September 2015

RIAC NEWSLETTER | Issue 8/2015
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RIAC
Newsletter
Sep
September
2015
Chairperson’s message
www.riac.org.au
This year 2014-2015 has been a very busy and stimulating time for the RIAC Board. I personally did
not expect to find myself in the position of Chairwoman, but it was a wonderful opportunity for me
when the position of Board Chair became vacant and I was asked to stand for election to this role.
The position of Chair has given me a much greater insight in to the work RIAC accomplishes and how
much advocacy is still needed for people with disabilities in Australia.
We are about to embark on a new era for advocacy in Australia with the NDIS beginning its rollout
Australia wide. Our previous strategic plan is finishing at the end of this year and we will be working
together as a Board to define in our next Strategic Plan how we will continue to provide the great
service we now deliver and how we can enhance our services and grow into the future.
We have had 3 Board members, Graeme Murphy, Ayden Graham and Kerrie Reardon finish their time
with us this year and I want to thank them for putting in the time and effort in support of RIAC.
Three new members Rashidi Sumaili, Michael Curtis and Thomas Kilmartin have joined the Board and
bring with them new skills and a passion for the work RIAC performs.
I hope that this next year brings some stability in funding and growth for the organisation so that we
can continue to provide advocacy and support for people with disabilities.
Thank you to all the staff and volunteers who helped make 2014-2015 a successful year.
Karryn Goode
Chairperson
RIAC NEWSLETTER | Issue 8/2015
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combatting financial abuse requires systematic future
planning by older people, making mediation and family
meetings more commonplace and better equipping relevant
professionals to intervene. Photo by Ronn aka "Blue"
Aldaman.
Seniors Rights Victoria has made a submission on elder abuse
to the Royal Commission into Family Violence. Both the
submission and a summary may be seen at
http://seniorsrights.org.au/our-submission-to-the-royalcommission-into-family-violence/. Elder abuse is family
violence when it occurs within the context of a family
relationship, which it most often does. As a 70 year old client
of Seniors Rights Victoria, who suffered financial loss,
psychological abuse and physical assault at the hands of her
adult son, says:
“I never would have believed the boy I raised could do this to
me. Make no mistake, elder abuse can happen to anyone. It is
vitally important the public becomes aware of this kind of
intergenerational family violence and what to do about it.”
In the submission, Seniors Rights Victoria highlights the
unique experience of older victims of family violence,
identifies barriers limiting their access to justice and services,
and makes a number of recommendations. Some of the
media coverage we have received may be viewed at
http://seniorsrights.org.au/news-events/media-centre/royalcommission-family-violence/ .
National Ageing Research Institute Report
In its new Summary Report: Profile of Elder Abuse in
Victoria (final report to come), the National Ageing Research
Institute has complied Seniors Rights Victoria data over a two
year period. It shows that financial abuse and
psychological/emotional abuse together are the most
common forms of abuse reported by older Victorians
(81.82%). Victims are most likely to be female (72.5%), and
the perpetrators are 60% male and 40% female. 92.3% of
abuse is perpetrated by persons related to the older person or
in a de facto relationship: 66.8% of abuse is perpetrated by a
child of the older person.
4th National Elder Abuse Conference Registrations now open!
Registration for the 4th National Elder Abuse Conference,
hosted by Seniors Rights Victoria, is now open! Take
advantage of the reduced prices and register at early bird
rates before they expire on 11 November 2015. The
Conference will take place from 23-25 February 2016 in
Melbourne. A number of impressive national and international
speakers have confirmed their attendance.
The deadline for abstract submissions for the program is 5
August 2015: themes for submissions are prevention,
collaborative and innovative responses and decision making by, with, and for older people. For further details on the
Conference, please visit our
http://elderabuseconference.org.au/ .
Let’s Talk about Sex Conference
If you face concerns relating to sexuality and intimacy within
your residential or community aged care setting and would
like more information on how best to resolve these, join us on
8-9th September 2015. At the conference you will:
• Discuss how to better manage the challenges relating to
sexual behaviours in your care setting
• Discover techniques to enable intimacy and sexual
expression among the people you care for in your workplace
• Gain a robust understanding of capacity and consent.
You will take away: a policy framework for managing sexual
expression in your care setting, strategies for managing
challenging behaviours and a copy of the Sexuality
Assessment Toolkit for the aged care sector. Visit the website:
http://www.ltas2015.com/
Common scenarios of financial abuse involve adult children
returning home, demanding their inheritance early or
exchanging ‘care’ for their parents’ assets. In its submission to
the Royal Commission, Seniors Rights Victoria argues that
RIAC NEWSLETTER | Issue 8/2015
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Changes to Legislation on Powers of
Attorney
Victorian legislation on powers of attorney will change on 1
September 2015. A power of attorney allows a person with
decision making capacity (the principal) to appoint another
person (the attorney) to make certain decisions on behalf of
the principal.
The Victorian legal framework for powers of attorney will
change with the commencement of the Powers of Attorney
Act 2014 (POAs Act). (A copy of the POAs Act can be found at
www.legislation.vic.gov.au.) Powers of attorney valid under
current legislation will continue to be valid after the new
legislation commences. The POAs Act does not affect medical
powers of attorney.
The new powers of attorney legislation has three main
objectives: 1) to consolidate and clarify the legal framework
applying to enduring powers of attorney; 2) to increase
protection of the principal’s interests; and 3) to introduce a
new type of appointment: the supportive attorney. For more
information see http://seniorsrights.org.au/changes-tolegislation-on-powers-of-attorney/
Training Opportunities
CPA Australia, in conjunction with Senior Rights Victoria, has
developed a Financial Abuse of Older People Toolkit which
aims to help accountants throughout Australia to define, raise
awareness of, identify occurrences, help prevent and mitigate
the impact of financial abuse of older people. The toolkit
launched on the 15th of June, World Elder Abuse Awareness
Day, and consists of articles, case studies, checklists and
referral links.
On 13 November 2015, the Domestic Violence Resource
Centre Victoria will run a one-day program on how to assess
and respond to elder abuse, with a focus on the safety and
wellbeing of older people experiencing abuse. It includes
professional obligations, duty of care, clients’ rights, capacity
and consent, collecting and reporting evidence and referral
pathways. The Lookout is another site for professionals to
find and share information on family violence in Victoria.
World Mental Health Day 2015
10 October 2015
International Day of Peace
21 September 2015
International Day of Rural Women
15 October 2015
International Day for Tolerance
16 November 2015
International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against
Women
25 November 2015
Australian Federation of Disability Organisations (AFDO) has
launched a new website for people with a disability and their
families.
“Disability Loop aims to give people with disability and their
families information about the National Disability Insurance
Scheme (NDIS) that is up to date, easy to find and easy to
use,” said Matthew Wright, AFDO CEO.
“Disability Loop is different to the NDIS website because it is
run by and for people with disability and their families. It also
brings together information from lots of different websites,
not just the NDIS” said Matthew Wright, AFDO CEO, in a
media release on 29 May 2015.
The Disability Loop website is just one element of the project
with further elements to be developed later in the year.
Disability Loop is a project run by the Australian Federation of
Disability Organisations (AFDO) and funded by the NDIS
Sector Development Fund (SDF).
To visit the Disability Loop website or view the full media
release, please visit: www.disabilityloop.org.au
RIAC NEWSLETTER | Issue 8/2015
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H O NO U R B O A RD F O R T H E
C A M P A IG N F O R D IS A B I L IT Y
R IG H T S
Through a digital honour board, the Museum of Australian
Democracy at Eureka (MADE) is paying respect to the work of
Australians who have campaigned for the rights of people
with disability.
You can check out the honour board, and nominate
individuals who you think have made a major contribution to
the disability rights movement and should be added to the
board, by clicking this link http://goo.gl/ZR6AFq
Nominations can include people with disability or those who
have stood alongside and encouraged people with disabilities
to find their own voices to advocate for their own rights.
To also find out more information about the current
Grassroots Democracy Campaign for Disability Rights
exhibition, on now at MADE, click this link
http://goo.gl/vF0By3
IMAGE BELOW: A screenshot of the Honour Board for the
Campaign for Disability Rights. The screenshot shows nine
square shaped images of Australians who have campaigned
for the rights of people with disability. Pictured across the top
of the image are Anne McDonald, Craig Wallace and Doug
Pentland. Pictured in the middle row are Drisana LevitzkeGray, Frank Hall-Bentick, and George Taleporos. Pictured
along the bottom row are Gordon Prior, Jan Daisley and Joan
Hume
HACC Access and Support Program
The Home and Community Care (HACC) Access and Support
Service provides support for HACC eligible people, those who
are frail and aged, younger people with a disability and their
carer’s; who due to their diversity, have barriers to accessing
HACC and other services to assist them to remain living at
home.
At RIAC we offer these services to people living with
Dementia or experiencing
Financial Disadvantage within the City of Greater Bendigo,
people from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and
Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) backgrounds
within the Rural City of Mildura as well as the CALD
Communities within Swan Hill Rural City Council.
We have had some changes in recent months within our
HACC Access and Support Team. Diana King from Mildura has
left RIAC to move interstate with her family and Saria Jaffri
has also left to pursue other activities.
RIAC would like to welcome Cynthia Hudson who has
commenced working in Mildura in the HACC Access and
Support Program working with the Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander Communities.
September is Dementia Awareness Month. RIAC are working
alongside Alzheimer’s Australia and other service providers
within Bendigo; HACC, Dementia Behaviour Management
Advisory Service (DBMAS), Cognitive Dementia and Memory
Service (CDAMS), Carer’s Support Services, Golden City
Support Services to hold two information days on the 3rd of
September at The Market Place Bendigo and 4th of
September at Charter Hall Lansell Square Kangaroo Flat.
Local Radio station 3BO will be interviewing all stall holders to
provide information on the services they provide within the
Community. For further Information about the HACC Access
and Support Program please call 54 430 550 or 1800 224 799.
RIAC NEWSLETTER | Issue 8/2015
Shower facilities, a narrative.
To be able to have safe, private place to shower is a
basic human expectation, - or is it?
The provision in Shepparton of the Harry Bird public
shower facility (for the homeless) resulted from my
addressing the City of Greater Shepparton Councillors
(CoGS) about the issue of local homelessness, I then
working in the role of an Assertive Outreach worker;
within the State-wide Community Connections
Program. (CCP.) I requested an opportunity to
address the Councillors of the issue of local
homelessness having been alerted by a homeless man
of the lack of public shower facilities, I first
investigating and exploring the identified problem
seeking out what could be a practical solution.
I spoke to the then sitting (CoGS) councillors about
the causes of homelessness and of the polymer and
complex needs of this marginalised and largely
invisible population group with the result the
Councillors support was obtained to assist in creating
positive outcomes, (where and when possible.) Over
the next few months, my proposal of hot shower
provision was discussed with the outcome that the
Harry Bird public shower facility located in a quiet
local park near the bushland of the Goulburn River
was quietly opened for ~ 4 hours during weekday
mornings for the homeless to make use of. Once
opened, I then regularly visited to ensure the facility
was being cleaned, unlocked and hot water, lighting
available etc.
On starting work in the role of Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander Advocate some years ago, I explained
to RIAC management of both the great practical and
educational value of this systemic issue securing
RIAC’s support to continue on with this endeavour. I
continue to visit approximately fortnightly and to
leave donated (new andpackaged) soaps, tooth
brushes and hygiene packs in both the male and
female showers.
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The limited provision of a shower in potable heated
water is a good outcome, a basic human expectation
that most of us wouldn’t think twice about, but the
understanding that there are marginalised and very
disadvantaged homeless people with this need and
much more in the forefront of CoGS councillors
learning now gives them a greater understanding of
stark coal face community needs that they didn’t
possess at all prior to this advocacy.
Today, the bushland nearby remains a last resort for
many of our regions homeless, they living rough with
poor physical(&/or) mental health, ABI’s, family
breakdowns, addictions, unemployment or simply
lost as a result of their institutionalisation. The
availability of a hot shower isn’t really much, but it’s a
decent start
Recently the Greater Shepparton Council has made
the decision to make the showers available 24 hours a
day. Deadly outcome!
NOTE; The nearby bushland along the Goulburn
River is known as “the Flats” and is where the former
inhabitants of the Government overseen
Cumragunyah Aboriginal Mission made history in
1939, when in protesting the deplorable conditions
of the mission walked to and lived for many years.
Musician, Archie Roach was 3 years of age when he
and his sisters were forcibly removed from their
family on the Flats in 1959 by men in uniform. This
year Mr Roach was honoured in the Queen's Birthday
Honours list, as a Member of the Order of
Australia (AM), for services to music as a singersongwriter, guitarist and a prominent supporter of
social justice. (The last two ABS censuses attest that
the Hume region has a higher rate of homelessness
per-capita than metro Melbourne.
Daryl Solan
Manager of Advocacy Services
RIAC NEWSLETTER | Issue 8/2015
2015 SARU SELF-ADVOCACY
CONFERENCE
On Tuesday 28th July 2015, I attended my very first
Self Advocacy Conference which was held at Ross
House in Melbourne. Along with Myself and 2 selfadvocates caught the 6.30am train from
Shepparton which went straight through to
Southern Cross Station, where we arrived at
9.05am.
Because it was my first time attending a SelfAdvocacy Meeting in Melbourne and having a
major fear of getting lost in Melbourne, Bronwyn
arranged with Sue from SARU to meet us 3 girls at
Southern Cross Station and from there we caught
the tram to Ross House in Flinders Lane.
Because we arrived at 9.05am and the conference
didn’t start until 10a.m, we put our bags in the
SARU office and then headed down the road into a
laneway where there was a street full of coffee
shops and had a coffee/ hot chocolate before
making our way back to ross House.
By then people from the other groups were starting
to arrive, so we got a table and sat down where 2
other Self Advocate’s from 2 other groups joined
us. Jacqui then played a short dvd on self-advocacy
while we waited for a few last minute people to
arrive and then both Sue and Jacqui did
introductions and each of us had to introduce
ourselves and say where we were from and what we
wanted out of the self-advocacy group, which was
interesting as the majority of everyone there
wanted the same thing, just to be treated as equal.
We then broke into small groups with a note taker
and discussed what we wanted the government to
do for us (the self-advocates or other words people
with a disability), before breaking for a 1hr lunch
break. This is where we could get around the room
and meet and talk with the different self-advocates
from all the other different groups that attended.
I’m pretty sure that there were 6 groups in total
there, with an apology from roughly only 2 groups
which would have had to travel quite a bit of
distance to get there and it wasn’t worth the
travelling time for them to be able to do this. After
lunch we then allocated one person from each of
the groups to then got up and speak about the
issues that their group had come up with. Most
PAGE 6
were repetitive which was good as it meant that
these stood out to be real major problems that
people with a disability find difficult in day to day
living; such as housing, education, NDIS and being
treated as one and equal to everyone else with a
few different issues also being brought up and
discussed.
At the end of this we the Shepparton group had to
leave but apparently we were only missing out on
the VSAN committee nominations, which the 3 of
us girls didn’t really think that we should really be
nominating anyone at that time seeing as the rest
of the group members weren’t in attendance to
have their say, so we will be doing that at our next
Self Advocacy group meeting and will then e-mail
or contact Sue to let her know who the Shepparton
Self Advocacy group representative will be in the
future.
Because Sue and Jacqui were still finishing off the
conference, Sue arranged for us to get a taxi back
to Southern Cross station where we caught the
train to Seymour and then had to get off that and
get on a bus at Seymour back to Shepparton where
we arrived back at the Shepparton train station at
5.30pm.
I’ve only been in the Self Advocacy group since May
and so this was my first major Self Advocacy
Conference in Melbourne that I have attended.
Being a born and bred country person I will admit
that the thought of going down to Melbourne let
alone by train and on the way home having to do a
change over at Seymour terrifies me as I have no
sense of direction and was worried that I would get
lost somewhere between Seymour and anywhere in
Melbourne. But with Bronwyn and Sue’s patience
and continuous negotiating and very much
appreciated help, I was able to attend and feel safe
and confident enough to thoroughly enjoy my day
and the experience of being a self-advocate and to
just be able to sit there and listening to what the
other self-advocates had to say as well as most
importantly being able to meet some of the selfadvocates that I’ve seen on several of the selfadvocacy dvd’s that we’ve been shown and
watched over time.
Mandy McKenna
Self Advocacy Peer Advisor
RIAC NEWSLETTER | Issue 8/2015
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RIAC NEWSLETTER | Issue 8/2015
PAGE 8
Disability no barrier for Aboriginal
singer Jameson Casson in Tennant
Creek abc.net.au
Photo: Jameson Casson lives with his mum Valda Shannon at Mulga
Town Camp in Tennant Creek. (ABC Alice Springs: Emma Sleath)
Life turned around through song
Photo: Jameson Casson leads the Gospel Choir from the local AIM
Church at the 2015 Desert Harmony Festival. (ABC Alice Springs:
Emma Sleath)
Jameson Casson has risen above numerous challenges to spread joy in
the tiny outback town of Tennant Creek. The 29-year-old was born
with an intellectual disability and was the victim of bullying during his
childhood. He has come a long way to become the popular and active
community member he is today.
But life was difficult for Jameson during his early years.
Teased for his disability, he was also the target of racial abuse and
Jameson spent most of his time withdrawn and sleeping.
Valda Shannon, Jameson's guardian and mother (according to
Aboriginal kinship law) said Jameson struggled throughout his school
years.
"People weren't so friendly towards him," Ms Shannon said.
With a new guitar and wearing a crisp white shirt, Jameson delighted
the crowd with gospel songs at the annual Desert Harmony Festival
hosted by Barkly Regional Arts.
"There were a lot of people that said things that really hurt him bad
and he'd come home and cry a lot; his self-esteem was very low."
Manager of the festival Kathy Burns said it was wonderful to be able
to provide an opportunity for the popular singer to perform in public.
But Ms Shannon said Jameson was a different person now, with
confidence gained from his experience with the church, and from
employment secured a few years ago.
"Jameson comes into the office every single morning and works with
the Winanjjikari Music Centre [a local music program] every day," she
said.
"He spent 12 months walking the street knocking on doors and finally,
he was offered a sports and recreation position at [a local health
organisation]," Ms Shannon said.
”No matter what he does, he'll get up and participate. He's just got so
much confidence and enthusiasm, he can't help himself.”
Valda Shannon
"He was so proud — and we were too — that he was able to find a job
on his own without help from any of us."
"He's always wanting a platform on which to sing and so this was the
perfect opportunity to say okay, here's a space for you to get up and
do your thing."
Community hero
Many in Tennant Creek said Jameson's enthusiastic involvement in
the community makes them happy.
Jameson led a gospel choir from the Aboriginal Island Mission (AIM)
church in Tennant Creek.
Tennant Creek resident Frances Stringer met Jameson through her
involvement in the local touch football team.
"I feel excited to do this, so people can hear the good news of the
gospel and one day change their lives," he said.
"His name and his face pops up all over Tennant Creek," she said.
According to Aboriginal kinship law, Jameson was taught to sing at
the age of 15 by his late father Tasman Casson.
"One of his favourite songs was Help Me To Know," Jameson said of
his father.
"I love his songs very much. I always keep memories of him and I
always sing his songs."
"I think that's why he's so beloved by us all — because we see him in so
many places and involving himself in so much of the community."
Ms Shannon said Jameson's disability is not a factor in his life."I've
watched my son grow over the years [and] he's taken on disability as
nothing to worry about," she said.
"No matter what he does, he'll get up and participate.
"He's just got so much confidence and enthusiasm, he can't help
himself."
RIAC NEWSLETTER | Issue 8/2015
PAGE 9
RIAC FEEDBACK, COMPLIMENTS AND COMPLAINTS
We are always happy to hear from you if you have any, concerns, feedback or suggestions for how
we can improve any of our services.
You can


write to us via email:
admin@riac.org.au
or post to:
CEO, 190 Benalla Road, SHEPPARTON VIC 3630
or phone free call
1800 221 944 or (03) 5822 1944
(from mobiles)
If you are deaf, or have a hearing impairment or speech impairment, contact us through the National Relay
Service
TTY/Voice calls: 133677
Speak & Listen (SSR) 1300 555 727
Internet relay users connect to the NRS - http://relayservice.gov.au/
RIAC Membership – Become or Renew your Membership
If you would like to support the work of RIAC and be involved in corporate governance of the organisation, you might
like to consider becoming a member. Annual Membership covers a financial year, therefore renew or new
memberships for 2015/16 are being accepted now. Please phone RIAC if you would like more information.
MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION – 2015/16
Application for Membership of Rights Information and Advocacy Centre Inc.
________________________________________________ (name of applicant/organisation)
of_________________________________________________________________address
Wish to  join the membership of the Rights Information and Advocacy Centre Inc.
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I would like to receive my copy of the Joint RIAC/SPSP Newsletter via:
 Email at
Signature of Applicant/Organisation
Subscription:
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Direct Debit Details:
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Account:
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Please Return for to: RIAC
PO BOX 1763
SHEPPARTON VIC 3632
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