Marrin Weejali

Aboriginal Corporation

ANNUAL REPORT

2012 - 2013

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Contents

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Marrin Weejali - Board of Management 3

Our Centre 4

Our Community 5

Chairperson’s Report 6

Manager’s Report 7

Staff Development 8

Our Programs

New Stages Model 9

Anger Management 9

Pathways To Recovery 10

Yarndi Education Awareness 10

Koori AA , Koori NA 11

Living With Addictions 11

SMART Recovery 12

Pangari Women's Program 12

Men’s Cultural and Spiritual Healing Group 13

NILS, EAPA, Advocacy, Funeral Assistance, WDO’s 13

Outreach Services

Combined Outreach 14

Legal Aid NSW 14

Problem Gambling Counseling 14

Aboriginal Eye Clinic 14

Mootang Tarimi Living Longer - Mobile Health Van 15

Yanna Jannawee - Marist Youth Care 15

Other Activities

Drug Action Day 16

Marrin Weejali contributions to community 17

Website development 18

Survey results 19

MOU’s and partnerships 20

Our Funding, Risk Management and Compliance 21

Chairperson Ms Nicole Robertson

Secretary Ms Karen McNulty

Treasurer Ms Kristy Kendrigan

Board Member Mr. Joe Haroa

Board Member Mr. Stan Hart

AH&MRC Regional Forum and Narrative Therapy Training participants 2013

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Marrin Weejali – Board of Management

Marrin Weejali – our centre

Marrin Weejali is a Cultural and Spiritual Healing Centre, a place to help our

people recover from substance abuse issues or improve their social and

emotional wellbeing through holistic servicing in a culturally safe environment.

We routinely work with people with poly-substance abuse issues, co-morbidity

issues, and a wide spectrum of social and emotional stressors that are known

social indicators of the poor health of our community. A large proportion of our

clients are having to report to a number of Government agencies that have

intervened in their family lives. Not only do we provide a drug and alcohol

service, we act as a link between formal institutions and our community,

providing a welcoming space for those meetings to occur. We frequently act as

cultural interpreters, interceding on behalf of our clients, where government

policy applied without understanding or compassion can be highly detrimental

to an individual’s circumstance.

QIC REVIEW AND ACCREDITATION

In November 2012, Marrin Weejali were audited By Quality

Management Systems (QMS) across a thorough cross-section

of policy, governance, servicing and responsiveness to

stakeholders. Our service was found to exceed their standards

for three criteria, with the auditors commenting: “The

organisation has skilled and committed staff, management and

Board members, and has developed a comprehensive set of

systems to ensure consistent high-quality services to clients and

the wider community. All clients and stakeholders praised the effectiveness of the

organisation in meeting clients’ needs, which was substantially demonstrated in

evidence provided to this review”.

DATABASE UPGRADES

A number of upgrades have been implemented across the year in stages to allow

staff to develop the system and iron out any ‘kinks’ along the way. We have also

introduced laptops to allow counselling and assessment to occur flexibly. Marrin

Weejali is moving towards a paperless office, migrating our files to electronic ones

and building in document destruction to ensure compliance with privacy guidelines.

These upgrades and staff training and consultation have meant that not only have we

increased staff productivity through notes being done whilst face to face rather than

afterwards, but also that we are achieving a much higher consistency in the recording

of episodes of care and the quality and reliability of the file notes recorded. This has

seen a spike in the number of episodes of care attributable to both better recording,

and a more user friendly database.

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Our community

This financial year, The National Indigenous Drug and Alcohol Committee (NIDAC), a committee

of the Australian National Council on Drugs (ANCD), released a position paper, Prison vs

Residential treatment, (NIDAC 2012), which identified a disproportionate number of Indigenous

Australians in the correctional system, and argued the importance of diverting young men and

women away from a life of substance use and crime. The report recommended that funding be

redirected from the construction and operation of any further correctional system centres to

establish a ‘break the cycle’ network of Indigenous-specific residential rehabilitation services for

courts to utilise as a viable alternative to incarceration.

Over the course of 2011, approximately 2476 Indigenous men and 400 Indigenous women

entered prisons in Australia (based on analysis of data from Australian Bureau of Statistics

2011). Approximately half of Indigenous prisoners linked their offending to drug and alcohol use.

Re-offending rates are high and incarceration is associated with poor health outcomes for

prisoners, including a relatively higher risk of mortality post-release.

The personal nature of problematic drug and alcohol use means that there is no ‘one size fits all’

approach to rehabilitation which will help every person. More success is likely with a suite of

treatment approaches including: family and community support and involvement; abstinence;

cultural support and involvement; harm reduction; controlled use of other substances; education

and training opportunities, and religious/spiritual support.

The analysis in this report highlights the considerable benefits associated with the diversion of

Indigenous offenders into community residential drug and alcohol rehabilitation services instead

of incarceration. Diversion is associated with financial savings as well as improvements in health

and mortality. The total financial savings associated with diversion to community residential

rehabilitation compared with prison are $111, 458 per offender.

This report highlights the original findings of the 1996 Western Sydney Aboriginal Substance

Misuse Regional Plan which mapped the needs of Western Sydney and called for a ramping up

and coordination of Alcohol and other Drug services and the construction of a Residential

Rehabilitation centre for Aboriginal families affected by alcohol and other drug misuse in

Western Sydney. This report also marries with Marrin Weejali’s purpose of helping our

community live a life free of the effects of Drug and Alcohol misuse as reflected in our

Appreciative Enquiry and Strategic Plan.

In our service area, comprising of the Hawkesbury, Blacktown and Penrith LGA’s, there are over

15,2002 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, with those in our immediately adjacent

suburb of Blackett on an average income of $2933 per week compared to their non-indigenous

neighbours on $3883 per week. Our Clients however, are drawn from a wider area, with only

55% coming from our local area. 86% of our clients are Aboriginal, 14% are from other

backgrounds.

We see a role for Marrin Weejali in healing the spiritual hurt our community is currently suffering

as a result of the shattering effect of drug and alcohol misuse. With our service stability and

recent accreditation, Marrin Weejali is solidly placed and demonstrably capable of delivering the

Rehabilitation service our community needs, and as we consistently demonstrate, our

community accesses.

1. An economic analysis for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander offenders [electronic resource]: prison vs residential treatment / Deloitte Access Economics.. Published by the Australian National Council on Drugs, National Indigenous Drug and Alcohol Committee, 2012.2. ABS Statistics 2011 for Blacktown, Penrith and Hawkesbury LGA’s3. ABS Statistics 2011 for suburb of Blackett 5

Chairperson’s report

On behalf of the Board of Management, I am pleased to present this report to the

members of the Marrin Weejali Aboriginal Corporation.

We are now in our seventeenth year of service, and during the past twelve

months Marrin Weejali delivered nearly 4,500 episodes of care to people in our

community. for the many issues and concerns they are experiencing in our

community, or for the healing experience of being around a cohort of their

community engaged in the walk down the path of sobriety.

I would like to thank the Board and staff for their continuous support and the hard

work they are involved with, developing and providing the most suitable

programs for our people who are suffering from the harmful effects of substance

misuse.

Marrin Weejali board member’s have met on eight occasions dealing with the

organisation’s core business with 95% of board members participation. The

policies and procedures manual and the compliance registers were tabled at all

board meetings. Policies are reviewed and revised when required to meet

changes, whereas the compliance register is tabled and reviewed to monitor

business as required. Marrin Weejali is a low risk organisation that routinely

meets the government’s risk management program standards.

Quality Assurance Program – on the 18th April 2013, Marrin Weejali held a

‘’Thank you’’ morning tea for services and stakeholders to celebrate our QIC

Certification. We took to opportunity to feed back to our community the lessons

we had learned, and our changes to our service approach that had come from

those consultations and meetings.

The Quality Assurance Program process has taught us some valuable lessons

about how best to record the good works we have been doing across our

seventeen years of operation. This has seen us sharpen our feedback to the

community, and stay mindful of the evidence record of our works whenever we

make any changes to our systems.

I would like to thank all the partnering agencies, Marrin Weejali’s members, the

clients who have provided feedback, the funding body OATSIH and acknowledge

the valuable hard work the board and staff has done this year.

Kind Regards

Nicole Robertson

Chairperson, Marrin Weejali Aboriginal Corporation

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Manager’s report

The 2012 – 2013 Annual Report reflects the constructive year we have had. This year

has seen us set serious groundwork for a push towards the development of a

Residential Rehabilitation Centre to service the members and clients of Marrin

Weejali Aboriginal Corporation, their community and families.

I would like to commence by acknowledging the enormous effort the staff and Board

of Management exerted this year, particularly Melinda Bonham. Without this work, the

attempt to achieve QIC Accreditation this year would not have happened. It gives me

tremendous pride to see the result of that work in our day-to-day improvements, and

of course that lovely Certification hanging on the wall. Thanks also to The Australian

Government, the Office for Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander Health (OATSIH) for

assisting us with funding to make this attempt.

It is a good feeling to be part of this most important Aboriginal organisation that is

developing and providing services to our people who are experiencing the harmful

effects of substance misuse.

OATSIH have been very supportive, funding a Substance Misuse Mental Health

Worker who has now been employed since August 2012. This has seen a notable

rise in female clients, an introduction of screening tools to determine whether there is

a risk of co-morbidity, and has been the catalyst for some welcome new energy to

review our forms and database.

The critical review funding from OATSIH has seen us complete the Appreciative

Inquiry in September of 2012, which has given us a clear understanding of Marrin

Weejali’s strengths and aspirations. This has flowed through to our current strategic

plan which will drive us towards 2017.

During this financial year, Marrin Weejali has had nine staff members, but it felt like

many more. We have been a hive of activity, and we are now searching for ways to

get more efficient use out of this wonderful workspace as we engage with more and

more clients.

We remain an organisation with an open door to partnerships. We have agreements

formalised with many agencies who share our aims to try and meet our people’s

complex needs. The 1996 Western Sydney Aboriginal Substance Misuse Regional

Plan mapped the needs of Western Sydney and called for a ramping up and

coordination of services. It is so important that we join forces with other agencies to

help our clients achieve healing across as many aspects of their lives as possible.

I am confident we are well established now in our mission to provide quality services

and programs to our people, The Board and staff understand that it takes a network

of people and agencies to provide quality services, especially in the area of

substance misuse.

I can report that this year has been a seriously successful year, and we will continue

to do what we can to meet our people’s needs.

Tony Hunter

Manager - Marrin Weejali Aboriginal Corporation

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Staff development

TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES

New Legislation Awareness – WHS Training for 1 staff

member Sept 2012

Cell Support Training for 2 staff member 2013

Staff Planning Day - All staff Nov 2012

Engaging Challenging Clients for all staff in February 2013

Cert IV Mental Health Work – 1 staff member, across the year

Cert IV Alcohol and other Drug Work – 1 staff member across

the year

Database training all staff March and May 2013

Diploma Community Service Work – 1 staff member across

the year.

TRAINING OPEN TO COMMUNITY WORKERS

In partnership with Bridges, 28

Workers spent a full day with Peter

Slattery on Friday 1st February,

learning about how to better engage

challenging clients.

Other community workers came

from many of our partnering

organisations, allowing all of us to

gain insight into working with our

clients, and working with each other.

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Our programs

NEW STAGES MODEL FOR ADDICTION & RECOVERY

GROUPS

Marrin Weejali introduced a new model for streamlined service delivery for

addiction and recovery groups. Groups are now being classed under three

categories or ‘stages of recovery’. Stage one groups are for people who are in

the pre-contemplation stage of recovery, i.e. they have little awareness or are in

denial about the problematic nature of their substance use. Stage two groups

are for those who have gained insight into their addiction and who have a

willingness to change. Stage three groups are for those who have been

successful in bringing their addiction under control and who want to maintain this

position.

More information about this model can be found on our website at:

http://marrinweejali.org.au/web_images/Marrin Weejali Program Delivery 2013.pdf

ANGER MANAGEMENT

The Anger Management Program presented at Marrin Weejali is about providing

understanding, knowledge & skills in managing the feeling of anger itself,

challenging beliefs and thoughts about anger and how to resolve problem issues

that trigger anger, or channel that energy.

Each session uses a variety of different methods in the presentation, including

presenter’s information, discussion, personal stories and sharing of experiences

and wisdom. These conversations are opportunities for others to gain a sense of

where they are in their own journey and can have a “normalizing” effect.

Participants come to realize that they are not alone, and develop their own self-

awareness and strategies to understand and positively communicate through

their anger.

The group originally started as a joint initiative of Marrin Weejali aboriginal

corporation and St Vincent de Paul Society’s Caroline Chisholm Centre.

The group was usually facilitated by Tony Hunter, but on occasion also by other

staff members, including Melinda Bonham, Rab Hammond, and Lesley

Strickland.

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PATHWAYS TO RECOVERY PROGRAM (STAGE 1)

This new group was designed to facilitate greater awareness of how

substance use causes problems at all levels of life, for those clients who have

little awareness of how their substance use impacts on their lives and on

others. The group was advertised widely, but very few referrals were

received and problems were experienced in willingness for clients to attend

this group. For this reason the group was put on hold for the time being.

One on one counselling has continued as usual for this category of clients.

Further research is needed to improve the concept.

YARNDI EDUCATION AND AWARENESS (STAGE 2)

This support group meets every Wednesday, except during school holidays.

The goal of the group is to provide information to users of cannabis on how to

stop using, to support those who may have already quit, and to help those

who may have quit and relapsed.

It was initially envisaged as a course (“yarning about Yarndi”), and was to

follow a strict syllabus running over six weeks, but it was found to work better

in a more informal group therapy type setting. ‘Group therapy’ - where

individuals are called upon and encouraged to voice opinions and feelings

about their experience with using Yarndi and other drugs - keeps participants

fully engaged as opposed to just sitting back and listening. It has a

normalizing effect and makes participants feel less alone in their struggles,

and is therefore more helpful. No strict syllabus also encourages people to

attend whenever they can, even if that’s not every week.

As well as having therapeutic value, group therapy is also an excellent way

for individual experiences to be used as a springboard for discussion about

the science of drug abuse: effects of drugs on the brain, what to expect when

quitting, pros and cons of smoking cannabis, and perhaps most importantly,

cognitive science - how we think, and how our thinking creates our feelings,

and then influences our behaviour; each of these areas is touched upon in

nearly every session.

This year we have continued to see participants to this group significantly cut

down or eliminate Yarndi usage. Longer term participants have continued to

be the ‘old hands’ capable of providing longer range insights to new

participants.

The group started as a joint initiative of Marrin Weejali & the Western Sydney

Local Health District Centre for Addiction Medicine at Mount Druitt.

This year the group has been led by Rab Hammond, AOD worker with MarrinWeejali. 10

Our programs

KOORI AA AND NA MEETINGS (STAGES 1 TO 3)

Koori AA meetings run every Wednesday night from 7pm at Marrin Weejali

since 2004, and have a large regular attendance. Meetings are open to all,

providing a safe cultural space for Indigenous people, plus assisting with

linkages to other cultures through shared experience, wisdom and genuine

care. The Koori AA has a substantial regular attendance of AA members with

many years of sobriety, giving it a confidence of character that allows the

meeting to develop its own personality, not just remain the sterile ‘12 steps’

but know them well enough to be able to conduct a warm friendly meeting

without needing a safety net.

In September 2012 a new NA group was added to our meetings. The new

NA meeting was instigated after one of our clients returned successfully from

Rehab and suggested that she could chair a meeting here if we had the

space. They had a good start and have continued with increasing attendance.

Marrin Weejali’s Koori AA and NA meetings provide Koori participants with the

comfort of experiential shorthand of what it is to be mob, without having to do

more than shake hands. No need to try and explain the extra barriers placed

in front of you if you are Aboriginal, it is understood, by members who have

walked the path, not only as mob, but also the path of sobriety.

LIVING WITH ADDICTIONS (STAGE 2)

The living with addictions group, held at Marrin Weejali, is about choice and

change. The group takes a holistic approach, recognising “there’s more to

drug use than drugs”. It builds on strengths and resilience of group members.

Member feedback has shown that the group has given them increased

confidence to manage their substance use and pursue goals.

The group originally started in 2011 as a joint initiative of Marrin Weejali

Aboriginal Corporation and Bridges in Blacktown.

The group has been facilitated this year by Rab Hammond co-facilitated for

part of the year by Ralph Holwerda from Bridges. The partnership has been

beneficial for both organisations, building group work expertise at Marrin

Weejali and capacity to work with Aboriginal clients for Bridges.

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Our programs

SMART RECOVERY MEETINGS (STAGE 1 to 3)

Marrin Weejali added a SMART Recovery group to its programs in August

2012. S.M.A.R.T. (Self Management And Recovery Training) is a self-help

group that assists clients to recover from addictive behaviours. It teaches

practical skills to help deal with problems and gaining a more balanced life

style. Key components of the program are enhancing and maintaining

motivation, coping with cravings, problem solving and lifestyle balance.

The SMART Recovery program is a useful addition to our programs, as it

works with addictions from a different angle than the 12 step programs (e.g.

AA and NA). It can therefore work in a complementary way to these programs

or as an alternative for clients who prefer a program other than 12 steps.

Since its beginning the group has had steady attendance and has been

appreciated. Clients have been sharing how the increased number of groups

that are now being run at Marrin Weejali give them daily support opportunities

to help them stay on target. The group has been facilitated by a variety of staff

members.

PANGARI ABORIGINAL WOMEN’S SUPPORT GROUP

Marrin Weejali works in partnership with Junaya, Mt Druitt Police, and the

Intense Family Based Service (Waru Mudyin) to deliver the Pangari Aboriginal

Women’s Support Group. The approach to delivering Pangari is flexible,

participant driven and primarily group work. Partnerships have been formed

with other agencies that provide a clear pathway for participants to achieve

greater economic and social inclusion & participation. Pangari provides an

environment that fosters respect, empowerment and growth and builds

capacity of the individual to achieve their goals.

Education & Awareness: workshops have been delivered on issues rangingfrom housing, health, well-being & financial matters.

Domestic Violence: the Pangari Aboriginal Women’s Support Group havepartnered with another agency to collate information that will enable the writingof a domestic violence program from an Aboriginal perspective. This willinclude core programs that identify the cycle of violence and safety in thehome. This resource will then be offered to other communities.

Social Inclusion: Pangari includes social groups such as arts & crafts,sewing, & yarn-up sessions, allowing participants to tell their own stories &share their own life experiences with others in the group.

Grief and loss: Rowena Laurie from Yamurrah delivered workshops acrossone term dealing with historic and personal grief & trauma. 12

Our programs

MEN’S CULTURAL AND SPIRITUAL HEALING GROUP

The Men’s Cultural and Spiritual Healing Group has continued to run this year with good

outcomes and steady attendance. The Men's Cultural & Spiritual Healing Group

supports Aboriginal men in society. It offers Aboriginal men the tools & encouragement

to become stronger role models for their children, their families & their community.

The group has been facilitated by a number of staff members and input has also come

from Aboriginal Elders. The group covers a wide range of issues, including personal,

health and spirituality related content. The group also incorporates a good feed

afterwards, which gives a space for individual counseling to occur with clients who have

complex or more personal issues to discuss. As with any of the groups run at Marrin

Weejali, more long term one on one counselling can be easily dove tailed in for clients

who would benefit from this.

EAPA

234 people were given EAPA vouchers after applying, to assist with part payments of

utility bills. These are distributed through Marrin Weejali as part of our Social and

Emotional Assistance programs.

NILS – FINANCIAL COUNSELLING

Money Mentors through Muru Mittigar are now attending Marrin Weejali every Tuesday

and Thursday for booked appointment to attend to NILS loans and Financial

Counselling. Nioka from Muru Mittigar is kept very busy with community response to this

service showing serious need.

FUNERAL ASSISTANCE

65 families received assistance linking them to funding sources and assistance for food

and fuel or to help cover funeral expenses through Marrin Weejali. Much of the

Aboriginal community in Mt Druitt maintains close ties with their original communities

across NSW, therefore funerals are frequently in country NSW, and getting to those

funerals frequently takes priority over many other aspects of life during times of

mourning.

WORK DIRECTION ORDERS

8 people were able to address their State debt burdens and get their licenses back

through participation in Alcohol and

other Drugs programs at Marrin Weejali, 2

have completed their WDO, 6 are still attending.

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Our programs

COMBINED OUTREACH

In 2011 Marrin Weejali formed partnerships with Housing NSW, Centrelink,

Confidential Sexual Health Outreach, Indigenous Money Mentor & the Greater

Sydney Aboriginal Tenants Support Service to provide an outreach service. the

partnerships provide an alternative venue for access to services for the Aboriginal

community.

The outreach is available at Marrin Weejali on the 2nd and 4th Thursday each month

from 10.30am – 12.30pm. on the day a BBQ lunch is provided for clients and

services. outreach provides an effective space to build linking social capital for

Aboriginal people who are normally reluctant to access services in an institutional

setting.

LEGAL AID NSW

Since 2009, Marrin Weejali has had a partnership with

Legal Aid NSW to deliver free clinics for family law and

civil law to the Aboriginal Community. this has been a

successful partnership, and has provided support, assistance and advice with

family law on child support matters, family mediation, cases involving children &

community services. Civil law clinics provide advice on fines, debts, wills &

guardianship.

PROBLEM GAMBLING COUNSELING

George Bowie, Gambling Addictions counsellor Mt Druitt Problem Gambling

Service attended Marrin Weejali to counsel people with a gambling problem as

well as family members who are affected by gambling. Unfortunately, funding was

discontinued in June 2013. We would like to thank George for his contributions and

his commitment to our community. We have now partnered with Khoa Tran,

Psychologist /Gambling Counsellor from Gambling Treatment Clinic School of

Psychology, The University of Sydney to continue a Gambling counselling service

at Marrin Weejali.

ABORIGINAL EYE CLINIC

Dr Vincent Ang operates the Aboriginal Eye Clinic. Dr Ang examined 81 people at

Marrin Weejali and 132 pairs of glasses were supplied. 15 people required referral

to further specialists after serious problems were identified.

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Outreach services

Outreach services

MOOTANG TARIMI (LIVING LONGER) HEALTH MOBILE VAN

The mobile health service provides free health screenings to the

community. It offers:

• Blood Sugar Testing (Diabetes)

• Urine Testing (Kidney Function)

• BMI – Body Mass Index

• Blood Pressure Checks (Heart Disease)

• Waist circumference

• Lifestyle Advice

• Nutrition Advice

• Cholesterol checks

Recently, the health bus proved to be a life-saver for one of our

clients, who was feeling unwell and dizzy whilst attending our

centre. He was assessed in the bus, and was transported

urgently to Mt Druitt Hospital as a result of their tests, where he

underwent heart surgery that night to have stents inserted.

YANNA JANNAWEE COMMUNITY SUPPORT SERVICE PROGRAM

Yanna Jannawee is an Indigenous community links service, which is

auspiced under Marist Youth Care, based at Marrin Weejali’s office. The

program assists with linking Aboriginal families with the services that best

suit their needs.

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Drug action day 2013

Marrin Weejali Aboriginal Corporation participated in the National Drug

Action Week event in June 2013.

The event was held at Marrin Weejali, with an array of lucky door prizes

and an ‘open day’ atmosphere to encourage more community participation.

the aim of the event was to raise awareness of the harmful effects of

alcohol & other drug misuse and the impact it has on our community and

families.

The overarching theme for drug action week was “Drugs, Communities

and Families”.

The event was held on Friday, 21st June 2013. Marrin Weejali staff hosted a

BBQ and discussed regular services and group activities with members of

the community that attended on the day.

It was a packed house, and the event was attended by approximately 110

community members, including clients.

78 people completed a survey on the day, giving us a good opportunity to

gain feedback from service users.

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Other activities

MARRIN WEEJALI CONTRIBUTIONS TO COMMUNITY

Marrin Weejali adds value to our community through giving a ‘hand up’ to other

community organisations. Senior staff at Marrin Weejali participate as board

members, assist with steering committees for the following organisations:• Member - Housing NSW Aboriginal Advisory Committee

• Member - HAYS Aboriginal Reference Group

• Member - Aboriginal Community Justice Group

• Host and participants – Aboriginal Family Worker Support Group

• Participant - Koori Interagency

• Member – Regional Homelessness Committee

• Member – Waru Mudyin Intensive Family Based Services Community Enhancement

Committee

• Member – Blacktown Mental Health Mental Health Traineeship selection panel

Marrin Weejali contributed to our community by hosting and participating in the

following forums, stakeholder meetings and government enquiries:• TAFE outreach computer course throughout August and September 2012

• ABC Radio interviews with community on homelessness and mental illness 10/9/12

• Cell Support Training commenced 18/9/12

• Juvenile Justice Family Day 20/9/12

• Sexual Health Day 21/9/12

• Mental Health Day UWS Oct 2012

• Health registration day March 2013

• Paying for Funerals in partnership with Legal Aid Civil at Marrin Weejali Feb 2013

• Dillwynia Services Expo September 2012

• Hosted TAFE Welfare Studies Student visits 16/11 and 3/6

• Wangary Homecare Christmas Party 10/12/12

• Harmony Day Blacktown Probation and Parole 21/3/13

• Agency Morning Tea 18/4/13

• Aboriginal Congress Meeting 22/4/13

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WEBSITE

The Marrin Weejali website www.marrinweejali.org.au had a

major facelift starting from April this year with a new look and

added and updated content. The number of unique visitors per

month has risen sharply since the changes were made and

almost doubled from around 100 in July 2012 to almost 200 a

month toward the end of the financial year. The website is an

excellent promotional tool and is a useful resource for sharing

information about our organization, our services, programs and

events, other organizations etc.

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Other activities

Other activities

SURVEY RESULTS 2013

Marrin Weejali undertakes surveys regularly to better understand what our clients

would like from our service, and to find out how we can improve. We had a good

response this year at our Drug Action Week day, with 78 people filling in surveys

for us.

The comments were without exception positive, included comments such as:

’Marrin Weejali saved my life’ ‘I think Marrin Weejali is the hub of our community’,

’Everyone is so helpful and respect privacy’, ‘always made to feel welcome, they

try to meet everyone’s needs’, ‘very nice people who always have time to listen to

my problems and help me through’, ‘Great help when needed most, made many

new friends and referred people I know’.

There appeared to be a false negative result in the question Are you or have you

previously been a client of Marrin Weejali, with a large number of responses

indicating that they had not been, whilst they clearly had as they noted they had

used several services we offer. We will re-format the survey for next year to make

the survey easier to follow.

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0

10

20

30

40

1 to 5 5 to 10 10+ notindicated

How many times Clients reported accessing our services

Funeral assistance

4%

Advocacy & Support

9%

Phone use8%

Transport8%

Aboriginality

10%Computer

use12%

AOD

Counselling

16%

Group work12%

Outreach services

11%

EAPA10%

SERVICES CLIENTS REPORTED USING AT MARRIN WEEJALI

MOU’S AND PARTNERSHIPS

Marrin Weejali seeks to partner with organisations that can bring

other services to our clients to help lift their burdens, and heal

their shattered spirit. Marrin Weejali has an active memorandum

of understanding with the following organisations. The MOU is an

agreement to work together to help mutual clients, and sets up

good communication between the organisations.

• Marist Youth Care (MYC)

• Boystown NCAP

• Bridges

• SWAHS – Centre for Addiction Medicine

• Centrelink

• Muru Mittigar – Financial Counselling

• Aboriginal Employment Strategy (AES)

• Wentworth Community Housing

• Housing NSW

• Yanna Jannawee Community Support

Service Program (MYC)

• SWAHS – Confidential Sexual Health

• Ability Options

• The University of Sydney Gambling

Treatment Clinic, School of Psychology

Other organisations we actively

partnered with or are a member of

include; NSW Legal Aid,

Mootang Tarimi health bus, SWAHS

Gambling Counseling, Dr Vincent Ang – Aboriginal Eye Clinic,

Australian Hearing, National Indigenous Drug & Alcohol

Committee (NIDAC), Aboriginal Health and Medical Research

Council of NSW (AHMRC) and Aboriginal Drug and Alcohol

Network (ADAN).

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Other activities

Our funding, risk management and compliance

RECURRENT FUNDING

Our funding comes from OATSIH to run a non-residential drug and alcohol misuse treatment facility.

Our accounts are audited by Chartered Accountant Paul Campion. This financial year we spent the

money in the following ways:

RISK MANAGEMENT

This is the second year for tracking these measurements in the Annual Report, this will be able to be

monitored for trends from this point on.

2012-2013 lost time injuries – Nil

2012-2013 reported hazards and incidents – Nil

Safety related training events for staff – 1

Senior First Aid current for all permanent staff – Refresher training booked for late 2013

2012-2013 Fire Inspection conducted August 2012

2012-2013 Electrical testing conducted November 2012

INSURANCE CURRENCY

All insurance is brokered through Marsh Insurance Pty Ltd, a business insurance broker who has

dealt with Marrin Weejali’s insurance needs since our inception. They have a thorough

understanding of our operations and our risks.

Workers Compensation: Valid to June 2014

Professional Indemnity: Coverage value $20,000,000 valid to Sept 2013

Building and Contents: Coverage value $1,750,000 valid to Nov 2013

Public liability: Coverage value $20,000,000 valid to Nov 201321

Staffing costs74%

IT and Phones3%

Transport costs8%

Insurance costs3%

Repairs and maintenance

5%

Utilities2%

Cleaning0%

Program costs4%

Audit1%

Centre Expenditure