ANNUALREPORT2014 - 2015

NgooNbi CommuNity ServiCeS iNdigeNouS CorporatioN

our programs and achievements

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contentsIntroduction to the Ngoonbi Community Services Indigenous Corporation.…..........................3

Mission Statement………………………………………………………………………….........................……………..3

Vision Statement……………………………………………………………………………….........................……..……3 Message from the Chairman……………………………………………………….........................…….…………..4

Our Programs and Achievements:

Indigenous Community Links (ICL)….….…………………………………………..................................….....5

Sports and Recreation Program………………….………...........................................................…..…...6

Ngoonbi Bibi Yungan Great Start to Great Learning Program…………...................................…....8

Home and Community Care Program (HACC)...………………………………........................……....…..11

National Empowerment Program (NEP)..……………………………………..............................……….…12

Ngoonbi’s Housing Program…………………....……………………………….............................………....….14

Ngoonbi’s Projects Team......……………………………........………………........................…........…………15

Centrelink Agency………………….………………………………....………….........................……....……………16

2014 / 15 Financials………………..……………………………………....…………............................……………18

ngoonbi board membersChairperson

Timothy Wason

Vice Chairperson

Donna O’Chin

Treasurer

Shanie WasonDirector

Rita Gutchen

Director

June Grogan

Director

Nita Yasserie

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Introduction to theNgoonbi Community Services Indigenous Corporation

Introduction to the Ngoonbi Community Services Indigenous Corporation.…..........................3

Mission Statement………………………………………………………………………….........................……………..3

Vision Statement……………………………………………………………………………….........................……..……3 Message from the Chairman……………………………………………………….........................…….…………..4

Our Programs and Achievements:

Indigenous Community Links (ICL)….….…………………………………………..................................….....5

Sports and Recreation Program………………….………...........................................................…..…...6

Ngoonbi Bibi Yungan Great Start to Great Learning Program…………...................................…....8

Home and Community Care Program (HACC)...………………………………........................……....…..11

National Empowerment Program (NEP)..……………………………………..............................……….…12

Ngoonbi’s Housing Program…………………....……………………………….............................………....….14

Ngoonbi’s Projects Team......……………………………........………………........................…........…………15

Centrelink Agency………………….………………………………....………….........................……....……………16

2014 / 15 Financials………………..……………………………………....…………............................……………18

The Ngoonbi Community Services Indigenous Corporation (Ngoonbi) was established in 1975 for the purpose of improving quality of life, health and access to affordable and quality housing to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Ngoonbi’s objective is to eliminate social disadvantage amongst Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and to increase their participation within the community.

Since its establishment, Ngoonbi’s services have increased substantially to include:

• Home and Community Care Program;

• Community Housing Program;

• National Empowerment Program;

• Indigenous Community Links;

• Sports and Recreation;

• Centrelink Agency;

• Parents and Community Engagement Program;

• Bibi Yungan Learning and Training Centre; and the

• Employment program.

Ngoonbi aims to maintain the highest standard of services for our clients and strives to place itself at the forefront of delivering programs in community support and aged care services.

Ngoonbi has a workforce of 77 staff based in the Peninsula and Tablelands areas that covers Kuranda, Mt Garnet, Ravenshoe, Atherton and Mareeba. 90% of Ngoonbi’s staff are local Indigenous community members.

Mission StatementOur mission is to provide flexible and responsive services to our communities and encourageself-reliance, empowerment and improved life and wellbeing.

Vision StatementNgoonbi Cooperative Society Limited believes services should be provided using a team of highly competent and caring staff who recognise and respect client individuality, dignity, confidentiality and cultural beliefs. Clients are encouraged to participate within the decision-making processesof services.

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messagefrom the chairmanDuring 2014/2015, the Ngoonbi Community Services Indigenous Corporation has enjoyed substantial growth in the following service delivery areas:

• The expansion of Home and Community Care to deliver services to Mt Garnet, Mareeba and Ravenshoe and the subsequent increase of staff from 15 to 54.

• The establishment of Ngoonbi’s Bibi Yungan ‘Great Start to Great Learning Program’ to service the Kuranda District and Mossman communities.

• Funding to build Ngoonbi’s Multi-Housing for Disabled, Indigenous adults in Kowrowa.

• State Government funding to build houses in Kuranda and potentially Kowrowa.

As a result of Ngoonbi’s expansion, the following officers have been employed to support staff and operational needs:

• A Senior Financial Controller to undertake an internal audit of systems and processes to maximise Ngoonbi’s operational efficiencies.

• A Human Resource Officer to support day-to-day operations and staffing matters.

• A Project Officer to help close the gap and eliminate barriers for Indigenous people to gain sustainable employment and/or education outcomes.

• An Activity Manager to develop stakeholder relationships and partnerships to increase Ngoonbi’s footprint in the region.

Ngoonbi has also established formal Partnerships with the following:

• Ngoonbi has successfully developed a licensed agreement between the University of Western Australia and the Queensland Mental Health Commission in the development and delivery of the National Empowerment Program (NEP).

• The Project Officer successfully developed effective partnerships with:

o MyPathways to deliver a Work for the Dole contract for the Cairns region; and

o Memorandum of Understanding with MGET and Skills360.

Ngoonbi’s future:

• Develop further relationships with service providers to strengthen services and eliminate gaps in service provision in the Kuranda and Tablelands region.

• Continue to employ and empower local Indigenous people to assist their communities in achieving their aspirations.

The Board and CEO look forward to another successful year and would like to thank all our employees, clients and stakeholders for their continued support.

Timothy Wason

Chairman of the Ngoonbi Cooperative Society

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Indigenous Community Links (ICL)

Our Programs and

Achievements

From June 2009, Ngoonbi has delivered the Australian Government funded Indigenous Community Links (ICL) program in Kuranda, Kowrowa and Mantaka.

ICL is currently funded up to 30 June 2016 and is the only program of its kind in the Kuranda region. Many people utilise this service and will be severely disadvantage by its absence.

Ngoonbi’s ICL supports Indigenous community members and their families by providing links and referrals to mainstream and Indigenous services, such as welfare, social support, employment, family violence, health (including drug and alcohol services), gambling, legal services, child care, emergency relief and housing.

ICL is a well-established and highly respected service that goes beyond its service provision to ensure community members have access to Indigenous and mainstream services to overcome a multitude of barriers.

In addition, ICL also provides support to the ’youth at risk’ program through activities that encourage families, communities and school staff to support and empower youth for a better future.

Activities include camps; young women and young men programs; referrals to services to help overcome identified barriers; regular meetings with school staff to discuss attendance; cultural dance and costume making; Kuranda youth nights; Djabugay language lessons and attending meetings with parents and teachers.

To date, Ngoonbi has successfully achieved over 18,700 referrals to both mainstream and Indigenous specific services.

For more information about the ICL program, please contact:

Sharryn Howes via: sharrynhowes@ngoobni.org.au or 07 4093 7298

provides support to the ’youth at risk’ program through

activities that encourage families,

communities and school staff to support and

empower youthfor a better future

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From 2004, Ngoonbi has delivered the Sports and Recreation Program that employs three Engagement Officers. The objective of the program is to engage children and younger people to prevent them becoming ‘youth at risk’ in Kuranda and the nearby Indigenous communities of Kowrowa, Mantaka, Koah and Mona Mona.

There are a proportion of youth aged between 10 - 17 years predominately Indigenous not attending school or employment in the Kuranda region. These youth are considered to be ‘at risk’ of anti-social behaviour or becoming long term unemployed due to school non-attendance.

The Sport and Recreation Engagement Officers currently engage over 150 children and youth during and after school hours into sporting and other activities that continue to enhance their social participation, health and social and emotional wellbeing. These officers identify and apply interventions and prevention strategies that work to reduce the likelihood of them falling through the cracks and becoming ‘youth at risk’.

This year, the program has been highly successful delivering 325 sessions with a total attendance rate of 3,678.

Activities include:

• Multi-sports

• School Sports Programs at lunchtime to encourage participation

• School Holiday activities

• Youth Camps

• Movie nights

• Walking programs

• Participate in Family Fun Days

• Touch football

• Swimming

• Cultural activities

For more information about the Sports and Recreation program, please contact:Sharryn Howes via: sharrynhowes@ngoobni.org.au or 07 4093 7177

sports andrecreation program

highly successful...325 sessions with...attendance rateof 3,678

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Ngoonbi Bibi YunganGreat Start toGreat Learning Program

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The Ngoonbi Bibi Yungan Great Start to Great Learning Program is a three year educational program funded by the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet (PM&C) under the Children and Schooling program to service the Kuranda District and Mossman communities.

The aim of Ngoonbi Bibi Yungan is to meet the following outcomes:

1. Getting children into school

2. Improving educational outcomes including Year 12 attainment

3. Improving Youth transition to vocational, higher education and employment

4. Supporting families to give children a good start in life through improved early childhood development, care, education and school readiness.

Ngoonbi Bibi Yungan supports the holistic development of the family, comprising children, students, parents, the extended family and community members in making progressive steps towards whole family educational gains, skilling and training that lead into employment, higher education and better opportunities for the well-being of family and community life.

Ngoonbi Bibi Yungan focuses on the following areas:

• Providing support to parents and families to engage and participate in formal learning opportunities and to communicate with educational providers

• Delivering Parent/Carer and community educational sessions and workshops

• Providing support to, and the engagement of Community Elders

• Providing Educational and Cultural Learning opportunities to enhance greater learning attainment

• Engaging and retaining Indigenous student access to Year 12 and supporting their transition to employment, training and further education

• Providing Family and Youth opportunities for drug free and holistic development

• Delivery of a twice weekly Bibi Yungan Early Years sessions in partnership with Mulungu Aboriginal Corporation, Kuranda District State College and Kuranda Community Kindergarten

• Delivery of twice weekly Games & Learning Club for High School students and Primary students

• Development of a Learning Space to retain students in successful learning outcomes and ensuring brighter futures.

• Daily transport assistance to school and Kindergarten children and their parents.

For more information about the Bibi Yungan Great Start to Great Learning program, please contact: Judi Enoch via: bibiyungan@ngoonbi.org.au or 07 4093 8036

We are finding that a lot more parents are talking and getting into the school to address issues. Parents arebecoming more engaged and interested in their child’s quality of education and education for themselves.Judi Enoch,Bibi YunganCoordinator

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We currently provide the

following services:

• Domestic Assistance

• Personal Care

• Specialised Cleaning

• Transport

• Home Maintenance

• Other Food Service

• Centre Based Day Care

• Shopping

• Social Support

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home and community careprogram (hacc)Ngoonbi Home and Community Care Program has continued to experience considerable growth. We have had an increase in staff, clients and service areas in the preceding 12 months. The program has also been making the necessary internal changes in readiness for the introduction of My Aged Care (MAC) effective as of the 1st July 2015. Additionally, and the Home and Community Care Program (HACC) will transition to the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) effective as of the 1st November 2015. Areas of service continue to the following areas: • Mt Garnet• Ravenshoe• Cairns• Mareeba• Atherton• Kuranda and surrounding communities of Koah,

Kowrowa, Mantaka and Mona Mona.Ngoonbi continues to provide a culturally responsive essential community service to clients that enable them to remain living independently in their homes as a valuable member of our community. Client numbers are currently at 230 with a staffing level of 46. (39 & 7).

We are currently negotiating partnership agreements with other service providers to share resources and increase access to a range of services for our clients. Partnering organisations include Ravenshoe Rural and Remote, Radcare, Integrated Living and Eacham Community Help Organisation (ECHO). Increasing access to services has assisted in respite care for both client and carers. Registration with IPRO Live ensures our program is compliant with industry legislative requirements facilitates services to be either brokered or contracted from Ngoonbi Home and Community Care Program.Expansion into other areas has precipitated numerous requests for services from other locations that include: Dimbulah, Yarrabah, Mossman, Tully, Cairns and surrounds.

For more information about the HACC program, please contact:Sheryl Quartermaine via: haccm@ngoonbi.org.au or 07 4093 7177

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NATIONALempowermentprogram (NEP)

NEP Team: Denise Tramby, Glenis Grogan and William Duffin

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Ngoonbi, in partnership with the Queensland Mental Health Commission (QMHC) and the University of Western Australia (UWA), delivers the NEP to Kuranda and Cherbourg.

Ngoonbi has a key role in the development of the NEP as a universal strategy to promote social and emotional wellbeing and reduce community stress and suicide in Aboriginal communities.

The NEP is a cultural, social and emotional wellbeing program that has been developed and designed for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

The aim of the NEP is to promote the positive social and emotional wellbeing and mental health of families and the community, to build resilience and prevent psychological distress and suicide.

2014/15 Achievements:

• In response to the findings of all 11 NEP Sites across Australia, a Cultural, Social and Emotional Wellbeing (CSEWB) training package has been fully developed by UWA.

• The CSEWB training manual includes teaching aids and resources have been trialled through its implementation in Kuranda and Cherbourg.

• In October 2015, the QMHC Commissioner awarded Ngoonbi a five year ‘in principle’ commitment to support the NEP Program in Kuranda and Cherbourg.

• Under the service agreement between the QMHC and Ngoonbi, project deliverables are in Leadership, Healing and Community:

• LEADERSHIP:

o 32 participants in Cherbourg and 36 in Kuranda have completed the Mental Health First Aid;

o 10 Participants from Cherbourg and Kuranda completed Certificate II in Indigenous Leadership.

• HEALING:

o A Community Reference Group has been established in Cherbourg and Kuranda to develop a community well-being plan for their communities.

• COMMUNITY:

o 93 Kuranda and 57 Cherbourg community members have completed the CSEWB program.

o Discussions are underway with UWA to include an overview of the Queensland sites on the UWA NEP website.

For more information about NEP, please contact:

Glenis Grogan via: artsddae@bigpond.com or 07 4093 7177

a universal strategy to promote social

and emotional wellbeing and reduce

community stress and suicide in Aboriginal

communities

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Ngoonbi provides a range of social housing and services for eligible Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members under the One Social Housing System.

As a Corporation, we recognise the rights of tenants to participate in the management of the organisation. The rules require tenants to become members and all are encouraged to attend tenant and general meetings to discuss any needs and concerns. Where required, links to other services are provided by Ngoonbi for tenants in education, self-empowerment and community care programs.

Ngoonbi is committed to increasing our housing stock to meet the high demand of low income housing in Kuranda and surrounding region. Just recently, Ngoonbi was awarded State government funding to build additional housing and currently undergoing the planning and project scoping phase.

Ngoonbi recently employed a builder to improve our housing maintenance and to increase employment outcomes for local Indigenous people. We are combining our efforts to improve the lifestyles and financial circumstances of our community through providing apprenticeships.

Over all tenant satisfaction has increased, as we endeavour to reduce the backlog of maintenance. We have offered tenants financial help and assistance which has brought our rent arrears to a stable level.

For more information about the Housing program, please contact the Housing Officer:

Margarita Perez via: housing2@ngoonbi.org.au or 07 4093 7177

ngoonbi’shousing program

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ngoonbi’sPROJECTS teamIn September 2014, Ngoonbi employed a Project Officer to help close the gap and eliminate barriers for Indigenous people to gain sustainable employment and/or education and training that is tailored to meet the specific needs of people in the Kuranda Region.

Providing increased employment opportunities will have a significant effect on the overall wellbeing of community and reduce individual dependence on social programs.

Achievements to date include:

PROJECT FUNDING DESCRIPTION DEPARTMENTElderly Parent Innovation trial

$1 M To construct a disability facility in Kowrowa.

Consists of 3 x 2 bedroom units and 2 x 2 bedroom houses.

Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services

Construction funding $4 M Approval granted by DHPW to be the principal builder of our own housing. This will employ up to six people under our construction program.

Department Of Housing and Public Works (DHPW)

Long Day Care Activity (Bibi Yungan)

10 local Indigenous women are completing Certificate III in Early Childhood Education & Care. All students are attending work placements that form part of the qualification and equips them to transition to employment in 2016.

Hosted Jobfind Activity

WFD(Work for the Dole)

Ngoonbi & Enterprise Management Group successfully tendered under a partnership arrangement for the Cairns region WFD contract with the Department of Employment.This contract is a five year term.

Partnership withMy Pathway

For more information about our projects please contact the Project Development Manager:

Kylie Sturges: projects@ngoonbi.org.au

Or Ross Furnari: activitiesmanager@ngoonbi.org.au

A word from our Project Development Manager

Every accomplishment starts with a decision to try! Without trying we never know if we can or not. In our projects team at Ngoonbi this year we have tried and succeeded in many areas. This inspires us to do more and seek the rewards for our community. - Kylie Sturges

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ngoonbi’s centrelinkagencyFor over 10 years, Ngoonbi has been contracted as an Agent for Centrelink that provides community members with easy access to Centrelink services.

Services include:

• Face to face information services.

• Encourage and educate customers to access Centrelink’s suite of self-service facilities (phone, fax and internet) to access Centrelink’s services and information.

• Check, review for completion any Centrelink documents lodged by customers.

• Provide proof of identity checks on behalf of Centrelink.

• Provide the Department of Human Services with feedback on how these services can be improved.

The demand for Ngoonbi’s Centrelink Agency is high and averages 20 customers per day.

For more information about the Centrelink Agency, please contact the Receptionist:

Saphire Concannon via: admin@ngoonbi.org.au or 07 4093 7177

17Saphire Concannon, Receptionist

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2014 / 2015 financials

NgooNbi CommuNity ServiCeS iNdigeNouS CorporatioN

CEO: Lionel Quartermaine

Telephone:07 4093 7177

Email:ngoonbi@ngoonbi.org.au

Web: www.ngoonbi.org.au