News in brief
Early years services
The first Early Years Centre in Queensland has officially opened its doors. The Nerang Early Years Centre will provide a range of early childhood education and care services, school-aged care, family support and health services, including family day care, child health advice and pre and post-natal support. Centres at Caboolture, Browns Plains and Cairns will open in 2009. For more information on early years services visit the Department of Communities website.
Preventing violence
Queenslanders have until 19 December, to have their say about how domestic and family violence services and support can be improved around the state. A consultation paper has been released to generate discussion on a range of ideas, including how to improve laws so that a perpetrator of domestic violence can be removed from the home instead of women and children. To download and comment on the consultation paper, please visit Get Involved or call 1800 081 934.
Queensland achievers
Four inspirational Queenslanders from non-English speaking backgrounds have been recognised as this year’s Multicultural Achievers. Steve Ackerie was named Business achiever, Tatiana Grigorieva was Sport achiever, Vasilini Lolo was Arts achiever and Adele Rice was Education and Technology achiever. For details visit
Multicultural Affairs Queensland.
Showcasing regions
The world is coming to regional Queensland in 2009. More than 40 events including Greek Fest in Townsville, the Fraser Coast Cultural Festival and an inter-regional youth project in Nambour and Redcliffe will showcase the best that Queensland communities have to offer visitors. The Queensland Events Regional Development Scheme has provided $779 000 in funds. For more information visit Queensland Events.
Volunteer resources
New volunteering resources are available to assist community groups to make themselves more volunteer-friendly. The resources include fact sheets, poster and desk calendar with tips to help organisations to recruit and retain a diverse volunteer base. The resources are available on the department’s website or call 13 13 04.
Best start
The Early Years Health and Wellbeing Program is a new school-based referral service that has started at Ipswich and Mackay state schools. Over the next three years, a dedicated team will visit schools to identify needs among prep-year children and refer their families to relevant health and other support services.
Centre for challenging behaviours
The best international and home-grown talent will head up Australia’s first Centre of Excellence for Behaviour Support which is based at the University of Queensland’s Ipswich campus. This innovative research, policy and training facility is a key milestone in the Queensland Government’s $113 million, four-year response to the Carter Report on People with an Intellectual or Cognitive Disability and Challenging Behaviours.