by a parent towards children, which includes the filicide victims and their siblings.
• When fathers killed their children, it often followed a history of perpetrating intimate partner violence.
• When mothers killed their children, it often followed a history of experiencing intimate partner violence.

The full report, a fact sheet and a media resource are available on the ANROWS website.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) recently released the latest household and family projections for Australia, states and territories and capital cities.

Key statistics:

• The number of households is projected to increase from 10.0 million in 2021 to between 13.3 and 13.9 million in 2046.
• The number of families is projected to increase from 7.2 million to between 9.5 and 9.7 million.
• Living with a partner is projected to remain the most common living arrangement.

In 2046, there are projected to be between 13.3 million and 13.9 million households in Australia (up from 10.0 million in 2021).

• Family households are projected to remain the most common household type in Australia, at 68% to 70% of all household in 2046.
• Lone person households are projected to make up 26% to 28% of all Australian households in 2046.
• Group households are projected to make up 4% to 5% of all households in 2046.

This latest release is available on the ABS website.

The Australian Institute of Criminology have released a study which examines the rate of sexual violence perpetration in a community sample of adult Australians. Data were collected through a survey of a proportional quota-based sample of 5,076 Australian residents aged 18–45 years.

The study found that just over one in five respondents perpetrated one or more of the forms of sexual violence examined since turning 18 years of age, and one in 10 had done so in the past 12 months. Men were significantly more likely than women to have perpetrated any and each form of sexual violence examined, and to have perpetrated multiple forms of sexual violence.

The findings address the pressing need for estimates of the prevalence of sexual violence perpetration in Australia, which are critical to efforts to address it. Read the full study.

Submissions to the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs’ inquiry into access to family violence orders (FVOs) for victim-survivors in the family law system close on 19 July.

The inquiry will have regard to:

• The risk of an escalation in the aggressive and violent behaviour of the perpetrator and heightened risk to the partner and children during family court proceedings
• The current barriers for litigants in the family law system to obtain and enforce FVOs
• How FVOs could be more accessible for victims of violence going through the family law system
• Any other reform that would make it safer and fairer for victims of violence in the family law system who need the protection of FVOs.

On 27 June 2024, the Australian Government published its response to the Senate Select Committee on Work and Care.

The Senate established the Select Committee on 3 August 2022 to inquire into and report on the impact that combining work and care responsibilities has on the wellbeing of workers, carers, and those they care for.

The Committee tabled an interim report on 18 October 2022 and a final report on 9 March 2023. The committee put forward 33 recommendations intended to ‘support workers with caring responsibilities, and to promote more inclusive, flexible and responsive workplaces’.

The Government has agreed in full, in part or in principle with 17 recommendations of the Final Report and noted the remaining 16 recommendations.

It was Refugee Week from 16-22 June 2024. Refugee Week is Australia’s peak annual activity to inform the public about refugees and celebrate positive contributions made by refugees to Australian society. Refugee Week provides a platform where positive images of refugees can be promoted in order to create a culture of welcome throughout the country. This year’s theme was Finding Freedom: Family.

This theme invites us to explore the stories of refugees who, despite the challenges they encounter, discover a source of freedom within the embrace of their families. Whether it’s the unwavering support of parents, the protective love between siblings, or the communal strength found in extended and chosen families, neighbours, support systems upon arrival in Australia or the financial and emotional backbones that make the journey to safety possible, these connections become a beacon of hope in times of uncertainty.

See how FRSA members commemorated the week:

• CatholicCare Hunter-Manning highlighted the work of their Refugee Hub team and held an event during the week to recognise World Refugee Day.
• Uniting Communities’ New and Emerging Communities program hosted a vibrant celebration for Refugee Week.
• Anglicare NT’s Refugee & Migrant Settlement Services team have put together 3 tips, everyday actions that you can take to support refugees set up their new lives.
• CatholicCare Tasmania held a morning tea with their Multicultural Programs family—staff, clients, and volunteers — to honour the week.
• Centacare South West NSW shared the success of their recent 12 month joint project of women’s only classes, for women from the Pakistani Pashto Community, living in Griffith.
• Meli’s Torture and Trauma team held an afternoon tea event in celebration of Refugee Week. During the event they showcased artwork created by their Afghan and Karen and Karenni advisory groups.

Earlier this month Centacare Catholic Family Services unveiled their new brand identity and name.

Beginning in 1942 as the Catholic Welfare Bureau then evolving to Centacare Catholic Family Services, they will now be known as Centacare Catholic Community Services. They said that this evolution aligns with the true nature of their work – a community services organisation dedicated to serving and uplifting South Australians.

Anglicare Tasmania are now the statewide provider of the Housing Connect Front Door service.

Housing Connect Front Door is Tasmania’s entry point for assistance for people who are experiencing homelessness or are in housing need. It provides support and assistance with all your housing needs, from crisis accommodation to a long-term home.

Anglicare delivers the Front Door at their offices in Hobart, Launceston, Devonport and Burnie.

The statewide telephone number for Housing Connect is 1800 800 588

You’re invited to join a new, national Community of Practice committed to reducing Family Domestic and Sexual Violence (FDSV) affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

First Nations Advocates Against Family Violence (FNAAFV), previously known as the National Family Violence Prevention and Legal Services (NFVPLS Forum), is establishing a Community of Practice to create alliances and networks aimed at reducing violence, in line with Target 13 of Closing the Gap.

This Community of Practice will be driven and led by Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCO’s) and they invite participation from any organisation (ACCO and mainstream) across all jurisdictions that’s committed to reducing family, domestic and sexual violence against First Nations peoples. Representation is inclusive of First Nations and non-First Nations people who are supportive of building the capacity of the ACCO sector through contributing their knowledge and expertise. Find out more.

National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day is coming up on 4 August 2024. This year’s Children’s Day theme is ‘Strong in Culture, Stronger Together’ elevates the intention of Children’s Day, focusing on the strength of children that comes from their connection to culture and mob.  

The day is raising awareness for the bright futures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and the potential for their voices to pave a new path for our nation. As always, we support the voices of our children in calling for a future where they are proud and empowered by their culture to speak their truth and be listened to by all Australians.

Get involved, register your Children’s Day event and download resources on the website.

Do you provide care and support for someone because of their health or mental health needs, a disability, or due to ageing? Please share your experience at nationalcarersurvey.com.au.

Every two years, Carers NSW and the State and Territory Carer Organisations conduct the National Carer Survey, a comprehensive Survey to better understand what Australia’s carers want and need.  The Survey informs research, advocacy, and service design for carers across Australia.

For more information, please visit www.carersnsw.org.au/about-us/our-research/carer-survey.

If you have any events you’d like listed on the FRSA Events and Training Calendar or job vacancies you’d like listed on the FRSA Jobs Board, email Communications Officer, Vanessa Lam at communications@frsa.org.au. Please note that posting onto the FRSA website is reserved for FRSA Members only.

If you have an news item or event that you would like to be featured in a future eBulletin please submit your announcement via the form below or email communications@frsa.org.au with the subject “FRSA eBulletin submission”.

Please note FRSA members receive priority for items posted in the eBulletin. And to keep information current, relevant and useful, submissions will not be repeated from week to week.