companion house · 2016. 1. 28. · digby habel secretary jennifer hurley treasurer carol keil...

2008–9 Annual Report

Companion HouseAssisting Survivors of Torture and Trauma

Companion House 2008–9 Annual Report 2

Staff, Management, Patrons and Funding

Board of ManagementChairpersonDigbyHabelSecretaryJenniferHurleyTreasurerCarolKeilMembersHelenCory,SatnamSingh,GillianHunt,ElizabethMcLaughlin,KathyRagless(ex-officio)

StaffDirectorKathyRagless

Counselling TeamCounselling Team Leader ElizabethPriceCounsellor/Advocate - ChildrenDeborahNelsonCounsellor/Advocate - ChildrenCarolineRollsCounsellor/Advocate - Early Intervention FionaDelacyCounsellor/Advocate - Early Intervention /General ServicesClareO’RourkeCounsellor/Advocate - General Services (Young people and adults) RobinAldersonSmithCounsellor/Advocate - General Services (Young people and adults) InaSusljikComplementary TherapistRosemaryTaylor

Community Development TeamTeam LeaderVesnaGolicProject Leader HongsarChannaibanyaProject LeaderSandraLloydProject Workers SiriMonChan,LuciaCosta,AyiikGarang,JaiSharma

Medical TeamPractice NurseFionaMcDonaldMedical CoordinatorSilviaSalasMeyerClinical DirectorDrChrisPhillipsDrJoo-InnChewDrBernadetteMcKayDrKatrinaAnderson

Complex Case ServicesPamMitchellMathewAnish

Administrative TeamAdministrative and Reception CoordinatorsLoanHuynhandSaiMaungFinance OfficerGen Hemsley-WilkenIT SupportEricWarnerfromEpiMedia

Training, Advocacy and Community AwarenessTrainer/AdvocateGlennFlanaganTrainer/Sudanese Bi cultural workerJamesAtemMayen

PatronsJusticeElizabethEvattAOEmeritusProfessorJerzyZubryzckiProfessorWilliamMaleyAM

Mission

CompanionHouseisanongovernmentcommunitybasedorganisation.WeworkwithadultsandchildrenwhohavesoughtsafetyinAustraliafrompersecution,tortureandwarrelatedtrauma.Webelievethatpeoplewhohavesurvivedtorture,traumaandhumanrightsviolationsshouldhaveaccesstoservicesthatrespect,empowerandpromoterecovery.

Cover:SculpturebyartistsfromarefugeebackgroundatthefrontofCompanionhouse,familiartomanyvisitors.


> DinkacongregationatStGeorge’sAnglicanChurch

> AdultMigrantEnglishProgram

> NorthsideCommunityService

> NorthAinsliePrimaryIntroductoryEnglishCentre

> InterchangeGeneralPractice

> ACTDivisionofGeneralPractice

> ACTDentalProgram

> CapitalPathology

> StJohntheApostleRefugeeResettlementCommittee

> CanberraRefugeeSupport

> CatholicCare

> ACTHousing

> StVincentdePaul

> MulticulturalYouthService

> GoulburnMulticulturalCentre

> MigrantandRefugeeSettlementServiceoftheACT

> Construction,IndustryandEmploymentAssociation(CITEA)

FundingCommonwealth Department of Health and AgeingProgramAssistingSurvivorsofTortureandTrauma(PASTT)-Counsellingandadvocacyandcommunitycapacitybuilding

Department of Immigration and CitizenshipShortTermTortureandTraumaCounselling,CommunityAwarenessandComplexCaseServices.

Department of Family, Community Services and Indigenous AffairsEmergencyReliefandSharingandLearningProject

ACT HealthCounsellingandmedicalservices

ACT Health PromotionYoungMenGrowing,HealthyCommunitiesProjectsandDinkaFolktalesBook

ACT Department of Disability, Housing and Community ServicesChildren’sProgram,CommunityDevelopmentProgramandInfrastructureGrant

Northside Community ServiceMonCommunityinTransitionProject

ACT Chief Minister’s DepartmentDinkaFolktalesBook

Mental Health CouncilDatabaseDevelopmentProject

Pro-Bono Professional SupportWegratefullyreceivedsignificantamountsofpro-bonomigrationservicesfromMrPeterSteele,MrHughFordandMsJenniferTodein2008-9.Clayton-Utzalsoprovidedhighqualityprobonolegalservices.ProfessorMartinRichardsonprovidedhoursoftechnicalsupportfortheproductionoftheDinkaFoktalesfromSudanstorybookandDVD.

Partners and alliances> ForumofAustralianServicesforSurvivorsof

TortureandTrauma(FASSTT)> AustraliaMonAssociationinc> Australia-KarenOrganisationoftheACT> CanberraSierraLeoneAssociation> ChinCommunityGoulburn> SudaneseAustraliaCommunityAssociation

Principles of Service

> Weacknowledgeandrespectthestrengthandresourcefulnessofsurvivorsoftherefugeeexperience.

> Werespectandrespondtodiverseneedsincludingthosedeterminedbyculture,religion,ethnicity,genderandsexuality.

> Wepromoteclientindependence,self-determinationandinformedchoice.

> Ourservicesarebasedonaholisticapproachtohealthcare.

> Wearecommittedtotheconfidentialityofallclientinformation.

> Weworkinstrongpartnershipswithgovernmentandnon-governmentagenciesandindividualstoensurehealthcareandotherservicesystemsandcommunitiesareaccessibleandsensitivetotheneedsofsurvivorsoftortureandtrauma.

> Ourservicesareopenandaccountabletofeedbackandsuggestionsfromclientsandthecommunity.

> Wepromoteandpreservehumanrights.> Weasstaffsupporteachotherinourwork.


From the Chairperson

ThislastyearhasmarkedthepassingofProfessorJerzyZubryckiourPatron,the“fatherofAustralianmulticulturalism”andagreatadvocateforeverythingthatCompanionHousestandsfor.WegiveoursincerecondolencestohisfamilyandespeciallytohisdaughterJo,aformermemberofourBoard.

Duringtheyear,CompanionHousebecamethefirstprivateorganisationtonominatetobeincludedundertheACTHumanRightsAct.HumanRightshavealwaysbeenamajoraspectofourworkandourdecisiontonominateismostappropriate.WealsoprovidedanaddresstoaHumanRightsforuminitiatedbyAmnestyInternationalandhavepartneredotherorganisationstoworkonhumanrightsissues.

IthasalsobeenayearofappreciationandaffirmationofCompanionHouse’squietprofessionalismbyothernongovernmentorganisationsandbygovernmentagenciesandMinisters.Soitisagoodtimetogivethanks.Firstly,tothehundredsofpeoplewhocametoCompanionHousethisyearassurvivors:survivorswithenormousresilienceandpeoplewithgreatcapacitytobuildourcommunitysociallyandcommercially.AllofusatCompanionHousearehonouredbyyourpresenceinourcommunity.

Secondly,ourstaff.Youhaveachievedsomuchwithsolittleforsomany.Youareahugeassettoourcommunity.ThisyearstaffandmanagementhavehadtodealwithunusualissuessuchasourpendingmovefromO’ConnortoCook,thesuddeninfluxofasylumseekers,aswellastheimportantdaytodaywork.Iamalsodeeplyimpressedwiththeworkthatisdonebystaffonriskmanagement,policydevelopment,planningandfinancialsystems.IamalsoveryhappywiththewaytheannualsoccerdayinRefugeeWeek,initiatedbyourstaff,hasdevelopedintosuchanimportanteventforsomanyofourclientsandalsoforthebroaderrefugeecommunity.

FinallythankstoyourBoardmembers.Thisyear,theBoardprovidedmanagerial,administrative,legal,accountingandeducationalskills.Manythanksforyourimportantinput.TheBoard’sfundraiserwasagreatsuccessonceagain.

Wecanlookforwardtoanotheryearofachievement,infactour21styear.On2ndDecemberthisyearwewillformallycelebrateour20thyear,leavingasignificantimpactontheACTcommunityandbeyond.

Digby Habel


From the Director

2008-9wasablurofbusinessandactivityforCompanionHouse.Whileouroldbuildingslowlycrumbledaroundus,withdoorframesdisintegratingandoldpipesbursting,CompanionHousethrived.Weworkedwithhundredsofpeopleovertheyearacrossprogramsandwerehonoredbypeople’sdeterminationtorecoverandrebuildtheirlivesandbytheskillanddeterminationweseeamongstthepeopleweworkwith.

Counsellingprogramsgrew,predominantlyasaresultofthegrowthinthenumberofasylumseekersintheACT.ThemedicalservicealsocontinuedtogrowasaresultofthegeneralshortageofprimaryhealthcareinCanberra.Nonetheless,bothservicesdealtwellwithincreasesinnumbers,oftenthroughthesheerhardworkanddeterminationofrelevantstaff.OurnewPracticeNursehasalsobeeninstrumentalinincopingwiththeincreaseinmedicalpatientsandasylumseekers.Bothservicesalsoworkedhardoncontinuousimprovementandbestpracticeissues.

Itwasapleasuretoworkwiththecreativityofcommunitydevelopmentactivitiesover2008-9.WeekendsinparticularhavebeenabusytimeforCompanionHousestaffwhohaverunamultitudeofactivitiesfocusedononculturaltransition,healthpromotion,parentingandbuildingcommunitycapacity,acrosssixcommunities.Throughstaffpartnershipandconsultationwithcommunities,wealsoproducedtheDinkaFolktalesBookandDVDandranasmallemployment/trainingpilotin2008-9.

Trainingprograms,focusedonpromotinganunderstandingoftherefugeeexperienceandbuildingskillsinworkingwithsurvivorsoftortureandtraumaverymuchconsolidatedin2008-9,withincreasingqualityandenthusiasticevaluations.WealsoworkedhardonamyriadofpolicyandadvocacyissuesovertheyearandstrengthenedthisworkbyformingworkinggroupswithpartneragenciestoworkonthekeyissuesofhousingandasylumseekersintheACT.

Atanadministrativelevelwecontinuedtoworkonawiderangeofissues,includinganewdatabaseandstandardsimplementation.Wehadastrongreceptionandadministrativeteamover2008-9,whichwasagreatbonusovertheyear.

ThepolicycontextofourworkchangednotablyaswethankfullysawthelastoftheTemporaryProtectionVisas,changesindetentionpolicyandtheincreasedemphasisonahumaneresponsetoasylumseekers.

AtthelocalCanberralevel,thelackofaffordablehousingcontinuedtoprovideasubstantialbarriertosucccessfulsettlement,althoughtheRefugeeTransitionalHousingProgram(RTHP),certainlyhelpedtoalleviatetheworstofthisproblem.WhilsttheChincommunityinGoulburnaredoingverywell,thereremainfundamentalquestionsaboutemploymentandtrainingpathwaysforpeopleinthejurisdictionthatareasyetunanswered.

Withmanythankstofunders,friendsandsupportersforyourcontributionsover2008-9.Ourworkcontinuesintoour21styearwithgreatoptimism.

Kathy Ragless


2. Newly arrived people

CompanionHouse’sEarlyInterventionProgram(EIP)isfocusedonnewlyarrivedhumanitarianentrantsintheirfirstyearinAustralia.TheserviceispartoftheIntegratedHumanitarianSettlementScheme(IHSS).Itisavibrantandbusyareaofwork,withaconstant,andunpredictable,flowofnewarrivals.itisofteninspiringandmotivatingtowelcomeandworkwithpeopleinthisveryearlystageofsettlement.Itisatimefullofhugeadjustmentsaspeopleembarkonthebeginningofrebuildingtheirlives.

EarlyInterventionCounsellor/AdvocatesworkedinCanberraandGoulburntoassesspsychosocialneedsandprovideshorttermcounselling.Peoplecamefromawiderangeofbackgrounds,withthebiggestgroupbeingKarenpeoplefromBurma.Weworkedwith200newlyarrivedpeopleover2008-9.

Theprogramisashorttomediumtermservicewithastrongfocusonsymptommanagement.Althoughsymptommanagementisoftenbasedonacognitive-behavioralapproach,theCompanionHouseEarlyInterventionProgramalsoemploysotherapproachesthataccordwithourbasicphilosophyandunderstandingofrecoveryfromtrauma.Accordingtothisunderstanding,theestablishmentofsafetyisparamountasaprerequisiteforrehabilitationforpeoplewhohaveexperiencedtraumaticsituationsandareaffectedbytraumaticstresssymptoms.Therefore,EIcounsellinghastheestablishmentofsafetyasacoreaim.

3. Adults and young people

CompanionHouse’sGeneralServiceProgramprovidescounsellingandadvocacyservicestoadultsandyoungpeople.Theprogramgivespeopletheopportunitytoexploreindepththedistressingsymptomsthathavebeentroublingthem,sometimesforaverylongtime;toprocessthemandtoalleviatetheirpain.Thereisastrongemphasisininitialstagesonbuildingsafety.Oftenthisinvolvesworkingonadvocacyissuesalso.Advocacyissuesarelikelytoincludeaccesstosocialentiltements,assistingpeopletocontactorreunitewithlovedonesanddealingwithlegalissues.

WeworkedwithadiverserangeofadultsandyoungpeopleinCanberraandGoulburn.Weworkedwithpeoplefromrefugeebackgrounds,asylumseekers

Reports

Objective One: Survivors of torture and trauma from refugee backgrounds have the opportunity to heal and rehabilitate

1.Children

TheChildren’sProgramisnestedwithinthebroadrangeofservicesofferedbyCompanionHousetopeoplewhohavesoughtrefugeinAustraliafrompersecution,tortureandwar-relatedtrauma.Theprogramprovidesindividual,group,family,andschoolsupporttohelpchildrencometotermswithpastexperienceandthriveintheirnewenvironment.

Therearecompellingreasonsforofferingservicesthatfocusparticularlyontheexperiencesofchildrenandyoungpeople.Westernpsychologicalresearchshowsthatchildrenwhohaveexperiencedtraumatisingeventsrespondtotheminwaysthatarebothsimilartoanddifferentfromtheresponsesshownbyadults.Likeadults,theyshowsymptomsofanxiety,anger,sadness,griefanddepression,alongwiththeclassicsymptomsofPostTraumaticStressDisorder(PTSD).Butbecausetheyarestilldeveloping,theydonotyethavethephysical,social,cognitiveoremotionalmaturitythatcomeswithadulthoodandmayalsoexpresstheirdistressinwaysthatdifferfromthewaysadultsexpressthem.Theirresponses,shapedbypasttrauma,caneasilycreateorexacerbateproblemsintheAustraliansetting,especiallyinsocialcontextssuchasfamily,schoolandcommunity.

TheChildren’sProgramworkedmainly,thoughnotexclusively,withprimaryagedchildrenover2008-9.Regularschoolholidayassessmentandactivityprograms,playtherapygroups,individualplaytherapyandsupporttoparentsremainedthemainfocusoftheprogram.TheChildren’sProgramalsoworkedcloselywithschoolsandfamiliestobuildcapacityin,andunderstandingof,theneedsofchildrenaffectedbytortureandtrauma.Weworkedwith71childrenintheprogramin2008-9.

TheChildren’sProgramalsoworkedwithparentsandchildrentoproduceabeautifulbookandaudioDVDofDinkaFolktalesover2008-9.Inaddition,theChildren’sProgramworkedhardonaclinicalpracticemanualovertheyear,whichisnowinfinaldraft.


theopportunitytomanagechronicandcomplexhealthneedsoverthelongerterm,andasylumseekersareabletoaccessfreemedicalcare.

TheserviceprovidedfourGPsessionsaweek,coordination,referral,nursingandoutreachservicesforvulnerablepatients.Animportantachievementover2008-9wastheestablishmentofafulltimePracticeNurseposition,fundedbyACTHealth.Thisnewpositionhasgreatlyenhancedtheservice’scapacityandquality.

Theservicealsodidasubstantialamountofadvocacyonissuessuchasensuringinterpreteruseandbulkbillinginkeyhealthservices.Theservicealsotrainedmedicalstudentswithaparticularinterestinrefugeehealth.Inaddition,theservicealsocompletedfullcomputerisationandfinisheddraftsofnewclinicalandadministrativepoliciesandprotocolsovertheyear.

Overthe2008-9yearthemedicalserviceprovidedGeneralPracticeandnursingservicesto508people.Thenumbersintheservicehavemorethandoubledoverthelastthreeyears.ThisisadirectresultoftheshortageofprimaryhealthcareintheACT.WhilstourserviceusedtorefermostnewlyarrivedpatientstoacommunityGPafter12months,wenowstruggletofindreferralpointsforourpatients.

Objective Three: The community welcomes refugees and is sensitive to the needs and strengths of survivors of torture and trauma

1. Training

Trainingprogramsfocusedonpromotinganunderstandingoftherefugeeexperienceandbuildingskillsinworkingwithsurvivorsoftortureandtrauma.Wefacilitated49trainingsessionswithatotal0f601participantsover2008-9.Sessionsweredeliveredtoawiderangeofagencies,includingCanberraInstituteofTechnology,GoulburnTAFE,schools,hospitals,police,communityservicesandCareandProtection.

Sessionswereverywellevaluatedandweweremostimpressedbythelevelofinterestandcommitmentfromagenciestoattendsessions.

Feedbackfromparticipantshasbeenoverwhelminglypositive.Inevaluationsforexampletheyhavedescribedsessionsas“wellpresented

andpeoplewitharefugeelikeexperience.Themostnotablechangeover2008-9wasthefastgrowingnumbersofasylumseekersinCanberraandsubsequentgrowthinthenumberofasylumseekersintheprogram.Itisalsoimportanttonotethatovercrowdingandhomelessnesscontinuedtobeakeytriggerofdistressforpeopleintheprogram.

Weworkedwith198peopleinthisprogramover2008-9.

Wealsoprovidedintensivecasemanagementservicestothreefamilygroupsin2008-9.ThiswasfundedaspartofComplexCaseServices(CCS)andenabledintensivesupportforpeoplewitharangeofcomplexhealthneeds.

Complementary Therapy

WeprovidedBowenTherapyandBachFlowerremediestonewlyarrivedpeopleandlongertermsettlerstoassistpeoplemanagephysicalpainanddistress.Weworkedwith30peopleintheprogramovertheyear.

Program Number of ClientsEIProgram 200Children 71GeneralServices 198ComplexCaseServices 9ComplementaryTherapy 30MedicalServices 508

Objective Two: Health systems are appropriate for and accessible to refugee survivors of torture and trauma

1. Medical Service

TheMedicalServiceworkedmainlywithnewlyarrivedpeopleintheirfirstfewyearsinAustralia.Theservicealsoworkedwithasylumseekersandcomplexcaseslongerterm.

ThemedicalendofthebuildingisahubofactivityonatypicaldayatCompanionHouse.NewlyarrivedpeopleintheirfirstmonthinAustraliacomeforhealthscreeningandvaccinations,manyofthemafteryearsofinadequateaccesstoprimaryhealthcare.Theopportunitytofinallyhavehealthissuesfullyinvestigatedandtreatedisaprofoundpartofrecoveryandrebuilding.Longertermsettlershave


Objective Four: Communities affected by torture and trauma are strong, resilient and skilled in ways that enable them to thrive in Australia

1. Community Development

CompanionHousestaffworkedwithcommunitiestobuildcommunitycapacityacrossarangeofkeyareas.Wecarriedthisoutinclosecooperationwithcommunityleadersandinterpreters.KeycommunitiesweretheSierraLeone,Sudanese,Karen,MonandChincommunities.Mostweekendsin2008-9sawCompanionHouseworkingwithcommunitygroupsonavarietyofissues.Thiswasinspiringwork,drawingoutthegreatstrengthsandskillsofcommunities.Itwasalsobrightandvibrant,ofteninvolvingacombinationofdiscussion,food,danceorsport.

a. Health promotion

In2008-9wecontinuedtwoprojectsfocusedonhealthpromotion.TheHealthyCommunitiesprojectfocusedofhealthpromotionwithadultsandincludedabroadrangeofhealthylivingactivities,includingafocusonnutrition,hydration,danceandsport,withnewandemergingcommunities.TheYoungMenGrowingProjectfocusedonsportanddanceactivitieswithyoungAfricanmen.WeworkedwiththeSudanese,SierraLeoneandKarencommunitiesacrosstheseprojectsin2008-9,withover150peopleattendingactivities.

b. Parenting and Cultural Transitions

TheSharingandLearningProjectworkedwithparentsofsmallchildrenfromtheSudanese,ChinandKarencommunitiesovertheyear.Theprojectworkswithcommunitiestobuildskillsandcapacityinculturaltransition,parentingandencouragesgreateraccesstomainstreamservices.Manydiscussionforumsandactivitiesbroughtcommunitiestogethertolearnfromeachotherandgainnewskillstonavigatethisnewcontextasparents.Over100peopleacrosscommunitiesattendedactivities.

TheMonCommunityinTransitionProject(MICT)workedwiththeMoncommunitytorespondtoearlyyearissues,navigateandinfluenceservicesystemsandmakeculturaltransitionsasparents.2008-9wasthefinalyearofthisthreeyearproject.TheprojectsuccessfullybuiltnewskillsandstrengthenedthecapacityofbothfamiliesandtheMoncommunity.

andthoughtprovoking”(TuggeranongIntensiveEnglishCentre),“extremelyuseful”,“afantasticopportunity”(GoulburnTAFE),andrecommendedthat“allcommunityorganisationsshouldhavethistraining”(Barnados).

2. Advocacy

Weprovidedpolicyadviceandsystemicadvocacyonawiderangeofnationalandlocalissues.TheseincludedCareandProtectionissuesforfamilies,settlementissuesinGoulburn,interpreteruseinserviceagencies,needsofrefugeechildreninschools,lackofavailablechildcare,housingissuesandmaternalandchildissues.AsamemberoftheForumofAustralianServicesforSurvivorsofTortureandTrauma(FASSTT)andtheACTAsylumSeekersNetwork(ACTASN)wealsoparticipatedinsubmissionsandpolicyadviceonnationalissuessuchascomplementaryprotectionandothermigrationreviewprocesses.

WestartedtwonewworkinggroupstoaddressthegrowingnumbersofasylumseekersintheACTandtheimpactofalackofaffordablehousingonnewlyarrivedpeople.ThefirstgroupwastheACTRefugeeHousingWorkingGroup.ThesecondwastheACTAsylumSeekersNetwork(ACTASN).Weprovidedsecretariatandcoordinationservicestosupportthegroups.Bothgroupshavebeenveryproductivecollaborativeeffortsin2008-9.

Manystaffalsoworkedhardtoincreaseindividuals’accesstoservicesystemsandentitlements,particularlyCounsellor/Advocatesandthemedicalteam.

3. Community Awareness

Onceagain,themostimportantcontributiontobuildingawelcomingcommunityforrefugeeswastheorganisationofasoccertourmanamentwiththeSudanese,SierraLeone,MonandKarencommunities.Thiseventnotonlyallowscommunitiestoshowcasetheirsportingskillstothecommunityatlargebutalsobuildslinksandfriendshipswithinandbetweenthecommunitiesinvolved.The2009soccerdaywasheldintherainbutwasnonethelessthemostfriendlyandvibranttournamentyet.

Wealsovisitedandspoketoabroadrangeofcommunitygroupsandagenciesabouttheachievementsofindividualsandcommunitesfromrefugeebackgroundsovertheyear.


makingthisinitiativeasuccessandwasflexibleandsupportivewhereverpossible.

e. Dinka Folktales from Sudan

In2008-9wefinshedthelovelyDinkaFolktalesfromSudanstorybookandaudioDVD.ThestoriescamefromlocalDinkawomenandwereillustratedbyDinkachildren.ThebookandDVDrevivedcherishedstoriesandtraditionswhichhavebeendisruptedbywaranddiaspora.Thewitandwisdomofthestoriesprovideabridgebetweenthepastandpresent.Importantly,itwasalsoagiftfromtheDinkacommunitytotheAustraliancommunityatlarge.ThebookandDVDwerelaunchedbytheChiefMinisterwiththeStGeorge’sAnglicanChurchDinkacongregationinFebruary2009.

2. Living support

a. Direct Financial Support

Weprovided$10,050ofemergencyreliefpaymentstoassistandmanagefinancialdistresson68occasions.Inaddition,wespent$8936ofdonatedfundsonsupportforpeopletogaindriverslicences,accessmigrationsupport,runsportingandrecreationalevents,buytextbooksandpayotherstudyrelatedexpenses.

b. Refugee Transitonal Housing Program(RTHP)

TheRefugeeTransitionalHousingProgramisatripartiteagreementbetweenCatholicCare,ACTHousingandCompanionHouse.TheProgramprovidestransitionalhousingfornewlyarrivedpeopleintheirfirstsixmonthsinAustralia.Over2008-9ACThousingprovided10housestotheprogram.CatholicCareprovidedtenancymanagement,casemanagementandexitplanningwithpeopleeligiblefortheIntegratedHumanitarianSettlementScheme(IHSS).CompanionHouseprovidedcasemanagementandexitplanningforasylumseekersintheprogram.

Objective Five: Human rights principles underpin our work and our expertise about human rights issues informs policy makers and the community at large.Companionhouse‘optedin”totheACTHumanRightsActin2009.WewerethefirstorganisationintheACTtovoluntarilyrequestthatwebeconsideredanagencycoveredbytheAct.Wedidthistoconfirm

TheprojectwasastrongpartnershipbetweentheAustralia-MonAssociationandCompanionHouse,whichwasahighlysuccessfulcollaboration.

ExcerptfromfinalMICTreport

TheMICTprojectevolvedthroughtheyearsofclosecollaborationbetweenCompanionHouseandtheMoncommunityandwasastronglycommunity-ownedprocess.Theprojectmodelcamefromtheexpressedneedsandideasofparentsandcommunitymembers.ThiswasonlypossiblebecauseofstrongrelationshipsbetweencommunityleadersandCompanionHousestaffandparticularlytheemploymentofbiculturalworkerstofacilitatetheproject.Infact,muchofthisproject’sachievementisduetotheunerringenthusiasmandenergyofbiculturalworkers.Highparticipationandnumerousconcreteresultsinallareasoftheprojectaretheproofthatthismodelprovideslong-termresultsforparentsinculturaltransition.

Theprojectbuiltarangeofnewskillsandknowledgeinthenavigationofservicesandsystems,parentingskills,makingculturaltransitions,andbuildingemploymentandtrainingpathways.Inadditionwesawanewfocusonbuildinghealthylifestyles.Theprojectalsobuiltthecapacityandprofileofthecommunityandassistedtodevelopself-supportmechanisms,providingforthesustainabilityoftheprojectresults.

Projectstrategiesfellonfertilegroundinthisbrightandhighlymotivatedcommunity.Itwasnotanexpensiveprojectandillustratesasustainableandhighlyconstructivemodelforrefugeecommunitiesofasimilarprofile.

c. Community capacity building

Alltheprojectsdescribedabovehadastrongfocusonbuildingcommmunitycapacityandskills.Weransessionsonculturaltransitioninadditiontotheprojectsdescribedaboveandworkedongovernanceissueswithcommunityassociationsfromnewandemergingcommunities.

d. Employment

CompanionHouseranasmallemploymentpilotinitiativein2008-9.FivemenfromtheMonandKarencommunitiesweresupportedbyCompanionHousetoundertaketraineeshipsinavarietyofindustries.MostofthisactivitywascarriedoutinpartnershipwithConstruction,IndustryandEmploymentAssociation(CITEA).CITEAshowedafirmcommitmentto


Thankyou

Inrecognitiontothemanyfriendsanddonorswhoworkedwithusovertheyear.

Withspecialthanksto:> Blackmoresforsubstantialdonationsofvitamins> ProfessorMartinRichardsonforhoursof

volunteerworkontheDinkafolktalesbookandDVD

> PeterKuotforprovidingtheDinkavoiceontheDinkaFolktalesDVD

> Oliverfamilyforgenerousdonations> ClaytonUtzforprobonolegalservices> Themanyinterpreterswhogowellbeyondthe

callofdutyintheirwork,withparticularthankstoAbukAyomandAbukDauAtem.

> PeterSteele,SisterPatSealey,HughFordandJenniferTodeformigrationservices.

> ChrisKoelmeyerfordonatedservices> WyethConsumerHealthcarefordonations> NorthsideRoadReadyCentrefordonations> MarkCarrolforassistancetotheKaren

community> PastorCunginGoulburnforfacilitating

partnershipsbetweenCompanionHouseandtheChincommunity

> ShinThuGayforfacilitatingpartnershipsbetweenCompanionHouseandtheKarencommunity

> JosephO’PhelanandAnneGunnforprovidingfreetranslationstoasylumseekers

> ThefollowingpeopleandorganisationsforassistancewithWorldRefugeeSoccer:GracemanAbakah,RichardBrowningandRadfordCollege,theAustralianInstituteofSport,BenJongsmarRoccoWeglarz,KaleenSportsClub,BillO’Rourke,MatthewPilkinton,EmmettRichardsonandCanberraMilk.

> JenniferThompsonforgreatassistancewithhealthpromotion

ourcommitmenttohumanrightsandhumanrightslegislation.Wealsostrengthenedthehumanrightselementsofourtrainingprogramsin2008-9.

Objective Six: Our organisation is well governed and managed and has strong relationships with and understanding of communities affected by torture and trauma, and other Forum of Services for Survivors of Torture and Trauma (FASSTT) agenciesCompanionHousecarriedoutstrategicplanningover2008-9andrevisitedandamendedourthreeyearstrategicplan.WealsocarriedoutannualplanningwithBoardandstaffearlyinthefinancialyearandreportingandanalyisofprogessattheendoftheyear.Wesuccessfullymetthegreatmajorityofthetargetswesetourselvesinthisprocess.Thisincluded,regainingfundingtomaintainactivityintheCommmunityDevelopmentTeam,finalisingimplementationofcomputerisationofthemedicalservice,buildinganewdatabaseandenteringyearsofdata,updatingkeypoliciesandproceduresandimplementationofnewprojects.WecontinuedtoimplementnationalstandardsandthenationalminimumdatasetandremainedactivelyinvolvedintheForumofAustralianServicesforSurvivorsofTortureandTrauma(FASSTT).


2009 Soccer Tournament1:TheMonTeam:PlayingHard

2:TheKarenTeam:BestTeamPlayers

3:TheSudaneseteam:Valiant

4:TheWestAfricanTeam:Champions

5:FungamebetweenChinplayersfromGoulburnandSudaneseandWestAfricanplayersfromCanberra

6:Considerableskillandsportsmanshipwasevidentthroughouttheday

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1:NewlyarrivedchildrenatLakeBurelyGriffin

2:JamesMayenfacilitatingtraining

3:UNDeclarationofHumanrightsdisplayedatCompanionHouse

4:CompanionHousestaffpresenttheConstruction,Industry,TrainingandEmploymentAssociation(CITEA)withacertificateofthanksfortheireffortstoprovideconstructiontraineeshipstonewlyarrivedpeoplefromtheMonandKarencommunities

Directors Report

TheBoardofDirectorspresenttheirreporttogetherwiththefinancialreportofCompanionHouse(theAssociation)fortheyearended30June2009andauditorsreportthereon.

Board of Directors

ThenamesofthemembersoftheBoardofDirectorsthroughouttheperiodandatthedateofthisreportare:

D.HabelJ.Hurley

C.KeilG.Hunt

K.RaglessH.Cory

S.Singh(resignedJune2009)L.McLaughlin(CommencedNovember2008)

BoardMembershavebeeninofficesincethestartoftheperiodtothedateofthisreportunlessotherwisestated.

Results

TheprofitoftheAssociationfortheperiodamountedto$38,996(2008–profitof$9,425).

Review of Operations

TheAssociationcontinuedtoengageinitsprincipalactivity,theresultsofwhicharedisclosedintheattachedfinancialreport.

Significant Changes in the State of Affairs

Nosignificantchangeinthenatureoftheseactivitiesoccurredduringtheperiod.

Principal Activities

CompanionHouseprovidescounsellingandadvocacyforsurvivorsoftortureandtrauma.Therewasnochangetothenatureofthisactivityduringtheperiod.

After Balance Date Events

NomattersorcircumstanceshavearisensincetheendoftheperiodwhichsignificantlyaffectedormaysignificantlyaffecttheoperationsoftheAssociation,theresultsofthoseoperations,orthestateofaffairsoftheAssociationinfutureperiods.

Likely Developments

TheAssociationexpectstomaintainthepresentstatusandlevelofoperations.

Companion House Financial Statements

for the year ended 30 June 2009

Companion House Financial Statements – for the year ended 30 June 2009 13

Directors Report (continued)

Environmental Issues

TheAssociation’soperationsarenotregulatedbyanysignificantenvironmentalregulationunderalawoftheCommonwealthorofaStateorTerritory.

Indemnification of Officer

Noindemnitieshavebeengivenorinsurancepremiumspaid,duringorsincetheendoftheperiod,foranypersonwhoisorhasbeenanofficerorauditoroftheAssociation.

Proceedings on Behalf of the Association

NopersonhasappliedforleaveofCourttobringproceedingsonbehalfoftheAssociationorinterveneinanyproceedingstowhichtheAssociationisapartyforthepurposeoftakingresponsibilityonbehalfoftheAssociationforalloranypartofthoseproceedings.

TheAssociationwasnotapartytoanysuchproceedingsduringtheyear.

Auditor’s Independence Declaration

Section307CoftheCorporationsAct2001requiredtheAssociation’sauditors,DJWeekesandCoPtyLtd,toprovidetheDirectorswithanIndependenceDeclarationinrelationtothereviewofthefinancialreport.TheIndependenceDeclarationformspartofthefinancialreport.

SignedinaccordancewitharesolutionoftheBoardofDirectors:

…………………………….……………………………. …………………………….…………………………….

D.Habel C.KeilChair Treasurer

Datedthis………dayofOctober2009.


Independent Audit ReportTo the Members of Companion House


Independent Audit ReportTo the Members of Companion House

Auditor’s Independence Declarationfor the year ended 30 June 2009


Income Statementfor the year ended 30 June 2009


Balance SheetAs at 30 June 2009


Cash Flow Statementfor the year ended 30 June 2009


Statement of Appropriationsfor the year ended 30 June 2009


Notes to and Forming Part of the Financial Statementsfor the year ended 30 June 2009


Statement by Directorsfor the year ended 30 June 2009


Information for the MembersOn the 2009 Financial Statements


Detailed Income and Expenditure Statementfor the year ended 30 June 2009

2009 2008

$ $

Income

Grants $1,011,954 $905,829

MedicalProgram $180,872 $137,720

OtherIncome $40,343 $25,781

Total income $1,233,169 $1,069,330

Expenses

Operationalexpenses $314,214 $267,060

Employmentexpenses $879,959 $792,846

Total $1,194,173 $1,059,906

NetSurplus/(Deficit) $38,996 $9,424


companion house · 2016. 1. 28. · digby habel secretary jennifer hurley treasurer carol keil...

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