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TABLEOFCONTENTS
AGENDA.........................................................................................................................................................................................3
MINUTESOFPREVIOUSANNUALGENERALMEETING...........................................................................................4
CHAIRPERSON’SREPORT......................................................................................................................................................8
TREASURER’SREPORT...........................................................................................................................................................9
EXECUTIVEOFFICER’SREPORT.......................................................................................................................................10
COUNSELLINGINTERVENTIONSERVICES..................................................................................................................13
AODINDIGENOUSTOWNCOMMUNITIESPROJECT……………………………………………………………………17
DRINKDRIVEREDUCATION(DDE)PROGRAM.........................................................................................................24
ILLICITDRUGPROJECT........................................................................................................................................................28
GAMBLINGHARMMINIMISATION&EDUCATIONPROGRAM...........................................................................31
ACCREDITATION………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………37WORKHEALTH&SAFETYREPORT…………………………………………………………………………………………...38
AUDITEDFINANCIALSTATEMENT................................................................................................................................39
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Agenda
LOCATION: 155StuartHighwayParap
DATE: 19thSeptember2013at5:00pm
Item1: Present/Apologies
Item2: ConfirmationofMinutesof2012AnnualGeneralMeeting
Item3: Reports
a)Chairman'sReport
b)Treasurer'sReport
c)AgencyReports
Item4: ElectionoftheManagementCommittee
Item5: OtherBusiness
NominationofAuditorfor2013/14
Item6: MeetingClosed
NetworkingandRefreshments
4
MinutesofPreviousAnnualGeneralMeeting
AnnualGeneralMeetingMinutes
DATE: 20September2012at5:00pmLOCATION: 155StuartHighwayParapItem1:Present/ApologiesPresent:
BrettHaganJulieBeaumontBernieDwyerOlgaHurleyPaulTurnerGailSnellAmyWilliamsonTheHon.PeterStylesStephenMackrowWendyMoretonRusselFlynnChrisPotterWendyLarnZoeLandridgeMelanieHarkinsonNicolaCoalterJohannaGoncalvesSharonGreenofDonnaHunterKylieJerichoAnnetteMageeanRianRomboutsJoanScottDavidSheanGailWestChristinePowerLyndeSchubert
ChairpersonTreasurerExecutiveDirectorBoardMemberBoardMemberBoardMemberBoardMemberMLA‐SandersonDept.ofLand&PlanningNTCOSSNTCOSS/NTAODPeakbodySKYCITYCasinoCommunityMemberLicensing&Regulation–DepartmentofJusticeLicensing&Regulation–DepartmentofJusticeAmityStaffAmityStaffAmityStaffAmityStaffAmityStaffAmityStaffAmityStaffAmityStaffAmityStaffAmityStaffAmityStaffAmityStaff
5
The meeting opened at 5.00 pm. Bernie Dwyer, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) welcomed all
attendees.
Apologies:
BillPrendergast
AndrewHarper
GailSnell
JodieReichstein
MelanieSchofield
CarolinaFerreiraSiqueira
PaulineMcKenzie
KateMunro
WillieGaden
RobLewis
ViceChairperson
BoardMember
BoardMember
AmityStaff
AmityStaff
AmityStaff
AmityStaff
AmityStaff
AmityStaff
AmityStaff
Item2:ConfirmationofpreviousMinutes
TheChiefExecutiveOfficersoughtconfirmationofthepreviousAGMminutes.
Moved:Julie Seconded:Brett Motion:Passed
Note:Changetodateonpreviousminutes–recordedas2012insteadof2011.
Item3:Reports
a) Chairperson’sReport
Chairman,BrettHagan, presentedhis report anddiscussed that in thesedifficult financial times,
Amity likemostorganisationshas facedmanychallenges.Thishasbeenabalanceofachievinga
favourablefinancialoutcomewhilststillbeingable tomaintainand improvethediverserangeof
qualityservicesweprovidetothecommunity.TheChairmandiscussedthedifficultiesinsecuring
and renewing long‐term funding agreements that have seen the organisation drawing upon the
reserve to continue work in the short‐term, and acknowledged the uncertainty this short‐term
fundingcreatesforstaffandclients.
6
Brettthankedhisfellowboardmembers,BernieandallofAmitystafffortheirunrelentingefforts
inassistingAmitytocontinuetobeastrongandrelevantorganisationwithinthecommunity.
b) Treasurer’sReport
Treasurer,JulieBeaumont,discussedhoweachyeartheprogramsandfundingofAmitycontinue
toexpandtomeettheeverincreasingdemandfrompeopleinourcommunity.TheTreasurerspoke
of how the continuity and steadfast determination to meet and exceed the goals of Amity’s
programs are evenmore admirable given the difficulties with recruitment and retention in the
currentemploymentclimate.
JuliecongratulatedBernieandtheteamatAmityforanothersuccessfulyearandreiteratedAmity’s
soundfinancialposition.
Thetreasurermovedthatreportsbeaccepted
Moved:Julie Seconded:Brett Motion:Passed
c) AgencyReport
CEO,BernieDwyer,presentedhisreportanddiscussedmainpoints:
TheTerritoryhasthehighestconsumptionrateofalcoholinAustralia;
Avarietyofreportshavehighlightedthesignificantimpactofalcoholanddrugconsumption
onchildsafety,familyviolence,assaultsandtrauma;
TheNThasthehighestalcoholrelatedroadcrashrateinthecountryandthehighestlevelof
otherroadtrauma;
TheTerritoryhasthehighestrateofincarcerationinAustraliaandiftheNTwereastand‐
alonecountry,comparably,ourincarcerationrateswouldbeoneofthehighestintheworld;
Approximately60%ofpoliceworkisdealingwithalcohol‐relatedissuesand40%ofcourt
andprisoncostscanbedirectlyattributedtoalcoholrelatedcrime.
Bernie discussed how alcohol consumption remains a complex issue for the Territory and he
reflected on the successes of a past program (The Living with Alcohol Program) after robust
evaluation demonstrated a significant reduction in population level harms and costs of alcohol.
Therearelessonstobelearnedfrompastevidencebasedapproaches.
7
BernieprovidedabriefoverviewoftheprogramsatAmityandhisworkwiththeTerritory’speak
bodyofthealcoholandotherdrugsector.
Bernie discussed the retention of staff and that staffing had remained fairly stable over thepast
year.HemadespecialmentionoftheretirementofDonnaHunter.Berniethankedtheboardand
stafffortheirinputandsupportthroughouttheyear.
Item4:ElectionoftheManagementCommittee
AllBoardpositionsweredeclaredvacantandBernieDwyeradvisedthatforeachvacantposition
therewasonenominationsoallwouldbeelectedunopposed.
Position Nominee Nominatedby Secondedby
Chairperson BrettHagan JulieBeaumont PaulTurner
Treasurer JulieBeaumont BrettHagan PaulTurner
Secretary GailSnell AmyWilliamson BrettHagan
BoardMember DrewHarper BrettHagan AmyWilliamson
BoardMember AmyWilliamson PaulTurner JulieBeaumont
BoardMember ChrisPotter AmyWilliamsonBrettHagan
BoardMember WendyLarn BrettHagan JulieBeaumont
BoardMember PaulTurner AmyWilliamsonBrettHagan
Item5:OtherBusiness
a) PeterStylesMLAattendedAmity’sAGManddiscussedtherecentchangestogovernment.
b) SelectionofAuditorforthenewperiod–carryforwardtothefirstBoardmeeting.
MeetingClosed:5.30pm
8
Chairperson’sReport
Looking back over the last yearwe have again experienced challenging times. Unfortunately the
CommunityGovernmentSectorinwhichweoperatehasbeensubjecttosomeseverefundingcuts.
Thankfully though, at Amity we have managed to work through these funding issues and still
produceamodestsurpluswhilstmaintainingdeliveryofthemajorityofourservices.
However,itneedstobementionedthattherehasbeennoconsistencyinfundingoursector,andit
isapparenttomethatpoliticalideologygovernsmorewherefundsgetdistributed,thantheactual
needswithinthecommunityinwhichweoperate,whichIconsidertobeveryshortsighted.
AsaresultofthesementionedfundingcutsAmityhaschosennottocontinuethecoordinationof
theDDEprogrambutwillcontinuetodeliver thisservicetoclients.ThecoordinationoftheDDE
programhas been handed back to theNTG and itwill be interesting to see how they choose to
manageandcoordinatethisprogramaswemoveforward.
Wearestillyettofinalisethelong‐termleaseonthebuildingsat152–155StuartHwyandasin
pastyearswehopethisprocesscanbeconcludedinthenearfuture.Intheseuncertaintimes,not
knowingwehavesecurityoftenureatthesepremisesisofsomeconcern.
IndigenousCommunityProjectcontinuestoremainamajorpartofourservicesandwecontinueto
operateinthisareaprovidingassistancetomanycommunitiesacrosstheNorthernTerritory.
Finally, this ismy lastyearasChairand Iwould like to take thisopportunityto thankmy fellow
boardmembers,Bernie,andallourstaff. IthasbeenapleasureworkingwithyouallandwhenI
reflectbackIknowIhavebeenprivilegedtoworkwithsuchadedicatedgroupofprofessionals.
IlookforwardtocontributinginsomewaytothesuccessofAmitygoingforwardandwishyouall
thebestinthechallengingyearsahead.
BrettHagan
Chairperson
9
Treasurer’sReport
The2013financialyearhaspresentedanewsetofchallengesforAmity,withtheuncertaintyofa
newTerritoryGovernmentandthechangingtidesofaFederalelectionyear.
It has also seen Grant Income fall to the lowest level since 2009, necessitating corresponding
adjustmentsinexpendituretoensurethataminimumbreakevenpositionwasmaintained.
Thesmallsurplusof$9Kistheresultofa$562Kdecreaseinoverallrevenueoffsetbyadecreasein
expenditureof$483K, thisachievedwhile implementinga comprehensiveaccreditationprogram
underISO9001certificationandafterprovisionsforlongserviceleaveandredundancy.
Notwithstandingthesepressures,Amityhasmaintainedastrongworkingcapitalratiothroughout
theyearandthebalancesheetdemonstratestheoverallsecurepositionoftheorganisation.
This isparticularly important in the leadup to anewFederalGovernment termanduncertainly
aboutthepotentialfundingimpactintothefuture.
The uncertainty of funding can impact on staffing and Amity has experienced some changes
throughout the year as a result, however the service, as always has continued with objectives
achievedandexceeded.
Bernie and the Amity team have again proven their flexibility and their ability to deal with
whateverisrequiredtocontinuethedeliveryofoutstandingservicetoAmityclients.
JulieBeaumont
Treasurer
10
ExecutiveOfficer’sReport
The organisation remains a strong, professional community service. We are able to develop
meaningfulandtrustedrelationshipswithinourcommunitythatallowsdeliveryofnichespecialist
services. This means the agency needs to be flexible, agile, community focused and specialised.
However, due to its size it will not be able to competewith the large national organisations to
tenderforthelargeonesizefitsallcontracts.Ibelievethatthisisthegreatestthreataswemove
intothefuture;wewillnotbecompetitivefornational‘sconecutter’contracts,thatisthecontracts
for the same servicesprovided inDarlinghurst,DandenongorDarwin.Weneed to take stock of
whatunique skills, experienceandunderstandingswehaveasanorganisationandplay to these
strengths.
ThisfinancialyearhasbeeninterestingandchallengingforAmity.Changeofgovernmenthasalso
broughtunpredictability,uncertaintyandunstabletimestothenon‐governmentandprivatesector.
Itisoftencitedthatbusinessseekspolicycertaintyandpredictabilitytothriveandsodoesthenot
for profit sector. We hope that there is better engagement when policy development is being
undertakeninthefuturetodecreasetheuncertaintyandsurprisesoftherecentpast.
Amity hasmade a commitment to being accredited under the ISO 9001 International Standards
Framework. Ithasrequireda large financial investmentanddemandonstaff resources.Amity is
committed to quality improvement and quality management that are the outcomes of such an
investment.
ApartfromlearningnewsystemsandskillsinrelationtoqualityoutcomesthestaffatAmityhave
beensupportedtocontinuetodeveloptheirexistingskillsandexpertise.DrBillMiller,afounderof
Motivational Interviewing(MI),was inAustralia fromtheUSAtodeliverworkshopsonMI. Staff
withfrontlineservicedeliveryresponsibilitieswereencouragedandsupportedtoundertakethis
training.MIisaveryusefulskilltohavewhetherworkingwithindividuals,groupsorcommunities.
Amity has a history and ongoing commitment to staff development and has supported staff to
attend and present at conferences, undertake specialist skills development in alcohol and other
drugsaswellasmentalhealthinterventions.
11
Amityworkswithavarietyofotherorganisationstoachieveouroutcome.Wetraditionallywork
with government, non‐government and industry sectors. This year with the Alcohol and Other
Drug Indigenous Communities Project and through the initiative of Annette Mageean, Amity
partneredwithUNICEF, Sony Japanandwith the supportof local IT companyArea9 todelivera
youthphotographyworkshopwith the town communities. This provided great opportunities for
theyoungpeople to learnphotographyskills, tell theirstory throughtheireyesand forAmity to
workwithyoungpeople,aclientgroupthatareoftenchallengingtoengagewith.Itculminatedin
theUNICEFlaunchoftheexhibition,producedbytheyoungpeoplefromthetowncommunities,at
ParliamentHouse,Canberraandwasattendedbypoliticiansandotherdignitaries.
Amityhashadanumberofstaffthathavebeenwiththeorganisationforquiteafewyears. Kylie
Jerichohasbeenwiththeorganisationfortenyears,IhavebeenwithAmityfortwentythreeyears,
RianRombouts first joined in1998andhasworkedwiththeCourtsasaclinician foracoupleof
years in that time. Pauline McKenzie initially started with us in 2002 and moved south and
travelledin2007beforere‐joiningusin2010.NicolaCoalter,AnnetteMageeanandMelSchofield
are in the five‐yearcategory. ThisprovidesAmitywithagoodrangeofexperienceanddepthof
corporateknowledge.Itisalsogoodtohavenewerstaffbringingnewskillsandexperience.Iwould
like to acknowledge all the staff for their effort and commitment and especially thank the long
termersfortheirtoleranceofme,andtheirpersistencewiththechallengesoftheworkwedo.
BrettHagan,ourlongservingChairman,willbestandingdownthisyearasisrequiredbytheAmity
constitution. Brett joined theboard in2001andhascontinuouslysevered invariousrolessince
then.Iwouldliketothankhimforhiscommitmenttotheorganisationaswellashissupportand
counselformeasCEO.BretthasdemonstratedleadershipanddedicationandIamgladthathehas
nominatedtoremainontheboard.GailSnell joinedthemanagementcommittee in2004andhas
held thesecretarypositionsince that time.Aswell asotherduties,beingsecretaryon theAmity
committeemeansbeingresponsiblefortheminutes.Gail’sattendance,commitmentandsupportof
theagencyhavebeenexcellent.JulieBeaumonthasbeentreasureronthemanagementboardsince
2006. It is important for sound management to have a person with experience in finances to
scrutiniseandclarifythereportsandensuretheAgency’sfinancialpracticesareatanappropriate
standard.Theboardhas fivenewermemberswhobring fresh eyes andbroadexperience to the
12
committee and allows the board to renew. Volunteering their time, knowledge and experience
enables the staff to focus on their duty to deliver services to the community. I would like to
acknowledge the longservingmembersof thecommitteeespeciallyBrett for the twelveyearsof
supportandservicetoAmityandthankalltheboardforthesupportandinput.
Theyearwillprovideitschallengestotheorganisationbutwithgoodgovernanceandcommitted
staffAmitywillservicethecommunitytothehighstandardithasdemonstratedthroughithistory.
Iwillbegoingonlongserviceleaveandannualleaveforsixmonthsfrommid‐OctoberandNicola
CoalterwilltakeontheroleofExecutiveOfficer.Nichasbeenactingintherolewhenrequiredand
hasbeeninthepositionofDeputyEOsinceearlythisyear.
As the Public Officer I would like to acknowledge that Brett Hagan, the Chairman of the Amity
Board,hasapecuniaryinterestinInsuranceRiskSolutions. Theyareinsurerassociatedwiththe
NT Chamber of Commerce and provide Amity with cover. Due to the conflict of interest, Brett
Hagandoesnotparticipateinthedecisionmakingonthepurchasesofinsurance.
Amity looks forward to thenext year of actively promoting the adoption of healthier habits and
lifestylesasisourvision.
MrBernieDwyer
ExecutiveOfficer/PublicOfficer
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CounsellingInterventionServices
Theperiod2012‐2013hasbeenfascinating, frustratingandchallengingforthecounsellingteam
with the abandonmentof theSMARTcourt and the insecuritiesof further and future fundingby
government.Thefactthatthegovernmentintroducedanewapproachtoworkingwithpeoplewith
an alcohol problem was much discussed at Amity as the team works with evidence based
approaches.Unfortunatelythenewmandatorysentencingapproachislackingsuchabase.
AsAmity’sphilosophyhasasoundfoundationandisevidence‐based,thequestionremainsonhow
longthegovernmentwillprovidefundingforAmity’scounsellingservices.Inparticular,isthefact
thatthecounsellingserviceshaveonlybeenfundedfora12‐monthperiod.Thisprovidesuswith
somefoodforthoughtforthefuture.
For the duration of the year there have been only minor changes in the team. Lynde Schubert
resignedandJackAvisoncommencedemploymenton3rdJune2013.NicolaCoaltermovedtothe
gamblingteamandKylieJerichoreturnedtothecounsellingteamonapart‐timebasisonedayper
week.MelSchofieldincreasedherdaysto4perweek.Therestoftheteamremainedstable.
Professionaldevelopmentforthecounsellingstaffisongoingandstaffattendrelevantcoursesand
workshops upon request, when funding is available. In November all staff attended a two‐day
workshoponMotivationalInterviewingskillsinBrisbane,SydneyorMelbourneandtheworkshop
was presented by Dr Bill Miller who is considered the “father of the Motivational Interviewing
approach”.CounsellingstaffcontinuetoattendweeklyCowdyWardRoundmeetings tomaintain
professional linksandasa capacitybuildingactivity. Thisprovides insight into the runningofa
mentalhealthserviceandthemanagementofpeoplewithmentalillnessespeciallyforthosestaff
that have not worked in psychiatric hospital environments. This activity also provides the
opportunitytogainup‐to‐dateinformationonpsychotropicmedications.
The counsellors are facedwith the ongoing challenge of keeping upwith information regarding
prescribedmedicationsaswellastheaction,effectsandsideeffectsofillicit,designerandsynthetic
drugs. This is an interesting and also time consuming activity. Nevertheless the information is
importantandneededtoassistclients,familiesandthecommunitywithup‐to‐dateinformation.
14
During the past year the counselling team has participated in providing community education
presentationsandworkshops tootherorganisations includingseveral schools in theDarwinand
outerDarwinregions,Tobacco,AlcoholandotherDrugsService(TAODS)atRoyalDarwinHospital,
DarwinAboriginalandIslanderWomen'sShelter(DAIWS),andLarrakeyahNationandoperatedan
information stall at the Amity Picnic in the Park event for Drug ActionWeek. Counselling staff
continuetoparticipateincaseconferenceswherethereisanintegratedtreatmentplanwithother
servicesandinothermeetingssuchastherecentNTOpiatePharmacotherapyProgramreview.
OurpartnershipwithotherorganisationsisongoingandvisitstoandfromCommunityCorrections,
Relationships Australia, Northern Territory Aids and Hepatitis Council, TAODS, Advantage
Personnel Consultant, TOLL transport company, Top End Mental Health Services, Somerville
CommunityServices,CouncilofAboriginalAlcoholServices,FORWAARDandthelistgoeson.Visits
totheprisontoseegamblingclientsareirregularandinfrequentandbyrequestonly.Thisyeara
fee‐for‐service was undertaken to provide QUIT smoking cessation groups in the Darwin
CorrectionalFacilityastheNTprisonswenttobaccofreeon1July2013.
In the firstweekofOctober2012andagain inAugust2013aclient surveywasconducted. The
feedback receivedwas encouraging and showed that the counselling receivedby clients is rated
highly. There were some requests for afterhours counselling but it was found that this is not
achievable at this point in time due to security and staffing levels. The offer of out‐of‐hours
counsellingwillbefurtherexploredintheupcomingyear.
This last year also saw the introduction of a qualitymanagement system and the agency’s new
program Quality Coordinator (QC), a rather handy but stirring program needed to assist us for
accreditation.AllstaffattendedQCtrainingsessionsthroughouttheyearandarenowenjoyingthe
benefitsofthissystem.TheNTHealthDepartmenthasintroducedanonlinedrugandalcoholdata
collection tool to enable a streamlined contribution to theNationalMinimumData Set, inwhich
counsellors received training and are now using. The data was previously recorded manually.
Altogether there has been a big change frommanual reporting to electronic reporting systems,
ensuringthatAmityCommunityServiceshastheskillsandtoolstoproduceinformationthatmeets
thegovernmentrequirementsforthepurposeofaccreditationandfunding.
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17
AlcoholandOtherDrugsIndigenousCommunitiesProject2012‐2015
(ImagefromEYESEEdigitalphotographyworkshops)
Introduction
The currentproject builds onpreviousCommonwealthFunding and addressesharmsassociated
with the misuse of volatile substances in Darwin. The present project continues to include
communitydevelopmentworktoaddressvolatilesubstancemisuseinnominatedAboriginalTown
Communities:KnuckeysLagoon‐Milgarri;PalmerstonIndigenousVillage–Gurdorrka;andBagot
Community. The goal of the project is to implement strategies to reduce harms associatedwith
inhalants,alcoholandotherdrugsinnominatedAboriginalCommunitiesinDarwinasfollows:
1. Developpreventionstrategiestoreduceharmsassociatedwithinhalantsalcoholandother
drugs;
2. Developprotectionstrategiestoreduceharmsassociatedwithinhalants,alcoholandother
drugs;
3. Develop intervention strategies to reduce harms associated with inhalants, alcohol and
otherdrugs;
4. Introducemeasurestoaddressco‐morbidityincommunitieswithrespecttotheharmfuluse
ofsubstances;
5. IncreaseAmity’scapacitytoworkwithIndigenousCommunities;and
6. Continuousevaluationandqualityimprovementofprojectdeliveryandoutcomes.
Whatwewantedtolearn
Thecontinuousevaluationmaintainsastrongfocusonprocess.Qualityfeedbackandcompletionof
outputs is largely paced by community engagement and the current circumstances within
18
communities. Key performance indicators developed with the nominated Aboriginal Town
CommunitiesinDarwinmeasureprojectoutputsandareasfollows:
Determinetowhatextenttheprogramhasreducedharmsassociatedwithinhalantsalcohol
andotherdrugs;
Determine to what extent prevention, protection and intervention strategies have been
effectiveinreducinguseofinhalants,alcoholandotherdrugs;and
DeterminetowhatextentthecapacityofAmityandothercommunityserviceprovidershas
increasedinworkingwithIndigenouscommunities.
Results
Morrison Associates Pty. Ltd. has been appointed as an independent evaluator. The evaluation
process has reviewed all available data sources and conducted a management review in
conjunctionwithstaffinterviews.Theproject’songoingdatacollectionandreviewofinformationis
consistentwith an action‐researchmethodology. The evaluation processwill continue under an
action research protocol with ongoing engagement, feedback and review. All reports submitted
havetheendorsementofMorrisonAssociatesPtyLtd.
Theprojecthasdevelopedand implemented theevaluationplanwith the teamand independent
evaluator.Discoursewiththeevaluatorhasbeenongoinganddetailed.Distillationofinformation
relating to the evaluationprocesswill continue to assist in refining theprojectplan.Theproject
collectsquantitativeandqualitativedatathroughworkerdiariesandcommunicationlogsaswellas
othersourcesandroutinelyreviewsthesetoreflectonpracticeandmodificationtoplanningand
delivery. The project has refined the evaluation by adopting a range of forms and data capture
methods used for quantitative and qualitative purposes. Information gained from these analyses
continuestobefedbackintotheevaluationforcontinualimprovement.Amityhasimplementeda
new organisation‐wide, electronic Quality Management System that has been of considerable
assistance in furthercapturingdataandprojectcontext.Theprojectreviewsinformationsources
monthlytoensurecurrencyandcompatibilityofrecordsforlaterevaluation.
19
Existing documentation shows encouraging feedback from collaborators and stakeholders
including:
Congratulations from Darwin Regional Indigenous Advancement and CDEP Inc for work
withthemen’sgroupindevelopingBBQfacilities.
RecognitionfromCAYLUSregardingtheproject’soutcomesin2012.
Recognition from the manager of Top End Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) of Amity’s
successesinsupplyreductioninAODandVolatileSubstanceAbuse(VSA).
RecognitionfromKatherineRegionAboriginalHealthandRelatedServicesthattheVSAand
AODresourcesandpublicationsreleasedbyAmityaremostinformative.
Theproject’swebsiteprovidesacomprehensiveoutlineoftheprojectaswellasresources,
reports and reviewsof the project, links to other resources including relevant legislation,
otherAODandVSMservices,contactdetails,anddownloadablebrochures,flyers,pamphlets
andotherresourcesforpublicdistribution.Ourwebresourcesarebeingwidelysoughtboth
nationallyandinternationally:
o Asheville,NorthCarolinathankedtheprojectontheresourcesmadeavailableonthe
ourAODlinkswebpage.Theresourceswereusedwiththeiryoungsniffersprogram.
o DirectoroftheScienceofKnowingBuddinaQLD,CommunitySolutions,have
consultedwiththisprojecttosupportthedevelopmentofaresourceforregionaland
ruralcommunitiestoaddresssubstancemisuse.Amity’sIndigenousCommunities
Projectcameupinthereviewoftheliteratureasanexampleofeffectivepracticein
Indigenouscommunities.
RecommendationsfromEvaluation
1. Asnotedinthepreviousprojectevaluationtheresponsiblesaleofsolventsprogramisnow
operating optimally and could bemanaged by a dedicated programofficer. Consideration
should be given on how this could be achieved. Lack of capacity in the area of
implementationoftheVSAworkisanidentifiedissuefortheproject.
2. The cross‐cultural competency baseline thatwas commenced at the start of the previous
project has now been progressedwith further cross‐cultural training. It is recommended
thatthisbefurtherdevelopedwithcommunityinputtoproduceaculturalsafetypolicyfor
Amity.
20
3. Thesupervisionandmentoringprocessseekstostrengthensupporttoprojectofficerswho
areworkingwithincommunitysettings.Thisisnecessarybecauseofthechallengingnature
ofthework.ProjectOfficerscomefromadiverserangeofbackgroundsandareworkingin
demanding community development situations and would benefit from “on the job”
mentoringandtraining.
4. Thecommunicationsandmanagementsystemimplementedhasbeeneffectiveinretaining
corporateknowledge. It is recommended that thisbestructuredanddocumented tomake
theinterfaceeasily intelligibletonewusers.Alsoit isrecommendedthatsomethoughtbe
giventoemployingahigh‐leveladminpersontodevelopthisandalsofurtherdevelopthe
VSApackagesforrolloutinotherregions.Itisconceivablethatthispersonmayalsomanage
theresponsiblesaleofsolventsprogram.
OutcomesandKeyAchievements
Collaboratedwithotheragenciesforreferralsfromthetowncommunitiestohealth,welfare,
childprotection,mentalhealthandemploymentservices.
Conductedaharmminimisationworkshopfor4youthworkersofYMCAand9menfromthe
men’sprogramand2fromIronBarkMoneyManagement.Theworkshophasstrengthened
therelationshipwithYMCAandtheMilgarriCommunity,manyopenandfrankdiscussions
were held about VSA and AOD and what measures can be done to minimise the harms
associatedwithmisuse.
DecreasedinhalantusewithinDarwinAboriginalTownCommunities.
DeliveredaVSAworkshopwithNTAODVSAClinicalto10nurses,followinganinvitationby
theDepartmentofHealthMaternal&ChildHealthDivision.Topicsincludedmentalhealth
issuescausedthroughsniffingandrespondingtovolatilesubstancemisuse.
Demonstratedabilitytorecruit,supportandupskillAboriginalstaff.
Demonstrated working collaboratively with other stakeholders to strengthen service
deliveryandoutcomesforthecommunity.
Developedanddeliveredofarangeofalternativehealthylifestyleactivitieswithcommunity
men,womanandyoungpeople.
ContributedtoChapter18oftheWorkingTogether‐AboriginalandTorresStraitIslander
mentalhealthandwellbeingprinciples. ThepublicationisfundedbyOATSIHandChapter
18 examines current and emerging themes in respect to intellectual disability that may
21
assistcliniciansandtheirpatients.D’Arcy(2013),inherreviewstated,“WorkingTogetheris
a book not only recommended all community psychologists to read (and psychologists
generallyforthatmatter),butalsoonerecommendedtokeepinthataccessiblepartoftheir
bookshelfnexttotheotherequallyimportantCommunityPsychologyBibles”.1
Contributedanarticle toTheChronicleapoliticallyneutralpublication, fundedby theNT
DepartmentofHealthandisdistributedwidelytoapproximately1200nationalmembers.
DevelopedVSAworkshopswithother stakeholders for theCommunity SafetyNetworking
Group, Department of Housing, FaHCSIA, and Service providers. Participant evaluation
showed thatmore than90%of the 36 attendees in eachworkshop reported contentwas
directly relevant to their work. Darwin Regional Office Department of Housing, Service
Providers and Retailers have expressed an interest in participating in further AOD VSA
workshops. Amity has been invited to be part of the Palmerston Community Safety
NetworkingGroup.
EngagedCharlesDarwinUniversitytodevelopandimplementaCertIIFoodSafetyCourse
VTP189foraremotecontexttotheprojectandthetowncommunities.
Engaged in youth diversion activities with families on the town communities including
NiteStreetaCorrugatedIronYouthartsevent.
Established strong working relationship with VAMP TV NT Music working with young
people and families on the communities to communicatepositive imagesof youngpeople
fromthetowncommunitiesandtheirprojects.
Obtained acceptance of our proposal to UNICEF and Sony Japan to support and engage
GiacomoPriozziworldfamousphotographertoconductEyeSeeWorkshopinDarwin.The
DarwinEyeSeewasthe11thinaseriesofEYESEEdigitalphotographyworkshopsandonly
thesecondtobeheldinadevelopednation–thefirstbeinghostedinJapanshortlyafterthe
tsunamiin2011.
Facilitated an informationnight about theEye SeeWorkshopDarwin at the State Library
ParliamentHouseDarwinandacceptedSonydonationof5laptopcomputersand20digital
camerastosupportyouthdiversionactivitiesinthetowncommunities.
1 Catherine D'Arcy Health Promotion Officer Knox Community Health Services (2013), published in the Australian Community Physiologist Volume 24 No2 2012 avail http://aboriginal.childhealthresearch.org.au/media/437603/book_review_2012.pdf
22
Partneredwithteamhealthinthemen’sprogramtocontributetoraisingawarenessabout
suicide, self‐harm and the delivery of culturally informed community co‐morbidity
educationsessions.
Raised awareness of responsible sale of solvents and respond to local retailers. Ausfuel
Outlets have adopted our flow chart procedure on responding to volatile substance, and
have amended police to include “VSAP does include as an offence.” Two chemists have
amendedworkproceduresandnolongerplacehigh‐riskproducts(aerosols,deodorants)in
binsinfrontofthestore. ToyWorldhasenclosedallhobbypaintsandgluesinaseparate
securedviewingcontainerintheirstore.
Referralofcommunitymemberswithsignificantinhalantuseissuestotreatmentservices.
SupportedNAIDOC,YouthWeekandDrugActionWeek engaging, youngpeople,menand
womenfromthecommunities.
Provided a proposed Indigenous Employment Strategy to Amity, from Major Industries
TrainingAdvisoryCouncilandtheIndigenousEmploymentProgram.
Developed a collaborative strategy to reduce supply, access to, and misuse of volatile
substancesarisingfromavailabilityviaretailsupplyandbuildingcontractorsintheregion.
Provided consultation and education for local councils and builders on VSA storage
practices,withthedeliveryof212comprehensivecontractorkits.
Institutionalsustainability(rollingouttheprogramandprogrameffectiveness)
The design of the project plan and data collection system supports sustainability from a project
management perspective. The development of policy and procedures material and refining job
descriptionswouldfurtherstrengthenthis.
We have implemented a community readiness strategy, which will be a key to matching
interventions with community capacity and improve the project’s effectiveness. Successful
outcomesincludeprovidingopportunityfor16residentsofGurdorrkaandMilgarricommunityto
participateinacoursetoenablethemobtaintheirlearnersdriverslicence.Twentysessionalplans
weredevelopedwhichincludedAlcoholandOtherdrugsInformationandRoadSafety.
Developingpartnershipswithotherorganisationscontinuestobe furtherdevelopedandthishas
thepotentialtoreducecompetitionforfundingandpromotecooperation.
23
Retentionofstaffisanongoingconcern.Improvingonthementoringandsupervisionstructurefor
this diverse teamandhaving thenecessary support for allworkers is imperative to reduce staff
turnover. This can be achieved by continuing to support the professional development of
Aboriginalstaffthroughon‐goingtrainingandmentoringopportunities.
Conclusion
The communities with which we work are constantly challenged by structural determinants to
health resulting in target groups experiencing significant issues concerning drug, alcohol and
mentalhealthproblems.Therearepositiveoutcomesfromthisprojectparticularlywithdeveloping
relationships that have assisted us in effectively improving health outcomes to reduce harms
associatedwithinhalants,alcoholandotherdrugsinnominatedAboriginalTownCommunitiesin
Darwin. Strong working relationships with organisations in the public and private sector and
working cooperatively has assisted in reducing the impacts of structural determinants to health.
This has been strengthened by maintaining good relationships with the community to further
developthemen,womenandyouthprogramsalongwithastrongcommitmenttopublichealthand
humanrights.
Theprojectacknowledgesthefollowing:DepartmentofHealthandAging,Localserviceproviders,
UNICEF, Sony Corporation and Giacomo Pirozzi, MartaMauas Perez and Secretariat of National
AboriginalandIslanderChildCare,TollFreight,Area9ITSupportandtheIndigenousChildrenand
familiesfromwithinthecommunities.
AnnetteMageean
Coordinator,AODIndigenousCommunitiesProject
24
DrinkDriverEducation(DDE)Program
Staffing
The Drink Driver Education coordinator and trainer/assessor have remained stable for the past 12
months.Inplanningforthefuturewithnewsofthereductionoffundingforthecoordinatorrole,the
currenttrainer/assessorwillbeleavingandthecoordinatorwilltakethetrainingroleatAmity.TheNT
CoordinationrolewillnowbeunderDepartmentofTransportNTDepartmentofLandsandPlanning
(referredtoasMotorVehicleRegistryMVR).
The DDE user pays program will continue as an accredited course under the registered training
organisation(RTO)statusuntil theendofaccreditationperiod,31December2013.After thatperiod
the coursewill be rununder the requirements ofMVRwhich couldpossiblymean anon‐accredited
courseandinthefuture,moreproviderstodeliverDDEtrainingprogramwhichmaynotnecessarilybe
RTOs.AttheendofJune2013arrangementshavenotbeenconfirmedaroundhowtheDDEprogram
will continue in the future except that Motor Vehicle Registry will be taking responsibility for the
coordination.
Participation
Directlybelowisatablewiththepreviousyearparticipantnumbers.
Table 1: No. of NT Participants July 2012 – June 2013
No Participants TOTAL Indigenous Non Indigenous Not Known
Jul to Dec 12 686 356 330 0
Jan to Jun 13 644 382 262 0
Th
19
Ta
DD
Ar
Re
Re
(T
an
hegraphbe
995untilth
able 2:
DEProvide
rangeoflo
Week
Week
Asses
Week
Remo
emoteDDE
emoteacce
TOIP)progr
ndreceiving
5
0
200
400
600
800
1000
1200
1400
1600
elowshow
heendof20
Total DD
ers
cationsand
kdaycourse
knight cour
singandTr
kendcourse
otecourses
ECourses
esstotheD
ram.Ongoi
gpayments
577
901789
Numb
1995
2004
wsthetotal
012.
DE Numbe
dproviders
esareoffer
rses are of
rainingCen
esareoffer
arebyarra
DDEcourse
ing issues
spriortotr
9 824 7897
berofP
5 1996 19
4 2005 20
numberof
er of Partic
softheDD
redbyAmit
ffered by T
ntre–Naka
redbyTrai
angement.
ehasbeen
forprovid
ravellingto
714 719820
Particip20
997 1998
006 2007
fparticipan
cipants by
Etrainingc
ty–Parap;
Training P
ara;
iningPlusN
coveredby
ershave c
otheremot
0 786932
10
1
pantsb012
1999 2000
2008 2009
ntswhoha
y Year from
courseare
lus NT, wh
NTinboth
ytheTraff
ontinued t
tearea.
053
810889
byYear
0 2001 2
9 2010 2
aveattende
m 1995 to
asfollows:
ho took ov
Nakaraand
ficOffender
this year an
1130
130414
1995t
002 2003
011 2012
edtheDDE
2012
:
ver night c
dPalmerst
rIntervent
nd are aro
4351266
1180
to
Ecoursefro
courses fro
onareas;a
tionProgra
ound the co
0
25
om
om
and
am
ost
26
July2012–June2013RemoteAreas
Area Provider
Oenpelli AmityCommunityServicesInc.
Maningrida, Hermannsburg, Borroloola, Yuendemu and
Bulman.
EASA
Wadeye,GrooteEylandt TrainingPlus
Santa Teresa, Hermannsburg, Borroloola, Ampilawatja,
WillowraandDockerRiver.
IMTraining
TownshipAreas:
Area Provider
KatherineTown EASA
AliceSpringsTown DASA
RegisteredTrainingOrganisation(RTO)
TheRTOwasawareofpossiblechangeswith fundingcuts toDDE. Focuscontinuedonworking
towardsre‐accreditationofthecourse.Ongoingself‐auditandASQAupdatesandrequirementsfor
continuingregistrationdue31/10/2014havebeenundertaken.
The costs of operating and maintaining an RTO has been reviewed and discussions have been
underwaythisyearregardingcontinuingwithRTOstatustheDDEcourse.
Traffic Offender Intervention Program (Repeat Offender Program) was scheduled to commence
early in 2012 and commenced in July 2012. This funded program includes the Drink Drive
EducationcourseandAmityhasbeeninvolvedwiththetrainingandinductionoffacilitators.
TrainingResources
ResourcesforDDEcoursehavebeenreviewedthisyearandarereadyforre‐accreditation.
27
HealthAudit
OnlyafewRTOscontinuetoincludetheself‐reportscreenitintheircourse.TheHealthAuditmay
notbecontinuedafterfinaldecisionsaremadeforre‐accreditationoftheagency’sRTOstatus.Itis
currentlyunknowniftheMVRwillincludeitinthenewcourse.
Statistics/DataCollection
TraditionallyAmityhasbeenthecentralregistryforDDEcoursesandhadmaintainedthedatabase
for attendance and results for all courses NT wide. However, with funding reduction for the
coordinationrole this taskhasnowbeen transferred toMVRasof31July2013.A full auditwas
completedonthedatabasepriortothehand‐overtoMVR.
Liaison
Liaison with MVR for the transferring of the DDE course to their ownership commenced early
2013.
MVRwillupdatetheirletterstoclientstoincludethechangeofarrangementsforobtainingaDDE
course.
GailWest
Coordinator
DrinkDriverEducation
28
IllicitDrugProject
TheinitialIllicitDrugandMentalHealthprojectwasfundedfromFeb2008–2012.Theaimsfrom
that project were to build the capacity of counsellors to identify and respond to co‐occurring
substanceuseandmentalhealthproblems.Alongwithconductingasurvey to identifysubstance
usetrends,venuesclosetopointofsaleandarelevanthealthpromotionmessagefromthetarget
groupandprovideinformationabouttreatmentoptionsforchange.Oneofthehighlightsfromthe
projecthasbeen theongoing relationshipsAmityhaveestablishedwith thevenues, otherhealth
andwell‐beingagenciesaswellasdevelopinganddistributinghealthpromotionmaterial.
The first surveyundertakenwassought froma treatment‐seekingsample.ThisenabledAmity to
gainanunderstandingofcurrentillicitdrugusebythiscohort,howpeoplefindtreatmentoptions
andlocations/venuesclosetothepointofsaleofsubstances.
Thehealthpromotionmessagefordistribution:
Wide distribution of health promotion material to General Practitioners, Chemists, Nightclubs,
Charles Darwin University and High Schools in the Darwin area has resulted in an increase of
peopleseekingtreatmentforchangearoundtheirillicitdruguse.
Theproject’sfundinghasprovidedprofessionaldevelopmentopportunitiesforAmity’scounselling
teamtobuildthecapacitytorespondtoco‐occurringMentalHealthproblems,inparticularanxiety
anddepression.
Thisyearhasseenacontinuationoftheillicitdrugprojectcomponentfromthepreviousfunding
contract.Thenewfundingperiod for thisprojectruns fromJuly2012to June2015.Thisyearthe
projecthasundertakenanothersurveywithaimsof collection information fromawider sample,
29
comparisontothepreviousfindingsarounddrugusepatterns,venuesclosetopointofcontact/sale
ofillicitsubstanceandinformationonhowpeoplefindtreatmentoptions.
The current illicit drug survey questionswere developed after review of the first survey and in
consultationwitharangeofpeoplewithknowledgeofillicitdrugs.Thesurveywasdevelopedusing
an online web based tool (SurveyMonkey)making the task of collating and analysing the data
easierandlesstimeconsuming.
This surveyhad197participantsprovide responses toquestionsposedwhichhas enabledus to
gainapictureofcurrent illicitdrugusebytypeandpatternandprovidedinvaluable information
around places of use that will enable to project to distribute health promotion messages and
materials to relevant outlets. Amity collaborated with five other agencies/local businesses for
recruitingparticipants. NewrelationshipswereestablishedandMemorandumofUnderstandings
weredeveloped.
The results from the 2008 survey found cannabis to be the most widely used illicit drug with
participantsindicatingecstasyasthesecondmostfrequentlyusedsubstanceandamphetamineuse
tobemuch loweron theuse scale for thoseparticipants.The survey conducted from theendof
2012tothebeginningofthisyearisinthefinalanalysisprocesswithsomeinterestingdatabeing
capturedasfollows:
62.44%(123people)oftheparticipantsweremale.
89people(45.18%)inthesurveyareagedbetween21‐29yrs.
The3mostpopularillicitsubstanceswere:
‐ 142participants(78.78%)indicatedtheyhadengagedincannabisuseintheprevious6
monthperiod;
‐ 73people(40.56%)indicateduseofamphetamineinthesameperiod;and
‐ 70people(38.89%)indicatingMDMA(ecstasy)useinthesameperiod.
74.33%(139people)indicatedtheyusealcoholatthesametimeasothersubstances.
The3mostpopularplacesofusewere:
‐ Ownhome62.7%(116);
‐ Friend’shome60%(111);and
‐ Houseparties41.08%(76).
30
62.57%(117people)indicatedthattheydidnotthinktheirdrugusewasaproblem.
86.52%(154people)statedthatthey‘knewwheretofindoutinformationaboutaccessing
services’inrelationtoillicitsubstanceuse.
62.09%(113people)ofparticipantsstatedthey‘hadheardaboutAmity’with31.32%(57
people)indicatingtheyhadheardaboutusthrough‘word‐of‐mouth’.
Another componentof thisprojectwasparticipation inDrugActionWeek–anational initiative,
this year the themewas “Drugs, Communities & Families”. Amity collaboratedwith seven other
serviceproviderstoholdaneventinStokesStreetPark,Parap(nexttoAmity).TheAssociationof
AlcoholandOtherDrugAgenciesNTCoordinatoropened theeventandwelcomedallhealthand
well‐being agencies alongwith communitymembers. Interactivedisplays and activities aimedat
increasingawarenessandunderstandingofharmsrelatedtoalcoholandotherdruguseengaged
people and provided an informal opportunity to for service provides to involve people in drug
education. About 60 people enjoyed the BBQ lunch, talked to service providers and collected
information.OutcomesfromtheeventenabledpeopletolearnmoreaboutserviceprovidedAmity,
anopportunitytomeetsomestaffandtohavealookthroughouttheagency.Theeventcontributed
tostrengtheningrelationshipswithotherhealthandwell‐beingagenciesandwasdeemedasuccess
byall.
Amity’scounsellingprogramreceivesasmallpart(0.5ofafull‐timeposition)offundingfromthis
projecttoprovidecounsellingservices.Duringthisreportingperiod108clientsaccessedAmityfor
treatmentinrelationtotheirillicitsubstanceuse,onaveragefoursessionsperclientwasprovided
totalling432counsellingsessions.
PaulineMcKenzie
IllicitDrugProjectOfficer
31
GamblingHarmMinimisation&EducationProgram
Gambling,inregulatedandunregulatedforms,ispartofthenormalsocialandculturalfabricofthe
NorthernTerritory.TheAustralianGamblingStatistics1984‐85to2009‐10,28theditionshowsthat
in 2009‐10 the reported ‘total gambling expenditure as a percentage of household disposable
income’ was 5.81% in the Territory in comparison to a national average of 2.20%. This is the
highest expenditure per head in Australia however the per capita figure may be skewed by
involvement of interstate andoverseas tourists aswell as interstate and international telephone
andInternetgambling.
The Territory has a population of 212,000 people distributed sparsely across a vast area of
1,352,176 sq. km (ABS, 2011). Amity continues to be the primary deliverer of a range of
interventionandpreventionservices in theareaofgambling throughout theTerritory. Thepast
yearsawachangeingovernmentandasaresultachangeoftheDepartmentofJusticefunctionsof
Gambling and Licensing being transferred to the Department of Business under Administrative
Orders signed in September 2012. As well as external changes, this year brought change in
coordinationoftheprogramwithlong‐termemployee,KylieJericho,takingannualandlong‐service
leavecommencinginmid‐April.
TheCommunityBenefitFundreceived$2.127millionfromthelevyonelectronicgamingmachines
inhotelsduring2011‐12(CBFAnnualReport2011‐12)andAmity’smaingamblingeducationand
harmminimisationprogramhasbeensuccessfulinsecuringfundingforafurther12‐monthperiod.
Thisenablestheprogramtocontinueworking indiversewaysaroundminimisingtheactualand
potentialharmsassociatedwitharangeofgamblingactivities.InadditiontoAmity’smainprogram
funding this year we have been successful in gaining funding for continuation of the Gambling
AwarenessandEducationProjectinremoteTerritorycommunities.
Amitybelievesthattheadoptionofasystemsapproachoffersthebestopportunitytoreducethe
harmassociatedwithgambling.Whileacknowledgingthattheremaybesomeconflictsinagendas,
Amity implements thisapproachbyworkingwith thevarioussectorsof thecommunity involved
with gambling. These sectors include government, venue owners and managers, community
organisations, groups and individuals. The object is to identify where there is commonality of
32
agenda in relation togambling, todevelop strategicpartnerships,develop initiatives, anddeliver
evidence‐basedpracticewiththeoverallaimofharmreduction.
The National Framework on Problem Gambling is founded on four principles: rights of the
community to accurate and balanced information on gambling; shared responsibility for
minimising harms; collaborative partnerships that build on best practice; and the importance of
researchandevaluation inensuringeffective initiatives.Amity’smainprogramworks toprovide
intervention services, health promotion, information sessions and capacity building workshops
withaimsto:
increasingawarenessofthewiderangeofeconomic,healthandsocialissuesassociatedwith
gambling;
increasing awareness of ‘Know the Facts – set your limits’. ‘Be informed. Be habitwise’ –
leadingtogreatercapacityforinformeddecisionmaking;and
engagementwithcommunitywithaimstoimproveservicedeliveryandreferralpathways.
Intervention
Onehundredandsevenpeopleaccessedtheinterventionservicesprovidedthroughthisprogram
either via face‐to‐face or telephone counselling options. Gambling counselling atAmity is solidly
foundedinempiricalevidenceandbestpracticetechniques.Face‐tofacecounselling,referraland
informationandsupportservicescontinuetobeofferedtopeopleofDarwin,Palmerstonandthe
rural areas and through Holyoake services in Alice Springs. Amity works in partnership with
Turning Point Alcohol and Drug Centre to deliver a toll‐free number that people across the
Territorycanaccess.Thisserviceprovidescounselling,referral,informationandsupport24hours,
sevendaysaweek.
Amity’s service provision offers information and support for people who choose self‐exclusion
alongwithtreatmentoptionsforpeopleaffectedbygambling(significantothers–maybepartners,
childrenorotherfamilymembers).Thisyearthe‘ManagingYourGambling’self‐helpbookletbased
oncognitivebehaviour therapy forpeoplewhochoose toworkontheirownchangewasrevised
andreprinted.
33
Training
Amity continues to provide training, information and support around responsible gambling
practicestovenuesviaface‐to‐facetrainingsessionsalongwithtelephoneandemailcontact.The
program’s training project officer, Christine Power, delivers the training package of responsible
gamblingpracticeswiththeclearaimsofincreasingawarenessofobligationsundertheNTCodeof
Practice,increasingvenuestaff’sabilitytoidentifyandrespondtoproblemgamblingintheirvenue
and as a mechanism to create referral pathways into treatment. This training also provides
opportunities for venue staff to fully understand and respond to their obligations around self‐
exclusionprocessesforthegamingindustryandtheirpunters.
During thisyear traininghasbeenprovided to278venueemployees inDarwin,Katherine,Alice
Springs andGove from22 pubs and clubs and at both of theTerritory’s casinos.Workwith the
gamingindustryalsoinvolvestheprovisionofhealthpromotionmaterialthroughoutawiderange
ofgamingvenuesandworkingcollaborativelyaroundpromotingresponsiblegamblingawareness
weekinvenues.
Communityeducationanddevelopment
Communityeducationforthegamblingprogramreferstoarangeofprojectstopromotelearning
andsocialdevelopmentwithindividualsandgroupsintheircommunitiesusingarangeofformal
andinformalmethods.Acommondefiningfeatureisthatprojectsandactivitiesaredevelopedin
dialoguewithcommunitiesandparticipants.
This work is achieved by engaging in smaller projects within the program targeting specific
vulnerablegroups.ThisyearJoanScottandCarolinaFerreiraSiqueiraworkedwithyoungpeopleat
Palmerston Senior College to deliver gambling education workshops as part of the school’s
ResilienceProgram.AnongoingrelationshipwiththeCounciloftheAgeing(COTA)providedAmity
withtheopportunitytodelivereducationsessionsaroundgamblingduringaverybusyandwell‐
attended‘SeniorsMonth’.Wehavealsoattendedseveralyouthhealthexposatvariouslocalmiddle
and high schools, and participated in the Darwin Correctional Centre’s annual health promotion
communityservicesexpo.
34
Inresponsetoaburgeoningneedtoraiseawarenessaroundtheharmsandcostsofgamblingon
Aboriginal individuals, families and communities living in remote Territory settings, Amity and
multi‐media company isee‐ilearn partnered to develop and deliver an integrated gambling
awarenesscampaign.Thecampaignaimed to increaseunderstandingandawarenessof the risks
andharmsassociatedwithregulated(e.g.electronicgamingmachines)andunregulatedgambling
(e.g. card playing) amongst people living in remote communities of theTerritory. The campaign
consistedof:
thedevelopmentandbroadcastofradioadvertsandTVcommercialsinlocallanguage;
thedevelopmentanddistributionofkeyhealthpromotionmessagesvia‘talkingposters’in
locallanguage;
thetranslationofstoriesaboutgamblingintolanguageoflocalareasandavailablethrough
isee‐ilearn’swebsite;
thedeliveryofcommunityinformationsessions;andthe
developmentanddeliveryofatrainingworkshopforhealthworkers.
Theremoteawarenessandeducationcampaignaimstocontinue thesolidworkcompleted in its
firstfundingperiod.Themaindeliverablesofthisongoingprojectarethe:
developmentoflocalhealthpromotionmessagesandmaterialsaboutgambling;
deliveryofinformationsessionsand/orcapacitybuildingworkshopstohealthand
communityworkersinremoteareas;and
developmentanddeliveryoftailoredinformationsessionstootherserviceproviders(e.g.
policeofficers,schoolteachers,financialcounsellors).
Healthpromotion
Research inhealthpromotionhassuggested thatcampaignsaremore likely tobeeffectivewhen
theyarewell‐resourcedandenduring, target a clearlydefinedaudience, arebasedonmarketing
strategiesthateffectivelytarget,communicatewithandhaverelevanceforandprovideacredible
messagetowhichtheaudienceisfrequentlyexposed.
35
OngoingfundingenablesAmitytocontinuetodevelopanddeliverthesetypesofhealthpromotion
campaigns and opportunities to integrate with a diverse range of other prevention initiatives.
Amityhasattendedarangeofcommunityeventswerethegamblingprogramhasprovidedhealth
promotionmessagesandinformation.
For thenationallyalignedResponsibleGamblingAwarenessWeekAmity’sprojectofficers setup
health promotion displays in gaming venues, public libraries and Centrelink offices around the
greater Darwin and Palmerston areas. Health promotion and information stalls were set‐up at
CasuarinaSquareandMindilBeachmarkets(seriouslyno‐onepredictedraininMay!)withtheaim
ofengagingpeopleinactivitiesaroundthethemedcampaign‘KnowtheFacts,setyourlimits–Be
informed. Be Habitwise’ aimed at increasing community members’ awareness on facts around
gamblingthatcanleadmoreinformeddecision‐makingaboutgamblingandentertainmentcosts.
This year an event was organised in conjunction with Cazaly’s Palmerston Club to promote
responsible gambling awareness week within a gaming venue. This event had a counsellor in
attendance to discuss the difference between financial counselling (money management) and
counsellingaroundsustainablebehaviourchange.
Marketing
Theprogramcontinuestoutiliseadvertisinginnewsprint,radioandtelevision.Thisyearwehave
aired the ‘Know the Facts’ and ‘Help is at hand’ campaign through these mediums. We have
respondedtoradiointerviewsaroundtopicalgamblingissuesastheyariseandatthe22ndAnnual
NationalAssociationforGamblingStudiesConferenceinLaunceston,Tasmaniaabriefpresentation
on‘CardplayinginremotecommunitiesoftheNT:Communicatinghealthmessages’waspresented
byCarolinaFerreiraSiqueiraandseemedtobewell‐receivedbythoseattendingthesession.From
thisworkandexposurethroughthepresentationopportunitiestoengagewithotherprofessionals
inthefieldofgamblingandAboriginalpeoplehasbeenrequestedoftheprogram.
Consultation
During this reporting period Amity has contributed to the Aboriginal Gambling Help Services
National Roundtable discussionwith the aims of sharing best practice andworking in culturally
appropriatewayswhenengagingwithAboriginalpeopleaffectedbyproblemgambling.
36
This year has seen the commencement of the Gambling Help Online Expert Advisory Group
establishedbyTurningPoint tobring together representatives fromeach jurisdiction toprovide
advice,guidanceandfeedbackonenhancementstoGamblingHelpOnline.
TheNational Association For Gambling Studies Inc. is Australia’s leading research forum and as
Amity continues to hold a presence on this committee. Committee members act as a conduit
betweenmembersineachState,theExecutiveCommitteeandtootherstatememberswithaimsto:
promote,developandcommissionresearchandcoordinateopportunitiesforresearchingambling
andactivitiesassociatedwithgambling;actingasanagentforthecollectionanddisseminationof
information and data related to gambling and associated activities; to encourage and promote
excellence in gambling research; and to further knowledge and understanding of gambling and
gambling‐relatedissuesinthecommunity.
Future
In addition to continuing with counselling, venue training, information and education services
alreadywell‐establishedtheyearaheadwillseeothersmallerrolled‐outthroughouttheTerritory.
Thedatacollectionprojecthopes tocollectwhat ispredictedtobe interesting informationabout
people’s access to a range of health and social services where gambling is identified as a
contributingfactornottheprimaryissuepeopleseekarangeofhealthandwell‐beingservicesin
our community. Some initial plans for ongoing health promotion will see the gambling team
supplying articles for a range of community newsletters, a community radio show around
information about gambling, new resource development and dissemination and the potential to
engagewithsocialmediatoamplifykeyhealthpromotionmessagestotargetedgroups.
NicolaCoalter
DeputyCEO&
ActingCoordinator
GamblingHarmMinimisation&EducationProgram
37
Accreditation
ISO9001isaninternationalstandardforQualitymanagementSystems.Thegoalof“Quality”isto
meettheexpectationsofyourclients‐everytimeandwitheveryinteraction.
AbriefhistoryofISO
InWorldWarIUKarmamentsmanufacturershadproblemswithshellsnotexploding,unexploded
shellsfromtheBattleoftheSommearestillploughedupbyfarmers.InWorldWarII,theUKhad
biggerproblemswithbombsexplodinginthefactory!TheMinistryofDefenceputinspectorsinthe
factories with the aim ofmaking sure the productionmet specifications and controls to ensure
consistencyofoutput.ThefirstUKstandardforqualityassurance,BS9000,wasdevelopedforthe
electronics industry and in 1987 The International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO)
published ISO 9000withmany reviews since. QualityManagement Systems 'Quality' production
ISO 9001 sets out requirements for management of Quality, just like ISO 12402‐1sets out
requirementsforlifejacketsandISO14000setsoutrequirementsforEnvironmentalManagement
Systems.
Aspartofitscommitmenttoqualityandcontinuousimprovement,Amityhasmadefinancialand
staffresourcesavailabletoupgradeitssystemstomeettherequirementofISO9001.Wearenot
aloneinadoptingandimplementingthesestandardsanddevelopingappropriatemonitoring
systems.ISO9001hasbeenimplementedbyoveronemillioncompaniesandorganisationsinover
170countries.
QualityManagementPrinciples
Thestandardisbasedonanumberofqualitymanagementprinciplesincludingastrongclient
focus,themotivationandcommitmentoftopmanagement,theprocessapproachandongoing
continualimprovement.UsingISO9001helpsensurethatclientsofAmitygetconsistent,good
qualityservices.
Thishasrequiredanintegrationofoursystemsandwillrequireacontinuouscommitmentbythe
organisationanditsstaff.
BernieDwyerandNicolaCoalter
38
WorkHealth&SafetyReport
UndernewWorkHealthandSafety(WHS)legislation,businessownersneedtodemonstratethey
haveprocessesinplacetomaintainasafeworkplace.
Toassisttheorganisationinmeetingthenewrequirementsaroundmaintainingasafeandhealthy
working environment, Amity supported me to participate in the WHS Representative Course.
Completing this training has provided Amity with an increased working knowledge of WHS
requirements. Amity has also purchased aWorkHealth and SafetyManagement SystemManual
fromDarwinHumanResourceandComputerAcademytoprovideaframeworkforimplementation
and standardised procedures and templates. The electronic version of the manual has been
included on our quality management system and required checklists are scheduled in the
complianceregisterforcompletion.
ThisyeartheWHScommitteehasbeeninvolvedin:
reviewingcontentoftheWHSManualandadjustingittosuitoutworkplace;
schedulingrequiredtasksintheagency’squalitymanagementsystem–QC;
following‐uponanyreportedWHSissuesorincidents;and
implementing‘gogreen’strategiesandrespondingtocontinualimprovementssuggestions
suchasimprovingthewaywedisposeofusedbatteriesthroughouttheorganisation.
The current focus of the WHS committee is to conduct an internal audit of our current WHS
processesandprocedures,explorefindingsandworkoncontinualimprovement.
JodieReichstein
WH&SRepresentative
39
AuditedFinancialStatement
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