• Welcome to the Tasmania Together eNews
• Featured Goals
• 2009 Tasmania Together Youth Challenge
• Human Rights Week
• Community Houses State Conference
• The Young Carers Program Holidays
• Partner News

Tasmania Together is a 20 year community plan, developed by the people for the people. The final edition of TT eNews for 2008 has a focus on community. Community can be many things, but most people would agree that it is about trust in relationships,valuing people for who they are, and sharing similar values or other things in common.

The Tasmania Together Progress Board recently signed a partnership agreement with Sustainable Living Tasmania. The partnership will focus on developing strategies for a number of Tasmania Together benchmarks, in particular those focusing on the environment.

Remember that up-to-date benchmark information is always available at www.ttbenchmarks.com.au

Goal 5: Vibrant, inclusive and growing communities where people feel valued and connected

Many of the Tasmania Together goals feature an element of community, especially Goals 5, 6, 7 and 8. With specific standards that the community wants to meet – whether that be increased tolerance and removing discrimination (goal 5);support for cultural and multicultural events (goal 6); or support for Aboriginal perspectives to be included in the curriculum (goal 7).

However, in identifying a goal for this issue – we have chosen Goal 5 because it supports a valued role in community life for Tasmania’s young people, volunteers and supports community services. This focus is also behind many of the initiatives featured in this issue of TT eNews.

What can you do to make members of your community feel valued and connected?

Go to the Tasmania Together website to find more informationabout these goals.

The 2008 Tasmania Together Youth Challenge (TTYC) was so successful that we have decided to hold the competition again in 2009. Watch this space for details about the competition, including:

• launch dates
• prizes on offer
• other competition details

Become a fan on Facebook or a friend on MySpace to get regular updates and keep up with what is happening. Check out the website to learn about the 2008 TTYC – www.ttyouthchallenge.com.au

The Tasmania Together Youth Challenge promotes Goal 5 Standard 5: A valued role in community life for Tasmania’s young people now and in the future.

The competition asks young people to think about what they want for their future and to express this in creative ways.

2008 Human Rights Week was held 3 – 10 December

Human Rights Week was launched on 1 December at the Hobart Town Hall in conjunction with the presentation of the Tasmanian Awards for Humanitarian Activities. At the launch, the Office of Anti Discrimination Commission (OADC) awarded a special mention to two of the TTYC entries for promoting Harmony and Tolerance in the Community.

See the OADC website for further details.

Human Rights Week works toward Goal 5 Standard 6: Fostering an inclusive society that acknowledges and respects our multicultural heritage, values diversity and treats everyone with compassion and respect.

Tasmanian Association of Community Houses (TACH) State Conference, St Helens - 24 to 26 September 2008

The TACH State Conference saw over 170 volunteers, committee members and staff from 31 Neighbourhood & Community Houses,as well as the government and other organisations that support them, gather at St Helens on the beautiful East Coast for 3 days jam packed full of fun, professional development and networking.

The theme, “Building Bridges” helped to think about how to work with partners and other organisations to develop projects and programmes that will offer support and services to everyone in the community. There was a strong focus on training for voluntary management committees with workshops on industrial relations, good management, child care, financial reporting and many more.

Susan Sandery, the guest speaker, shared her inspiring journey, from volunteering at St Helens Neighbourhood House to current work as the Manager of Employment, Training and Community Development for Laynhapuy Homelands Association in the Northern Territory. Susan thanked St Helens Neighbourhood House for helping her through some extremely tough personal times and enabling her to re-discover her confidence, skills and abilities. Her key advice was: It’s never too late to start learning; it’s never too late to change direction. Neighbourhood & Community Houses are where Tasmanians come together to build stronger and more vibrant communities for all.

The conference was a great chance to celebrate that work over the last year.

Conference goers from Rokeby, Warrane and Geeveston

The Tasmanian Association of Community Houses promotes Tasmania Together Goal 5: Vibrant, inclusive and growing communities where people feel valued and connected.

Young Carers are children and young people up to 25 years of age who help care in families where someone has an illness, a disability, a mental health issue, or has an alcohol or other drug problem.

Caring for someone unwell can negatively impact on a person’s health and well-being. The carer can become at risk of poor health, may lack self-care and may suffer sleep deprivation and anxiety.

The Young Carers program has been established to acknowledge and support young carers by providing useful resources; an informative website; counselling, advice and referral service. Regular events and holidays are facilitated across the State to target young carers from metropolitan areas as well as rural and remote regions. These breaks away from home provide respite for the Young Carers in a safe and fun environment and assist with social interaction and building self confidence.

Expressions of interest for our upcoming holiday to be held in the south of the State between 2nd and 6th February 2009 are being received.

For further details please phone Monique at Carers Tasmania on 6231 5507.

The Young Carers program works towards Goal 5 Standard 3: recognise and value the many contributions that volunteers and unpaid workers can,and do, make to their community.

The Young Carers program is funded by the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA).

Tasmanian Early Years Foundation Achievement Awards

Premier David Bartlett announced the inaugural Tasmanian Early Years Foundation (TEYF) Achievement Award winners on 25th October. The awards were established by the TEYF to encourage, support, recognise and celebrate the achievement of those working with or assisting young children, highlighting the importance of investing in the early years.

The winners of the Community Award are Val Stephens and John Stephens. The winner of the Fullers Professional Award is Clara Baker and the winner of the My State Inspirational Champion Award is Suzanne Purdon. Find out more...

Back: Rowena Wallace, Toni Evans (accepting for Gail Evans), Merrin Pike, Tracey Bradley, Clara Baker,Norma Panagakos, Val and John Stephens Front: Premier David Bartlett, Suzanne Purdon and Trish McMillan

Carers Tasmania

A team has been commissioned to find out more about the profile of carers accessing support services through Carers Tasmania. Quality research assists in providing a projection of the future need for care, including expected number of carers who may be available. Find out more...

Forest and Forest Industry Council of Tasmania (FFIC)

Launch of Fine Timbers Certification Program

A unique Chain of Custody certification program was recently launched. The program managed by Fine Timber Tasmania Inc, a not-for-profit organisation, has been developed in response to the rising consumer trend for proof of the social and environmental integrity of wooden products- particularly high-value craft and furniture items. Find out more...

For more Tasmania Together partner events, newsletters and news check out the new section on our website Tasmania Together Partner News.

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