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TRANSCRIPT
Marrin Weejali
Aboriginal Corporation
ANNUAL REPORT
2012 - 2013
1
Contents
2
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
3
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.
4
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
6
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
7
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.
8
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.
9
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.
11
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.
13
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.
14
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.
15
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.
16
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
17
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.
18
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.
19
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).
20
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