Resources for Social Contentedness

Aussie Helpers Ltd is a not for profit registered charity. The charity is operated by volunteers working in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and South Australian and has assisted farmers across the country. Aussie Helpers provides counselling and family support services as well as help with costs such as books and boarding school fees for children. For more information phone 1300 665 232 or visit their website.

Blaze Aid is a volunteer-based organisation that works with families and individuals in rural Australia after natural disasters such as fires and floods. Working alongside the rural families, our volunteers help to rebuild fences and other structures that have been damaged or destroyed. Equally important, volunteers also help to lift the spirits of people who are often facing their second or third flood event after years of drought, or devastating losses through bushfires. Blaze Aid volunteers work in a disaster-affected area for many months, not only helping individuals and families, but also helping rebuild the local communities. BlazeAid volunteers: Not just rebuilding fences, but helping rebuild lives. “We asked you to come help us rebuild our fences but you guys have done way more than that, you have helped us rebuild our broken community.  For that we are forever grateful to you and all the amazing volunteers.” Maree Perkins, Monto, Qld, 2013 Floods

In June 2013 after reading the plight of Queensland farmers who were destroying their cattle and some being forced off their land, Charles Alder found he needed to do something about this problem. Coming from a family committed to helping others Charles and wife Tracy decided they needed to find out how best they could help those in this terrible situation. After making calls to agriculture industry groups and speaking to others, and with a lifetime of experience in marketing, it was decided to create a fundraising program that explained exactly what Australians could do to help. Why not ask Australian’s to “Buy a Bale of Hay”. Through a number of business contacts, thank you Bartercard, an approach was made to Sunrise the Channel 7 morning program to participate in a hay drive. Since this hay drive in September 2013, the program has delivered over 160,000 bales of hay across 4 states. But the Buy a Bale program has become more than fodder. Today the Buy a Bale campaign is part of the charity Rural Aid, formed by Charles and Tracy to expand services and support to rural communities not only suffering through natural disasters but communities that need help remaining in existence, our rural communities are disappearing and need help. In one of the driest countries on the planet, there will always be farmers who need assistance feeding their animals. The Buy a Bale program will be here to provide that assistance. Thank you Australia for helping us make our vision happen. Read more about Rural Aid here or visit the Buy a Bale website.

Centacare is a charity organisation run by the Catholic Church. There are separate organisations for separate areas (e.g. Centacare CQ) and each of these organisations provide services tailored to the needs of their communities. When a community has been in drought, some Centacare organisations have launched a drought support program. These programs include community events, counselling services, referrals, educations and other support services. In general, Centacare offer programs in a range of sectors, including disability, family, youth and children, health and well-being, employment, education and training, homelessness and domestic violence.

The Farm and Rural Legal Service gives help and advice to Queensland rural producers who have severe debt related problems, are in dispute with their lenders, or are facing financial hardship relating to their business of primary production. The Farm and Rural Legal Service lawyer travels throughout Queensland to the most remote locations to give legal advice. The service helps rural producers on the farm, at a venue of the farmer’s choice, at the local Legal Aid Queensland office or by telephone.

Uniting Care is a christian organisation which works to inspire people, enliven communities and confront injustice.Their services are in the areas of aged care and disability, community services, and chaplaincy and they get involved in social justice and advocacy issues that impact the communities they serve.

Recovery is the coordinated process of supporting affected communities in the restoration of emotional, social, economic, built and natural environment wellbeing. The manner in which recovery processes are undertaken is critical as it is more than simply the replacement of what has been destroyed and the rehabilitation of those affected. (AUSTRALIAN EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT HANDBOOK SERIES Community Recovery HANDBOOK 2, © Commonwealth of Australia 2011). Lifeline’s Community Recovery Program provides face-to-face and telephone based support including information, assessments and referrals to individuals and communities following a crisis or disaster event. The program aims to make an immediate impact on the trauma and stress experienced by communities through counselling interventions, as well as spearheading longer term recovery through a coordinated approach to rebuilding or re-establishing key community networks and support structures. Services are provided by professional staff from a range of fields including social work and psychology, counselling and psychotherapy, as well as highly trained volunteers. The Community Recovery team is activated at the request of state or local government authorities, or local community leaders in the event of a disaster or critical incident. Some support can continue for years after a critical incident. The Lifeline Community Recovery Program has been supporting Queensland communities since the Black Hawk helicopter disaster in Townsville in 1996 and continues to respond through it’s trained staff and network of services across the state. To find out more, please visit this website.

Telehealth services use information and communications technologies (ICTs) to deliver health services and transmit health information over both long and short distances. It is about transmitting voice, data, images and information rather than moving care recipients, health professionals or educators. It encompasses diagnosis, treatment, preventive (educational) and curative aspects of healthcare services and typically involves care recipient(s), care providers or educators in the provision of these services directed to the care recipient. Video-conferencing is one of the main ways in which telehealth is improving access to healthcare services for patients who live in regional, rural and remote areas. Instead of having to travel to the nearest major city to see a specialist, an increasing number of patients are using video-conferencing. This facility might be offered by their local GP or another local healthcare venue. Medicare-funded telehealth services are also available to residents of eligible aged-care homes and to patients of Aboriginal Medical Services across Australia.