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Gretel Diluca
Gretel Diluca

The document discusses initiatives in Stanthorpe, Queensland to address long-term unemployment through the Skilling Queenslanders program. The program places unemployed individuals in local organizations for 15-week training placements. It highlights feedback from participants who have gained job skills and work experience, with many finding permanent employment. It also discusses support services offered by the Granite Belt Support Services for people with disabilities and their caregivers. The services provide assistance to help keep families together and provide independent living skills training. A birthing support group called Stanthorpe Birthing and Babies aims to empower women's birthing choices through information sessions led by midwives.

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Unemployment initiatives/Diluca/Jan31/307 Unemployment crisis at crossroads in Queenslands Wine Region. By Gretel Diluca The growing problem of long-term unemployment in Stanthorpe prompted implementation of the Skilling Queenlanders initiative in the town. Workplace Supervisor, Morwenna Arcidiacono, at Stanthorpes Community Development Services says the Skilling Queenslanders program is an interesting initiative thats achieving great outcomes in the community. The program works with local organisations to place long-term unemployed people into the workplace. Essentially they supply the position and we supply the employee, the training and their wage, says Mrs Arcidiacono What we hope to get out of the program are skills. These are people who have no idea that you cant cuss every second word or present late to work wearing thongs. The initiative runs in 15 week cycles with applicants needing to meet select criteria to take part. They must be long-term unemployed, over 12 months, or be at risk of long-term unemployment. Refugees, people with a disability or older job-seekers. Mrs Arcidiacono related that the most difficult applicants to find placements for were ex-offenders. Its tough when no one wants to take a chance on you, especially in a small town where everyone knows everything she stated. Skilling Queenslanders is on the third cycle in Stanthorpe. Its working really well Mrs Arcidiacono said. ---MORE---
Many recipients retain employment with the organisations after the 15 week period. Some organisations return to take on fresh applicants and try to find previous interns work in other sectors. The Queensland College of Wine and Tourism are on their third round of applicants. Everyone benefits, the workplaces tell us the skills they need or areas that need work and we provide the training. Even if work doesnt continue beyond the 15 week placement the interns come away with a lot of transferable skills and recent work experience. The first skills session for the current cycle is on Saturday and focuses on setting goals. --ENDS Support services/Diluca/2Feb/350 Its changed my life. By Gretel Diluca The Granite Belt Support Services (GBSS) provides more than support according to one Stanthorpe family. Caroline Quaglio is the primary carer for her partner, Bill Goodrich, who suffered a stroke three years ago. My main concern was that if anything happened to me, who would look after the boys? I didnt want them split up Ms Quaglio said of Mr Goodrich and their son, Baxter, 4yrs. The team at the GBSS reassured Ms Quaglio that if anything happened to her both Bill and Baxter would be cared for. The director told me Over my dead body when I voiced my fears of them being separated said Ms Quaglio, I was told they would be cared for in their own house and would stay together. You have no idea how that makes me feel. ---MORE---
Support worker, Kevin Long, says building friendships are definitely a part of it. Mr Long spends time with his clients each week and insists not everythings on the books. Its not even a job to me. When asked his opinion of the service Mr Goodrich stated he was having an eternal blissful ball with Mr Long as his support worker. Many of the staff at Granite Belt Support Services travel from other areas to work there. Mr Long said it was difficult to find local staff. The GBSS offers a range of services to those with disabilities. We have a playgroup for parents of children with disabilities. We teach life skills to help young people with disabilities to live independently. Among other things. says Mr Long. They provide carer support meetings too, adds Ms Quaglio It really is a package for the whole network. Mr Long voiced the need for new facilities to continue improving the service. Were working on it, well have some fundraisers this year, says Mr Long about the plan for a new double-story centre. If I could ask for one thing for the service it would be new facilities. Ms Quaglio stated the one thing she would request was more hours with Mr Long, But that might be greedy. Im already so blessed. --ENDS--
Community groups/Diluca/3rd Feb/299 Not a Playgroup- Taking the birthing business seriously. By Gretel Diluca The Stanthorpe Birthing and Babies (BaBs) group are doing what they can to empower womens birthing choices in the community, says the groups co-cordinator. The group meets on the first and third Monday each month during school terms and aims to equip women with the knowledge and support they need to have the best birth experience they can have. Treasurer and co-coordinator Melinda Toms emphasised the point that BaBs is not a playgroup. It is specifically for Mums. Its Mums time. Its about providing information for her. Mrs Toms related her concern that BaBs was seen as solely a homebirth support group. Thats not what were about. Our focus is empowering women to have the absolute best birth experience they can, whether they are opting for homebirth or elective caesarean. A registered midwife attends each meeting and provides access to information or a second opinion on birthing questions women might have. Its a way to voice concerns or questions if they are not due for a scheduled antenatal checkup said Mrs Toms. We focus mainly on pregnancy and birthing, and the early days of a new baby. Explains Mrs Toms 2011 is about positive empowerment, were moving away from topics such as post-natal depression and bringing in experts to talk about managing stress instead. Because everyone has days of stress with a newborn. Other topics planned for this year include antenatal yoga, belly dancing, tips on writing your birth story and pregnancy health and fitness.
BaBs is a not for profit organisation under the umbrella of the National Maternity Coalition. ---MORE--- There are no fees for joining, but a gold coin donation is appreciated to cover costs such as tea, coffee and special guests. The first meeting for 2011 is on Monday, 7th February and will focus on continence confidence. --Ends--

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  • 1. Unemployment initiatives/Diluca/Jan31/307 Unemployment crisis at crossroads in Queenslands Wine Region. By Gretel Diluca The growing problem of long-term unemployment in Stanthorpe prompted implementation of the Skilling Queenlanders initiative in the town. Workplace Supervisor, Morwenna Arcidiacono, at Stanthorpes Community Development Services says the Skilling Queenslanders program is an interesting initiative thats achieving great outcomes in the community. The program works with local organisations to place long-term unemployed people into the workplace. Essentially they supply the position and we supply the employee, the training and their wage, says Mrs Arcidiacono What we hope to get out of the program are skills. These are people who have no idea that you cant cuss every second word or present late to work wearing thongs. The initiative runs in 15 week cycles with applicants needing to meet select criteria to take part. They must be long-term unemployed, over 12 months, or be at risk of long-term unemployment. Refugees, people with a disability or older job-seekers. Mrs Arcidiacono related that the most difficult applicants to find placements for were ex-offenders. Its tough when no one wants to take a chance on you, especially in a small town where everyone knows everything she stated. Skilling Queenslanders is on the third cycle in Stanthorpe. Its working really well Mrs Arcidiacono said. ---MORE---
  • 2. Many recipients retain employment with the organisations after the 15 week period. Some organisations return to take on fresh applicants and try to find previous interns work in other sectors. The Queensland College of Wine and Tourism are on their third round of applicants. Everyone benefits, the workplaces tell us the skills they need or areas that need work and we provide the training. Even if work doesnt continue beyond the 15 week placement the interns come away with a lot of transferable skills and recent work experience. The first skills session for the current cycle is on Saturday and focuses on setting goals. --ENDS Support services/Diluca/2Feb/350 Its changed my life. By Gretel Diluca The Granite Belt Support Services (GBSS) provides more than support according to one Stanthorpe family. Caroline Quaglio is the primary carer for her partner, Bill Goodrich, who suffered a stroke three years ago. My main concern was that if anything happened to me, who would look after the boys? I didnt want them split up Ms Quaglio said of Mr Goodrich and their son, Baxter, 4yrs. The team at the GBSS reassured Ms Quaglio that if anything happened to her both Bill and Baxter would be cared for. The director told me Over my dead body when I voiced my fears of them being separated said Ms Quaglio, I was told they would be cared for in their own house and would stay together. You have no idea how that makes me feel. ---MORE---
  • 3. Support worker, Kevin Long, says building friendships are definitely a part of it. Mr Long spends time with his clients each week and insists not everythings on the books. Its not even a job to me. When asked his opinion of the service Mr Goodrich stated he was having an eternal blissful ball with Mr Long as his support worker. Many of the staff at Granite Belt Support Services travel from other areas to work there. Mr Long said it was difficult to find local staff. The GBSS offers a range of services to those with disabilities. We have a playgroup for parents of children with disabilities. We teach life skills to help young people with disabilities to live independently. Among other things. says Mr Long. They provide carer support meetings too, adds Ms Quaglio It really is a package for the whole network. Mr Long voiced the need for new facilities to continue improving the service. Were working on it, well have some fundraisers this year, says Mr Long about the plan for a new double-story centre. If I could ask for one thing for the service it would be new facilities. Ms Quaglio stated the one thing she would request was more hours with Mr Long, But that might be greedy. Im already so blessed. --ENDS--
  • 4. Community groups/Diluca/3rd Feb/299 Not a Playgroup- Taking the birthing business seriously. By Gretel Diluca The Stanthorpe Birthing and Babies (BaBs) group are doing what they can to empower womens birthing choices in the community, says the groups co-cordinator. The group meets on the first and third Monday each month during school terms and aims to equip women with the knowledge and support they need to have the best birth experience they can have. Treasurer and co-coordinator Melinda Toms emphasised the point that BaBs is not a playgroup. It is specifically for Mums. Its Mums time. Its about providing information for her. Mrs Toms related her concern that BaBs was seen as solely a homebirth support group. Thats not what were about. Our focus is empowering women to have the absolute best birth experience they can, whether they are opting for homebirth or elective caesarean. A registered midwife attends each meeting and provides access to information or a second opinion on birthing questions women might have. Its a way to voice concerns or questions if they are not due for a scheduled antenatal checkup said Mrs Toms. We focus mainly on pregnancy and birthing, and the early days of a new baby. Explains Mrs Toms 2011 is about positive empowerment, were moving away from topics such as post-natal depression and bringing in experts to talk about managing stress instead. Because everyone has days of stress with a newborn. Other topics planned for this year include antenatal yoga, belly dancing, tips on writing your birth story and pregnancy health and fitness.
  • 5. BaBs is a not for profit organisation under the umbrella of the National Maternity Coalition. ---MORE--- There are no fees for joining, but a gold coin donation is appreciated to cover costs such as tea, coffee and special guests. The first meeting for 2011 is on Monday, 7th February and will focus on continence confidence. --Ends--