Media Comment
POSTED 27-02-2012
MHAQ launches Mental Health Information Line in Queensland
"The formal launch of the new enhanced Mental Health Information Line provides a valuable avenue for people with mental health issues, their family members, friends, carers and health workers to make connections and build stronger support networks" said Dr Dennis Young, Executive Director, MHAQ.
Mental Health Association QLD (MHAQ) media release 18 January 2012
POSTED 15-12-2011
New data shows need for renewed commitment
Data released today shows that more than half of those seeking accommodation in homelessness services were turned away, illustrating that governments need to renew their commitment to fully resourcing specialist homelessness services if we are to halve homelessness by 2020.
Homelessness Australia media release 15 December 2011
POSTED 15-12-2011
Empowering artwork launched at South Brisbane
The experiences of Forgotten Australians have been commemorated with today’s dedication of an inspiring artwork at Kurilpa Point, South Brisbane.
Community Services Minister Karen Struthers thanked all community and government organisations who had contributed to the commemorative artwork.
Department of Communities Media Statement 14 December 2011.
POSTED 15-11-2011
Life Inside Now on Display
A new exhibition opening today sheds light on one of the darkest chapters in our nation’s history.
Inside: Life in Children’s Homes and Institutions at the National Museum of Australia tells the story of what it was like for the half million children who were wards of the state in church and government run institutions from the 1920s to the 1980s.
Many of the former residents of these institutions now identify as Forgotten Australians and Former Child Migrants, mainly from Britain following the Second World War.
Micah Projects media release, 16 November, 2011.
POSTED 09-11-2011
Ground-breaking housing project reaches milestone
A Brisbane housing project that will change the lives of inner-city homeless people has reached a major construction milestone.
Housing Minister Karen Struthers today celebrated the reaching of the 'topping out' milestone at the 14-storey Brisbane Common Ground project at Hope St, West End in the heart of Brisbane.
Department of Communities Media Statement 9 November 2011
POSTED 24-10-2011
Children in poverty need an equal chance
As poverty week draws to a close, Australians are urged to not forget the growing numbers of children who are living in poverty.
According to Karyn Walsh, Coordinator of community organisation Micah Projects, publically available statistics, such as the ABS Census data, shows that child poverty continues to rise and is a major issue in all Australian communities, including capital cities.
Micah Projects media release, 21 October, 2011
POSTED 06-09-2011
50 Companies needed for 50 Lives 50 Homes
A groundbreaking campaign to house and support Brisbane’s homeless people invites the business community to partner in this vital work.
The 50 Lives 50 Homes campaign has housed 91 vulnerable people who were sleeping rough in Brisbane since June 2010 through partnerships between government and non government agencies.
50 Companies 50 Lives asks businesses to donate the costs to establish a home for one person housed through the campaign.
POSTED 04-08-2011
Children without Homes
“Homelessness meant for me an unstable life for me and my kids”, says Natalie*, a mother of two whose family is struggling to find permanent housing after escaping domestic violence.
With 1 in 4 homeless Australians under the age of 18, the high number of homeless children is being highlighted with a photo exhibition in West End for National Homeless Persons’ Week.
POSTED 04-08-2011
Community Magic on the Dancefloor
Magic will be made when 900 community members hit the dancefloor at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre Friday night for the 8th Annual Micah Projects Moonlight Magic Dinner Dance.
Corporate sponsors and community supporters join people who experience social and economic exclusion in an event that fosters inclusion and social connection.
POSTED 02-08-2011
Housing & Support Ending Homeless Experience in Brisbane
During National Homeless Persons’ Week, one organisation is marking the success of a campaign aiming to house people of Brisbane who are chronically homeless.
A total of 332 people sleeping rough have been registered by the campaign. 89 people (27%) have now been housed in public and community managed housing.
POSTED 21-07-2011
Three-pronged strategy targets homelessness
A three-pronged strategy titled ‘Opening Doors’ to prevent homelessness will be launched tomorrow at Parliament House in Brisbane.
Community Services and Housing Minister Karen Struthers said the Queensland Strategy for Reducing Homelessness 2011-14 included real and achievable actions.
Department of Communities Media Statement 20 July 2011
POSTED 11-07-2011
ACOSS welcomes agreement on carbon price mechanism
The Australian Council of Social Service today welcomed the Government’s announcement to establish a mechanism for pricing carbon pollution.
“Effective and equitable action is vital to mitigate against the genuine threats posed by climate change and the potentially devastating impact on the poor who will be the worst affected,” said Acting CEO Dr Tessa Boyd-Caine.
Australian Council of Social Service media release 12 July 2011
POSTED 21-06-2011
Finding the Flood Affected
Micah Projects calls for community support to help identify and assist flood-affected residents.
If someone in your family, neighbourhood or a friend was affected by January’s floods and still needs assistance, Brisbane’s Micah Projects would love to hear from you.
POSTED 06-06-2011
Tribute to a Community Angel
Micah Projects pays tribute to the life of Community Angels founder Mary Bourke.
Mary Bourke from Belmont was passionate about assisting women and families experiencing homelessness. So passionate that she organised a group of her friends to form the Community Angels organisation.
Mary passed away peacefully on Tuesday May 31.
POSTED 20-05-2011
Inquiry into former forced adoption practices
The Senate today extended the Senate Community Affairs committee inquiry into the Commonwealth contribution to former forced adoption policies because of the extent and nature of the evidence received and complexity of the issues involved.
"The committee has already received over 300 submissions, but we know there are others who still want to contribute to the inquiry", said committee chair Senator Rachel Siewert.
Australian Senate media release 12 May 2011
POSTED 09-05-2011
Welfare reforms should resolve issues of poverty, not create them
Plans by the Australian Government to cut income to teen parents not actively studying of seeking work fail to recognise the complex challenges and systems that can trap young parents in poverty.
Community organisation Micah Projects warns that punitive measures instead of incentive based programs with specialist and experienced services will create poverty, not address it.
POSTED 05-05-2011
Young mums need support, not a 'crackdown'
Major welfare groups today cautiously welcomed some aspects of the Government’s budget measures to support teenage parents, but rejected the proposal of suspending social security payments which would have serious and damaging consequences for young parents, especially those who are socially isolated or who have limited family and other support networks.
ACOSS media release 5 May 2011
POSTED 21-02-2011
First milestone reached housing 50 vulnerable homeless people
Fifty vulnerable people experiencing homelessness in Brisbane have now been housed in permanent long-term accommodation. Today’s milestone follows more than six months of work on the 50 Lives 50 Homes campaign.
“This is great progress towards our vision of ending homelessness,” says spokesperson Karyn Walsh. “It is a fantastic result for the people who have now been housed and for all those who work tirelessly on the 50 Lives 50 Homes campaign.
POSTED 31-01-2011
Flood levy welcomed
The Queensland council of Social Service has welcomed the Federal Government’s flood levy announced today. “Given the scale of the disaster it would be impossible to rebuild Queensland and other affected locations without it,” says QCOSS President Karyn Walsh.
QCOSS media release, 27 Jan 2011.
