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TABLEOFCONTENTS

AGENDA.........................................................................................................................................................................................3

MINUTESOFPREVIOUSANNUALGENERALMEETING...........................................................................................4

CHAIRPERSON’SREPORT......................................................................................................................................................8

TREASURER’SREPORT...........................................................................................................................................................9

EXECUTIVEOFFICER’SREPORT.......................................................................................................................................10

COUNSELLINGINTERVENTIONSERVICES..................................................................................................................13

AODINDIGENOUSTOWNCOMMUNITIESPROJECT……………………………………………………………………17

DRINKDRIVEREDUCATION(DDE)PROGRAM.........................................................................................................24

ILLICITDRUGPROJECT........................................................................................................................................................28

GAMBLINGHARMMINIMISATION&EDUCATIONPROGRAM...........................................................................31

ACCREDITATION………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………37WORKHEALTH&SAFETYREPORT…………………………………………………………………………………………...38

AUDITEDFINANCIALSTATEMENT................................................................................................................................39

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Agenda

LOCATION: 155StuartHighwayParap

DATE: 19thSeptember2013at5:00pm

Item1: Present/Apologies

Item2: ConfirmationofMinutesof2012AnnualGeneralMeeting

Item3: Reports

a)Chairman'sReport

b)Treasurer'sReport

c)AgencyReports

Item4: ElectionoftheManagementCommittee

Item5: OtherBusiness

NominationofAuditorfor2013/14

Item6: MeetingClosed

NetworkingandRefreshments

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MinutesofPreviousAnnualGeneralMeeting

AnnualGeneralMeetingMinutes

DATE: 20September2012at5:00pmLOCATION: 155StuartHighwayParapItem1:Present/ApologiesPresent:

BrettHaganJulieBeaumontBernieDwyerOlgaHurleyPaulTurnerGailSnellAmyWilliamsonTheHon.PeterStylesStephenMackrowWendyMoretonRusselFlynnChrisPotterWendyLarnZoeLandridgeMelanieHarkinsonNicolaCoalterJohannaGoncalvesSharonGreenofDonnaHunterKylieJerichoAnnetteMageeanRianRomboutsJoanScottDavidSheanGailWestChristinePowerLyndeSchubert

ChairpersonTreasurerExecutiveDirectorBoardMemberBoardMemberBoardMemberBoardMemberMLA‐SandersonDept.ofLand&PlanningNTCOSSNTCOSS/NTAODPeakbodySKYCITYCasinoCommunityMemberLicensing&Regulation–DepartmentofJusticeLicensing&Regulation–DepartmentofJusticeAmityStaffAmityStaffAmityStaffAmityStaffAmityStaffAmityStaffAmityStaffAmityStaffAmityStaffAmityStaffAmityStaffAmityStaff

5

The meeting opened at 5.00 pm. Bernie Dwyer, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) welcomed all

attendees.

Apologies:

BillPrendergast

AndrewHarper

GailSnell

JodieReichstein

MelanieSchofield

CarolinaFerreiraSiqueira

PaulineMcKenzie

KateMunro

WillieGaden

RobLewis

ViceChairperson

BoardMember

BoardMember

AmityStaff

AmityStaff

AmityStaff

AmityStaff

AmityStaff

AmityStaff

AmityStaff

Item2:ConfirmationofpreviousMinutes

TheChiefExecutiveOfficersoughtconfirmationofthepreviousAGMminutes.

Moved:Julie Seconded:Brett Motion:Passed

Note:Changetodateonpreviousminutes–recordedas2012insteadof2011.

Item3:Reports

a) Chairperson’sReport

Chairman,BrettHagan, presentedhis report anddiscussed that in thesedifficult financial times,

Amity likemostorganisationshas facedmanychallenges.Thishasbeenabalanceofachievinga

favourablefinancialoutcomewhilststillbeingable tomaintainand improvethediverserangeof

qualityservicesweprovidetothecommunity.TheChairmandiscussedthedifficultiesinsecuring

and renewing long‐term funding agreements that have seen the organisation drawing upon the

reserve to continue work in the short‐term, and acknowledged the uncertainty this short‐term

fundingcreatesforstaffandclients.

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Brettthankedhisfellowboardmembers,BernieandallofAmitystafffortheirunrelentingefforts

inassistingAmitytocontinuetobeastrongandrelevantorganisationwithinthecommunity.

b) Treasurer’sReport

Treasurer,JulieBeaumont,discussedhoweachyeartheprogramsandfundingofAmitycontinue

toexpandtomeettheeverincreasingdemandfrompeopleinourcommunity.TheTreasurerspoke

of how the continuity and steadfast determination to meet and exceed the goals of Amity’s

programs are evenmore admirable given the difficulties with recruitment and retention in the

currentemploymentclimate.

JuliecongratulatedBernieandtheteamatAmityforanothersuccessfulyearandreiteratedAmity’s

soundfinancialposition.

Thetreasurermovedthatreportsbeaccepted

Moved:Julie Seconded:Brett Motion:Passed

c) AgencyReport

CEO,BernieDwyer,presentedhisreportanddiscussedmainpoints:

TheTerritoryhasthehighestconsumptionrateofalcoholinAustralia;

Avarietyofreportshavehighlightedthesignificantimpactofalcoholanddrugconsumption

onchildsafety,familyviolence,assaultsandtrauma;

TheNThasthehighestalcoholrelatedroadcrashrateinthecountryandthehighestlevelof

otherroadtrauma;

TheTerritoryhasthehighestrateofincarcerationinAustraliaandiftheNTwereastand‐

alonecountry,comparably,ourincarcerationrateswouldbeoneofthehighestintheworld;

Approximately60%ofpoliceworkisdealingwithalcohol‐relatedissuesand40%ofcourt

andprisoncostscanbedirectlyattributedtoalcoholrelatedcrime.

Bernie discussed how alcohol consumption remains a complex issue for the Territory and he

reflected on the successes of a past program (The Living with Alcohol Program) after robust

evaluation demonstrated a significant reduction in population level harms and costs of alcohol.

Therearelessonstobelearnedfrompastevidencebasedapproaches.

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BernieprovidedabriefoverviewoftheprogramsatAmityandhisworkwiththeTerritory’speak

bodyofthealcoholandotherdrugsector.

Bernie discussed the retention of staff and that staffing had remained fairly stable over thepast

year.HemadespecialmentionoftheretirementofDonnaHunter.Berniethankedtheboardand

stafffortheirinputandsupportthroughouttheyear.

Item4:ElectionoftheManagementCommittee

AllBoardpositionsweredeclaredvacantandBernieDwyeradvisedthatforeachvacantposition

therewasonenominationsoallwouldbeelectedunopposed.

Position Nominee Nominatedby Secondedby

Chairperson BrettHagan JulieBeaumont PaulTurner

Treasurer JulieBeaumont BrettHagan PaulTurner

Secretary GailSnell AmyWilliamson BrettHagan

BoardMember DrewHarper BrettHagan AmyWilliamson

BoardMember AmyWilliamson PaulTurner JulieBeaumont

BoardMember ChrisPotter AmyWilliamsonBrettHagan

BoardMember WendyLarn BrettHagan JulieBeaumont

BoardMember PaulTurner AmyWilliamsonBrettHagan

Item5:OtherBusiness

a) PeterStylesMLAattendedAmity’sAGManddiscussedtherecentchangestogovernment.

b) SelectionofAuditorforthenewperiod–carryforwardtothefirstBoardmeeting.

MeetingClosed:5.30pm

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Chairperson’sReport

Looking back over the last yearwe have again experienced challenging times. Unfortunately the

CommunityGovernmentSectorinwhichweoperatehasbeensubjecttosomeseverefundingcuts.

Thankfully though, at Amity we have managed to work through these funding issues and still

produceamodestsurpluswhilstmaintainingdeliveryofthemajorityofourservices.

However,itneedstobementionedthattherehasbeennoconsistencyinfundingoursector,andit

isapparenttomethatpoliticalideologygovernsmorewherefundsgetdistributed,thantheactual

needswithinthecommunityinwhichweoperate,whichIconsidertobeveryshortsighted.

AsaresultofthesementionedfundingcutsAmityhaschosennottocontinuethecoordinationof

theDDEprogrambutwillcontinuetodeliver thisservicetoclients.ThecoordinationoftheDDE

programhas been handed back to theNTG and itwill be interesting to see how they choose to

manageandcoordinatethisprogramaswemoveforward.

Wearestillyettofinalisethelong‐termleaseonthebuildingsat152–155StuartHwyandasin

pastyearswehopethisprocesscanbeconcludedinthenearfuture.Intheseuncertaintimes,not

knowingwehavesecurityoftenureatthesepremisesisofsomeconcern.

IndigenousCommunityProjectcontinuestoremainamajorpartofourservicesandwecontinueto

operateinthisareaprovidingassistancetomanycommunitiesacrosstheNorthernTerritory.

Finally, this ismy lastyearasChairand Iwould like to take thisopportunityto thankmy fellow

boardmembers,Bernie,andallourstaff. IthasbeenapleasureworkingwithyouallandwhenI

reflectbackIknowIhavebeenprivilegedtoworkwithsuchadedicatedgroupofprofessionals.

IlookforwardtocontributinginsomewaytothesuccessofAmitygoingforwardandwishyouall

thebestinthechallengingyearsahead.

BrettHagan

Chairperson

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Treasurer’sReport

The2013financialyearhaspresentedanewsetofchallengesforAmity,withtheuncertaintyofa

newTerritoryGovernmentandthechangingtidesofaFederalelectionyear.

It has also seen Grant Income fall to the lowest level since 2009, necessitating corresponding

adjustmentsinexpendituretoensurethataminimumbreakevenpositionwasmaintained.

Thesmallsurplusof$9Kistheresultofa$562Kdecreaseinoverallrevenueoffsetbyadecreasein

expenditureof$483K, thisachievedwhile implementinga comprehensiveaccreditationprogram

underISO9001certificationandafterprovisionsforlongserviceleaveandredundancy.

Notwithstandingthesepressures,Amityhasmaintainedastrongworkingcapitalratiothroughout

theyearandthebalancesheetdemonstratestheoverallsecurepositionoftheorganisation.

This isparticularly important in the leadup to anewFederalGovernment termanduncertainly

aboutthepotentialfundingimpactintothefuture.

The uncertainty of funding can impact on staffing and Amity has experienced some changes

throughout the year as a result, however the service, as always has continued with objectives

achievedandexceeded.

Bernie and the Amity team have again proven their flexibility and their ability to deal with

whateverisrequiredtocontinuethedeliveryofoutstandingservicetoAmityclients.

JulieBeaumont

Treasurer

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ExecutiveOfficer’sReport

The organisation remains a strong, professional community service. We are able to develop

meaningfulandtrustedrelationshipswithinourcommunitythatallowsdeliveryofnichespecialist

services. This means the agency needs to be flexible, agile, community focused and specialised.

However, due to its size it will not be able to competewith the large national organisations to

tenderforthelargeonesizefitsallcontracts.Ibelievethatthisisthegreatestthreataswemove

intothefuture;wewillnotbecompetitivefornational‘sconecutter’contracts,thatisthecontracts

for the same servicesprovided inDarlinghurst,DandenongorDarwin.Weneed to take stock of

whatunique skills, experienceandunderstandingswehaveasanorganisationandplay to these

strengths.

ThisfinancialyearhasbeeninterestingandchallengingforAmity.Changeofgovernmenthasalso

broughtunpredictability,uncertaintyandunstabletimestothenon‐governmentandprivatesector.

Itisoftencitedthatbusinessseekspolicycertaintyandpredictabilitytothriveandsodoesthenot

for profit sector. We hope that there is better engagement when policy development is being

undertakeninthefuturetodecreasetheuncertaintyandsurprisesoftherecentpast.

Amity hasmade a commitment to being accredited under the ISO 9001 International Standards

Framework. Ithasrequireda large financial investmentanddemandonstaff resources.Amity is

committed to quality improvement and quality management that are the outcomes of such an

investment.

ApartfromlearningnewsystemsandskillsinrelationtoqualityoutcomesthestaffatAmityhave

beensupportedtocontinuetodeveloptheirexistingskillsandexpertise.DrBillMiller,afounderof

Motivational Interviewing(MI),was inAustralia fromtheUSAtodeliverworkshopsonMI. Staff

withfrontlineservicedeliveryresponsibilitieswereencouragedandsupportedtoundertakethis

training.MIisaveryusefulskilltohavewhetherworkingwithindividuals,groupsorcommunities.

Amity has a history and ongoing commitment to staff development and has supported staff to

attend and present at conferences, undertake specialist skills development in alcohol and other

drugsaswellasmentalhealthinterventions.

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Amityworkswithavarietyofotherorganisationstoachieveouroutcome.Wetraditionallywork

with government, non‐government and industry sectors. This year with the Alcohol and Other

Drug Indigenous Communities Project and through the initiative of Annette Mageean, Amity

partneredwithUNICEF, Sony Japanandwith the supportof local IT companyArea9 todelivera

youthphotographyworkshopwith the town communities. This provided great opportunities for

theyoungpeople to learnphotographyskills, tell theirstory throughtheireyesand forAmity to

workwithyoungpeople,aclientgroupthatareoftenchallengingtoengagewith.Itculminatedin

theUNICEFlaunchoftheexhibition,producedbytheyoungpeoplefromthetowncommunities,at

ParliamentHouse,Canberraandwasattendedbypoliticiansandotherdignitaries.

Amityhashadanumberofstaffthathavebeenwiththeorganisationforquiteafewyears. Kylie

Jerichohasbeenwiththeorganisationfortenyears,IhavebeenwithAmityfortwentythreeyears,

RianRombouts first joined in1998andhasworkedwiththeCourtsasaclinician foracoupleof

years in that time. Pauline McKenzie initially started with us in 2002 and moved south and

travelledin2007beforere‐joiningusin2010.NicolaCoalter,AnnetteMageeanandMelSchofield

are in the five‐yearcategory. ThisprovidesAmitywithagoodrangeofexperienceanddepthof

corporateknowledge.Itisalsogoodtohavenewerstaffbringingnewskillsandexperience.Iwould

like to acknowledge all the staff for their effort and commitment and especially thank the long

termersfortheirtoleranceofme,andtheirpersistencewiththechallengesoftheworkwedo.

BrettHagan,ourlongservingChairman,willbestandingdownthisyearasisrequiredbytheAmity

constitution. Brett joined theboard in2001andhascontinuouslysevered invariousrolessince

then.Iwouldliketothankhimforhiscommitmenttotheorganisationaswellashissupportand

counselformeasCEO.BretthasdemonstratedleadershipanddedicationandIamgladthathehas

nominatedtoremainontheboard.GailSnell joinedthemanagementcommittee in2004andhas

held thesecretarypositionsince that time.Aswell asotherduties,beingsecretaryon theAmity

committeemeansbeingresponsiblefortheminutes.Gail’sattendance,commitmentandsupportof

theagencyhavebeenexcellent.JulieBeaumonthasbeentreasureronthemanagementboardsince

2006. It is important for sound management to have a person with experience in finances to

scrutiniseandclarifythereportsandensuretheAgency’sfinancialpracticesareatanappropriate

standard.Theboardhas fivenewermemberswhobring fresh eyes andbroadexperience to the

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committee and allows the board to renew. Volunteering their time, knowledge and experience

enables the staff to focus on their duty to deliver services to the community. I would like to

acknowledge the longservingmembersof thecommitteeespeciallyBrett for the twelveyearsof

supportandservicetoAmityandthankalltheboardforthesupportandinput.

Theyearwillprovideitschallengestotheorganisationbutwithgoodgovernanceandcommitted

staffAmitywillservicethecommunitytothehighstandardithasdemonstratedthroughithistory.

Iwillbegoingonlongserviceleaveandannualleaveforsixmonthsfrommid‐OctoberandNicola

CoalterwilltakeontheroleofExecutiveOfficer.Nichasbeenactingintherolewhenrequiredand

hasbeeninthepositionofDeputyEOsinceearlythisyear.

As the Public Officer I would like to acknowledge that Brett Hagan, the Chairman of the Amity

Board,hasapecuniaryinterestinInsuranceRiskSolutions. Theyareinsurerassociatedwiththe

NT Chamber of Commerce and provide Amity with cover. Due to the conflict of interest, Brett

Hagandoesnotparticipateinthedecisionmakingonthepurchasesofinsurance.

Amity looks forward to thenext year of actively promoting the adoption of healthier habits and

lifestylesasisourvision.

MrBernieDwyer

ExecutiveOfficer/PublicOfficer

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CounsellingInterventionServices

Theperiod2012‐2013hasbeenfascinating, frustratingandchallengingforthecounsellingteam

with the abandonmentof theSMARTcourt and the insecuritiesof further and future fundingby

government.Thefactthatthegovernmentintroducedanewapproachtoworkingwithpeoplewith

an alcohol problem was much discussed at Amity as the team works with evidence based

approaches.Unfortunatelythenewmandatorysentencingapproachislackingsuchabase.

AsAmity’sphilosophyhasasoundfoundationandisevidence‐based,thequestionremainsonhow

longthegovernmentwillprovidefundingforAmity’scounsellingservices.Inparticular,isthefact

thatthecounsellingserviceshaveonlybeenfundedfora12‐monthperiod.Thisprovidesuswith

somefoodforthoughtforthefuture.

For the duration of the year there have been only minor changes in the team. Lynde Schubert

resignedandJackAvisoncommencedemploymenton3rdJune2013.NicolaCoaltermovedtothe

gamblingteamandKylieJerichoreturnedtothecounsellingteamonapart‐timebasisonedayper

week.MelSchofieldincreasedherdaysto4perweek.Therestoftheteamremainedstable.

Professionaldevelopmentforthecounsellingstaffisongoingandstaffattendrelevantcoursesand

workshops upon request, when funding is available. In November all staff attended a two‐day

workshoponMotivationalInterviewingskillsinBrisbane,SydneyorMelbourneandtheworkshop

was presented by Dr Bill Miller who is considered the “father of the Motivational Interviewing

approach”.CounsellingstaffcontinuetoattendweeklyCowdyWardRoundmeetings tomaintain

professional linksandasa capacitybuildingactivity. Thisprovides insight into the runningofa

mentalhealthserviceandthemanagementofpeoplewithmentalillnessespeciallyforthosestaff

that have not worked in psychiatric hospital environments. This activity also provides the

opportunitytogainup‐to‐dateinformationonpsychotropicmedications.

The counsellors are facedwith the ongoing challenge of keeping upwith information regarding

prescribedmedicationsaswellastheaction,effectsandsideeffectsofillicit,designerandsynthetic

drugs. This is an interesting and also time consuming activity. Nevertheless the information is

importantandneededtoassistclients,familiesandthecommunitywithup‐to‐dateinformation.

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During the past year the counselling team has participated in providing community education

presentationsandworkshops tootherorganisations includingseveral schools in theDarwinand

outerDarwinregions,Tobacco,AlcoholandotherDrugsService(TAODS)atRoyalDarwinHospital,

DarwinAboriginalandIslanderWomen'sShelter(DAIWS),andLarrakeyahNationandoperatedan

information stall at the Amity Picnic in the Park event for Drug ActionWeek. Counselling staff

continuetoparticipateincaseconferenceswherethereisanintegratedtreatmentplanwithother

servicesandinothermeetingssuchastherecentNTOpiatePharmacotherapyProgramreview.

OurpartnershipwithotherorganisationsisongoingandvisitstoandfromCommunityCorrections,

Relationships Australia, Northern Territory Aids and Hepatitis Council, TAODS, Advantage

Personnel Consultant, TOLL transport company, Top End Mental Health Services, Somerville

CommunityServices,CouncilofAboriginalAlcoholServices,FORWAARDandthelistgoeson.Visits

totheprisontoseegamblingclientsareirregularandinfrequentandbyrequestonly.Thisyeara

fee‐for‐service was undertaken to provide QUIT smoking cessation groups in the Darwin

CorrectionalFacilityastheNTprisonswenttobaccofreeon1July2013.

In the firstweekofOctober2012andagain inAugust2013aclient surveywasconducted. The

feedback receivedwas encouraging and showed that the counselling receivedby clients is rated

highly. There were some requests for afterhours counselling but it was found that this is not

achievable at this point in time due to security and staffing levels. The offer of out‐of‐hours

counsellingwillbefurtherexploredintheupcomingyear.

This last year also saw the introduction of a qualitymanagement system and the agency’s new

program Quality Coordinator (QC), a rather handy but stirring program needed to assist us for

accreditation.AllstaffattendedQCtrainingsessionsthroughouttheyearandarenowenjoyingthe

benefitsofthissystem.TheNTHealthDepartmenthasintroducedanonlinedrugandalcoholdata

collection tool to enable a streamlined contribution to theNationalMinimumData Set, inwhich

counsellors received training and are now using. The data was previously recorded manually.

Altogether there has been a big change frommanual reporting to electronic reporting systems,

ensuringthatAmityCommunityServiceshastheskillsandtoolstoproduceinformationthatmeets

thegovernmentrequirementsforthepurposeofaccreditationandfunding.

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17

AlcoholandOtherDrugsIndigenousCommunitiesProject2012‐2015

(ImagefromEYESEEdigitalphotographyworkshops)

Introduction

The currentproject builds onpreviousCommonwealthFunding and addressesharmsassociated

with the misuse of volatile substances in Darwin. The present project continues to include

communitydevelopmentworktoaddressvolatilesubstancemisuseinnominatedAboriginalTown

Communities:KnuckeysLagoon‐Milgarri;PalmerstonIndigenousVillage–Gurdorrka;andBagot

Community. The goal of the project is to implement strategies to reduce harms associatedwith

inhalants,alcoholandotherdrugsinnominatedAboriginalCommunitiesinDarwinasfollows:

1. Developpreventionstrategiestoreduceharmsassociatedwithinhalantsalcoholandother

drugs;

2. Developprotectionstrategiestoreduceharmsassociatedwithinhalants,alcoholandother

drugs;

3. Develop intervention strategies to reduce harms associated with inhalants, alcohol and

otherdrugs;

4. Introducemeasurestoaddressco‐morbidityincommunitieswithrespecttotheharmfuluse

ofsubstances;

5. IncreaseAmity’scapacitytoworkwithIndigenousCommunities;and

6. Continuousevaluationandqualityimprovementofprojectdeliveryandoutcomes.

Whatwewantedtolearn

Thecontinuousevaluationmaintainsastrongfocusonprocess.Qualityfeedbackandcompletionof

outputs is largely paced by community engagement and the current circumstances within

18

communities. Key performance indicators developed with the nominated Aboriginal Town

CommunitiesinDarwinmeasureprojectoutputsandareasfollows:

Determinetowhatextenttheprogramhasreducedharmsassociatedwithinhalantsalcohol

andotherdrugs;

Determine to what extent prevention, protection and intervention strategies have been

effectiveinreducinguseofinhalants,alcoholandotherdrugs;and

DeterminetowhatextentthecapacityofAmityandothercommunityserviceprovidershas

increasedinworkingwithIndigenouscommunities.

Results

Morrison Associates Pty. Ltd. has been appointed as an independent evaluator. The evaluation

process has reviewed all available data sources and conducted a management review in

conjunctionwithstaffinterviews.Theproject’songoingdatacollectionandreviewofinformationis

consistentwith an action‐researchmethodology. The evaluation processwill continue under an

action research protocol with ongoing engagement, feedback and review. All reports submitted

havetheendorsementofMorrisonAssociatesPtyLtd.

Theprojecthasdevelopedand implemented theevaluationplanwith the teamand independent

evaluator.Discoursewiththeevaluatorhasbeenongoinganddetailed.Distillationofinformation

relating to the evaluationprocesswill continue to assist in refining theprojectplan.Theproject

collectsquantitativeandqualitativedatathroughworkerdiariesandcommunicationlogsaswellas

othersourcesandroutinelyreviewsthesetoreflectonpracticeandmodificationtoplanningand

delivery. The project has refined the evaluation by adopting a range of forms and data capture

methods used for quantitative and qualitative purposes. Information gained from these analyses

continuestobefedbackintotheevaluationforcontinualimprovement.Amityhasimplementeda

new organisation‐wide, electronic Quality Management System that has been of considerable

assistance in furthercapturingdataandprojectcontext.Theprojectreviewsinformationsources

monthlytoensurecurrencyandcompatibilityofrecordsforlaterevaluation.

19

Existing documentation shows encouraging feedback from collaborators and stakeholders

including:

Congratulations from Darwin Regional Indigenous Advancement and CDEP Inc for work

withthemen’sgroupindevelopingBBQfacilities.

RecognitionfromCAYLUSregardingtheproject’soutcomesin2012.

Recognition from the manager of Top End Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) of Amity’s

successesinsupplyreductioninAODandVolatileSubstanceAbuse(VSA).

RecognitionfromKatherineRegionAboriginalHealthandRelatedServicesthattheVSAand

AODresourcesandpublicationsreleasedbyAmityaremostinformative.

Theproject’swebsiteprovidesacomprehensiveoutlineoftheprojectaswellasresources,

reports and reviewsof the project, links to other resources including relevant legislation,

otherAODandVSMservices,contactdetails,anddownloadablebrochures,flyers,pamphlets

andotherresourcesforpublicdistribution.Ourwebresourcesarebeingwidelysoughtboth

nationallyandinternationally:

o Asheville,NorthCarolinathankedtheprojectontheresourcesmadeavailableonthe

ourAODlinkswebpage.Theresourceswereusedwiththeiryoungsniffersprogram.

o DirectoroftheScienceofKnowingBuddinaQLD,CommunitySolutions,have

consultedwiththisprojecttosupportthedevelopmentofaresourceforregionaland

ruralcommunitiestoaddresssubstancemisuse.Amity’sIndigenousCommunities

Projectcameupinthereviewoftheliteratureasanexampleofeffectivepracticein

Indigenouscommunities.

RecommendationsfromEvaluation

1. Asnotedinthepreviousprojectevaluationtheresponsiblesaleofsolventsprogramisnow

operating optimally and could bemanaged by a dedicated programofficer. Consideration

should be given on how this could be achieved. Lack of capacity in the area of

implementationoftheVSAworkisanidentifiedissuefortheproject.

2. The cross‐cultural competency baseline thatwas commenced at the start of the previous

project has now been progressedwith further cross‐cultural training. It is recommended

thatthisbefurtherdevelopedwithcommunityinputtoproduceaculturalsafetypolicyfor

Amity.

20

3. Thesupervisionandmentoringprocessseekstostrengthensupporttoprojectofficerswho

areworkingwithincommunitysettings.Thisisnecessarybecauseofthechallengingnature

ofthework.ProjectOfficerscomefromadiverserangeofbackgroundsandareworkingin

demanding community development situations and would benefit from “on the job”

mentoringandtraining.

4. Thecommunicationsandmanagementsystemimplementedhasbeeneffectiveinretaining

corporateknowledge. It is recommended that thisbestructuredanddocumented tomake

theinterfaceeasily intelligibletonewusers.Alsoit isrecommendedthatsomethoughtbe

giventoemployingahigh‐leveladminpersontodevelopthisandalsofurtherdevelopthe

VSApackagesforrolloutinotherregions.Itisconceivablethatthispersonmayalsomanage

theresponsiblesaleofsolventsprogram.

OutcomesandKeyAchievements

Collaboratedwithotheragenciesforreferralsfromthetowncommunitiestohealth,welfare,

childprotection,mentalhealthandemploymentservices.

Conductedaharmminimisationworkshopfor4youthworkersofYMCAand9menfromthe

men’sprogramand2fromIronBarkMoneyManagement.Theworkshophasstrengthened

therelationshipwithYMCAandtheMilgarriCommunity,manyopenandfrankdiscussions

were held about VSA and AOD and what measures can be done to minimise the harms

associatedwithmisuse.

DecreasedinhalantusewithinDarwinAboriginalTownCommunities.

DeliveredaVSAworkshopwithNTAODVSAClinicalto10nurses,followinganinvitationby

theDepartmentofHealthMaternal&ChildHealthDivision.Topicsincludedmentalhealth

issuescausedthroughsniffingandrespondingtovolatilesubstancemisuse.

Demonstratedabilitytorecruit,supportandupskillAboriginalstaff.

Demonstrated working collaboratively with other stakeholders to strengthen service

deliveryandoutcomesforthecommunity.

Developedanddeliveredofarangeofalternativehealthylifestyleactivitieswithcommunity

men,womanandyoungpeople.

ContributedtoChapter18oftheWorkingTogether‐AboriginalandTorresStraitIslander

mentalhealthandwellbeingprinciples. ThepublicationisfundedbyOATSIHandChapter

18 examines current and emerging themes in respect to intellectual disability that may

21

assistcliniciansandtheirpatients.D’Arcy(2013),inherreviewstated,“WorkingTogetheris

a book not only recommended all community psychologists to read (and psychologists

generallyforthatmatter),butalsoonerecommendedtokeepinthataccessiblepartoftheir

bookshelfnexttotheotherequallyimportantCommunityPsychologyBibles”.1

Contributedanarticle toTheChronicleapoliticallyneutralpublication, fundedby theNT

DepartmentofHealthandisdistributedwidelytoapproximately1200nationalmembers.

DevelopedVSAworkshopswithother stakeholders for theCommunity SafetyNetworking

Group, Department of Housing, FaHCSIA, and Service providers. Participant evaluation

showed thatmore than90%of the 36 attendees in eachworkshop reported contentwas

directly relevant to their work. Darwin Regional Office Department of Housing, Service

Providers and Retailers have expressed an interest in participating in further AOD VSA

workshops. Amity has been invited to be part of the Palmerston Community Safety

NetworkingGroup.

EngagedCharlesDarwinUniversitytodevelopandimplementaCertIIFoodSafetyCourse

VTP189foraremotecontexttotheprojectandthetowncommunities.

Engaged in youth diversion activities with families on the town communities including

NiteStreetaCorrugatedIronYouthartsevent.

Established strong working relationship with VAMP TV NT Music working with young

people and families on the communities to communicatepositive imagesof youngpeople

fromthetowncommunitiesandtheirprojects.

Obtained acceptance of our proposal to UNICEF and Sony Japan to support and engage

GiacomoPriozziworldfamousphotographertoconductEyeSeeWorkshopinDarwin.The

DarwinEyeSeewasthe11thinaseriesofEYESEEdigitalphotographyworkshopsandonly

thesecondtobeheldinadevelopednation–thefirstbeinghostedinJapanshortlyafterthe

tsunamiin2011.

Facilitated an informationnight about theEye SeeWorkshopDarwin at the State Library

ParliamentHouseDarwinandacceptedSonydonationof5laptopcomputersand20digital

camerastosupportyouthdiversionactivitiesinthetowncommunities.

1 Catherine D'Arcy Health Promotion Officer Knox Community Health Services (2013), published in the Australian Community Physiologist Volume 24 No2 2012 avail http://aboriginal.childhealthresearch.org.au/media/437603/book_review_2012.pdf 

22

Partneredwithteamhealthinthemen’sprogramtocontributetoraisingawarenessabout

suicide, self‐harm and the delivery of culturally informed community co‐morbidity

educationsessions.

Raised awareness of responsible sale of solvents and respond to local retailers. Ausfuel

Outlets have adopted our flow chart procedure on responding to volatile substance, and

have amended police to include “VSAP does include as an offence.” Two chemists have

amendedworkproceduresandnolongerplacehigh‐riskproducts(aerosols,deodorants)in

binsinfrontofthestore. ToyWorldhasenclosedallhobbypaintsandgluesinaseparate

securedviewingcontainerintheirstore.

Referralofcommunitymemberswithsignificantinhalantuseissuestotreatmentservices.

SupportedNAIDOC,YouthWeekandDrugActionWeek engaging, youngpeople,menand

womenfromthecommunities.

Provided a proposed Indigenous Employment Strategy to Amity, from Major Industries

TrainingAdvisoryCouncilandtheIndigenousEmploymentProgram.

Developed a collaborative strategy to reduce supply, access to, and misuse of volatile

substancesarisingfromavailabilityviaretailsupplyandbuildingcontractorsintheregion.

Provided consultation and education for local councils and builders on VSA storage

practices,withthedeliveryof212comprehensivecontractorkits.

Institutionalsustainability(rollingouttheprogramandprogrameffectiveness)

The design of the project plan and data collection system supports sustainability from a project

management perspective. The development of policy and procedures material and refining job

descriptionswouldfurtherstrengthenthis.

We have implemented a community readiness strategy, which will be a key to matching

interventions with community capacity and improve the project’s effectiveness. Successful

outcomesincludeprovidingopportunityfor16residentsofGurdorrkaandMilgarricommunityto

participateinacoursetoenablethemobtaintheirlearnersdriverslicence.Twentysessionalplans

weredevelopedwhichincludedAlcoholandOtherdrugsInformationandRoadSafety.

Developingpartnershipswithotherorganisationscontinuestobe furtherdevelopedandthishas

thepotentialtoreducecompetitionforfundingandpromotecooperation.

23

Retentionofstaffisanongoingconcern.Improvingonthementoringandsupervisionstructurefor

this diverse teamandhaving thenecessary support for allworkers is imperative to reduce staff

turnover. This can be achieved by continuing to support the professional development of

Aboriginalstaffthroughon‐goingtrainingandmentoringopportunities.

Conclusion

The communities with which we work are constantly challenged by structural determinants to

health resulting in target groups experiencing significant issues concerning drug, alcohol and

mentalhealthproblems.Therearepositiveoutcomesfromthisprojectparticularlywithdeveloping

relationships that have assisted us in effectively improving health outcomes to reduce harms

associatedwithinhalants,alcoholandotherdrugsinnominatedAboriginalTownCommunitiesin

Darwin. Strong working relationships with organisations in the public and private sector and

working cooperatively has assisted in reducing the impacts of structural determinants to health.

This has been strengthened by maintaining good relationships with the community to further

developthemen,womenandyouthprogramsalongwithastrongcommitmenttopublichealthand

humanrights.

Theprojectacknowledgesthefollowing:DepartmentofHealthandAging,Localserviceproviders,

UNICEF, Sony Corporation and Giacomo Pirozzi, MartaMauas Perez and Secretariat of National

AboriginalandIslanderChildCare,TollFreight,Area9ITSupportandtheIndigenousChildrenand

familiesfromwithinthecommunities.

AnnetteMageean

Coordinator,AODIndigenousCommunitiesProject

24

DrinkDriverEducation(DDE)Program

Staffing

The Drink Driver Education coordinator and trainer/assessor have remained stable for the past 12

months.Inplanningforthefuturewithnewsofthereductionoffundingforthecoordinatorrole,the

currenttrainer/assessorwillbeleavingandthecoordinatorwilltakethetrainingroleatAmity.TheNT

CoordinationrolewillnowbeunderDepartmentofTransportNTDepartmentofLandsandPlanning

(referredtoasMotorVehicleRegistryMVR).

The DDE user pays program will continue as an accredited course under the registered training

organisation(RTO)statusuntil theendofaccreditationperiod,31December2013.After thatperiod

the coursewill be rununder the requirements ofMVRwhich couldpossiblymean anon‐accredited

courseandinthefuture,moreproviderstodeliverDDEtrainingprogramwhichmaynotnecessarilybe

RTOs.AttheendofJune2013arrangementshavenotbeenconfirmedaroundhowtheDDEprogram

will continue in the future except that Motor Vehicle Registry will be taking responsibility for the

coordination.

Participation

Directlybelowisatablewiththepreviousyearparticipantnumbers.

Table 1: No. of NT Participants July 2012 – June 2013

No Participants TOTAL Indigenous Non Indigenous Not Known

Jul to Dec 12 686 356 330 0

Jan to Jun 13 644 382 262 0

Th

19

Ta

DD

Ar

Re

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(T

an

hegraphbe

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able 2:

DEProvide

rangeoflo

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Week

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emoteacce

TOIP)progr

ndreceiving

5

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200

400

600

800

1000

1200

1400

1600

elowshow

heendof20

Total DD

ers

cationsand

kdaycourse

knight cour

singandTr

kendcourse

otecourses

ECourses

esstotheD

ram.Ongoi

gpayments

577

901789

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2004

wsthetotal

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DE Numbe

dproviders

esareoffer

rses are of

rainingCen

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arebyarra

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ing issues

spriortotr

9 824 7897

berofP

5 1996 19

4 2005 20

numberof

er of Partic

softheDD

redbyAmit

ffered by T

ntre–Naka

redbyTrai

angement.

ehasbeen

forprovid

ravellingto

714 719820

Particip20

997 1998

006 2007

fparticipan

cipants by

Etrainingc

ty–Parap;

Training P

ara;

iningPlusN

coveredby

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0 786932

10

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1999 2000

2008 2009

ntswhoha

y Year from

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0 2001 2

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aveattende

m 1995 to

asfollows:

ho took ov

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ficOffender

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1130

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011 2012

edtheDDE

2012

:

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26

July2012–June2013RemoteAreas

Area Provider

Oenpelli AmityCommunityServicesInc.

Maningrida, Hermannsburg, Borroloola, Yuendemu and

Bulman.

EASA

Wadeye,GrooteEylandt TrainingPlus

Santa Teresa, Hermannsburg, Borroloola, Ampilawatja,

WillowraandDockerRiver.

IMTraining

TownshipAreas:

Area Provider

KatherineTown EASA

AliceSpringsTown DASA

RegisteredTrainingOrganisation(RTO)

TheRTOwasawareofpossiblechangeswith fundingcuts toDDE. Focuscontinuedonworking

towardsre‐accreditationofthecourse.Ongoingself‐auditandASQAupdatesandrequirementsfor

continuingregistrationdue31/10/2014havebeenundertaken.

The costs of operating and maintaining an RTO has been reviewed and discussions have been

underwaythisyearregardingcontinuingwithRTOstatustheDDEcourse.

Traffic Offender Intervention Program (Repeat Offender Program) was scheduled to commence

early in 2012 and commenced in July 2012. This funded program includes the Drink Drive

EducationcourseandAmityhasbeeninvolvedwiththetrainingandinductionoffacilitators.

TrainingResources

ResourcesforDDEcoursehavebeenreviewedthisyearandarereadyforre‐accreditation.

27

HealthAudit

OnlyafewRTOscontinuetoincludetheself‐reportscreenitintheircourse.TheHealthAuditmay

notbecontinuedafterfinaldecisionsaremadeforre‐accreditationoftheagency’sRTOstatus.Itis

currentlyunknowniftheMVRwillincludeitinthenewcourse.

Statistics/DataCollection

TraditionallyAmityhasbeenthecentralregistryforDDEcoursesandhadmaintainedthedatabase

for attendance and results for all courses NT wide. However, with funding reduction for the

coordinationrole this taskhasnowbeen transferred toMVRasof31July2013.A full auditwas

completedonthedatabasepriortothehand‐overtoMVR.

Liaison

Liaison with MVR for the transferring of the DDE course to their ownership commenced early

2013.

MVRwillupdatetheirletterstoclientstoincludethechangeofarrangementsforobtainingaDDE

course.

GailWest

Coordinator

DrinkDriverEducation

28

IllicitDrugProject

TheinitialIllicitDrugandMentalHealthprojectwasfundedfromFeb2008–2012.Theaimsfrom

that project were to build the capacity of counsellors to identify and respond to co‐occurring

substanceuseandmentalhealthproblems.Alongwithconductingasurvey to identifysubstance

usetrends,venuesclosetopointofsaleandarelevanthealthpromotionmessagefromthetarget

groupandprovideinformationabouttreatmentoptionsforchange.Oneofthehighlightsfromthe

projecthasbeen theongoing relationshipsAmityhaveestablishedwith thevenues, otherhealth

andwell‐beingagenciesaswellasdevelopinganddistributinghealthpromotionmaterial.

The first surveyundertakenwassought froma treatment‐seekingsample.ThisenabledAmity to

gainanunderstandingofcurrentillicitdrugusebythiscohort,howpeoplefindtreatmentoptions

andlocations/venuesclosetothepointofsaleofsubstances.

Thehealthpromotionmessagefordistribution:

Wide distribution of health promotion material to General Practitioners, Chemists, Nightclubs,

Charles Darwin University and High Schools in the Darwin area has resulted in an increase of

peopleseekingtreatmentforchangearoundtheirillicitdruguse.

Theproject’sfundinghasprovidedprofessionaldevelopmentopportunitiesforAmity’scounselling

teamtobuildthecapacitytorespondtoco‐occurringMentalHealthproblems,inparticularanxiety

anddepression.

Thisyearhasseenacontinuationoftheillicitdrugprojectcomponentfromthepreviousfunding

contract.Thenewfundingperiod for thisprojectruns fromJuly2012to June2015.Thisyearthe

projecthasundertakenanothersurveywithaimsof collection information fromawider sample,

29

comparisontothepreviousfindingsarounddrugusepatterns,venuesclosetopointofcontact/sale

ofillicitsubstanceandinformationonhowpeoplefindtreatmentoptions.

The current illicit drug survey questionswere developed after review of the first survey and in

consultationwitharangeofpeoplewithknowledgeofillicitdrugs.Thesurveywasdevelopedusing

an online web based tool (SurveyMonkey)making the task of collating and analysing the data

easierandlesstimeconsuming.

This surveyhad197participantsprovide responses toquestionsposedwhichhas enabledus to

gainapictureofcurrent illicitdrugusebytypeandpatternandprovidedinvaluable information

around places of use that will enable to project to distribute health promotion messages and

materials to relevant outlets. Amity collaborated with five other agencies/local businesses for

recruitingparticipants. NewrelationshipswereestablishedandMemorandumofUnderstandings

weredeveloped.

The results from the 2008 survey found cannabis to be the most widely used illicit drug with

participantsindicatingecstasyasthesecondmostfrequentlyusedsubstanceandamphetamineuse

tobemuch loweron theuse scale for thoseparticipants.The survey conducted from theendof

2012tothebeginningofthisyearisinthefinalanalysisprocesswithsomeinterestingdatabeing

capturedasfollows:

62.44%(123people)oftheparticipantsweremale.

89people(45.18%)inthesurveyareagedbetween21‐29yrs.

The3mostpopularillicitsubstanceswere:

‐ 142participants(78.78%)indicatedtheyhadengagedincannabisuseintheprevious6

monthperiod;

‐ 73people(40.56%)indicateduseofamphetamineinthesameperiod;and

‐ 70people(38.89%)indicatingMDMA(ecstasy)useinthesameperiod.

74.33%(139people)indicatedtheyusealcoholatthesametimeasothersubstances.

The3mostpopularplacesofusewere:

‐ Ownhome62.7%(116);

‐ Friend’shome60%(111);and

‐ Houseparties41.08%(76).

30

62.57%(117people)indicatedthattheydidnotthinktheirdrugusewasaproblem.

86.52%(154people)statedthatthey‘knewwheretofindoutinformationaboutaccessing

services’inrelationtoillicitsubstanceuse.

62.09%(113people)ofparticipantsstatedthey‘hadheardaboutAmity’with31.32%(57

people)indicatingtheyhadheardaboutusthrough‘word‐of‐mouth’.

Another componentof thisprojectwasparticipation inDrugActionWeek–anational initiative,

this year the themewas “Drugs, Communities & Families”. Amity collaboratedwith seven other

serviceproviderstoholdaneventinStokesStreetPark,Parap(nexttoAmity).TheAssociationof

AlcoholandOtherDrugAgenciesNTCoordinatoropened theeventandwelcomedallhealthand

well‐being agencies alongwith communitymembers. Interactivedisplays and activities aimedat

increasingawarenessandunderstandingofharmsrelatedtoalcoholandotherdruguseengaged

people and provided an informal opportunity to for service provides to involve people in drug

education. About 60 people enjoyed the BBQ lunch, talked to service providers and collected

information.OutcomesfromtheeventenabledpeopletolearnmoreaboutserviceprovidedAmity,

anopportunitytomeetsomestaffandtohavealookthroughouttheagency.Theeventcontributed

tostrengtheningrelationshipswithotherhealthandwell‐beingagenciesandwasdeemedasuccess

byall.

Amity’scounsellingprogramreceivesasmallpart(0.5ofafull‐timeposition)offundingfromthis

projecttoprovidecounsellingservices.Duringthisreportingperiod108clientsaccessedAmityfor

treatmentinrelationtotheirillicitsubstanceuse,onaveragefoursessionsperclientwasprovided

totalling432counsellingsessions.

PaulineMcKenzie

IllicitDrugProjectOfficer

31

GamblingHarmMinimisation&EducationProgram

Gambling,inregulatedandunregulatedforms,ispartofthenormalsocialandculturalfabricofthe

NorthernTerritory.TheAustralianGamblingStatistics1984‐85to2009‐10,28theditionshowsthat

in 2009‐10 the reported ‘total gambling expenditure as a percentage of household disposable

income’ was 5.81% in the Territory in comparison to a national average of 2.20%. This is the

highest expenditure per head in Australia however the per capita figure may be skewed by

involvement of interstate andoverseas tourists aswell as interstate and international telephone

andInternetgambling.

The Territory has a population of 212,000 people distributed sparsely across a vast area of

1,352,176 sq. km (ABS, 2011). Amity continues to be the primary deliverer of a range of

interventionandpreventionservices in theareaofgambling throughout theTerritory. Thepast

yearsawachangeingovernmentandasaresultachangeoftheDepartmentofJusticefunctionsof

Gambling and Licensing being transferred to the Department of Business under Administrative

Orders signed in September 2012. As well as external changes, this year brought change in

coordinationoftheprogramwithlong‐termemployee,KylieJericho,takingannualandlong‐service

leavecommencinginmid‐April.

TheCommunityBenefitFundreceived$2.127millionfromthelevyonelectronicgamingmachines

inhotelsduring2011‐12(CBFAnnualReport2011‐12)andAmity’smaingamblingeducationand

harmminimisationprogramhasbeensuccessfulinsecuringfundingforafurther12‐monthperiod.

Thisenablestheprogramtocontinueworking indiversewaysaroundminimisingtheactualand

potentialharmsassociatedwitharangeofgamblingactivities.InadditiontoAmity’smainprogram

funding this year we have been successful in gaining funding for continuation of the Gambling

AwarenessandEducationProjectinremoteTerritorycommunities.

Amitybelievesthattheadoptionofasystemsapproachoffersthebestopportunitytoreducethe

harmassociatedwithgambling.Whileacknowledgingthattheremaybesomeconflictsinagendas,

Amity implements thisapproachbyworkingwith thevarioussectorsof thecommunity involved

with gambling. These sectors include government, venue owners and managers, community

organisations, groups and individuals. The object is to identify where there is commonality of

32

agenda in relation togambling, todevelop strategicpartnerships,develop initiatives, anddeliver

evidence‐basedpracticewiththeoverallaimofharmreduction.

The National Framework on Problem Gambling is founded on four principles: rights of the

community to accurate and balanced information on gambling; shared responsibility for

minimising harms; collaborative partnerships that build on best practice; and the importance of

researchandevaluation inensuringeffective initiatives.Amity’smainprogramworks toprovide

intervention services, health promotion, information sessions and capacity building workshops

withaimsto:

increasingawarenessofthewiderangeofeconomic,healthandsocialissuesassociatedwith

gambling;

increasing awareness of ‘Know the Facts – set your limits’. ‘Be informed. Be habitwise’ –

leadingtogreatercapacityforinformeddecisionmaking;and

engagementwithcommunitywithaimstoimproveservicedeliveryandreferralpathways.

Intervention

Onehundredandsevenpeopleaccessedtheinterventionservicesprovidedthroughthisprogram

either via face‐to‐face or telephone counselling options. Gambling counselling atAmity is solidly

foundedinempiricalevidenceandbestpracticetechniques.Face‐tofacecounselling,referraland

informationandsupportservicescontinuetobeofferedtopeopleofDarwin,Palmerstonandthe

rural areas and through Holyoake services in Alice Springs. Amity works in partnership with

Turning Point Alcohol and Drug Centre to deliver a toll‐free number that people across the

Territorycanaccess.Thisserviceprovidescounselling,referral,informationandsupport24hours,

sevendaysaweek.

Amity’s service provision offers information and support for people who choose self‐exclusion

alongwithtreatmentoptionsforpeopleaffectedbygambling(significantothers–maybepartners,

childrenorotherfamilymembers).Thisyearthe‘ManagingYourGambling’self‐helpbookletbased

oncognitivebehaviour therapy forpeoplewhochoose toworkontheirownchangewasrevised

andreprinted.

33

Training

Amity continues to provide training, information and support around responsible gambling

practicestovenuesviaface‐to‐facetrainingsessionsalongwithtelephoneandemailcontact.The

program’s training project officer, Christine Power, delivers the training package of responsible

gamblingpracticeswiththeclearaimsofincreasingawarenessofobligationsundertheNTCodeof

Practice,increasingvenuestaff’sabilitytoidentifyandrespondtoproblemgamblingintheirvenue

and as a mechanism to create referral pathways into treatment. This training also provides

opportunities for venue staff to fully understand and respond to their obligations around self‐

exclusionprocessesforthegamingindustryandtheirpunters.

During thisyear traininghasbeenprovided to278venueemployees inDarwin,Katherine,Alice

Springs andGove from22 pubs and clubs and at both of theTerritory’s casinos.Workwith the

gamingindustryalsoinvolvestheprovisionofhealthpromotionmaterialthroughoutawiderange

ofgamingvenuesandworkingcollaborativelyaroundpromotingresponsiblegamblingawareness

weekinvenues.

Communityeducationanddevelopment

Communityeducationforthegamblingprogramreferstoarangeofprojectstopromotelearning

andsocialdevelopmentwithindividualsandgroupsintheircommunitiesusingarangeofformal

andinformalmethods.Acommondefiningfeatureisthatprojectsandactivitiesaredevelopedin

dialoguewithcommunitiesandparticipants.

This work is achieved by engaging in smaller projects within the program targeting specific

vulnerablegroups.ThisyearJoanScottandCarolinaFerreiraSiqueiraworkedwithyoungpeopleat

Palmerston Senior College to deliver gambling education workshops as part of the school’s

ResilienceProgram.AnongoingrelationshipwiththeCounciloftheAgeing(COTA)providedAmity

withtheopportunitytodelivereducationsessionsaroundgamblingduringaverybusyandwell‐

attended‘SeniorsMonth’.Wehavealsoattendedseveralyouthhealthexposatvariouslocalmiddle

and high schools, and participated in the Darwin Correctional Centre’s annual health promotion

communityservicesexpo.

34

Inresponsetoaburgeoningneedtoraiseawarenessaroundtheharmsandcostsofgamblingon

Aboriginal individuals, families and communities living in remote Territory settings, Amity and

multi‐media company isee‐ilearn partnered to develop and deliver an integrated gambling

awarenesscampaign.Thecampaignaimed to increaseunderstandingandawarenessof the risks

andharmsassociatedwithregulated(e.g.electronicgamingmachines)andunregulatedgambling

(e.g. card playing) amongst people living in remote communities of theTerritory. The campaign

consistedof:

thedevelopmentandbroadcastofradioadvertsandTVcommercialsinlocallanguage;

thedevelopmentanddistributionofkeyhealthpromotionmessagesvia‘talkingposters’in

locallanguage;

thetranslationofstoriesaboutgamblingintolanguageoflocalareasandavailablethrough

isee‐ilearn’swebsite;

thedeliveryofcommunityinformationsessions;andthe

developmentanddeliveryofatrainingworkshopforhealthworkers.

Theremoteawarenessandeducationcampaignaimstocontinue thesolidworkcompleted in its

firstfundingperiod.Themaindeliverablesofthisongoingprojectarethe:

developmentoflocalhealthpromotionmessagesandmaterialsaboutgambling;

deliveryofinformationsessionsand/orcapacitybuildingworkshopstohealthand

communityworkersinremoteareas;and

developmentanddeliveryoftailoredinformationsessionstootherserviceproviders(e.g.

policeofficers,schoolteachers,financialcounsellors).

Healthpromotion

Research inhealthpromotionhassuggested thatcampaignsaremore likely tobeeffectivewhen

theyarewell‐resourcedandenduring, target a clearlydefinedaudience, arebasedonmarketing

strategiesthateffectivelytarget,communicatewithandhaverelevanceforandprovideacredible

messagetowhichtheaudienceisfrequentlyexposed.

35

OngoingfundingenablesAmitytocontinuetodevelopanddeliverthesetypesofhealthpromotion

campaigns and opportunities to integrate with a diverse range of other prevention initiatives.

Amityhasattendedarangeofcommunityeventswerethegamblingprogramhasprovidedhealth

promotionmessagesandinformation.

For thenationallyalignedResponsibleGamblingAwarenessWeekAmity’sprojectofficers setup

health promotion displays in gaming venues, public libraries and Centrelink offices around the

greater Darwin and Palmerston areas. Health promotion and information stalls were set‐up at

CasuarinaSquareandMindilBeachmarkets(seriouslyno‐onepredictedraininMay!)withtheaim

ofengagingpeopleinactivitiesaroundthethemedcampaign‘KnowtheFacts,setyourlimits–Be

informed. Be Habitwise’ aimed at increasing community members’ awareness on facts around

gamblingthatcanleadmoreinformeddecision‐makingaboutgamblingandentertainmentcosts.

This year an event was organised in conjunction with Cazaly’s Palmerston Club to promote

responsible gambling awareness week within a gaming venue. This event had a counsellor in

attendance to discuss the difference between financial counselling (money management) and

counsellingaroundsustainablebehaviourchange.

Marketing

Theprogramcontinuestoutiliseadvertisinginnewsprint,radioandtelevision.Thisyearwehave

aired the ‘Know the Facts’ and ‘Help is at hand’ campaign through these mediums. We have

respondedtoradiointerviewsaroundtopicalgamblingissuesastheyariseandatthe22ndAnnual

NationalAssociationforGamblingStudiesConferenceinLaunceston,Tasmaniaabriefpresentation

on‘CardplayinginremotecommunitiesoftheNT:Communicatinghealthmessages’waspresented

byCarolinaFerreiraSiqueiraandseemedtobewell‐receivedbythoseattendingthesession.From

thisworkandexposurethroughthepresentationopportunitiestoengagewithotherprofessionals

inthefieldofgamblingandAboriginalpeoplehasbeenrequestedoftheprogram.

Consultation

During this reporting period Amity has contributed to the Aboriginal Gambling Help Services

National Roundtable discussionwith the aims of sharing best practice andworking in culturally

appropriatewayswhenengagingwithAboriginalpeopleaffectedbyproblemgambling.

36

This year has seen the commencement of the Gambling Help Online Expert Advisory Group

establishedbyTurningPoint tobring together representatives fromeach jurisdiction toprovide

advice,guidanceandfeedbackonenhancementstoGamblingHelpOnline.

TheNational Association For Gambling Studies Inc. is Australia’s leading research forum and as

Amity continues to hold a presence on this committee. Committee members act as a conduit

betweenmembersineachState,theExecutiveCommitteeandtootherstatememberswithaimsto:

promote,developandcommissionresearchandcoordinateopportunitiesforresearchingambling

andactivitiesassociatedwithgambling;actingasanagentforthecollectionanddisseminationof

information and data related to gambling and associated activities; to encourage and promote

excellence in gambling research; and to further knowledge and understanding of gambling and

gambling‐relatedissuesinthecommunity.

Future

In addition to continuing with counselling, venue training, information and education services

alreadywell‐establishedtheyearaheadwillseeothersmallerrolled‐outthroughouttheTerritory.

Thedatacollectionprojecthopes tocollectwhat ispredictedtobe interesting informationabout

people’s access to a range of health and social services where gambling is identified as a

contributingfactornottheprimaryissuepeopleseekarangeofhealthandwell‐beingservicesin

our community. Some initial plans for ongoing health promotion will see the gambling team

supplying articles for a range of community newsletters, a community radio show around

information about gambling, new resource development and dissemination and the potential to

engagewithsocialmediatoamplifykeyhealthpromotionmessagestotargetedgroups.

NicolaCoalter

DeputyCEO&

ActingCoordinator

GamblingHarmMinimisation&EducationProgram

37

Accreditation

ISO9001isaninternationalstandardforQualitymanagementSystems.Thegoalof“Quality”isto

meettheexpectationsofyourclients‐everytimeandwitheveryinteraction.

AbriefhistoryofISO

InWorldWarIUKarmamentsmanufacturershadproblemswithshellsnotexploding,unexploded

shellsfromtheBattleoftheSommearestillploughedupbyfarmers.InWorldWarII,theUKhad

biggerproblemswithbombsexplodinginthefactory!TheMinistryofDefenceputinspectorsinthe

factories with the aim ofmaking sure the productionmet specifications and controls to ensure

consistencyofoutput.ThefirstUKstandardforqualityassurance,BS9000,wasdevelopedforthe

electronics industry and in 1987 The International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO)

published ISO 9000withmany reviews since. QualityManagement Systems 'Quality' production

ISO 9001 sets out requirements for management of Quality, just like ISO 12402‐1sets out

requirementsforlifejacketsandISO14000setsoutrequirementsforEnvironmentalManagement

Systems.

Aspartofitscommitmenttoqualityandcontinuousimprovement,Amityhasmadefinancialand

staffresourcesavailabletoupgradeitssystemstomeettherequirementofISO9001.Wearenot

aloneinadoptingandimplementingthesestandardsanddevelopingappropriatemonitoring

systems.ISO9001hasbeenimplementedbyoveronemillioncompaniesandorganisationsinover

170countries.

QualityManagementPrinciples

Thestandardisbasedonanumberofqualitymanagementprinciplesincludingastrongclient

focus,themotivationandcommitmentoftopmanagement,theprocessapproachandongoing

continualimprovement.UsingISO9001helpsensurethatclientsofAmitygetconsistent,good

qualityservices.

Thishasrequiredanintegrationofoursystemsandwillrequireacontinuouscommitmentbythe

organisationanditsstaff.

BernieDwyerandNicolaCoalter

38

WorkHealth&SafetyReport

UndernewWorkHealthandSafety(WHS)legislation,businessownersneedtodemonstratethey

haveprocessesinplacetomaintainasafeworkplace.

Toassisttheorganisationinmeetingthenewrequirementsaroundmaintainingasafeandhealthy

working environment, Amity supported me to participate in the WHS Representative Course.

Completing this training has provided Amity with an increased working knowledge of WHS

requirements. Amity has also purchased aWorkHealth and SafetyManagement SystemManual

fromDarwinHumanResourceandComputerAcademytoprovideaframeworkforimplementation

and standardised procedures and templates. The electronic version of the manual has been

included on our quality management system and required checklists are scheduled in the

complianceregisterforcompletion.

ThisyeartheWHScommitteehasbeeninvolvedin:

reviewingcontentoftheWHSManualandadjustingittosuitoutworkplace;

schedulingrequiredtasksintheagency’squalitymanagementsystem–QC;

following‐uponanyreportedWHSissuesorincidents;and

implementing‘gogreen’strategiesandrespondingtocontinualimprovementssuggestions

suchasimprovingthewaywedisposeofusedbatteriesthroughouttheorganisation.

The current focus of the WHS committee is to conduct an internal audit of our current WHS

processesandprocedures,explorefindingsandworkoncontinualimprovement.

JodieReichstein

WH&SRepresentative

39

AuditedFinancialStatement