Community Spirit: Fifth edition (Autumn 2006)
Message from the Director-General
The Department of Communities has had an exciting year so far with the launch of Queensland's Early Years Strategy and the subsequent consultations.
Seniors
Grandparents take time out
Caring for children is demanding enough for parents but grandparents who provide the day-to-day care for their grandchildren experience a different set of pressures. A pilot program is offering some relief.
Voices
Tree change brings growth opportunities
Jocelyn Robinson of Quilpie and Anita Osborne of Cunnamulla seem to have the perfect lifestyle - a good job, no rush-hour commuter traffic, plenty of free time to spend with friends and lots of things to do each weekend.
Rural future tied to youth
Attracting young people to live and work in rural communities was one of the issues of concern that emerged from the extensive Blueprint for the Bush consultation undertaken last year.
Family and Children
Early years vision takes a major step forward
Minister for Communities, Disability Services and Seniors Warren Pitt said the consultation phase, which followed the launch of the Early Years discussion paper in February, was generating extensive and pertinent feedback.
Community
Stylin' up is steppin' out
The power of telling stories in music and dance is being revived through a partnership between young people and Indigenous Elders. The unusual twist is that stories are being passed up the generations from young rap musicians to the broader community.
Forums give voice to local issues
Forum members are nominated from within the community to represent regional views, gather information and present proposals from local people to Cabinet Ministers at regular forum events.
Community resources
Who do you call for advice at 2 am?
It's 2 am and your six-month-old baby wont stop crying. She's coughing incessantly and feels hot. You're not sure what to do. You know it's better to be safe than sorry, but you don't want to spend hours travelling to a hospital only to be told it's just a minor cold.
Advice at parents' finger tips
Have you ever wondered how much pocket money you should give your children? What to say to teenagers about drugs? Or what to do when your children quarrel?
In brief
Celebrating youth
A state launch in Cairns, a wide range of community events and a fiesta to celebrate and recognise the value young people make to their communities will mark the largest single celebration of young people on the Australian youth calendar - National Youth Week.
Homelessness service wins national recognition
Najidah, a Sunshine Coast organisation providing accommodation for women and children who are homeless as a result of domestic and family violence has won the high achievement award at the National Community Housing Awards.
Young at Art competition connects generations
'Never too old' is the theme of the Young at Art competition which invites young people aged between 12 and 25 to use creative writing, visual art or multimedia to highlight the many positive aspects of ageing.
Domestic and family violence prevention
The old adage 'an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure' is very apt when it comes to domestic and family violence.
Online consultation tool to become an export earner
An online consultation tool developed by the Department of Communities is about to debut as a new software product designed to help governments in the Asia/Pacific region engage with their citizens.
