Community People
How would you describe the typical Queensland family?
Today, the family unit might be comprised of one or two parents and children, a couple without children, a blended family or even a group of single friends who treat each other as family.
While the nuclear family is still predominant, according to well known demographer and social commentator Bernard Salt, single person and couple households are on the increase. Because we are living longer there are more widows, separations and divorces, plus we are seeing more singles, overseas students, expats and young people making a conscious choice to live alone. The longer lifespan also means couples are leaving it later to have children.
Bernard anticipates that the increasing lifespan will also create greater awareness of people with a disability — particularly as the dominant baby boomer generation moves into the 55 plus age group and starts to experience problems with mobility, eyesight and hearing.
However, while it's well known that Australia has an ageing population, the latest Census results show that Queensland is experiencing a youthful revival, claiming four of the five local statistical areas with the highest proportion of babies and toddlers!
Regardless of family or household make up, from time to time all families need support. Thankfully, there are many community minded people throughout Queensland available to extend a helping hand to families when needed. In this edition, we profile just some of those special and very important people such as Belinda Goode, who helps to make children's time in hospital a little more pleasant, and Jack Pool, who ensures that new mothers who are experiencing post-natal depression are eating well.
Linda A. Apelt
Director-General
Belinda Goode — Volunteer
When she was a sick child Belinda visited Radio Lollipop at the Mater Children's Hospital. She won a competition, announced a song over the radio and fell in love with the whole experience. Now all grown up and a qualified primary school teacher Belinda is back at Radio Lollipop putting a smile on other children's faces.
Radio Lollipop's motto is to create a 'wow' experience for every child in hospital. Belinda says the children love the one-on-one attention from someone who is not a doctor or nurse.
"The children are so brave, they take everything in their stride and make the most out of each experience," she says. "You can never feel sorry for yourself after spending time at Radio Lollipop."
Belinda is one of 40 volunteers who are on air and in the wards helping to make hospital more fun and less frightening for children.
Jade Roberts — Parent
Weighing in at a tiny 2095 grams at birth, Jade says her life has been a challenge since the moment she was born. All her muscles are affected by cerebral palsy and she needs assistance with most tasks. But Jade says you learn to adapt; it's part of life.
As a mother with an active toddler, Jade has had to adapt to parenthood. "My daughter Amber understands I have limitations. She will sit on my lap with a book and turn the pages, point at objects on the page and wait for me to tell her what they are," Jade says.
"I think it's important for children to learn that people with disabilities have the same values as everyone else. When parents see their child staring at someone with a disability I encourage them to get their child to say hello."
Jade features in the 2009 Share Your Story calendar. For copies call 1800 177 120.
Edgar Venegas — Youth services coordinator
Helping families that are new to Australia settle into the community is one of many ways ACCES Services helps disadvantaged people within the Logan region. Youth services coordinator Edgar Venegas says many of the supported families have come from countries such as Sudan, the Congo, Ethiopia, Burma, Somalia and Rwanda.
"We have to start from scratch. Often we are there to help the families on their first day in Australia," Edgar says.
The support might involve teaching the new comers how to get to the shops, how to use pblic transport and where the doctors and schools are located.
"From there we help family members develop English skills and explore employment options so they feel empowered to support themselves and others in their community," he says.
"It is satisfying seeing families that have come with little to no English living a better and happier life and providing for their children."
Grace Stanley — Family advocate
Vulnerable children in the Cherbourg community have a champion in local elder and long-term resident Grace Stanley. Although very proud of her community and people, she recognises there are challenges to overcome.
Auntie Grace is the chair of the Cherbourg Critical Incident Women's Group (CCIWG) which was formed by several women from the Cherbourg community five years ago out of concern about abuse and family violence. It works as a prevention and advocacy service by 'taking a stand against violence' and working with organisations to improve responses.
Auntie Grace is also involved in groups such as the Jundah Women's Shelter, the Barambah Medical Centre, Beerma Yuma Children Shelter, Murgon Primary School and Cherbourg Negotiation Table.
"I hope to encourage more of our young women to get involved in supporting and improving our community."
www.communities.qld.gov/indigenous
Mary Twaddle — Domestic violence advocate
Mary was a pioneer in helping the women and children of Palm Island. She began counselling women from her home and providing a safe place for women and children who experienced domestic and family violence in the 1940s.
Since then Mary has advocated for the prevention of domestic and family violence. With the support of the community and council, she helped to establish the Kootana Women's Centre for women and children. As awareness grew on the island, Mary was approached by some of the men to form a men's group. Mary took on a counselling role, providing guidance about family values to perpetrators. The women's group and the men's group now work alongside each other to prevent family violence on Palm Island.
Mary won the 2008 Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Award for an individual.
www.communities.qld.gov.au/violenceprevention/awards
Jack Pool — Volunteer
A simple thing like feeding yourself and your children can be an overwhelming task when you are a new mum dealing with postnatal depression. Thanks to Jack Pool and his team of volunteers at Stafford Meals on Wheels, young mothers are getting a nutritious meal and the friendship and understanding they need.
The volunteers, who are mothers themselves, deliver the meals and stay awhile to listen. Jack says the new mothers benefit from a healthy meal, the intergenerational friendships and the emotional support.
"The visits boost their confidence which in turn improves their capacity to care for their infants," Jack says. Stafford Meals on Wheels is a leading example of a socially inclusive organisation. Everyone in the community from school children to people with disabilities has a role.
Jack, who is the president, has volunteered with Meals on Wheels since he retired eight years ago.
"I love doing it," he says.
Glenda Haig — Program manager
Kids Under Cover (KUC) prevents young people from becoming homeless and keeps families together by raising funds to build relocatable bungalows. KUC partners with organisations to ensure young people receive much needed support.
Following its success in Victoria, Kids Under Cover launched in Queensland last August. Glenda manages the bungalow program, liaises with community service organisations, manages events, organises fundraising and volunteers, and runs the Queensland office.
"Providing a bungalow for a young person fills a gap in the sector and helps these young people avoid entering the state care system or becoming homeless," Glenda says.
"Young people report improved confidence and a sense of pride in being responsible for their own space and developing some independent living skills. Families report a better quality of life for all involved."
Bernard Salt — Social commentator
Bernard Salt says the family model of mum, dad and the kids is "looking less robust now than it has at any time in the past 40 to 50 years".
"This model peaked in the 1960s when about two in three households had dad working outside the home, mum working inside the home and four to six kids living on a quarter-acre block. This family model as a social institution has eroded to the point that today, it's about one household in three, but it's still the leading form."
Bernard says today around 22 per cent of households are singles and 25 per cent are couples without children. Single households comprise widows and young people as well as gays and people who have separated or divorced, whereas couple families is the result of couples delaying having children.
"Mum, dad and the kids haven't been deliberately killed off, it's just that other social structures have grown as younger generations reject the lifestyles of previous generations."