gth connections newsletter March

GRIFFITH
CONNECTIONS
AN
INTERAGENCY
NEWSLETTER
Inside:
Danni Miller - 10 steps to
Conflict Resolution
CRS Australia
2
2
Theatre Workshops
2
Mother of the Year /
Maggie Dent
3
Kindy Lane Birthday
3
School Readiness
3
Early Childhood Brochure
3
Mission Australia Gambling Help 4
Griffith Regional Art Gallery
4
Autism Awareness Month
5
Griffith Counselling Centre
5
Positive Partnerships Workshop
5
Centacare workshops
6
Raising Responsible Digital
Citizens Webinar
6
Youth Connections
7
Drama Classes
7
Harmony Day
7
Calendar of Events
8
I’m free! You
are welcome to
take me home!
It feels like we are well into 2014, but as
this is the first newsletter of the year - Happy
New Year!
Griffith Connections has just had its first
big events of the year with a visit last month
from Enlighten Education’s CEO and Founder Dannielle Miller, and her colleague Nikki
Davis. Both Danni & Nikki spent time with
hundreds of girls from schools from around
Griffith, empowering them and showing them
how amazing they are!
Danni also spoke to parents about “Girl
World” and how they can help their daughter
navigate this tricky world of friendships, body
image, cybersafety and relationships.
Danni’s new book “Loveability - An
Empowered girl’s guide to dating and
relationships” is now available for purchase
from www.enlighteneducation.com, as are her
previous books “the Butterfly Effect” (for
parents) and “The Girl with the Butterfly
Tattoo (for teen girls). I also have a limited
number of copies of each book available for
purchase or loan.
Our next visitor will be our friend Maggie
Dent, who will be here for a special one-off
Mother’s Day event on Saturday 10 May (see
inside for details), and then again for a series
of events from 16-18 June.
Griffith Connections is funded by the
Australian Government
E: griffithconnections@gmail.com
P: 02 6962 6833
April 2014
M: 0408 207 734
We are excited this year to be welcoming
back Celia Lashlie who last visited Griffith
several years ago. Celia will be here from 10-12
September, and will be sharing her wisdom
about teenage boys, and how to help them
choose the right path in life. As a former prison
guard, she has encountered many young men
who made wrong decisions in their life and
wants to help other young men learn from their
mistakes. She will be speaking with boys,
parents and workers in the community who work
directly with young men.
In conjunction with the Regional Gallery,
we have just completed another successful Art
For Kids program for little kids, and are
delighted to be offering an after-school program
for primary aged children in Term 2 with local
ar tist Melanie Baulch. We will also be
supporting the work of Sydney artist Nana
Ohnesorge over the Easter period, doing some
portraiture work about families. More details
inside.
As always, any feedback is welcome, and I
hope you find this newsletter with information
about community services and family-related
matters helpful.
Marg Andreazza
Griffith Connections
This newsletter provides information on behalf of the Griffith
Interagency about a range of community services available
in and around Griffith. I hope you find it useful. As always,
your feedback and comments are welcome, feel free to
contact me on 6962 6833 or by email:
griffithconnections@gmail.com .
Danni Miller’s 10 Steps to Conflict Resolution
Our recent visitor, Dannielle Miller, is Co-Founder and CEO of Enlighten Education, an organisation that aims to educate and empower young
women through programs that help teenage girls decode the mixed messages they receive and help them develop self-esteem and confidence.
During Danni’s visit to Griffith this month, she explained to both parents and girls the ins and outs of “Girl World” and how parents can help their
daughters navigate this sometimes tricky time in their lives.
An important feature of this time in a girl’s life is her friendship with other girls. Research shows that for many girls, their friends are more
important to them than their parents. However, friendships do not always go smoothly. The teen years can be times of conflict between friends,
and sometimes these conflicts can grow out of proportion, and involve a whole circle of friends.
Danni offered a suggested approach to resolving conflicts between friends. These techniques could just as easily be applied to us as adults, or
teen boys as well.
The 10 Steps to Conflict Resolution :
1. Plan ahead. Think about what you want to say to the person who’s upset you, so you don’t say something you’ll regret.
2. Don’t put on a show. An audience will only escalate things. A one-on-one conversation is preferable.
3. Home in on how you feel. Use ‘I’ language – e.g. ‘I felt hurt that you talked about me’ – rather than ‘you’ language – e.g. ‘You can’t
be trusted.’
4. Admit your mistakes and apologise. If you’re even partly at fault, defuse the situation with a simple ‘I was wrong, I’m sorry.’
5. Be specific. Clearly articulate only what upset you on this occasion. Do not dig up old wounds.
6. Offer time. Offer the other person time to think, so that they don’t speak or act impulsively.
7. Be calm. Learn some simple breathing and visualisation activities to help you stay chilled.
8. Assert yourself. Speak firmly and clearly, and be assertive rather than aggressive.
9. Expect to be heard. You deserve the other person’s attention, but if you’ve picked a bad time to talk, offer another time.
10.End on a positive. If your relationship ends over this conflict, it doesn’t mean you must automatically treat the other person as your
enemy. You might not be friends, but you can still be friendly.
!
(With thanks to Courtney Macavint and Andrea Vander Plimyn’s respect rules.)
You can find a more detailed version of these steps in Danni’s books, “The Butterfly Effect” (for parents) and “The Girl with the Butterfly
Tattoo” (for teen girls). I have a limited number of these books available from purchase from Griffith Connections (Call 6962 6833).
This is an edited extract of an article originally written by Dannielle Miller - co-founder and CEO of Enlighten Education, Australia’s largest
provider of in-school workshops for teen girls on body image, self-esteem and empowerment. She is also author of the parenting book, “The
Butterfly Effect“ and two books written for teen girls “The Girl with the Butterfly Tattoo” - on finding their real girl-power, and “Loveability - The
Empowered Girl’s Guide to Dating and Relationships” (all published by Random House). She regularly blogs: http://
enlighteneducation.edublogs.org .
CRS Australia is a Disability Employment Services provider matching job seekers to employers’ recruitment requirements.
• Tailored injury prevenAon and management services to keep workplaces safe and help injured workers back to work.
• Job in Jeopardy programs for employees at risk of losing their job due to an injury, disability or health condiAon and helping employers retain valuable staff.
• Partnering with industry to deliver specialist programs in response to community needs.
• With over 70 years’ experience, CRS Australia provides quality services from a network of offices Australia-­‐wide.
For more informaAon about CRS Australia’s range of services and how we can help you, call our Griffith office on 02 6963 2401, come in and see us at 31-­‐43 Ulong St or visit crsaustralia.gov.au.
CRS Australia is part of the Australian Government Department of Human Services.
Tanya Hennessy, from Star FM’s breakfast
show, will be conducting a series of Theatre
Workshops on Sundays in May at the
theatre.
There are two workshops each day, one for
8-12 year olds, and one for 13-17 yrs.
Sun 4th May: “Devising”
Sun 18 May: “Masterclass”
Sun 25 May: “Improvisation”
Details can be found at: http://
ww.griffith.nsw.gov.au/cp_themes/theatre/
page.asp?c=13
or by calling the Theatre on 6962 8444
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Kindylane Preschool is
turning 60!
The Area News & Lifesource Church are again running the
Mother of the Year Awards.
Supported by Griffith Connections,
we are delighted to announce that
Maggie Dent
will be our special guest at this year’s awards, to be held on
Saturday 10 May 2014
3.00 - 5.00pm
Burley Griffin Room, Griffith Regional Theatre
Everyone is welcome to come and hear Maggie who will be
delivering a special talk about Mothers - how wise and
And we are all invited to
the birthday party!
60th Celebration Open Day
Sat 31st May, 10am-3pm
Come along and share the fun there will be birthday cake (of
course!), jumping castle, face
painting, Pesca, hot food, cold
drinks, coffee, cake stall, historical
displays, free games and play
wonderful they are, and how they need to allow themselves to
experiences, live music
take time for themselves as well as their families.
and much much more.
Keep an eye out in the Area News for nomination forms to
This is a great opportunity for
nominate your mother for Mother of the Year. There are some
children, staff, businesses who have
great prizes, thanks to the generosity of several local businesses
been associated with the preschool
sponsoring the event.
and, of course, past, present and
future families to come and
experience our beautiful preschool
School readiness
Are you thinking about sending
your child to school next year?
Are you uncertain as to
whether they are ready to
start or not? Some Early
Childhood services will be
holding School Readiness
information sessions with
representatives from schools
next term. Make sure you get
along and hear about what to
look for in your child to determine if they are ready for school.
In the meantime, you may like a free copy of the booklet “Learning Through Play” which has lots of great information
about school readiness, and is tailor-made for Griffith with
contact details for local schools and other children’s services
listed within. Available by contacting Marg at
griffithconnections@gmail.com or calling 6962 6833.
and see all we have to offer our
community and share the
celebrations!
New Local Early Childhood Brochure
The Griffith Combined Children’s Services Advisory
Committee is a group of Early Childhood and
Associated services that meet to share ideas about
Early Childhood in our community. We have recently
produced a brochure “Community Owned Early
Childhood Services in Griffith and Leeton”. This
brochure details the community-based long day-care
and preschool services in our community as well as
advising what to look for in services. If you would like
a copy of this brochure, let me know by emailing
griffithconnections@gmail.com Local Early
Childhood services will also have copies of the
brochure available.
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Mission Australia Riverina Gambling Help Counselling Service is excited to announce: Our Service now has an Aboriginal Gambling Help Counsellor -­‐ Margie Davis. !
Margie provides counselling to anyone affected by problem gambling – either their own or someone else’s – who would prefer to speak to an Aboriginal gambling help counsellor. Margie also provides community development.
If you know of anyone who is affected by problem gambling -­‐ free, supporHve, non-­‐judgemental help is available and is only a phone call away. !
Please ring Margie on 0477399259 or Julie on 0408485207 or (02)69327500
P.S. Don’t forget we provide outreach services to many communiHes!
!
This Easter Holidays, Sydney-based artist Nana Ohnesorge
is visiting Griffith to begin an exciting project featuring
Portraiture and “Family Love”. Primary & high school
children are invited to take part in Portraiture workshops
with Nana.
The Family-Fun portraiture workshop aims to recognise
and communicate the positive aspects in our relationships
with family members in a creative, fun and memorable
form. “Family” can include members of the immediate
Next term, we are delighted to be supporting “Kaleido - family, as well as the wider family of friends and
Arts” after-school workshops for children aged 7-9, community.
facilitated by local artist Melanie Baulch. Children will be
Monday, 14 April: 9.30am–12.30pm:
encouraged to develop their own artistic expression
Family
Fun
Portraiture Workshop - Primary School students
through painting, collage, construction and mixed media.
$10 per person
Cost is $15 per session, and there will be 6 sessions.
Griffith Connections is proud to continue its partnership
with Griffith Regional Art Gallery, where another successful
series of Art for Kids workshops were held this term.
Kaleido-ARTS!
After-school art for kids!
Students are asked to think about what they love about a
family member and to write a sentence about it. This can
be a short sentence like: “I love my dad because he makes
me laugh”, or “My mum is awesome”.
After the introduction to the project the students are given
simple portraiture guidelines and will be assisted in
developing the overall design to do a free-style portrait of a
family member accompanied by a short “love” sentence.
The portrait and text can be drawn in coloured permanent
pen and then painted in acrylic paint on an A4 canvas.
Wednesday, 16 April: 9.30am–4pm:
Family Fun Portraiture Workshop - High School students /
teenagers. Lunch included. $15.00 per person.
Students will be introduced to the overall project and
design options, learn about proportions of the face and
how to compose a painting. Students will also be instructed
in the use of an overhead projector to trace outlines of a
Children will be encouraged to develop their own artisitic expression through
painting, collage, construction and mixed media.
Ages: 7- 9 years
Where: CWA Hall- Banna Ave
When: Tuesday afternoons - 3:45pm - 5:15pm
Starting in term 2 for 6 sessions: April 29, May 6, 13, 27 and June 3, 10,
2014
Cost: $15 per child, per session
Facilitator: Mel Baulch
Minimum payment of 3 sessions must be paid up-front. Bookings essential as limited numbers.
Call Griffith Regional Art Gallery - (02) 69 62 8338 or email: gallery@griffith.nsw.gov.au
Supported by:
face onto an A4 sized canvas. The traced image will then be
further developed into a portrait painting by using acrylic
paint and permanent pens with the option of adding text.
Free-style portraiture can also be used in this workshop.
IMPORTANT: All students need to bring a standard-size (10
x 15 cm) printed photograph, 1 x A4 size b/w copy (of that
photo) of the face of the person they want to paint.
IMPORTANT: Please wear old or protective clothing.
All students are invited to exhibit their portraits at an
exhibition at Griffith Regional Art Gallery in October 2014
To book in for any of the workshops above, please contact
the Gallery on 6962 8338.
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Griffith Counselling Centre
Janelle White
42 Yambil Street, Griffith, Ph: 6964 3610
E: Janelle.white5@gmail.com
www.griffithcounselling.com.au
Griffith Autism Support Group acknowledged Autism
Month this year with an Awareness Day at the Griffith
City Library. This was held on Wednesday 2 April,
which is International Autism Awareness Day and
LIGHT IT UP BLUE for Autism Day.
It was a great opportunity to distribute new and
current resources to families.
GASG continues to support families in our community
whose children are on the autism spectrum.
They are delighted to announce a free workshop for
families coming up in May (see details below).
In addition, Griffith City Council will be lighting the
Nancy Blumer Memorial Monument blue for
International Autism Awareness Month.
Janelle is a nationally Accredited Mental Health
Social Worker with over 9 years experience in mental
health, relationship, sexual assault and domestic
violence counselling; 5 years university training; post
graduate courses in trauma counselling and CBT;
and a social work lecturer in counselling skills.
Griffith Counselling offers a range of professional
services for adults and children experiencing issues
such as depression, anxiety, relationship and/or
parenting difficulties, trauma, grief and loss,
workplace issues, stress and anger. Please feel free to
contact the centre and discuss your needs or the
needs of your clients.
Medicare rebates reduce out-of-pocket expenses to
about $45. (Free options are available for victims of
crime, veterans and their family members - talk to
Janelle for further details).
Janelle can offer services such as the following:
• Cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) for anxiety and
depression
• Stress management
• Anger management
• Relaxation strategies
• Narrative therapy
• Motivational Interviewing
• Relationship counselling
• Parenting skills - Accredited Triple P Positive
Parenting Program facilitator
FREE 2-­‐day workshop for parents & carers of school age children on the autism spectrum
The PosiHve Partnerships iniHaHves have been developed and delivered by Partnerships between EducaHon and the AuHsm Community (PEAC) and funded by the Australian Government Department of EducaHon, through the Helping Children with AuHsm package.
What will you learn?
As a result of parHcipaHng in the workshops and informaHon sessions as parents/carers you will gain:
• a greater understanding of the impact of auHsm on your child, both at school and at home
• knowledge about how to develop effecHve parent, school and teacher partnerships
• specific strategies on how to:
-­‐ advocate for your child
-­‐ support your child’s parHcipaHon at school
-­‐ develop an awareness of ongoing learning needs
• informaHon about your local school system’s processes
• opportuniHes to network and share strategies with other parents/carers and key community members
• opportuniHes for discussion around a range of topics relevant to students with an ASD and their families
Some key community representaHves that support families living with auHsm will be idenHfied and invited to parHcipate in the workshop with a view to supporHng a community focus beyond the workshop.
Date: Tuesday 20 and Wednesday 21 May 2014 Time: 9.00am -­‐ 4.30pm (Day 1), 9.00am -­‐ 3.30pm (Day 2)
Venue: Griffith Exies Club
To register: Visit www.posiPvepartnerships.com.au For more info call 1300 881 971
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®
1-2-3 MAGIC & EMOTION COACHING
PARENT COURSE
Centacare South West NSW provides 123 Magic & Emotion Coaching courses; a 3
session program for parents and carers of children aged 2 to 12 years. This course
gives you strategies to manage difficult behaviours and emphasises “Inside out” and
“Outside in” parent strategies.
Keeping Kids In Mind
Parents love their children and want the best for them. However, after separation, parenting often gets
much tougher. ‘Keeping Kids in Mind’ is a 5 week course for separated parents who are experiencing ongoing conflict.
The course is designed to:
Assist parents to see through their children’s eyes the experience of parental separation, and to develop
greater understanding about how to support children following family separation.
It covers the following topics:
• Grief and Loss after Separation
• The Hidden World of Children
• Rebuilding Resilience
• Bridging the Gap
• Looking Back and Moving Forward
All are welcome to access the service. There is a sliding scale fee for service; however there are provisions
for financial hardship.
If you need any further information on either of these programs please call us at Centacare,
ph 6964 1447 and speak to either Melissa or Yvonne.
Raising Responsible Digital Ci0zens
10 Steps to empower our kids to be responsible online
A Free Cyber Safety Webinar Tuesday May 6th 7:00pm—8:00pm (AEST)
ABOUT YOUR PRESENTER: Leonie Smith is a Cyber Safety educator and consultant with over 20 years experience building online communi=es and using the internet for marke=ng, broadcas=ng, and now educa=on. Leonie is a mum of four children aged between 14 and 31 years old and is also known as “ The Cyber Safety Lady”. Leonie educates about how to stay safe online through her presenta=ons, her wri=ng, her step by step videos and her “One Of A Kind” Cyber Safety Manual “Keeping Kids Safe Online”. Leonie’s presenta=ons are engaging, prac=cal, informa=ve and funny. Leonie has been featured on 60 minutes, The Project, various ABC programs and more. This is one Webinar not to be missed! (*Please Note: This session is suitable for Parents/Carers and Professionals, it is not suitable for Young People)
Simply CLICK HERE to register for this FREE Session or go to hSp://0nyurl.com/k5ce4x5 Leonie will discuss: -­‐ It’s never too early or late to learn about technology -­‐ Protec=ng your child from adult content -­‐ Tips on how to keep up with your digital child -­‐ How to get kids to switch off without all the drama -­‐ Find out who your child is talking to online without spying -­‐ Dealing with and preven=ng cyber bullying -­‐ Learn how to protect your child’s digital reputa=on -­‐ Keeping your child social AND safe -­‐ Ways to talk to your child about their online responsibility -­‐ AND MUCH MORE! 6
"The Youth Connections
Program" offers support to
young people (11 - 19) who
are disengaged or at risk of
disengaging from
education. In partnership
with schools, youth
networks, health and justice and other community agencies,
the Youth Connections program aims to assist young people
to overcome personal barriers, rebuild resilience and reengage with education, family and community.
Depending on the young person’s needs, the Youth
Connections Program offers a range of services including
alternative education programs, individual case management
and referral services.
Office: 81 Kooyoo St Griffith
Contact: Sue 0417215045 or Alex 0407861332
Drama Classes for children
Dona Parise, playwright and drama teacher,
offers drama and creative expression classes for
young children.
Thursday Mornings, 10 - 10.45am, for toddlers
& preschoolers aged 2 to 5 years, at 27 Collier
Street.
The class explores expression, creative thinking,
role playing, sounding out words and learning
about the world around us.
Cost: $68 for eight weeks ($8.50 per class).
Numbers are limited.
Call Dona on 0427 752 945 for more
information.
HARMONY DAY
On 21st March people from different cultural backgrounds and many groups gathered at Grif<ith Central to celebrate harmoniousness existing in the multicultural society of Grif<ith. Many activities were organised for spectators to enjoy and learn more about different cultures, such as Zumba dance, fashion parade with cultural costumes, different folk dances and so on. Also, morning tea was organised with many different delicious multicultural dishes. It was a collaborative effort of Ningana Enterprises, Multicultural Council of Grif<ith, Centacare, Grif<ith City Council, Grif<ith Central, Grif<ith Women’s Refuge & Sprinkles Multicultural play group to hold this major event. We received very good response. People enjoyed it and would like to be part of it in coming years too. Importantly, this celebration sent the message of togetherness and inclusiveness across the communities. I believe that such events help to promote multiculturalism and spread awareness in our community.
(Written by Chetan Chada, Ningana Enterprises)
https://www.facebook.com/GriffithConnections
Would you like to receive this
newsletter electronically?
To be added to the e-mail list,
please let me know:
griffithconnections@gmail.com
7
WHAT’S ON IN GRIFFITH...
Calendar of events, meetings, workshops, forums, talks etc
ONGOING...
APRIL...
Every Monday Monday 14 April
AL-­‐ANON FAMILY GROUP GRIFFITH NEIGHBOURHOOD HOUSE 7 -­‐ 9PM
FOR MORE INFO PH: 6962 4144 Every Tuesday BABY BOUNCE & RHYME TIME GRIFFITH REGIONAL LIBRARY 0 -­‐2 YEARS
10 -­‐ 10.30 AM FREE
FOR MORE INFO PH: 6962 2515
Every Tuesday FRAIL & AGED GRIFFITH NEIGHBOURHOOD HOUSE LUNCH OR AFTERNOON TEA
FOR MORE INFO PH: 6962 4144
Every Thursday
SMART RECOVERY GROUP Assists people who have addic0on problems -­‐ gambling, alcohol, drug, ea0ng and any other addic0ons.
No appointment necessary -­‐ self referral. All Welcome. FREE.
GRIFFITH NEIGHBOURHOOD HOUSE
80 Benerembah St, Griffith
1PM -­‐ 2.30PM THURSDAY
FOR MORE INFO P: 6962 4144 OR 6964 4533
Family Fun Portraiture Workshop
(Primary school children)
with Nana Ohnesorge
9.30am -­‐ 12.30pm
at CWA Hall, Banna Ave
Call Art Gallery on 6962 8338 for bookings
Wednesday 16 April
Family Fun Portraiture Workshop
(High school children)
with Nana Ohnesorge
9.30am -­‐ 4.00pm
at CWA Hall, Banna Ave
Call Art Gallery on 6962 8338 for bookings
Saturday 19 April
Tuesday 6 May
Raising Responsible Digital Citizens
Webinar with “The Cyber Safety Lady”
FREE
7.00 -­‐ 8.00pm
To register, visit:
http://tinyurl.com/k5ce4x5
Saturday 10 May
Mother of the Year Awards
with special presentation from Maggie Dent
3.00 -­‐ 5.00pm
Burley Griffin Room, Griffith Regional Theatre
FREE
All welcome.
Call Marg Andreazza on 6962 6833 for more info.
Sunday 18 May
La Festa
11.00am -­‐ 6.30pm
Theatre Workshop with Tanya Hennessy
Griffith Community Gardens
“Masterclass”
$10 per person
8-­‐12 years: 12.00 -­‐ 2.00pm
Tuesday 29 April
13-­‐17 years: 2.30 -­‐ 4.30pm
Kaleido-­‐Arts (Week 1)
For more info call the theatre on 6962 8444
(children aged 7-­‐9)
http://ww.griffith.nsw.gov.au/cp_themes/
theatre/page.asp?c=13
with Melanie Baluch
from 3.45pm -­‐ 5.15pm
Every Thursday at CWA Hall, Banna Ave
Tuesday 20 & Wednesday 21 May
Call Art Gallery on 6962 8338 for bookings
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS GRIFFITH NEIGHBOURHOOD HOUSE 8 -­‐ 10PM
FOR MORE INFO PH: 6962 4144
$15 per session
Positive Partnerships workshop for parents / carers of children on the autism spectrum
Every Friday
STORY TIME GRIFFITH REGIONAL LIBRARY 2-­‐5 YEARS
11AM -­‐ 12PM FREE
FOR MORE INFO PH: 6962 2515
Sessions then continue May 6, 13 & 27 and June 3 &10.
WOULD LIKE TO ADD TO THIS CALENDAR? SEND DETAILS TO
griffithconnections@gmail.com
Next Publication date for the quarterly To register, visit:
www.positivepartnerships.com.au
MAY...
Sunday 4 May
Theatre Workshop with Tanya Hennessy
“Devising”
$10 per person
HAVE YOU GOT A COMMUNITY EVENT YOU FREE
Exies Club
8-­‐12 years: 12.00 -­‐ 2.00pm
13-­‐17 years: 2.30 -­‐ 4.30pm
For more info call the theatre on 6962 8444
Sunday 25 May
Theatre Workshop with Tanya Hennessy
“Improvisation”
$10 per person
8-­‐12 years: 12.00 -­‐ 2.00pm
13-­‐17 years: 2.30 -­‐ 4.30pm
For more info call the theatre on 6962 8444
http://ww.griffith.nsw.gov.au/cp_themes/
theatre/page.asp?c=13
http://ww.griffith.nsw.gov.au/cp_themes/
theatre/page.asp?c=13
Interagency Newsletter is 20 June 2014.
8