E-mail: grands@internode.on.net
Website: grands-raising-kids.org.au
Executive Committee:
President
Vice-President
Secretary/Public Officer
Treasurer
NEWSLETTER No 2
Eve Moyse
Mick Gall
Leonie O'Brien
John Moyse
July 2013
Dear Members
Welcome to our second newsletter.
I apologise for sending this out late but unfortunately some minor surgery got in the
way of things.
THE DISCUSSION PAPER
Many members made submissions to the Discussion Paper, Child Protection:
Legislative Reform and Legislative Proposals.
Family and Community Services received 231 written submissions. (Well
done to all those who contributed.)
A letter to GRANDS from Maree Walk, Chief Executive FACS advises that
the reform package is currently under consideration by the NSW Government and it is
anticipated that legislation to enact the reforms will be introduced into Parliament in
the 2013 Spring session.
A comprehensive report detailing the feedback received from stakeholders and
the Government’s response is currently being finalised, and this will be released in the
near future.
Each person who lodged a submission to the discussion paper will be advised
of the release of this report and how to obtain a copy. (Double well done to all those
who asked for better direct communications between FACS and Carers.)
Once the new legislation is announced we will all need to examine it to see
how it will impact on our lives and those of our children.
GRANT TO BUY EQUIPMENT
Our request to Federal Department of Family Housing, Community Services
and Indigenous Affairs for a grant to buy a video recorder and laptop so that we can
record members stories has been granted. Once we receive the money and buy the
equipment we can begin recording members’ stories.
Some members may want anonymity and others may be happy to tell their
stories openly. Either way I think it is important to get the stories out as so many in
the community don’t realise that kinship care is a big issue and growing.
The grant also includes money for a multi-function printer/scanner/copier/fax.
ADVOCACY TRAINING
Foster Carers NSW have organised an advocacy course to be held at the
Ombudsman’s office in Sydney on 8th August. If you are interested please contact
Patray Moncacha. Email: patray@fcansw.org.au
CARERS’ DIRECTORY
Work on compiling a directory is continuing apace. Work is being coordinated by FACS Hunter/Central Coast at the Challenge office and several
organisations including GRANDS have been meeting and contributing. GRANDS has
been represented by Eve Moyse and Lyn Huntley.
CONFERENCE - TELL SOMEONE WHO CARES
Thanks to Astrid Hocking from Connecting Carers for information about this
event. The conference, hosted by Karitane, will be in Sydney in November. Speakers
will be addressing the issues of kinship and foster care. Thursday 31st October is
National Foster & Kinship Carers' Conference day
For more information and to register contact:
www.tellsomeonewhocares.com.au
OUR NEW BROCHURES
The committee has approved the layout and content of our GRANDS
brochures, and these will be printed out as needed. If you would like some to
distribute or place in places where carers might see them, please give us a call. A copy
of the brochure is attached.
BUSINESS CARDS
These have been ordered from Officeworks and will be available soon. Again,
these will be available on request for anyone who can use them for publicity.
NEXT MEETING
Our next meeting will be held on 21 August from 10 am to midday at St Peters
church Hall, East Maitland. All are welcome.
Eve Moyse
President
2August 2013
2