Outback adventure & ‘skills transfer’ = retirement?
Eco-weddings!!! How green can you be?
November 28, 2006Meet community artists in Melbourne
November 30, 2006Grey nomads invited to join Indigenous volunteer schemes
The ‘Senior Volunteers for Indigenous Communities’ program which aims to encourage retirees to do volunteer work in remote Indigenous communities, has just been announced by Minister Mal Brough.
The first volunteer has already signed up. Helen McLaughlin has worked in Indigenous Affairs for the last 30 years and retires next month.
“This is the best example of practical reconciliation we have seen in Australia…….using our skills to help others,” says Everald Compton, chairman of the National Seniors Association, and Helen agrees, “This program is about building relationships on the ground – it’s Aussies helping Aussies.”
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
- When will the program start?
They aim to start preparing volunteers in February or March 2007. - How will the volunteers be selected for projects?
Volunteers will be matched against identified projects based on their skills, experiences and preferences for when and where they will be available. All volunteers will have to have a police check before being considered for a placement. - Where will they be working and what will they be doing?
The volunteers will be working with local elders on projects identified by local communities and the National Seniors Association, in consultation with the Government. The actual projects to be undertaken will be determined by a combination of the skills the volunteer/s have and identified areas of need in the community. - What type of projects do you see them undertaking?
The type of projects they could be working on range from helping communities develop business plans, supporting teachers and teacher’s aides in literacy work and teaching trade skills, i.e. building, plumbing and electrical. - How long will the volunteers be expected to stay in a community?
The length of any assignment will vary according to the individual project being undertaken. Senior volunteers will build up long-term relationships with local elders. This will mean that they remain in regular contact after their first visit and make regular return visits to a community - Will the volunteers be given cultural awareness training before being sent to a community?
Yes. This will be arranged by the National Seniors Association and will be tailored to the needs of the location. - Who will pay for the costs associated with volunteering?
Not all the details for the scheme have been finalised. The training and information needed to volunteer will be provided through National Seniors Association. The Australian Government has contributed funding to establish the initiative. There may be some costs associated with travel and living expenses, but volunteers will be fully informed prior to formally committing. - Where will volunteers stay?
Accommodation for volunteers is yet to be determined, but will depend upon the community. In some communities suitable accommodation will be provided, but other communities may be more suitable for people who can provide their own accommodation (caravan or camping facilities). - How do you get involved?
Interested members should contact Olivia Molaei from the National Seniors Association on (07) 3233 9131.
How do YOU feel about this initiative? It certainly interests me – given the time – and one PWF reader has already voiced her interest after one of the Grey Nomad articles. We are certainly interested in passing on any future stories from volunteers!
1 Comment
This Indigenous Volunteer Proposal has protential. There are however many questions which need to be explored.
For instance what are the views of the Indigenous Communities with whom potential ‘grey nomads’ may be placed.
Who does the selection, training, and provide the ongoing support and evaluation?
Is this anoher endeavour to provide services ‘on the cheap’ to indigenous communities, who, because of formal educational, health and income disadvantages are severely disadvantaged. Where they consulted, or are we imposing this service?
The widespread removal of indigenous children from their loving parents have left many adults traumatised and confused about their cultural identity. Whilst this removal may have been ‘well intended’ by Australian and religious authorities, few services or funding is available to enable indigenous Australians to learn more about their past, their family links and cultural identity. And it is largely due to the loss of identity and culture that indigenous Australians are alienated, suffer depression and often expressed in behaviour that is destructive, resulting in ill health and incarceration, adding to the difficulties experienced by so many indigenous Australians.
Without a strong Aboriginal cultural identity, and positive self image, satisfactory housing, access to culturally relevant health services and to paid employment, the social position of indigenous Australians will continue to shame Australians. Especially in the absense of adequate federal funding (remember the 1967 referendum?).
Yes, volunteers can, and do make, a possitive difference. But a program like this needs to be properly thought-through, involving indigenous representatives, including from the ‘target communities’, proper funding and independent evaluation. Policy on the run by Mal Brough can do untold harm.
A series of refereed articles published in the current issue of “New Community Quarterly” on “Volunteering and the Practice and Politics of Community Development” (P.O. Box 3079, Auburn Vic 3123) may assist prospective volunteers and the planners for this new volunteer initiative.