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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.
Companion House 2008–9 Annual Report 3
> 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.
Companion House 2008–9 Annual Report 4
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
Companion House 2008–9 Annual Report 5
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
Companion House 2008–9 Annual Report 6
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.
Companion House 2008–9 Annual Report 7
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
Companion House 2008–9 Annual Report 8
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.
Companion House 2008–9 Annual Report 9
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
Companion House 2008–9 Annual Report 10
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).
Companion House 2008–9 Annual Report 11
2009 Soccer Tournament1:TheMonTeam:PlayingHard
2:TheKarenTeam:BestTeamPlayers
3:TheSudaneseteam:Valiant
4:TheWestAfricanTeam:Champions
5:FungamebetweenChinplayersfromGoulburnandSudaneseandWestAfricanplayersfromCanberra
6:Considerableskillandsportsmanshipwasevidentthroughouttheday
1
3
6
2
4
5
Companion House 2008–9 Annual Report 12
1
4
2
3
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.
Companion House Financial Statements – for the year ended 30 June 2009 14
Independent Audit ReportTo the Members of Companion House
Companion House Financial Statements – for the year ended 30 June 2009 15
Independent Audit ReportTo the Members of Companion House
Auditor’s Independence Declarationfor the year ended 30 June 2009
Companion House Financial Statements – for the year ended 30 June 2009 16
Income Statementfor the year ended 30 June 2009
Companion House Financial Statements – for the year ended 30 June 2009 17
Balance SheetAs at 30 June 2009
Companion House Financial Statements – for the year ended 30 June 2009 18
Cash Flow Statementfor the year ended 30 June 2009
Companion House Financial Statements – for the year ended 30 June 2009 19
Statement of Appropriationsfor the year ended 30 June 2009
Companion House Financial Statements – for the year ended 30 June 2009 20
Notes to and Forming Part of the Financial Statementsfor the year ended 30 June 2009
Companion House Financial Statements – for the year ended 30 June 2009 21
Notes to and Forming Part of the Financial Statementsfor the year ended 30 June 2009
Companion House Financial Statements – for the year ended 30 June 2009 22
Notes to and Forming Part of the Financial Statementsfor the year ended 30 June 2009
Companion House Financial Statements – for the year ended 30 June 2009 23
Statement by Directorsfor the year ended 30 June 2009
Companion House Financial Statements – for the year ended 30 June 2009 24
Information for the MembersOn the 2009 Financial Statements
Companion House Financial Statements – for the year ended 30 June 2009 25
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 Financial Statements – for the year ended 30 June 2009 26