SERVICE NSW STAFF TO RECEIVE MENTAL HEALTH TRAINING

A 3,000-strong legion of Service NSW staff will be trained to respond to customers in distress as the impact of drought, bushfires and COVID-19 continue to take a heavy toll on communities.
Minister for Mental Health Bronnie Taylor said the training program, which has been fast-tracked for Service NSW staff following the drought, bushfires and COVID-19, is part of a two-year investment of more than $1 million in suicide prevention training for staff working in systems outside of mental health.
“Service NSW has been at the forefront of the NSW Government’s response to COVID-19 and this training will help frontline staff to support people in distress in a compassionate and confident manner,” Mrs Taylor said.
“This is about building another layer of support outside of the health system by empowering frontline staff with the confidence and skills to reach out to people who are showing signs of distress as they go about their day-to-day lives.
“Like all frontline staff, the people at Service NSW have been doing an incredible job under pressure and this training will also help them recognise the importance of looking after their own mental health and learn ways to improve their mental fitness.”
Minister for Customer Service Victor Dominello said this specialised suicide prevention will provide Service NSW team members with useful techniques in de-escalating an immediate situation and referral options for customers who may require more specialised support services.
“This year, Service NSW was enlisted to provide frontline support to citizens affected by the summer bushfires and the COVID-19 pandemic,” Mr Dominello said.
“Service NSW staff have demonstrated time and again their ability to show empathy to customers in their time of need. This training will empower the Service NSW team to know what to do and where to go for help when dealing with customers who show signs of anguish and distress.
“During these conversations, Service NSW staff may sense when someone might be under extraordinary emotional pressure or mental stress and, in that moment, are well-placed to gently suggest ways to seek support.”
Service NSW employee Courtney Wilks said this training has already made a difference to how she engages with customers.
“I feel more confident in managing customers who are angry, distressed or anxious because I know how to help them in that moment and to reassure them that they are not alone.”
The training initiative is part of Towards Zero Suicides, a Premier’s Priority that is delivering an $87 million investment over three years in new suicide prevention initiatives.
If you, or someone you know, is thinking about suicide or experiencing a personal crisis or distress, please seek help immediately by calling 000 or one of these services:

  • Lifeline 13 11 14
  • Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467
  • NSW Mental Health Line 1800 011 511

Netball NSW CEO Carolyn Campbell to step down

The Netball NSW Board announces today the departure of longstanding Chief Executive Officer, Carolyn Campbell.
A trailblazer in the once male-dominated sports industry, Campbell joined Netball NSW as Game Development Manager in 2003 before being promoted to CEO in 2006.
In her time as CEO netball has seen exponential growth across the state and last year announced record registrations in excess of 115,000 members.
Perhaps her greatest achievement came in 2020 when she worked to navigate Netball NSW through the challenges which arose as a result of the COVID-19 Pandemic. Campbell was front and centre of a campaign which looked to provide clear guidelines for a return-to- play path for not just netball, but all of community sport.
In recent years Campbell oversaw the planning, construction and subsequent relocation of the organisation’s headquarters to the purpose-built Netball Central in Sydney Olympic Park. As well as hosting many of Netball NSW’s top competitions, the venue has also been used to host high-profile international events including the 2015 Netball World Cup.
At elite level Campbell is the only CEO to have overseen championship success in all three eras of Australia’s National Netball League with the Swifts winning five Premierships in that time, most recently in 2019. She also played a key role in the formation of GIANTS Netball – a strategic partnership with AFL side GWS GIANTS – who reached a Grand Final in their inaugural season.
In addition, Campbell was instrumental in the securing of $50m in funding for a new roof on Ken Rosewall Arena in Sydney Olympic Park’s Tennis Centre, which will double as a 10,000-seat home venue for both the Swifts and the GIANTS.
Netball NSW President Louise Sullivan expressed her thanks to Campbell on behalf of the Board:
“Carolyn has made an outstanding contribution as CEO over nearly 15 years and leaves netball in a very strong position from grassroots right through to the elite, “ she said.
“During 2020 in particular she provided strong leadership through a very intense and challenging period for all sport as we navigated the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Netball NSW acknowledges Carolyn on her many significant achievements for netball during a time of immense change and growth of women’s sport.”
“The Netball NSW Board accepts Carolyn’s decision to step away at this time to have a well-earned break before taking on her next opportunity. We wish her all the very best for the future.”
Netball NSW will shortly commence an external recruitment process for a new Chief Executive Officer while Campbell will continue to work with the organisation until the end of November.

Queensland Election sees the 'Green Wave' continue

Leader of the Australian Greens, Adam Bandt MP, and Greens Senate Leader and Queensland Senator, Larissa Waters, have said the success of the Queensland Greens at last night’s election showed the increasing momentum for progressive change, following on from major gains in the ACT last month, putting the party in strong contention for further Senate and lower house seats at the next Federal election.
“The Green wave surges once more, with the Queensland Greens securing at least one more lower house seat, double digit swings and setting up a new base for progressives in Brisbane,” Mr Bandt said.
“This is an incredible victory for the Queensland Greens, and for every volunteer who spent countless hours fighting for a fairer Queensland.
“The Greens have surged in the ACT and now in Queensland, showing that people are demanding the big corporations pay their fair share of tax to fund a green recovery, with action on the climate, jobs and inequality crises.
“Young people are seeing their futures sold off to bolster fossil fuel profits and they’re sick of seeing our mining companies shipping wealth offshore.
“The establishment parties are now on notice.
“Amy MacMahon roared home to victory with a 9.4% swing, showing that voters will reward a party that genuinely believes in a transition away from dirty coal, oil, and gas towards a 100% renewable future.
“With many votes still to be counted in Cooper, there’s also a chance Amy MacMahon and Michael Berkman may have yet another colleague in parliament.
“Katinka Winston-Allom earned a 10% increase in the Greens primary vote in Cooper, and Michael Berkman’s 14% increase in primary vote shows that when Greens win seats, we make for good local members.
“Looking at these numbers, you’d imagine that Brisbane-based establishment party Federal MPs are growing increasingly concerned about the rising Greens vote. They should be. This puts the Greens in a very strong position for the next federal election.
“This incredible campaign has cemented the Greens as the highly competitive third force in Queensland politics. There’s a large swathe of Brisbane electorates where we’re now polling in the high 20’s, setting up a good foundation for major gains at the next state and federal elections.
“Double digit swings to the Greens across a number of vital seats didn’t come easy. It came as the result of a massive people-powered campaign with thousands of volunteers and tens of thousands of doors knocked.
“These massive swings to the Greens, coupled with the complete collapse of One Nation, show that Queensland’s status as a so-called conservative heartland is utter crap. By advancing a strong, progressive agenda, the Greens have now overtaken One Nation as the third force in Queensland politics.
Greens Senator for Queensland Larissa Waters said:
“The Queensland Greens ran the biggest statewide campaign we have ever run, we were deluged with new volunteers to support our brilliant candidates and our platform gave people hope for a democracy that works for ordinary Queenslanders not corporate donors,” Senator Waters said.
“We have doubled our numbers and we are in a strong position to win a second Senate seat and at least one federal lower house seat at the next federal election.
“People want jobs, fully funded schools and hospitals, and a strong manufacturing industry powered by 100% publicly owned renewables, not secret deals to increase the profits of huge international mining companies.
“This was a campaign defined by a simple premise – that the mining companies making super-profits off Queensland’s mineral resources should pay a bit more to ensure that people have fully funded essential services.
“People aren’t feeling heard by the major parties. For years, they’ve been asking for change and haven’t been getting it. Now, they’ve voting with their feet.”

Record childhood vaccination rates through COVID-19

More Australian families are vaccinating their children, with new figures showing four quarters of growth in all childhood coverage rates to September 2020, the highest on record.
Each year, the Morrison Government invests more than $400 million in the National Immunisation Program to protect young and vulnerable Australians.
The highest rates of vaccination are among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children at five years, at more than 97 per cent.
The coverage rate for all five-year-olds continues to grow towards the aspirational 95 per cent target. In the year to September 2020, it reached 94.9 per cent.
Among all two-year-old children, the coverage rate has risen to almost 92.4 per cent, which is the first time it has climbed above 92 per cent since 2014. The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander two-year-old vaccination rate has also risen to almost 91.2 per cent in the current quarter.
The overall vaccination rate for one-year-olds has also increased in the last twelve months, reaching 94.7 per cent, while Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander one-year-old vaccination rate increased to 93.5 per cent.
The positive results are a clear indication that the Morrison Government’s Childhood Immunisation Education Campaign is getting results. The most recent phase of the campaign specifically target parents of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children aged 0-5 years.
As we remain focused on COVID-19, it’s important that we don’t lose sight of the other preventable diseases with which Australian families must contend.
Our vaccines in the National Immunisation Program are safe, effective and provide a key national response to save and protect young lives.
More information is available on the Department of Health website.

Australian Immunisation rates – June 2020 to September 2020
June 2020 September 2020
General one-year-old 94.60 94.72
General two-year-old 91.68 92.36
General five-year-old 94.77 94.90
Indigenous one-year-old 93.40 93.46
Indigenous two-year-old 90.03 91.16
Indigenous five-year-old 96.90 97.03

How’s Your Head Today? campaign launched to support mental health across Australia

The Australian Government will roll out a COVID-19 mental health campaign How’s your head today? to urge people to prioritise their mental health, raise awareness about how to identify when something is wrong, and encourage people to seek help.
The campaign will be launched on TV, radio, in shopping centres and venues, online and through social media from Sunday and will continue through to next year.
How’s your head today? encourages all Australians to check in with how they are feeling. Through animated characters, the campaign recognises the emotions many people are feeling and illustrates the actions they can take to help themselves feel better.
The campaign will be provided in 15 languages across radio and print including Vietnamese, Arabic, Mandarin, Cantonese, Greek, Italian, Korean, Spanish, Punjabi, Hindi, Khmer, Thai, Turkish, Persian and Macedonian.
COVID-19 has had a significant effect on the mental health and wellbeing of many people across the country. Victorians in particular have had it tough.
The pandemic has caused isolation, job losses and financial stress for many families, with crisis organisations and suicide prevention services experiencing higher demand.
Lifeline and Beyond Blue are reporting a significant increase in the number of people seeking help, and for more complex issues. The mental health impact of the pandemic is also borne out by Medicare statistics, which show a significant uptake of mental health telehealth services.
Minister for Health, Greg Hunt, said, “Through this campaign, Australians are encouraged to make their mental health and wellbeing a priority. We want them to know support is available, when and where they need it.”
“I encourage all Australians to seek help if experiencing mental ill-health. Talk to your GP, reach out to Beyond Blue or Lifeline, or visit the Headtohealth.gov.au,” Minister Hunt said.
“Ten additional Medicare subsidised psychological therapy sessions are available for people subjected to further restrictions in areas impacted by the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Victorians can also access free-of-charge 15 HeadtoHelp centres across the state, or visit Headtohelp.org.au.”
National Mental Health Commission CEO, Christine Morgan encouraged Australians to stay connected, and “walk together, side by side over the coming months.”
“Everyone has and may continue to have their mental health and wellbeing impacted by the pandemic. Whether you have an existing mental illness or have had your mental health challenged, it is important to seek support and treatment as a priority for your overall wellbeing – the support and treatment is available,” Ms Morgan said.
“Staying connected to your loved ones and your community is fundamental to your mental health and wellbeing at the moment. It is one of the proactive tasks that is important for all of us to do each and every day.
“If you notice that someone has disconnected, reach out and ask them how they are doing as we walk together, side by side over the coming months.”
The Head to Health website has information, advice and links to free and low cost phone and online mental health services from some of Australia’s most trusted mental health organisations.
Head to Health has been an important resource supporting Australians especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, and significant increased traffic has continued since March when a dedicated COVID area was introduced.
Between 20 March when the COVID-19 Support page went live and 26 October, there were 380,308 unique page views of the COVID-19 support pages on Head to Health.
On 26 October 2020, for example, there were 2,873 total sessions on HeadtoHealth, well above the average sessions of around 1,200 a day. Of these, 460 (16%) were unique page views of the COVID-19 support pages.
The Australian Government has allocated $10 million to support the How’s your head today? campaign, and will continue to prioritise mental health and suicide prevention services.
Since March 2020, the Government has made available more than $500 million in funding for direct supports to respond to the mental health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, with $10 million allocated to this national mental health communications campaign.
For information, advice and support services visit headtohealth.gov.au

Major bid to bring the Rugby World Cup Down Under

The Morrison Government is backing Australia’s efforts to bring the 2027 Rugby World Cup Down Under, with an $8.8 million funding injection to support our bid to host the event and provide a major economic and tourism boost.
It’s estimated hosting the 2027 Rugby World Cup will bring over 200,000 international visitors to Australia, generate an estimated $2.2 billion in economic activity and create 12,000 jobs.
Federal Tourism Minister Simon Birmingham said the Rugby World Cup was the second largest single-sport event in the world, and hosting it would be a major shot in the arm for the Australian tourism industry, paving the way for new infrastructure projects and jobs.
“Australia has a proud history of hosting major international sporting events and winning this bid would be another vote of confidence in our ability to host big-ticket events as well as provide a major economic boost for our tourism industry and the broader economy,” Minister Birmingham said.
“Australia’s hosting of the 2027 Rugby World Cup would bring visitors from all around the globe to our shores, inject millions into the local economy and support thousands of jobs across the country.
“Events of this magnitude have huge flow-on effects through the entire economy – whether it be accommodation providers, tourism operators, car hire companies, restaurants and bars or the retail sector.
“While we are not in a position to welcome international visitors right now, any in-roads we can make to secure large-events that will bring more tourists to Australia will be critical to the overall rebound of our tourism industry.”
Minister Colbeck said the funding will help Rugby Australia develop the best possible bid with the greatest chance of success, and further cement Australia as a world-leading sporting nation.
“As a country, we have an incredible track record of successfully hosting sporting events on a global scale. An event of this size is expected to have a national footprint and regional benefits, so all Australians can feel part of the excitement.”
“It’s been a challenging time for the Australian sporting community, with the rescheduling of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games to 2021, and a number of other high-profile sporting events cancelled or postponed,” Minister Colbeck said.
“A successful bid will bolster the community spirit, and significantly contribute to the country’s long-term recovery from COVID-19, with Rugby Australia projecting over $2 billion in economic and social benefits from hosting the event.”
This funding injection builds on the initial funding of $1 million provided in 2019 to scope the viability of the bid, bringing Rugby Australia’s funding to almost $10 million.
Hosting the Rugby World Cup in 2027 will complement the FIFA Women’s World Cup which will be co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand in 2023. It will create a pipeline of two of the world’s largest international sporting events to lead into a possible 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Queensland.
It will also promote the game of Rugby, and build on its growing participation rates, particularly among women.
It’s expected the bid deadline will be the end of 2021, with a decision on successful host by mid-2022.

Nominate those who have gone above and beyond for 2021 Australia Day Awards

Nominations are now open for the City of Newcastle’s 2021 Australia Day Awards after a challenging year in 2020 that has demonstrated the strength and resilience of our community.
The Awards will recognise the outstanding contributions of individuals and groups to community life over the past 12 months.
Nominations are being called for in the Citizen of the Year, Young Citizen of the Year and Community Group of the Year categories, with successful award recipients announced on Australia Day, 21 January 2021.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said Novocastrians had shown incredible resilience in navigating the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and looking out for their fellow community members through this difficult time.
“We have all felt these impacts to some degree, with most of us having to lean on our support networks to get through tough times,” the Lord Mayor said.
“Now is the time to consider those who have gone above and beyond for our community, be it a neighbour, colleague, or local community group that assists those in need.
“The Australia Day Awards recognise the quiet achievers as well as those more familiar high-profile achievers. What they have in common is their ability to inspire others, overcome challenges and make a significant impact on the people of Newcastle.”
City of Newcastle’s 2020 Citizen of the Year, Michelle Faithfull, was honoured in January as a passionate fundraiser, raising $180,000 for local charities including the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service, Hunter Breast Cancer Foundation and Ronald McDonald House. She joins award alumni, ovarian cancer awareness campaigner, the late Jill Emberson, and Mark Hughes Foundation co-founder Mark Hughes.
The Hunter Homeless Connect Day coordinator said, while it had been no ordinary year, the Australia Day Award honour had boosted her calling to help others.
“I am passionate about giving back to the community after all the support I have received in turn; we Novocastrians are a caring bunch,” Ms Faithfull said.
“There are so many others doing great work in our wonderful community whose efforts deserve to be recognised.”
2020-Australia-Day-Award-recipients-web-1.jpg2020 Australia Day Award recipients Newcastle Pride (Community Group of the Year), Michelle Faithfull (Citizen of the Year) and Alexa Stuart (Young Citizen of the Year) with Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes and Councillors Peta Winney-Baartz and John Church at January’s award ceremony.
Nominees must reside in the Newcastle Local Government Area. Young Citizen of the Year nominees must be 30 years old or younger on 26 January 2021.
Nominations close 5pm Sunday 6 December 2020 and can be submitted via the website or hard copy form downloaded from the same location and available at the City Administration Centre, Level 1, 12 Stewart Avenue, Newcastle West.

Infringements issued following Halloween party – Lake Macquarie

A teenage girl has been issued with a Police Infringement Notice (PIN) after police were called to a Halloween party in the Lake Macquarie district overnight.
Officers from Lake Macquarie Police District were called to a home on Lake Road, Glendale, about 6.45pm (Friday 30 October 2020), following reports of a large party.
On arrival they found more than 100 people in the backyard of the property.
Upon seeing the police, some of the partygoers knocked down a fence and ran into adjoining streets and a nearby shopping centre, where multiple fights broke out.
Police intervened and broke up several fights and arrested four teenagers and a 20-year-old man.
The man was taken to Belmont Police Station where he was issued with two Criminal Infringement Notices (CINs) for offensive language and offensive behaviour.
Police returned to the Lake Street address where they issued the 17-year-old female occupant with a $1000 PIN for breaching the COVID-19 Public Health Order.
During the arrests, three police officers sustained minor injuries, with one requiring medical treatment.
Several police vehicles were also damaged after being kicked and having projectiles thrown at them.
Inquiries are continuing.
Anyone with information about people breaching the COVID-19 Public Health Order is encouraged to contact Crime Stoppers at https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au.

Supporting CanTeen on National Bandana Day

On 30 October 2020, the Australian Government is urging everyone to wear a bandanna to support young people living with, and recovering from cancer.
Now in its 26th year, CanTeen’s National Bandanna Day raises awareness and supports young people and their families through exceptionally challenging times.
Since it began, CanTeen’s flagship fundraising and awareness campaign has raised more than $33 million to support young people by providing access to programs, counselling and peer support.
The Morrison Government is supporting CanTeen through ongoing investment of $22 million over four years for their Youth Cancer Services (YCS) program.
The YCS program brings together expert multidisciplinary teams to support cancer patients aged 15 to 25. The teams work together to plan and provide high quality treatment and management, as well as social and emotional support.
Services are provided through five state-wide YCS hubs based in major hospitals in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide, which work with a network of more than 25 hospitals and health services across Australia.
It is estimated some 6,300 young people with cancer will benefit from this funding over the coming four years.
The Morrison Government is committed to ending cancer in adolescents and young adults.
Thanks to the Commonwealth’s $54.8 million investment to the Zero Childhood Cancer National Precision Medicine Program, all Australian children and young adults diagnosed with cancer will now have access to genomically guided, precision treatments through world leading collaborative research.
The Morrison Government provided $9 million through the Medical Research Future Fund to support research into the causes, biology and progression of cancer among children and young adults.
A further $5 million has been provided to CanTeen through the Medical Research Future Fund Emerging Priorities and Consumer Driven Research initiative.
This funding is improving care and outcomes for young people via new clinical trials and greater access to innovative, cutting edge approaches, with the aim of making life saving breakthroughs.
I’d like to thank CanTeen for their tireless work for young Australians impacted by cancer, and I urge everyone to wear a bandanna and show their support this National Bandanna Day.
For more information, visit: bandannaday.org.au

WORKING TOGETHER FOR A BRIGHTER BEGINNING

The NSW Government has today launched a whole-of-government initiative to better support families that are navigating the first 2000 days of their child’s life.
Minister for Education and Early Childhood Learning Sarah Mitchell said the Brighter Beginnings initiative focuses on this crucial period from conception to age 5, across the breadth of government services.
Brighter Beginnings aims to ensure children in NSW have the best start in life. Crucial to achieving this goal is simplifying and improving the way families access information and services, through a number of parenting life navigator tools and a whole of government web page.
This provides a one stop shop of resources for families when expecting a baby and will support them throughout their child’s early life. This includes keeping track of health and development milestones, accessing financial support, finding early childhood education and care, starting primary school, returning to work and emotional and legal support for parents.
“We know 90% of a child’s brain development occurs before the age of five, and there is a wealth of research on how early experiences in the first 2000 days of life can have flow-on impacts in every decade of life,” said Minister Mitchell.
“We also know this is a challenging and often overwhelming time for new parents.
“Families have told us it can be difficult to access and navigate the support available, from pregnancy to school age and beyond, so we want to make this journey as simple as possible to ensure children are getting the best start in life.
“To achieve this, we are working across government agencies to improve information for families, connect universal services and provide targeted support for those facing complex disadvantage.”
Minister for Families, Communities and Disability Services Gareth Ward said Brighter Beginnings would help improve the life outcomes of vulnerable children and young people.
“Our Government is focused on keeping families together by intervening early, with  evidence-based services, when issues arise,” Mr Ward said.
“This initiative will help parents be better parents, by giving them access to the skills and knowledge they need to navigate the first 2,000 days of their child’s life.”
Minister for Customer Service Victor Dominello said the initiative is another example of the NSW Government using technology to make life easier for families.
“The first years of a child’s life are among the most special and memorable for parents but also the most stressful, which is why a digital diary is needed to help manage the important issues,” Mr Dominello said.
“We’re putting families front and centre of this initiative by saving them time and hassle, so they can spend more time on their newborns.”
Brighter Beginnings: the first 2000 days of life initiative launches 30 October 2020 with a virtual conference that will bring together government leaders, policy makers, leading experts and researchers. The event will explore the importance of the first 2000 days of life from health, wellbeing and education perspectives, and opportunities for governments and service providers to work together for improved citizen experiences and life outcomes.