13 minute read
Education Update - Nick Johnstone
by Focus
focus_contributor.
EDUCATION UPDATE
with NICK JOHNSTONE
FROM BISHOP DRUITT COLLEGE
Tackling the tough issue of Domestic Violence
Australia has an intimate partner violence problem. The pattern is clear: most offenders of domestic violence are men and most victims are women, with one in three women reporting having experienced physical or sexual violence from the age of 15.
Yet, arguably, the most vulnerable group is children. One in six women and one in nine men have reported to have experienced physical and/or sexual abuse before the age of 15. That equates to nearly 2.5 million Australians who are not yet consenting adults experiencing direct abuse. Further, children can experience family violence as both a victim of the violence, or as a witness to it, and more than two thirds of mothers who experienced violence reported that their children had been witness to it.
These statistics are alarming, and as a community, we need to take action to reduce this epidemic, quickly. Change will come from individuals altering their attitudes and actions, coming from both our families, and organisations such as schools, community groups and government, to educate, support and triage.
There are a number of strategies we as a society can implement to address this alarming issue.
Education is the key. Former SecretaryGeneral of the United Nations, Ban Ki-Moon stated that “There is one universal truth, applicable to all countries, cultures and communities: violence… is never acceptable, never excusable, never tolerable.” All parents and formally trained educators need to be clear with our children that violence is never the answer.
We also need to reframe masculinity at schools and in our homes. Traits traditionally viewed as masculine in Western society include strength, courage, independence, leadership, and assertiveness. We need to reset this defi nition for our boys and girls with the addition of the importance of mutual respect. Buddha noted that “mutual respect and mutual listening are the foundations of harmony within the family”.
Silence is not productive. Domestic abuse thrives in secrecy. Creating an environment where individuals feel safe to disclose their experience without stigma is essential. We need to create an authorising environment that gives people courage to step into places that aren’t easy. Children and women need to feel supported in their decision making, and educated about options and pathways for support.
Behaviour is changeable but
intervention is required. Men’s behaviour change programs are predominantly groupbased programs and services that focus on working with perpetrators to recognise their violent behaviour and develop strategies to stop them from reoffending. These programs aim to ensure perpetrators acquire new skills to help them to develop respectful and noncoercive, and non-abusive relationships with their partners, children and family members.
Linking to partner services is essential.
There are a host of services that can support children, young people, women and men, including:
Kids Helpline - kidshelpline.com.au/
Warrina Domestic and Family Violence Specialist Services - warrina.org.au/ 1800 Respect - 1800respect.org.au/
Men’s Referral Service - ntv.org.au/gethelp/
Men’s Line Australia - mensline.org.au
Many schools also have counselling services that can support these links.
Abraham Lincoln is credited with saying “No man stands so tall as when he stoops to help a child.” And the same can be said for recognising this support can extend to anyone in our community who is in need. I am asking our society to tackle this tough issue; we can model respect, take time to listen to individual stories, and to validate them. We must not interrogate the victim, but instead be respectful and value them. Leadership can come from each of us, so long as it is driven from a place of mutual respect, inclusivity, integrity, and a generosity of spirit.
Sources: Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) 2017. Personal Safety Survey, Australia, 2016, ABS cat. no. 906.0. Canberra: ABS. https://anglican.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/ NAFVP-Top-Line-Results-Report-NCLS-Research.pdf http://www.crimeprevention.nsw. gov.au/domesticviolence/Pages/ MiniStandardsforMen'sBehaviour/Minimum_Standards_ for_Men's_Behahviour.aspx https://www.aihw.gov.au/getmedia/8c557420-dd9143e5-b4ce-47b3fdf6ec9d/summary-fi g1.png.aspx
HOW TO CHOOSE A RESIDENTIAL AGED CARE
SERVICE
When it comes time for a move into residential care, choosing the right service can be a di cult, but important, decision. WHILE CHOOSING CAREFULLY IS THE KEY TO A GOOD EXPERIENCE, MANY PEOPLE STRUGGLE TO KNOW WHERE TO START.
Your decision will include many factors, but start by making the same sort of decisions that you would for any property decision. This includes: 1. Choose the location 2. Think about what feels like home and what sort of amenities you want access to 3. Check if the price is affordable 4. Get advice on how to structure fi nances to pay.
Choose the location
Location is always the fi rst decision. This might be based on easy access to services or who you want to be close to. For example, do you want to stay in the same area so you can continue with the same doctor, hairdresser, church group and friends. Or would you prefer to move closer to family so they can visit more often.
What feels like home
Some services are newer, some are older. The style of building and available services can also vary. Think about what makes you comfortable. Do you need a home that has great gardens and lots of open space or a newer facility with larger rooms and more modern features. Think about what makes you happiest.
Remember this will be your new home, so when you take a tour, watch how staff and residents interact with each other. Ask about additional lifestyle services and choices you might have about things like entertainment programs and meals.
Check affordability
Room prices can range up to $2 million. You will need to make a choice that fi ts your price range – and this might need compromises. If the price looks high, you might choose to pay a daily fee to “rent” the room instead. You don’t have to hand over a large lump sum but this might make good fi nancial sense.
Get fi nancial advice
Financial advice from an Accredited Aged Care Professional™ can help you to decide what you can afford and show you some tricks to make what seems unaffordable more affordable. We have the expertise to help you make an informed decision.
As an Accredited Aged Care Professional™ I have helped many clients to make this choice. I help to fi nd a choice that is affordable, as well as one that works best for the family and protects the value of the estate.
Everyone’s circumstances are different, so it is important to speak to someone like myself who is a licenced fi nancial adviser. I am also an Authorised Representative of Count Financial Limited AFSL 227232.
Giving yourself time by starting your research early can reduce stress levels, and for an older person, can ensure their voice is heard more clearly. Call me on 0431 414 799 to discuss how I can help you or a loved one
LMA
Changes Lives
Rod Macpherson, GM, Affirmations Publishing House
Daniel McCosker, Warehouse Manager Affirmations, Olivia Jamison, LMA, Rod Macpherson, GM Affirmations
It’s been said that LMA’s leadership and management training programs actually change lives. Is that an overstatement? We asked Rod Macpherson, GM at Affirmations how LMA had affected his life and business.
How long is your association
with LMA? I discovered LMA in 2005 when I was the HR executive at BCU. We put many managers through LMA programs. I was impressed with the results, so impressed, in fact, that I later became an LMA facilitator.
When did you introduce LMA to the Affirmations business?
I joined Affirmations almost 5 years ago. We were in the process of refreshing and restructuring the company. It was obvious that LMA programs could help fast track that process and develop our management team.
Did you see results from your
team? Yes, the changes were noticeable. For example, our warehouse manager had an amazing outcome. By the second module he told me LMA was the best thing he’d ever done. He discovered he was worrying about things he needn’t worry about. Daniel is now running our standalone distribution centre. Everyone that completes a LMA program takes something positive away.
What do you think is the best
thing about LMA? Life’s basically a perception based on what you believe. LMA helps you re-evaluate your beliefs and ask if they are really serving you. It’s amazing the difference a small shift in your perception can make – and that’s what makes LMA programs so effective. It’s life changing.
Contact Olivia to find out more about how LMA could change your life. W lmamidnorthcoast.com.au P 0427 788 434 E ojamison@lma.biz
JOB ON THE LITTLE GREEN GARDENER
Bianca and Drew bought their gardening business Li le Green Gardener at just 21 years of age and through hard work and dedication have turned it into a thriving li le business.
Tell us about yourselves?
Bianca: We’re both born and bred locals that have been together since year 11 and are now also business partners. We took a risk and put together all of our savings and bought this franchise when we were just 21 years of age. We were overwhelmed in the best way possible at how fast and successful the business would be. We hired our fi rst employee one year in and it was quite a surreal feeling for both of us. We’re very grateful to our loyal clients and anyone that has supported us and have got us this far. We can’t wait to grow the business even more and see what the future holds.
Tell us about a typical day for you on the job?
Drew: A typical day for me begins at 5am. I start by charging all my batteries for the day and like to have left by 7am to start the fi rst job. Our trainee Jacob and I will get stuck into it and move around to jobs all day. I also answer any calls and book in quotes or jobs. I like to do this so I can keep the same point of contact from the phone call to meeting the client in person for the quote or job. I also manage Villa Vivante’s gardens every afternoon so I will fi nish the day with a couple hours there to keep the grounds immaculate. I’ll then get everything organised for the next day by diarising out my day and grouping jobs by area and preparing the required tools.
Bianca: A typical day for me is a bit of a mixed bag. I do all of the admin side for Little Green Gardener as well as working a full-time managing position at Villa Vivante. I used to go out with Drew to jobs in our fi rst year of business and come home covered head to toe in dirt and grass clippings but now that we have a full-time trainee, I got benched from the fun stuff. I’m now the behind the scenes gal that remains clean and dirt-free while typing up and sending out all the invoices/quotes, correspondence with our marketing team, email replies and Facebook uploads.
How did you get into the gardening business?
Drew: I’ve always had a passion for horticulture, so it was only natural that I did a gardening traineeship. I did this with the holiday parks and resorts at age 17. I did this for 4 years and it is where I learnt most of my
skills and fell in love with the gardening trade.
How long have you been in the business of gardening?
Drew: 6 years in total. I did 4 years with the holiday parks and currently 2 years as Little Green Gardener.
When did you make the decision to start your own business?
Drew: Bianca and I were having my lunch break together at my previous job and she mentioned this crazy idea. I remember thinking how amazing it would be to be my own boss, which is now my reality. It’s been a lot of hard work but it’s been the best decision we’ve ever made and we’ve never looked back.
What would you say is the most rewarding part of the job?
Drew: Definitely seeing clients’ faces when they see the end result and knowing I’ve brought their vision to life is something quite special.
Least favourite?
Drew: The paperwork but Bianca’s lucky
I remember thinking how enough to do all of that amazing it would be now! to be my own boss, From hedging to which is now my lawns, what’s the reality. It’s been a lot favourite tool in your of hard work but it’s arsenal? been the best Drew: Not so much decision we’ve ever a tool but our Stihl made and we’ve never looked back. backpack battery is a beauty. This thing lasts hours and holds no weight in your arms when hedging or whipper snipping so it’s definitely a favourite.
If you weren’t in the gardening game what do you think you would be doing?
Drew: Well during school I was in the Air Force Cadets and if I continued I would have liked to go to the Australian Defence Force Academy to then become a pilot in the Australian Air Force. One extreme to the other I know!
What makes you different from other gardening businesses?
Drew: We are completely battery-based and powered by Stihl so we are 80% quieter and greener. Being battery-based also makes the tools a lot lighter, which is great for me. In most situations many garden tools these days are high pitched with an annoying scream. Little Green Gardener guarantees an 80% noiseless workplace simply because of our eco-friendly quiet approach to gardening. Be a good neighbour and use Little Green Gardener and enjoy our 80% noiseless guarantee.
What do you specialise in?
Bianca: We mainly specialise in garden makeovers and designs but offer all aspects of gardening and maintenance.
Do you have any qualifications?
Drew: Yes, I have certificates in Horticulture and holiday parks and resorts.
What is a useful gardening recommendation you can give?
Drew: Defiantly utilising mulch in your garden! It keeps soil moist, which reduces water wastage while it also keeps weeds down and prevents weed seed germination. It also adds nutrients to the soil and increases microbial activity, which your plants will love.
What does the future look like for Little Green Gardener?
Drew: Our plans are to finish training up our eager trainee and get him going in another ute and trailer so we can meet high consumer demands and continue servicing the Coffs Coast.
How do people get in touch?
0467 544 869 coffsharbour@littlegreengardener.com.au
Little Green Gardener, Coffs Harbour littlegreengardener.com.au
