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I list this under new ideas but its a established one that needs to continue and is in crisis at this time. In Hervey Bay we have had a group established of which I now coordinate, for over 10 years with funding that finished 5 years ago, it still battles on. Since June 2009 there has been NO FUNDING at all and this service which in a heavily populated area of retirees must continue. Its is a not for profit org. Myself and my great volunteers can only volunteer so many hours per week, we all use our own fuel and some assist 3 - 4 days a week so the dedication is extreme. If a class is to run we still have to pay the trainer and allow for rent and internet etc, and this year it has been very tight every for clients to pay a min amount.
Any work for the dole project also has ceased. We have for over 4 years trained the unemployed in web page design and other community not for profits received a free website they could not normally afford,this has been our only source of funds and with a very tight budget have even managed to keep the doors open.
The service is set up, rooms networked and we just need help to cover things like the rent etc. If we needed a photocopier or new equipment, we can go and get a grant, but necessities such as wages and every day expenses are not covered when it seems we don't come under a lot of grant opportunities.
With times as they are sponsors are also difficult to find.
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Community Midwifery WA proposes for consideration a Maternity Care Database to enable expectant parents to make informed choices on where and with whom to give birth.
Outcome data on hospitals / maternity services across the nation is urgently required on rates of caesarean, interventions, breastfeeding, pain-relief (and what type), perinatal depression, and so on. Similar scorecards for individual maternity care professionals would also be invaluable to assist couples to choose an obstetrician, GP or midwife who is best suited to support their aspirations for birth.
Choosing a maternity care provider is the first decision parents make about the care of a child and yet data on where to access a ‘best practice’ service (compared to others) is not available. Expectant couples are effectively making ‘blind’ decisions and the fall-out from this is significant.
Achieving a natural birth in Australia has become a rare event. Women are increasingly having difficulties during pregnancy and birth not only physically but in terms of their mental health and well-being. Birth related post-traumatic shock, and depression – both before and after childbirth – is rising at an alarming rate. Although not on our turf, it is concerning to note that in Denmark 89% of women currently present with psychological problems during pregnancy or in the early postnatal period. A first step for Australia to take to avoid following this trend is for there to be greater transparency around key maternal and infant health outcomes by maternity care service. With such data expectant couples can begin to make more informed choices about their care and have real control over – and input into – this key life experience.
Coping with the maternity / parenting journey begins with being able to make responsible decisions during pregnancy and childbirth. Partnering with a maternity care provider who will respect a couple’s decisions and work with them to prepare well for a great birth, is the best possible way of achieving good outcomes and minimising the nation’s maternity health spend.
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Often not for profit organisations have a need for community and corporate support of all kinds, not just monetary, but often by donating time and skills to help them grow. It would be terrific to have a data base of community members and corporate organisations who would like to be involved with not for profit organisations and on that data base to say how they could contribute. Particularly of interest would be some intergenerational links which help young people to learn and tap into the skills of older people. Or for those corporations who might like to adopt an organistion to assist.
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Emergency Response
18 months ago Surf Life Saving NSW implemented a 24-7 emergency call out system to assist emergency services when a coastal emergency occurred outside of patrol hours or at an unpatrolled beach. Since the system was implemented lifesavers/lifeguards have responded to more than 280 call outs. From an emergency response perspective, Surf Life Saving NSW would gain a lot of benefit from a list and map of all carparks, picnic areas, campsites and beach accesses in NSW. This would also assist in disaster planning.
Weather Patterns
Surf Life Saving NSW could use Daily Weather Observations – and in particular wave height information - to cross reference against rescue and drowning statistics to determine if there are patterns. This would assist in preventative measures and surf education messages
Future Planning
From a future planning perspective, Surf Life Saving NSW would also benefit greatly from having access to tourism and population trends in regional areas along the NSW Coastline, including projected growth figures. This would ensure we can focus on recruiting lifesavers in the right areas and if necessary increasing the number of clubs or patrolling lifeguards in the state.
The information that would assist with our planning includes:
• Tourism and population trends in regional areas along the NSW Coastline
• Up to date projected growth figures
• Car count stats for all beaches in the state
• Beach user numbers for whole state
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A current and up-to-date website that links to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) data and analyses on women in Australia would be very useful for advancing women's empowerment, recording trends and identifying areas which need addressing. This information would be useful to government, business, and the community sector and could also promote women's achievements internationally. A mockup of such an initiative has been created at
http://www.leadershipforwomen.com.au/Experiment/status_of_women_in_australia.htm
This mockup site details which ABS datasets can be used to develop the information for each section relating to women. Having such information in one online place that is easily accessible, up-to-date and relevant enables the community to be informed, proactive and empowered to address issues related to women.
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Women’s Health Victoria would like to see the ‘Victorian Index of Women’s Health and Wellbeing Data’ (The Index – www.theindex.org.au) expanded to a national level.
The Index is run by Women’s Health Victoria to provide a gateway to Victorian women’s health data resources. The Index incorporates over 70 indicators of health and wellbeing relevant to a social model of health such as living arrangements, paid and unpaid work, violence against women and social connectedness. It acts as a gateway to various external reports, surveys, and other sources of quantitative data from Commonwealth and State government departments and institutes, university research departments, non-government organisations, independent research bodies and academic publications.
We want The Index to include data on all Australian women, not just those living in Victoria. Our website usage statistics show that demand and use of The Index goes beyond Victoria with a considerable proportion of users coming from other states in Australia. Although the website has been running for nearly two years and the infrastructure is in place, we can only do so much within our current funding limitations. We need more support to expand The Index to cover all Australian women. Making The Index national is vital in raising awareness and addressing health inequities for women across Australia.
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Young mums have a hard time when they have no support network around them, or no healthy role models. Becoming a mum can be a daunting task for anyone - sometimes the best educated and most successful professional finds it the hardest.
Statistics on the eating habits of our children show we need to make changes in how we feed our kids right from the start. We need to be changing ideas on how and what to feed our kids.
Research into how best to do that is inconclusive as far as I can see. One idea I have is to build a digital network (young mums are often too exhausted to leave the house) where other mums can give their ideas that have worked, and someone with training and experience can give guidance and mentoring. This could be advertised in the maternity wards.
Statistical data available could feed who is targeted and how they are targeted. There could even be the need to provide basic computer and internet connection to some young mums who wish to participate but are economically disadvantaged.
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The idea of social inclusion as both a descriptor and policy objective has and is becoming an important issue within social democratic states and development literature. In particular, significant work has been undertaken in the United Kingdom, The European Union and more recently Australia. It is Not for Profit (NP) agencies and Non Government Organisations (NGO) who have historically taken the lead in advocating for those who are marginalised or excluded.
Research and findings by NPs and NGOs have described in some detail the elements that can lead to exclusion such as poor health, disability, poor infrastructure and lack of transport. Social exclusion is clearly understood as a complex set of interactions rather than simple cause and affect. Often requiring an understanding of the problem at a neighbourhood level. It is within this complexity that the day to day stories of people and their neighbourhoods and communities and the meanings they ascribe to their lives in relation to the many excluding elements is overlooked. This is both an outcome of the way data is collected; top down, as well as and the belief by many in policy, government and business who ascribe to the idea that it is only the few who protest or are marginalised by with the term NIMBY (not in my backyard).
To overcome this significant problem we need to radically rethink how we gather community data, undertake planning and use existing data. I believe that we can use Information and Communication technologies (ICT) to facilitate the gathering of people’s individual stories and neighbourhood information. These stories and local information and knowledge can then integrate these with traditional planning data to build a richer and textured understanding of peoples lives. By enhancing understanding of people lives services could be planned and delivered in more appropriate ways to meet those communities and people most at risk.
I believe this could be achieved in 4 ways;
➢ Use mobile phone technology to allow residents to map their local communities and neighbourhoods. This could be done by taking photos or videos on camera phone, automatically geo-coding on the phone, and finally attaching tags both predefined and free text to image. This information could be them emailed to a web site where it could collated in real time. Such things as access to community by people with disabilities could be recorded eg steps and gutter, recording areas that are unsafe or dangerous because of lack of maintenance or infrastructure, state of schools or hospital infra structure and so forth.
➢ Develop and build community / regional data / knowledge repositories where the data and stories could be kept and analysed by existing regional bodies with assistance from peaks and made available free of charge to local NP, NGOs and Government agencies. Data from State, Territory and Commonwealth Governments and there agencies must be provided free of charge and in a form that can be used an integrated with local gathered data and stories to maximise the available knowledge. As part of this process there must be a rationalisation of ABS boundaries and government planning boundaries so as they are consistent in definition and scope to enhance data analysis and reduce cost and confusion.
➢ As part of local planning processes government agencies and others must use this data and provide inclusive deliberative planning processes where the community and others discuss the data, its meaning and reflect on how this could and must shape service delivery and accountability. The use of data and information and transparency in policy development and planning of services must be underpinned by reliable and accurate data and information and a commitment to engage with the citizen.
➢ NP and NGOs must be given ongoing and finical support to appropriately manage the ICT infrastructure and administrative needs to ensure they can both supply and use data and information to plan, deliver and review services appropriately.
The idea I have is not radical and nor technically difficult. Elements of this are currently underway around Australian and Internationally. What is essentially required is change of culture at Governmental and Service provider level, which understands and believes the citizen have valid stories to tell, and that these should be listened to. What this proposal does is seeks to use technology to enhance data gathering and analysis by using existing and pervasive technologies to develop a more responsive, transparent and better directed social care service system.
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The Idea: Centrelink to refer each new family with a child with a disability who registers for Carers Allowance to ACDNSW for access to an Information Guide.
Backgrd: The Association for Children with a Disability NSW ("ACDNSW") has developed a comprehensive information guide to support families caring for a child with a disability. It is available for free on-line or at a nominal cost in hard copy. It is unique in NSW and covers a range of issues including financial, legal, medical, therapies, respite and schooling. ACDNSW would like to see it made available to all families as soon as they become aware that their child has a disability.
Centrelink has a record of children with a disability in NSW by virtue of the Carers Allowance payment.
Outcome: Implementing this idea would be low cost to Centrelink, it would save Federal and State funding currently expended on case workers, and it would empower families.
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The 100+ Club is a completely unfunded social club for centenarians. It aims to improve social interaction of centenarians while allowing members to connect to and meet with people their own age - something we take for granted.
We find our members through our own research in media, friends and family of current members and occasionally Government contacts forward us the details of centenarians who have inquired through a local member about a letter from the Queen, the Prime Minister, the Premier and the Lord Mayor.
What would help the 100+ Club become bigger and better and maybe even improve our chances of gaining funding would be if the births, deaths and marriages information was somehow made available and the 100+ Club was automatically advised of a person in Australia turning 100. If this is in breach of privacy laws, perhaps an information pack could be sent to people as they turn 100 on behalf of the 100+ Club.
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Develop a directory/map of all LOCAL government service providers,including their days and times of operation.
As well as government services and what each service provides, it would be great to add a list of local businesses and individuals.
Within our community we have a lot of people who are qualified to perform certain jobs eg. electrician, plumbers, and to use these people rather than people outside of the community would build our community capacity and increase local community participation.
Also included in the community directory could be the location of Justices of the Peace, Bus timetables, referral phone numbers for family emergencies and what to do locally in the event of an emergency eg bushfire.
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A recent survey of our community showed that we have some tremendous resources available, covering a huge number of needs. However the common response of these service providers was that the people who needed the service were mostly reluctant to access it, or did not know it was available. In the small community/suburb in which we work, transport to these services is also a major factor.
This survey also showed that the greatest felt need within this community was for relationship or connecting with others. In a community with a large number of single parent families, and in a city where people come for work and so do not have family support networks in place, this is not unexpected.
I suggest that a computer-based database of all community services, plus links to various services and someone trained to navigate these links and services, be available at our local Community Drop-in Centre. This does not necessarily "use" the data in new ways, but makes the services already out there more accessible to the marginalised. (I'm not suggesting an extra Centrelink agency - just someone to help others navigate all of the community services out there.) In this way people can meet and network in a community setting familiar to them, and be guided to the services that will best meet their needs.
I also suggest that census data be mined that will guide the compiling of such a database. The profile of the community shows many lonley people who aren't looking for a handout - just a hand! We need to be better equipped to reach out to those who cannot reach out for themselves.
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I would like to see an online community that is focused on linking the arts industry to the education sector – primary, secondary and tertiary levels.
This could include a number of different sections:
+ information on artists / companies / festivals. This could be useful for student research for assignments and also for teachers to learn more about companies in their local area as well as across the country. This should include links to external websites.
+ information on schools – contact details for teachers / heads of department, outline of arts curriculum and activities for that school. This could be useful for parents seeking to send their children to schools with established programs in a particular area of interest, and also to professionals and companies trying to engage with the education sector. It would give the arts community a reference of what is important to and currently established within the education sector.
+ an online forum / wall where professionals / companies / students / eductors can engage in dialogue about the eduction sector. This could create professional development opportunities and also engage teachers and professionals to create real arts experiences for students.
+ information on project funding opportunities. This would be useful for professionals and companies as well as teachers / educators and also for students. A section on philanthropists and corporations that have education / development focus would also be useful. This way, when companies / artists and educators come up with a great project to engage young people (from engaging in dialogue through the online forums), there will also be a central location to source funds to execute those projects / opportunities.
+ showcase section where professionals / companies can post video / audio / images of work
+ showcase section where students can post video / audio / images of work. This might be interesting for agents and companies to view up and coming artists
+ links to databases like Music Australia and Picture Australia. But also to APRA, PPCA, LPA and other industry bodies.
+ it would also be interesting to have links to the Australian Bureau of Statistics data on Australian’s arts and entertainment habits. This would be useful for student research for assignments, but also for teachers and arts companies when creating applications for funding.
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It would be extremely helpful for our organisation if Government departments could share their Geographical Information System layers such as soil types, topography, NRM Boundaries, local government boundaries, vegetation types, vegetation condition etc. Currently if we wanted this information some of it is available through NatureMaps, however if we wanted to use this information using the ArcMap program we would have to purchase it at a cost which is prohibitive to a not-for-profit organisation. There could be a central Government website where this information is stored and updated whenever new layers or information becomes available. Each not-for-profit could pay an annual membership fee to access this information and download it for storage in their own database, with reminders sent from the Government department in control of the website whenever the information is updated.
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I am President and Founder of DONNA FISHER SILENT FIELDS Inc. a non-profit organisation which is working towards implementation Australia-wide for workplace legislation for all workers to be protected from ‘dirty electricity’. This most serious public health issue of our times now has more recognition with Dr Samuel Milham MPH, Washington State Department of Health, USA reporting in October 2009 that “…the 20th century epidemic of the so called diseases of civilization including cardiovascular disease, cancer and diabetes and suicide was caused by electrification not by lifestyle. A large proportion of these diseases may therefore be preventable”. It is essential that our incorporation uses government information so we can also assist the government in successfully educating the public on what ‘dirty electricity’ is as the prevention of cancer and illnesses is of paramount importance.
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Know your Zone is an interactive mapping project to support council service awareness as well as encouraging transparency for real estate purchasers.
Know Your Zone Maps:
- Crime Statistics (eg particular coloured zones for different levels of crime)
- Crime zones (similar to above but information classed by street rather than by council zone so you could view most targeted streets in a particular area)
- Council Services (libraries, police stations etc etc)
- Council Rates (also colour coded based on amount for a high level view of council rates across different councils)
- Potential Future Development (eg. new roads, new buildings, renovations so people can have a glimpse of what the area might be like in years to come)
- Development Projects (as above but confirmed projects should be separate from potential projects)
- Elevations (Heights above sea level)
- History of natural disasters (Floods etc)
- Potential threats (such a sea level rise)
Allowing you to obtain an accurate profile of your area.
Having an API that could combine this information with information from sites like 'Walk Score':
http://www.walkscore.com/
And flood maps:
http://www.greenrootsmovement.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=55&Itemid=97
And using a system such as google maps where particular overlays could be switched 'on' or 'off' would make an extremely handy tool and would allow people to incorporate live traffic feeds and other tools like public transport maps into their research.
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As more and more migrants and refugees make Australia their home or come to visit as a student or business person they have a need to establsih links with people from similar backgrounds to give them a sense of belonging in a new environment. At the same time there are multiple groups working fo rsimilar cause sometimes totally unaware that there are other groups with similar interests and united they can work better. We proposed to create an interactive forum which provides information and acces to different community organisations and resources available for individuals and communities at state level. Each community is represented by a tree and I am sure in no time we will see forests emerging through all states comprising strong trees with new and emerging communities as seedlings.
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An informative website with forums, feedback, suggestions and newsletters for the public informing people of the skills shortage in your backyard and where and how you can gain these high demand skills. If unemployed or unskilled people are aware of skill shortages in particular areas or region, they can then follow the links to suitable governemnt funded courses or fee paying courses run by RTO's in that region. RTO's can also post other courses, funded and fee paying, so to better educate the whole community.
By utilising ABS skill shortages data, Skilled Training + Education = Community Productivity, Improvement and well being
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It is suggested that may Retirees, and others, currently find it frustrating to obtain telephone numbers, especially in an emergency.
There are currently at least 20 areas of the phone book containing these numbers. While they are under ‘category headings’ they are still difficult to find - - eg. Bladder and bowel weakness is under ‘National Continence Helpline.
While the attached listing may be a submission of minor importance, it is nevertheless considered to be a suggestion that warrants investigation and analysis.
The Telephone listing contains around 220 entries and the Internet Addresses contains around 88 listings.
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I don't know if this has already been suggested, but I would love to see a govt website created specifically for non-profits. There are so many websites available that it is just information overload. An easy to use website which assists non-profits with grants, funding, resources available, etc etc would be fantastic. Having everything that is available at the federal, state & local govts in one spot would be ideal & would save heaps of time. Thanks for listening.
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There are many older people confined to their homes and are unable to communicate with absent famil, friends, shop and seek help.
As Treasurer for Orange Seniors Association, I am endeavouring to set up a free training for Seniors in the basic use of e-mail and internet at no cost to the Senior. Funds are required to set up 6 computers, printer and connect to the internet for the training. We have a room for the classes and two experienced persons to teach the basics. Only basic computers are required.
It is envisaged that older upgraded computers can be obtained to be given free to those who complete the training and not in a position to buy a computer.
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It is well known that farmers throughout Australia, indeed the world, are committing suicide and self harming at rates higher than most other professional groups. As a general rule, farmers, particularly the men, tend not to communicate openly about their concerns and how they may emotionally struggle as issues arise. This trait, coupled with (often generational) geographical isolation and a ‘proud’ tradition of independence makes them one of the most reluctant ‘at-risk’ groups to seek mental health support when they need it.
Today, in 2010, with climate change, continuing drought, increasing technological change and a rapidly appreciating Australian dollar adversely affecting exporters, Australian farmers need specialist support and information more than ever.
The proposed Farmer’s Friend – Telephone Helpline would be a specialist, national service. The Farmers Friend – Telephone Helpline would run along similar lines to the existing generalist helpline, Lifeline, but with some significant differences.
Firstly, the proposed helpline would be a peer to peer service, that is, it would be staffed by specially trained farmers and retired farmers.
Secondly, the staff would be trained in counselling and broad information and referral services that specifically relate to farming and the circumstances farmers and their families find themselves in.
A peer to peer service would more often than not provide the extra confidence vulnerable callers would need to feel comfortable with accessing the service. The dual training in counselling and information and referral services provides the opportunity for both emotional support in a crisis and practical support around specific issues as they become apparent.
The information and referral services would be broad based and would include support on how to find federal, state, local government and community services and also on linking the caller to other farming groups and business enterprises that may have relevance to the caller.
The Farmers Friend – Telephone Helpline – A friend for LIFE.
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Family history is an interest being taken up by older australians in large numbers. An absorbing interest, it keeps participants mentally alert into old age. However, it can be very expensive occupation as the birth, death and marriage certificates needed to complete a family tree properly cost on average $25 each and access and costs vary from state to state. Tasmania is the only state which has made pre-1899 certificates available free of charge on microfilm. Many pensioners can not afford to buy certificates and therefore are unable to complete their family histories, so this vital information in not passed down to the younger generations.
Please encourage all states to follow Tasmania's lead and make these certificates available for free initially on microfilm and then on the internet.
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I am the CEO of a privately funded charity which assists families in Western Australia affected by Autism. Western Australia is the only state which has a specific autism register. Even with this information the data you can access is over three years old and not specific enough to assist with the development of projects and identifying the areas of need. Current government funding ends at age 7 and those already over that age have had little to no assistance and are struggling in school and social areas (basically they have no social life and little chance of ever getting one us they are assited NOW). We would like this information gather in other states and shared extensively in Western Australia. We need details of ages, gender, suburbs (to know where to target activities), diagnosis and current school - with this information we can provide relevant and much needed programs that are not supplied by the government but are essential to making these children active and productive members of society. They can learn anything they just do it in a different way. With more information we would be able to do so much more, work with other not for profit organisations as well as disability services, school, hospitals and health care professionals. With 1 in 150 births being diagnosed with autism this is an issue society and the government need to deal with now and work more constructively by the gathering of sharing information with as many organisations as possible. It will take a whole village of people to help with the issues involved - no one can do this alone. These kids are important - please consider our request.
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At the Victorian Association for the Teaching of English (VATE) we often let out our 60 seat capacity flexible use meeting room and we have found there to be terrific demand. By simply rubbing shoulders with other not-for-profits we learn a little and share ideas. We would like a major database of all the meeting spaces available. This database could be searchable by location, room size, access to public transport, parking, extra facilities such as catering, kitchen space dimensions, furniture, cost and then supported with photographs. Organisations could find venues for small conferences, annual general meetings and special events at prices that are friendly for not-for-profits.
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