City of Parramatta Council

Youpla Group funeral benefit program

The Australian Government is establishing the Youpla Group funeral benefit program. The Youpla Group was also formerly known as the Aboriginal Community Benefit Fund. The program is intended to help affected members' families to continue to mourn their loved ones and conduct Sorry Business with dignity.

The program is intended to:

pay funeral claims relating to a deceased Youpla Group fund member who had an active policy on or after 1 April 2020.
pay an amount up to the cover limit in the fund member’s policy.
pay funeral claims received up to 30 November 2023.

The Australian Government is finalising the details of the program. If you are interested in receiving further updates by email, you can register below.

For more information and to register here - Youpla Group funeral benefit program | Treasury.gov.au

Unpaid Pandemic Leave Available Again

Employees covered by some awards can access 2 weeks’ unpaid pandemic leave from 15 July 2022 until 31 December 2022. This follows a recent Fair Work Commission decision to add the entitlement back into these awards.

Eligible employees can access up to 2 weeks’ unpaid pandemic leave (or more by agreement with their employer) if they can’t work because:

they’re required to self-isolate by government or medical authorities, or on the advice of a medical practitioner, or
of measures taken by government or medical authorities in response to the pandemic (for example, an enforceable government direction restricting non-essential businesses).

The leave is available in full immediately to full-time, part-time and casual employees – employees don’t have to accrue it.

Affected awards

The awards with unpaid pandemic leave entitlements available are the:

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Services Award
Aged Care Award
Ambulance and Patient Transport Award
Health Professionals and Support Services Award
Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Award
Supported Employment Services Award.

More information

Learn more about this leave entitlement and read our updated information at Unpaid pandemic leave in awards.

You can also read the FWC decision.

Tidda Talk

Tidda Talk is designed by young Aboriginal girls for young Aboriginal girls to talk about cultural appropriate healthy lifestyles. Every Wed and Thurs from 4pm-5:30pm in South Sydney.

For more information go to: Tidda Talk

Stride - Safe Space Blacktown

Want to know more about Safe Space and how we are supporting people in the community experiencing distress, both long term and short term? Please contact me on 0402 511 436 or via email.

Safe Space is open Wednesday – Saturday 3pm – 9pm and STILL providing face to face support during the current lockdown.

For more information go to: Stride - Safe Space Blacktown

Financial Assistance Link - Electricity Assistance

People can apply for EAPA vouchers (electricity assistance) online now - previously it was via and assessment with a financial counsellor.

They need to have a Services NSW account and be eligible.

Click the link below for more info and to register

Service NSW - Electricity Assistance

Brother to Brother

Brother to Brother is Australia's first 24hr hotline assisting Aboriginal men through Covid-19. The line is staffed by Aboriginal men, cinulding elders, to promote a culturally safe service.

The crisis number is 1800 435 799

Study Sessions at Kimberwalli

It’s that time of year where Schools enter into their fourth and final term, with our students in Year 10 and 12 diligently preparing for their exams. This can be quite a stressful time for our young students at school and having access to space and technology to study is one the major factors contributing to that stress.

Kimberwalli would like to invite Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students to utilise our well-equipped, state of the art facilities to guarantee a safe, quite space for them to study.

Kimberwalli is open from Monday to Friday, between the hours of 8:30AM – 5:00PM.

Booking sessions times to study at Kimberwalli are essential as Kimberwalli is following a COVID safety plan to maintain a safe environment for our staff and guests.

Transport will be available for drop off at the surrounding train/bus stations.

If you are interested in booking a session for study or know a student who would, please email me (Blake Tatafu) at blake.tatafu6@det.nsw.edu.au or give me a call on (02) 8610 6800.

Koori Kloset

Do you need clothes for an upcoming:

Interview;
Court Date;
Formal;
Sorry Business;
Other special event?

Call us a call and come and borrow from our Koori Kloset: 51-57 Henry Street Penrith. Call Krystle 0468 768 936 or Gary 0468 703 918 or 47211 536 (option 2).

City of Parramatta First Nations Strategy Survey and Community Consultations

The City of Parramatta is developing a First Nations Strategy for implementation in 2023.

Department of Customer Service - Aboriginal Customer Service Survey

The Department of Customer Service has launched the Aboriginal Customer Service Survey. They want to ensure that Aboriginal customers receive culturally safe service and feel able to voice complaints or concerns.

This anonymous survey aims to find out about your experience as an Aboriginal customer with the Department of Customer Service and its related agencies:

Service NSW
Revenue NSW
NSW Fair Trading
NSW Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages
State Insurance Regulatory Authority (SIRA)
SafeWork NSW

Your feedback will inform the ongoing work of NSW Government to look at community concerns about:

cultural safety in customer service
equal access to make a complaint
voicing service complaints in a safe way free from prejudice and racism

To complete the survey go to: Department of Customer Service Survey

Garvin Institute - The MetMemory Study

Do you live in the greater Sydney region and are you interested in participating in a placebo-controlled study aiming to slow cognitive decline, using a safe medication used to treat diabetes and metabolic conditions?

For more information or to participate in this important study go to: The MetMemory Study

Review of the Ageing and Disability Commissioner Act 2019

The NSW Government has engaged Alan Cameron AO to conduct an independent review of the Ageing and Disability Commissioner Act (2019) to determine whether:

The policy objectives of the Act remain valid; and

The terms of the Act are still appropriate to help meet those objectives.

Regular Meetings and Project Updates

Parramatta Koori Interagency

The Parramatta Koori Interagency is for First Nations workers in the Parramatta LGA or those who work with a First Nations clients in the local area. We meet on the 2nd Thurs of every month from 11:30am -1pm and we share information, form partnerships and often get presentations on organisations work or consultations.

For more information or to be added to the email network please contact Steven Ross at the City of Parramatta: sross@cityofparramatta.nsw.gov.au

Sydney Metro - Updates

To sign up for regular updates and information on Sydney Metro go to: Sydney Metro

NSW Dept of Communities and Justice

The NSW Department of Communities and Justice are looking for enthusiastic Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students beginning year 11 in 2023. If you re thinking about a future career in social work, law, administration, and many more vocations working in the public sector for DCJ will give you great insight. We have a number of placements available across NSW at multiple DCJ Offices including Courthouses, Corporate offices and regional centres.

For more information and to register go to: School Based Traineeship

Aboriginal Student Traineeship Placement Locations

DPE are seeking Aboriginal students who are commencing Year 11 in 2023 to undertake a two-year traineeship through Years 11 & 12. This is a great opportunity for students who are interested in undertaking paid work experience for one day a week to build their skills and gain work experience in the office or on Country.

For information and to register go to: DPE Aboriginal Student Trainee Placement Locations

Charles Perkins Scholarship 2023

The Charlie Perkins scholarship provides an opportunity for two talented Indigenous Australians each year, to undertake Postgraduate study at the University of Oxford or the University of Cambridge.

The value of each Perkins Scholarship will vary, depending on the scholarship-holder’s course of study. It will cover for up to three years full university and college fees, travel costs and an annual stipend to cover living expenses. For the 2021-22 academic year the stipend is £16,500.

These Postgraduate scholarships are particularly directed towards Indigenous Australians who have the potential to become leaders in their field of study and in their communities.

LEAD Professional Development - Self-Care for Aboriginal Workers Training

Lead is offering 1 day in-person workshops focusing on self-care strategies for Aboriginal workers on Wednesday 14th December 2022.

For more information and to register go to: Self-care for Aboriginal Workers

Aboriginal Leaner Drivers Program

Do you need a learners permit?

We are now taking expressions of interest for the Aboriginal Learner drivers program. In this course you will;

Practice your test online.
Learn in an environment with other Aboriginal people or in the comfort of your own home.
Learn about driver safety and driver responsibility.
Acquire your Learners permit.
Resourced by the RMS.
An exemption will be given at the end of the course to attempt for free until you pass the test with no rebooking fee! (up to 12 weeks)

Choose how you want to learn either face to face in class or connected online delivery!

HOW DO I APPLY?

Application link:

bit.ly/LearnerDriver

Parramatta Queer Forum

Parramatta Queer Forum meetings held on the first Tuesday of each month at 1pm via zoom.

Contact Adrian Mouhajer AMouhajer@acon.org.au for zoom link.

MPXV (Monkeypox) Vaccinations: Information for LGBTQ+ communities in NSW

This email contains information about the MPXV vaccine and a link to NSW Health to register your interest in the vaccine.

ACON is providing frequently updated information to help our communities make informed decisions. You can access that information here.

NSW Health is providing vaccinations for community members at particular risk of exposure to MPXV in metro and regional NSW.

The vaccine that will be offered to community members is the JYNNEOS smallpox vaccine, which is the latest vaccine available to provide protection against MPXV.

Currently, there is significant global demand and health authorities are working hard to secure more vaccines.

An initial supply of JYNNEOS received in NSW in August has been used. Up to 30,000 more doses are expected at the end of September and 70,000 doses in early 2023.

To register, follow the link to NSW Health below. If eligible, you will be contacted by NSW Health as more vaccine arrives in NSW in September 2022 and early 2023.

If you have already registered your interest, there is no need to register again. NSW Health will be in touch as more vaccine becomes available in NSW if you’re eligible.

Register your interest online via NSW Health (link below). Please note: completing the form does not guarantee vaccine access.

Those determined to be at high risk will receive a clinical assessment to determine their eligibility for the vaccine at this point in time.

Please be patient as health authorities work through vaccine distribution. As more vaccines become available, more people will be able to get access to the vaccine.

It is important to be remain self-aware of your health at all times, including after being vaccinated. If you develop any symptoms, particularly an unusual rash,

lesions or sores, seek medical advice immediately. Call the NSW Sexual Health Infolink on 1800 451 624 or call your GP or local sexual health clinic via phone or telehealth.

ACON, along with other community partners, is supporting NSW Health and our communities during the MPXV vaccination program.

ACON are continuing to work with NSW Health towards facilitating greater access to vaccines that protect against MPXV.

Or cut & paste this URL https://www.stitest.org.au/

Community Connective Funding Page

Community Connective has a huge range of funding opportunities. Go to the link below to see what is available and to subscribe to their newsletter in your local area:

Community Connective Funding

Create Connects - 22/23 Arts and Cultural Funding Program (Round 2) Information Sessions

CreateNSW is offering a series of grant information sessions to provide artists and arts and cultural organisations information on the Arts and Cultural Funding Program.

Are you a NSW artist, group or arts and cultural organisation? Are you considering applying for Round Two of the Arts and Cultural Funding Program, opening 5 December 2022? This includes Creative Koori Projects Funding, Project Funding for Individuals and Organisations and Organisation Annual Program Funding.

Join Create NSW staff at various locations across Sydney, Western Sydney and Regional NSW for an in depth information session on the Arts and Cultural Funding Program. In these face-to-face sessions you’ll learn about specific funding categories, application processes, eligibility requirements and tips on how to submit a competitive application. There will also be an opportunity to ask questions.

Online Lab Sessions

Create NSW will also offer online Lab Sessions (20-min) to artists, groups and organisations to talk about project ideas one-on-one with a Create NSW staff member. You can register for a Lab Session with Create NSW staff here.

LEAD Learning Centre

LEAD Learning Centre is now available to hire and features fully finished and latest technology equipped training and meeting room.

For more information to hire the space go to: LEAD Learning Centre

Mob Strong Debt Help

Mob Strong Debt Help is a free legal advice service about debt and insurance problems for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples from anywhere in Australia.

For more information and contacts go to: Mob Strong Debt Help

Daramu Aboriginal Services

Daramu is Marist 180's specialist youth justice program, providing a range of culturally responsive services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander 12 to 18 year olds either at risk of criminal behavior or in contact with police, courts or Juvenile Justice NSW.

For more info, referrals and contacts check out: Daramu Aboriginal Youth Service

Muru Mittigar Community Finance Hub

For financial assistance including No Interest Loan Schemes and assistance with bills go to: Community Financial Hub

Women's Business Hub

The Women's Business 2nd Chance Hub is a program that aims to create meaningful and lasting opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Women in Western Sydney.

For more info go to: Women's Business 2nd Chance Hub

Link-Up (NSW) - Stolen Generation Men's Group

When: Every 2nd Tues of the Month

Time: 10am-3pm

Where: The Men's Shed, Luxford rd, Emerton/Mt Druitt

Holy Family Catholic Church

*food provided

For further details please call Uncle Dennis Dunn on (02) 7227 1443 or email: linkup@nsw.link-up.org.au

NSW Indigenous Chamber of Commerce - Business Start Up Info Sessions

The NSW Indigenous Chamber of Commerce and the First Australians Chamber of Commerce and Industry are running information sessions on Aboriginal Business Starts.

Q and A Information for First Nations Community

Please see the attached information for First Nation community on Antivirals for COVID-19:

Antivirals Information for First Nations community

Help Prevent the Spread of Covid-19 Misinformation

Proud Bundjalung and Torres Strait Islander man, Uncle Col Watego, is passionate about COVID-19 vaccination as it’s the best way to protect ourselves, our loved ones and the community from getting really sick from COVID-19 and helping to reduce the spread of the virus.

In this video, he speaks on misinformation about COVID-19 vaccination currently circulating in Aboriginal communities across NSW and the importance of listening to reliable sources, such as medical experts.

To watch video go to: Keep Our Mob Safe

Booster Shots

Getting your booster will help make sure you, your loved ones and your community stay protected against COVID-19. A booster dose of a COVID-19 vaccine will strengthen your protection against the virus.

A booster is strongly recommended, particularly if you’re over 50 or have an underlying medical condition.

You may experience common, mild side effects after getting your booster dose however, these should look similar to the side effects following the first 2 doses. These are normal and show that your immune system is responding to the vaccine and that it is working.

You can get your booster dose at Aboriginal Medical Services, GP’s, pharmacies and NSW Health clinics. Many places offer walk-ins, no appointment is needed.

To find out where to get a convenient booster vaccination, visit: COVID-19 vaccination – Booster doses for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people | Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care

There are government and other employment services you can check out online and subscribe to for job vacancies and traineeships listings.

Check them out:

Indigenous Employment Australia

NSW Government Jobs

Career Spot

Aboriginal Employment Strategy

Marist 180

South Western Sydney Local Health District Careers - Jobs (nsw.gov.au)

Yarpa employment

Please don’t hesitate to reach out for all Yarpa employment enquiries please contact Yarpa directly on 0447 318 096 or go to: https://www.yarpa.com.au/

Wyanga - CEO

Wyanga is recruiting a Chief Executive Officer. This is a rare chance to join an Aboriginal owned and controlled Aged Care organisation that provides a culturally safe, tailored service to our Elders and participants within our extraordinary communities.

The purpose of the Wyanga CEO position is to run and grow the organisation through a Strategic Roadmap to achieve Wyanga’s Vision, which they will achieve by managing the organisation and its people; actively engaging and building relationships with all relevant internal external stakeholders; and above all centering Aboriginal Elders and our community in everything Wyanga does.

For more information to and apply go to: Wyanga CEO

City of Parramatta

The City of Parramatta has a range of vacancies across the organisation and we strongly encourage First Nations people to apply for any position.

To check out our vacancies and to apply go to: Careers at City of Parramatta

Indigenous Employment Australia

For a range of First Nations job vacancies from around Australia go to: Indigenous Employment Australia

CPB Contractors

Expressions of Interest are currently open for Western Sydney Airport Station Boxes and Tunnelling Project.

For more information and to register go to: CPB Contractors

2023 School Based Aboriginal Traineeship Program

In 2023, the NSW Department of Planning and Environment is engaging with HVTC to offer school-based traineeship opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander in a range of areas, including National Parks & Wildlife Services, Planning, and more.

For more information and to register go to: School Based Aboriginal Traineeship Program

The Loop

News, Information, Support, Careers and Funding Opportunities

Regular Meetings and Project Updates

Your language

Need an interpreter? Please phone TIS on 131 450.

Need an interpreter? Please phone TIS on 131 450.