The Advocacy & Support Centre
Welcome to our home page, where we present to you some of the many exciting events happening at our organisation. We do updates as often as possible, so feel free to bookmarks us and visit us on a regular basis.
Click here for our news archives.
We also highly recommend that you visit http://www.smarterstate.com.au for links, Dan's New York Blog and an ideas factory that will be coming online soon. Update Aug 08. Smarter State is under construction.
Click here to go to smarter state.
|
|
The International Union of Tenants (IUT) has designated the first Monday in October each year as International Tenants Day, which this year falls on 6 October.
The IUT represents tenant and housing issues and promotes security of tenure and the right to affordable housing. The IUT has member organisations around the world, including the Tenants' Union of Queensland.
The Advocacy and Support Centre’s, Tenant Advice and Advocacy Service, will celebrate International Tenants' Day (ITD) by calling for the removal of unfair Tenancy Data Base listings from our rental housing system.
Here in Toowoomba, The Advocacy and Support Centre’s, Tenant Advice and Advocacy Service plan to hold an information stall at Grand Central in Margaret Street to celebrate International Tenants' Day. Our display will be located on Level 2 outside Homeart from 8am - 5.30pm.
Drop by and say Hi if you are in the Mall!
|
|
TASC, The Centre for Australian Indigenous Knowledges and the the Icon Cinema will be presenting the HOPE Film Festival...a journey to awareness, to action, to hope on Saturday October 18 2008 at 6 pm at the Icon Theatre, Toowoomba Town Hall.
Tickets are 20 dollars and will include the movies, nibbles and a drink. You can purchase tickets from TASC, Shop 3, 191 Margaret Street (locally known as the Chronicle Arcade) or the Icon Theatre at the Town Hall in Ruthven Street.
Look for these posters around town. You can download a free one here
|
|
 A couple of artists are enjoying their creative expressions on canvas.
TASC Community Support worker Tess Minogue initiated a series of activities sponsored by the Department of Communities to celebrate Seniors’ Week 2008.
The aim of these activities was to promote educational,
social, and health benefits for both the younger and older participants, through the process of engaging the two generations.
Residents from both Bluecare and Westhaven RSL Village were invited to participate in a luncheon prepared and served by Year 11 and 12 students from St Joseph’s College.
Year 4 children from Fairview Heights Primary School spent an enjoyable morning painting with the residents from Westhaven. They shared their life experiences and enjoyed a morning tea together.
Webmaster’s note: We are pleased to add supplementary photos of this activity for a follow up school project. We have not reduced them so that you can print them out for your relatives and friends. Better yet tell them to come the web site because you are fabulous. Please contact us immediately if you wish to have any photo removed.
To see a photo click here or
here or maybe over
here and possibly
here then again over
here not forgetting
here as well as
here or way over
here. Oops, almost forgot
here and
there and
everywhere last but not least
here.
|
|
Attending a demonstration of the QCJC website from left to right;
Marie New (Regional Manager Disability Services Qld.), Andrew Caple (research officer QCJC), Sue Gordon (QCJC Coordinator), Kerry Shine (Qld. Attorney General), and Dan Toombs (TASC CEO)
The Attorney General of Queensland, the Honourable Kerry Shine MP has shown the Queensland Government’s support for TASC’s innovative projects by announcing a further 139,000 dollars to bolster TASC’s Queensland Criminal Justice Centre (QCJC).
“Over the last few years I’ve become accustomed to TASC frequently launching another innovative initiative to benefit the community and this one now of course will tremendously benefit the whole state” the Attorney General said.
TASC Chief Executive Officer Dan Toombs welcomed the funding, stating that the QCJC would encourage a level playing field for vulnerable groups within our society that come into contact with our criminal justice system.
“The QCJC will focus on enhancing the legal response to vulnerable groups and we’ve kicked it off with a compelling portal for lawyers on effectively representing disabled Queenslanders.”
Sue Gordon, co-ordinator of the QCJS states “The QCJC emanated from TASC’s multi award winning Disability Law Project which provides legal support, representation and advocacy services to disabled defendants in Toowoomba. The QCJC will build upon this important work but will expand to include other marginalised and vulnerable groups into the future, and the challenge to expand this work across Queensland is critical to providing access to justice for all Queenslanders”.
Lawyer and Doctoral candidate Andrew Caple the project research officer said “ this project involves the publication of a web based resource to enable lawyers and other professionals working in the criminal justice system to readily access procedural and substantive guidance in order to effectively represent disabled persons. There will be a focus on the issues of fitness to plead, unsoundness of mind, and an illumination of the relationship between the Mental Health Act 2000 and the general criminal law.
Dan Toombs thanked all those involved in giving life to this initiative, in particular Sue Gordon, QUT Academic Andrew Caple, Steff Hopkins and Andy Asselin. Also a big thanks to Lee Haskings of PX Web Design!
|
|
|
One of the great “no no’s” propagated by a number of organisations in the community sector is to work collaboratively with Government in solving social issues. TASC has never adopted the philosophy and hence shares an incredibly strong relationship with the Queensland Government, in particular, the Department of Communities, Disability Services Queensland, Department of Housing and the Department of Justice and the Attorney General. One great manifestation of the robust relationship is that TASC is co-located with Disability Services Queensland in Warwick.
“We have great respect for the work that Disability Services Queensland carries out. We continuously work together in advancing the rights of our mutual clients despite at times having different points of view. Our shared location in Warwick is the first of its kind in Queensland and does strongly represent the collaborative approach we take in advocating for our clients,” Chief Executive Officer Dan Toombs said.
TASC Warwick is located at 69 Guy Street, Warwick.
|
|
|
TASC Rural Women’s Outreach Legal Service (RWOLS) is currently being serviced thanks to Legal Aid Queensland. TASC Management recently suspended the service until such time as the position of Family Solicitor with TASC has been filled.
TASC Human Resources Coordinator Julie Jorgensen stated that whilst service disruption was the last resort in our contingency plan, it has been necessary.
“The service has had a problematic history and we are very keen to get on top of those issues before reinvigorating our commitment to the west. We are taking all the necessary steps of appointing the right candidate,” Julie said.
TASC Chief Executive Officer Dan Toombs conveyed his thanks to Legal Aid Queensland for stepping into the breach.
“Simply put, where would we be without them? They are such important partners to this organisation, “Dan said.
|
|
|
TASC reaffirms its partnership with Legal Aid Queensland
All TASC Management and lawyers recently spent a good portion of the day with Legal Aid Queensland Toowoomba staff to collectively reaffirm our commitment to providing legal services to the most marginalised in our community and that of south-west Queensland.
TASC Chief Executive Officer Dan Toombs praised Legal Aid’s long-standing commitment to TASC.
“Both Legal Aid and TASC share a long history of working together to address the legal needs of vulnerable people in our community. However, we are cognisant of the fact that the social landscape can change so quickly and service gaps can start appearing in the tapestry. So, that’s why it is immensely important to have robust dialogue about how our respective services can work together to meet the needs that emanate from those gaps.”
Subject to Legal Aid Queensland senior management approval, there are a number of strategies which will come to light over the next few months evidencing renewed commitment between the respective organisations.
|
|
|
TASC Chief Executive Officer Dan Toombs is presently working with Sydney Creative Agency, the Republic of Everyone.
“I don’t want to let the cat out of the bag yet, but we are working with these awesome guys on a submission at present. If successful, well you’ll just have to wait and see.”
We’ll let you know the outcome in December 2008!
|
|
|
TASC’s service excellence was recently noted by the Quensland Government in choosing TASC as the lead organisation in the instigation of one of Queensland’s Multi-Tenant Service Centres. TASC on 14 October 2008, in association with two other organisations, TOMNET and East Creek Neighbourhood Centre will come together under one roof to broaden each respective organisation’s reach into the community and build upon the “one-stop-shop” philosophy.
TASC Chief Executive Officer Dan Toombs said that TASC is thrilled to be heading up such an important initiative that will firm up the sustainability of the consortium of organisations in an increasingly tight commercial property market.
“It simply is the case that not-for-profits are feeling the pinch of increasing property costs and whilst that isn’t good, it is encouraging a long over-due consideration of organisations coming together under one roof to provide clients with holistic responses, “Dan Toombs said.
“Let’s face it, the days of organisations being singularly funded by Government when there are both costs savings and improvements in service delivery in outfits coming together, are just about over. It really is time if organisations want to sustain themselves to be less parochial and give up their turf.”
Dan Toombs recently gave an address at the Gold Coast Community Cabinet. His speech, which was immensely provocative and since heavily requested can be found
by clicking here
|
|
Our resident Canadian, Andy Asselin has taken the TASC gong of “Star of the Month.”
Andy is the TASC Asset and Technology Coordinator who spends his time between ensuring TASC technology needs are met day in and day out and is also engaged in strategically positioning TASC technology infrastructure into the future.
“There’s a bloke that gets around Byron Bay by the name of ‘Frenchy.” He’s so embedded in Byron culture that everyone is wearing shirts around the place saying ‘where’s Frenchy.’ Well, the same could be said for Andy. He’s such a part of TASC that we would simply be lost without him,” TASC CEO Dan Toombs said.
“Technology is such a big part of TASC and Andy keeps it up to us in the most fun and engaging way. He well deserves the Star of the Month Gong!
|
|
|
TASC Tenant Advocacy & Advice Service recently underwent an external evaluation which proved what we have thought for years, we are “simply the best.”
The Service was evaluated by Queensland Housing who conducted random client surveys and found that an overwhelming 89% of people who sought our help were thrilled with not only the help they received, but also the manner in which it was provided.
“It doesn’t get much better than that,” Advocacy Coordinator Mark Berkovich announced.
TASC CEO Dan Toombs applauded the service.
“This service has come out of the box! They’ve got their fingers in all sorts of things at the moment that are really making differences in the lives of our clients. This is a game where you often don’t get thanks, but to have 89% of the many clients surveyed to say that you “rock” is exceptional.”
|
|
|
Reminiscent of the movie “Field of Dreams,” TASC adopted the philosophy of “build it and they will come.”
TASC in association with QUT and the Department of Justice & Attorney General in October 2008 will launch the Queensland Criminal Justice Centre, a web-based interactive portal developed by TASC and partners to educate lawyers and other professionals in effectively representing marginalised defendants in our court system. The Queensland Criminal Justice Centre is Australia’s first web-based platform which focuses on the enhancement of legal responses to vulnerable groups within our criminal justice system.
TASC Chief Executive Officer Dan Toombs said it was yet another example of TASC boxing above its weight.
“We’ve developed a reputation over the last few years of applying innovative responses to issues that have long plagued government and the community sector. Someone remarked to me recently that TASC is like the country featherweight who comes to the BIG smoke and is knocking out the heavyweights. I think it’s an appropriate metaphor!
The TASC Queensland Criminal Justice Centre will be launched at QUT Law School on 22 October 2008. More details to come.
|
|
|
TASC Advocacy Coordinator Mark Berkovich has never been so happy!
TASC Advocacy has been bolstered by the appointment of Aaron Osmachenko and Rosemary Weier.
“We’re ecstatic about these folks coming on. Both Rosemary and Aaron have acquired considerable experience in the disability sector. They are not only well-versed in the field, but they are immensely well-respected in the sector for their work and the people they are, “TASC CEO Dan Toombs said.
|
|
|
TASC and Lifeline may come together under the guise of NGO Support in order to enhance the resilience of employees working in the community sector.
NGO Support will be a collaborative response to the pandemic mental/emotional stress suffered by employees working in the community sector particularly in rural and remote locations.
Through the use of an interactive web-based portal, NGO Support will build a sustainable infrastructure to support and nourish the emotional, spiritual and mental well-being of workers employed in the community sector working particularly in rural and remote locations.
TASC and Lifeline are presently in negotiation with the Department of Communities.
|
|
|
The TASC Management Committee and Chief Executive Officer Dan Toombs recently welcomed Helen Montgomery to the role of Chief Operating Officer. Helen has acquired strong operational experience in both government and the community sector over many years and brings strong skill in the areas of project and change management. Helen’s appointment coincides with the organisation’s revised growth strategy which has a focus on service delivery across the state of Queensland.
“We’re excited about Helen’s appointment. It is a significant step towards strengthening our operational infrastructure which has been a predominant focus for the organisation over the last three years,” CEO Dan Toombs said.
“We are cognisant of the fact that we are increasingly operating in a difficult landscape and there is a fundamental need to grow the organisation and growth can be perilous if organisations don’t have the administrative core to support it.”
|
|
|
Health & Disability Auditing Australia (HDAAU) conducted an Audit for Certification in relation to the Queensland Disability Advocacy Standards on 1 and 2 May 2008 and has given TASC the BIG TICK.
HDAAU General Manager David isitt applauded TASC for its efforts.
"We appreciate the effort that you have put into developing your service." he said.
TASC Chief Executive Officer Dan Toombs said that the certification was the gold star for a service that has strived to provide exceptional quality service to disadvantaged Queenslanders over a number of years.
" Quality Accreditation is an immensely difficult benchmark to reach. The people of TASC, in particular Senior Disability Advocate Sue Gordon and external Consultant Irene Baker have done such a fantastic job bringing this all to fruition. To pass this first time round is an indicator of our deep-seated commitment to providing quality service and of course, quality outcomes."
|
|
|
TASC Chief Executive Officer Dan Toombs talks about his life and running Queensland's most innovative human rights organisation to ABC's Richard Fidler on the ABC National Broadcast, the Conversation Hour. This interview is available as a podcast (http://www.abc.net.au/queensland/conversations/conversationspodcast.xml)
Please consult http://www.abc.net.au/queensland/conversations/podcasting.htm if you require instructions on running a podcast.
|
|
The Ipswich Community Legal Service Launch from left to right;
Member for Ipswich Rachel Nolan MP, Attorney General of Qld, The Honourable Kerry Shine MP, TASC Chief Executive Officer Dan Toombs, Chief Magistrate of Queensland Marshall Irwin and Kate Earley, TASC solicitor
The Attorney General of Queensland, the Honourable Kerry Shine MP, in association with Member for Ipswich and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Communities, Disability Services and Seniors, Rachel Nolan MP and the Chief Magistrate of Queensland Marshall Irwin launched the TASC Ipswich Community Legal Service at the Ipswich Magistrates Court.
TASC Chief Executive Officer Dan Toombs explained to the crowd that by operating the TASC Ipswich Community Legal Service out of the Magistrates Court, was a fervent strategy adopted by the organisation in making its services more accessible to the “battlers.”
“Accessible Justice urges a new kind of response to service delivery. What it means for the community sector and for our organisation is less bricks and mortar and more reaching out of the enclaves of our comfortable environment into difficult environments, places that we don’t necessarily want to come to,” he said
Dan acknowledged that whilst becoming more accessible led to increases in client numbers, that it also brought challenges for TASC staff.
“I’m acutely conscious that over the last few years the TASC Management Committee and I are getting a lot of practice launching new initiatives and bragging about who our organisation is and what we do. But I must say, that with every new initiative, after the fanfare, the cup-cakes, the cups of tea and the handshakes, the real work begins. And the real work isn’t done by me, nor the members of my Board, but rather the inspiring people that come to our organisation to make a difference.”
Solicitor Kate Earley will head the TASC Ipswich Community Legal Service which opens its doors to the public on 28 April 2008.
We have prepared mp3 sound files of the speech as a special multimedia addition to celebrate the Ipswich launch. Simply click on the names below to start downloading the files. Please note that these are quite large (7-11 MB) and will take some time to download.
|
|
Photo of the Red Hook Community Justice Center, New York.
TASC CEO Dan Toombs has returned from his 3 month Churchill Fellowship in New York City with Gladstone Bags full of ideas. One TASC staff member prior to Dan’s departure claimed that they would all need crash helmets upon his return!
“It was an extraordinary experience and I’m eternally grateful to the Winton Churchill Memorial Trust, the TASC Management Committee and New York’s Centre for Court Innovation for allowing me the opportunity” he said.
Since his return, Dan has met with the Attorney General of Queensland Kerry Shine MP and Chief Magistrate of Queensland Marshall Irwin in respect to the furtherance of initiatives observed during his New York sabbatical.
“It is typically the case that when a defendant comes into the heart of our criminal justice system with all this baggage, we prescriptively take off them the luggage piece that has “offence” written all over it, weigh it, put it on the conveyor belt en-route to the Magistrates Court, and we leave all the rest of the stuff with the defendant. If we continue to treat the offence, as opposed to all the precipitating factors, we fail the defendant, victim and community.”
Whilst in New York, Dan worked in the toughest boroughs including South Bronx, East Harlem and Red Hook, Brooklyn. At each location he worked alongside Judges in courts that weren’t content to deal with the offence in isolation and thus, had a number of community services operating out of the Court building itself.
“We’re excited to be operating our Ipswich Community Legal Service out of the Magistrates Court, which we believe is a step toward the dispensation of holistic justice. And of course what is encouraging is to have the strong support of the Attorney General and the Chief Magistrate in working towards this goal.”
Update:May 13 2008 Click here to obtain the Churchill Report 2008
|
|
TASC is gaining a reputation for delivering cutting edge community services. The feedback from the community can sometimes push us a little further, beyond the crest of the wave. While the Seniors’ Legal & Support Service (SLAAS) pilot was originally established to service Toowoomba and the immediate surrounds it soon was realized that there was an unmet need in the Darling Downs and South West Queensland. Fortunately SLASS has recently been given permission to expand its geographical boundaries and we are now able to offer telephone advice (both legal and social work) to eligible residents living in the expanded geographical area who are concerned about abuse, mistreatment, and financial exploitation of older people.
to obtain our SLASS flyer and find out more about this exciting new expanded service, proudly brought to you by the TASC team.
|
Art therapy student Lola Hazard creating her painting at one of the art therapy classes.
Tess Minogue, a TASC staff member has successfully completed a series of therapeutic art classes and has been generous enough to share some of her personal thoughts on the project.
Tess recruited students from across five non-government organizations; Ozcare, Clubhouse, Horton Village, Baillie Henderson, and the Red Cross. Seven students attended classes on a regular basis at the Harlaxton Neighbourhood Centre over a five week period.
Tess points out that while art therapy can be an individual activity it was also used very successfully in the group situation. Tess speaks passionately about seeing the enhanced communication between students. While this facilitated group networking, she also noticed subtle yet important relationship building between students as a result of this experience.
“While we may take such things for granted, the exchange that happened between students were important and very personal to them. Developing relationships, tutoring, chats, sharing challenges and life experiences were part of the group dynamics. I remember a series of discussions where they shared their challenges with transportation and the revelation that they were not alone. They proceeded to address themselves and others on this issue, creating coping mechanism and developing peer support.”
Tess reflects on some more feedback she received from her students. “Many said they have not laughed for a long time and have enjoyed the music playing during the classes.”
A few simple strokes to change the lives of the world.
Judge Marshall Irwin, Chief Magistrate made some powerful statements about the potential of TASC’s innovative Community Access Point (CAP) when it was officially opened:
“ the notion of a multi-service portal draws upon a number of projects operating internationally, where the court precinct is seen as a catchment area for these people. An example of such a project is the Redhook Community Justice Centre, in Brooklyn, New York – a neighbourhood centre in which the court is integrated with it’s partners, including probation and parole, youth justice and health services, to provide a suite of programs which address the cause of the offending. I have recently been fortunate to attend this Centre. Mr Toombs will soon be working there for a number of months as part of his richly deserved award of a Churchill Fellowship. I know that the Attorney-General is also keen to gain first-hand experience of its operations. There is strong contemporary research that indicates that a person’s interaction with the criminal courts is one of many converging issues, the last of which involves criminal activity and consequently contact with the criminal justice system.”
“This is also why, through Len Radnedge, our Regional Services Manager and Brett Moody, our Acting Principal Registrar, we enthusiastically embraced the opportunity to work with the Centre to develop this holistic model – which is a Queensland first. This Community Access Point not only points in the right direction for Toowoomba – it points in the right direction for Queensland in the future.”
Click here for the full text of the Opening Remarks.
You are invited to find out more about the CAP services by selecting this link for the full text of the Opening Remarks.
|
|
|
|
