CS-1405 Correx News 11/7 - Queensland Corrective Services

Corrections NEWS
A D E PA R T M E N T O F C O R R E C T I V E
S E R V I C E S P U B L I C AT I O N
JULY 11, 2001
Staff development ........3
Northern graduates........4
Clip for cancer ..............5
Newly-weds....................6
Red Nose Day................7
Disney trip a dream come true
■ BY CARLY
WOOD
Corrections receives
$25 million boost
HUGS for Winnie the
Pooh and Tweety Bird are first
on the agenda when 7-yearold Erica Ford visits Disneyland with her family later
this year.
Mention of the holiday
quickly brings a smile to the
youngster’s face, who tomorrow celebrates her eighth
birthday. This week also marks
Erica’s first week at a new
school.
A relatively normal scenario, and one which would
appear typical for any girl her
age. However, Erica, her parents and brother have battled
with any family’s worst nightmare after she was diagnosed
with leukaemia last year.
Erica’s dream of visiting
the world’s favourite adventure park has been made
possible through funds raised
for the Make-A-Wish Foundation at last year’s Corrective
Services Games.
The funding has been wishlinked to Erica, who is the
daughter of Sir David Longland Corrective Services
Officer Stephen and wife
Caroline. The couple also
have an 11-year-old son
Aaron.
Erica is now in remission,
and has been back at school
studying hard in Year 3 for
most of Term 2.
Continued page 2
THE Department of Corrective Services has received a
$25 million increase to the 2001-02 operating budget.
The State Government handed down the budget in
Parliament on June 19, with Corrective Services allocated an
operating budget of $380 million. The capital works
expenditure is $73 million.
Highlights for the department include:
• increased funding for continued participation in the
whole-of-government Drug Court Pilot Program with an
allocation of $1.2 million and subsequent participation in
planning for the drug court expansion to north Queensland
• a $100,000 allocation for the trial of the Buprenorphine
drug rehabilitation program for prisoners
• $49.9 million for the second year of construction of the
Maryborough Correctional Centre
• $12 million for the completion of the Capricornia
Correctional Centre.
The government’s trial of three drug courts located at
Southport, Beenleigh and Ipswich is part of the Drug Court
Pilot Program which also involves the Department of Justice
and Attorney-General.
With the allocated funding the Drug Courts will continue
this year with discussions between Corrective Services and
the Department of Justice and Attorney-General, the
Department of Health and other relevant agencies to
develop an implementation plan to expand the program to
north Queensland.
Budget funding will also allow for the Capricornia
Correctional Centre to replace the existing secure section of
the Rockhampton Correctional Centre.
Funds allocated for the 2001-02 financial year will enable
the handover and commissioning of the new facility in
September this year.
The new centre will accommodate 400 prisoners – 300 in
secure accommodation and 100 in residential-style
accommodation.
An existing open security facility completed in 1999 as
part of the Rockhampton Correctional Centre will remain in
use, capable of housing up to 96 prisoners.
The region will also benefit from a $400,000 allocation in
capital funding for the construction of a dog squad facility to
be operated from the new centre.
Continued page 3
Erica Ford, daughter of Sir David Longland Corrective Services Officer Stephen, and her
family will enjoy all the excitement of Disneyland later this year after money raised fro m
last year’s Corrective Services Games was wish-linked to her by the Make-A-Wish
Foundation
Moreton B to close its doors
■ BY KIRSTEN
PHILLIPS
MORETON B Correctional Centre will
close by the end of August.
Corrective Services Minister Tony McGrady
announced the closure late last month after
receiving Cabinet approval.
Mr McGrady said the decision was connected to a 1998 Labour election commitment
to close the Moreton A centre, which occurred
in April 2000. At that time a commitment was
also made to cease using Moreton B, at Wacol,
as a secure custody centre.
“The Moreton B Correctional Centre is a 169bed facility for protection prisoners,” he said.
“It also has a hospital function and a Crisis
Support Unit (CSU) for prisoners at risk
of suicide.
“The hospital will close down and the small
CSU will continue to operate as a specialist
annex to the Wolston Correctional Centre. All
remaining Moreton B prisoners will
be transferred to other appropriate centres,”
Mr McGrady said.
It is planned that the hospital function of
Moreton B will be relocated to Arthur Gorrie
Correctional Centre.
The Minister said a range of options were
being discussed with the centre’s 101 staff, but
promised no staff would be forced out of a job.
A/Director-General Helen Ringrose said
staff would have the opportunity to voluntarily
transfer to other departmental operations
throughout the State or into suitable positions
within other government departments.
“Approval has also been granted for an
Older Workers’ Incentive Scheme for staff who
wish to retire,” Ms Ringrose said.
“This scheme will be offered to permanent
employees who are 55 and older.
“Participation in this scheme is completely
voluntary and will apply to all staff across
south-east Queensland.
“A limited Voluntary Early Retirement
program will also be made available to staff in
south-east Queensland. Strict criteria apply to
this scheme. These criteria will be detailed in
further communication to staff and the union.
Continued page 2
Moreton B A/General Manager Alan Farrell outside the front gate of the centre that is to be closed
down by August
C
From the
A/DirectorGeneral’s Desk
Maintaining a strong
commitment to staff
Dear colleagues
As you are aware Moreton B
Correctional Centre will be decommissioned by the end of
August.
The prison, which was originally
established as the Security Patients
Hospital in 1971, currently has a
staff of 101. I would like to take this
opportunity to assure these staff
members that I am committed to
ensuring the decommissioning
process runs as smoothly as
possible, minimising disruptions to
them both personally and professionally.
Railway
Institute
benefits
available
DURING the past
100 years Queensland
Rail employees have had
the additional benefit of
Queensland Railway Institute (QRI) membership.
However, QRI membership is now being made
available to Department of
Corrective Services staff.
QRI membership entitles staff to a range of
discounts, savings, services,
and recreational and social
activities.
As a QRI member, staff
can enjoy QRI Fuel Card
monthly billing and savings
of up to five cents per litre,
a free accidental death or
injury policy, and a
regional specific quarterly
handbook of discounts and
savings for retail stores,
holiday accommodation,
restaurants and entertainment.
QRI, which has 23
offices throughout the
state, also organises a wide
range of sporting tournaments and competitions
for members both within
Queensland and interstate.
Membership to QRI
costs $1.15 per week
through payroll deduction.
Staff who join QRI
before August 1, 2001 will
go in the draw to win two
nights accommodation at
Rydges Hotel, Southbank,
in Brisbane.
Information booklets
including a membership
application form will be
distributed to centres.
Otherwise staff can call
3235 2334 or toll free
1800 651 838 for an
information kit.
I realise the past 12 months,
since the decommissioning of
Moreton A, has been a time where
it would have been easy for
motivation and morale to decrease
in anticipation of the pending
closure, but I have been heartened
by the professional approach and
attitudes displayed by staff.
This dedication to the job has
meant we have been able to
continue providing a quality
corrective service at the centre
throughout this period.
During the Moreton B closure,
I am committed to working closely
with the union and union
representatives to ensure the
human resource processes we use
to facilitate the decommissioning
are transparent, fair, and able to
satisfy, as much as possible, the
individual needs of staff involved.
The Minister in his discussions
with Cabinet has ensured the best
possible selection of options is
available to the affected staff given
the circumstances.
As I have outlined in my previous correspondence to staff, it is
inevitable that the decommissioning process will present an opportunity for some staff to elect to
leave our employment.
There will be a limited number
of voluntary redundancies and
retirement incentives available to
staff in the south-east corner of
Queensland.
These schemes will be focused
on facilitating a greater number of
available permanent vacancies for
staff who elect to stay and continue
their career with corrections.
While the closure of Moreton A
and Moreton B means the Wacol
correctional centre precinct has
diminished in size in terms of
employment, opportunities are
expanding in other areas of the
state through the commissioning of
new facilities.
To this end, I have also initiated
a financial incentive for staff who
elect to transfer to one of our three
northern correctional centres –
Lotus Glen, Townsville or Capricornia.
Information about the incentives and schemes is available
from Organisational Health Senior
Adviser Lisa Cleary in the Human
Resource Services Branch.
From the outset, I have emphasised my personal undertaking
to ensure information about the
decommissioning process is readily
available, timely and accurate.
I understand that a decommissioning project team has already
been formed to help make decisions regarding the closure, and
to facilitate a stronger transition.
This team is responsible for
ensuring the decommissioning plan
is understood within the centre and
that any issues or queries which
arise during the process can be
brought to the attention of the
appropriate parties.
The process is to be open and
accountable. Staff and stakeholders
will be consulted throughout the
closure and any concerns will be
addressed.
Staff are encouraged to speak
with their relevant managers or to
our Human Resource Services
Branch about any issues they
may have.
As well as being a time for
reflection and moving forward, the
closure of the centre should also be
a time for staff to celebrate the
friendships that have made
working at Moreton B a special
experience.
To this end I have asked the
A/General Manager Alan Farrell to
organise a final farewell for all staff
involved with Moreton B over the
years.
Finally, I would like to thank
Moreton B staff for their
understanding and professionalism
during this change process.
To those opting for voluntary
redundancies, on behalf of the
department I wish you and your
families all the best for your future
endeavours.
To the staff continuing their
employment within corrective
services, I hope your careers
continue to be satisfying and
successful.
H Ringrose
A/Director-General
Erica prepares for her
adventure of a lifetime
From page 1
The Ford’s story began on Friday October
13 last year, when Erica came home from
school with red blotches on her arm, which
Caroline described as being similar to bruises.
Three days later Erica started chemotherapy at the Royal Children’s Hospital after
being diagnosed with Acute Myeloid
Leukaemia (AML).
Unsuspecting parents Caroline and
Stephen said the news was a huge shock.
“It’s been very hard,” Caroline said.
Leukaemia is a cancer of the blood-forming
tissue called bone marrow.
A mutation occurs in a developing white
blood cell, after which the mutant cell begins
dividing continuously.
Soon a large number of cancerous white
cells leave no room for normal blood cell
production.
AML is one of two main childhood
Leukaemias, the more common being Acute
Lymphoblastic Leukaemia.
During Erica’s battle with the disease, her
weight plummeted to as low as 16 kilograms
and the loss of her immune system, leaving her
body open to infections.
Her parents were by her side constantly
during the chemotherapy, spending at least
four of the six months at the hospital.
With the treatment behind her Erica is now
in remission and apart from her recovering
immune system, she is looking ahead to a
brighter future.
Stephen said the experience had changed
their lives.
“It changes your life a lot,” he said. “It
changes your priorities, the family is number
one. We just want everyone healthy.
“Erica is in remission now. After five years
they will consider her cured and for another
10 years after that she will continue to require
annual check-ups.”
Stephen has worked in corrections since
1994 when he started at SDL.
He said the family could not thank
Corrective Services staff and families enough
for their support.
“To them we send a big, big thank you,” he
said. “I can’t say enough about the help I
received at work and the fundraising which has
taken place has really helped us financially.
“The news of the trip to Disneyland could
not have come at a better time.
“Erica had just finished chemotherapy and
had gotten quite sick and we weren’t sure
when to mention it.
“But we did and she was so happy. She
picked up 100 per cent on what she was after
hearing the news,” Stephen said.
The Make-A-Wish Foundation has been
granting the wishes of children and young
people with a life threatening illness for
15 years.
The Department of Corrective Services will
again support the foundation through the
annual games on October 19 and 20, which
last year raised $20,000.
Further information about the games can
be accessed through a link on the Corrective
Services’ intranet home page.
Moreton B prepares to close
From page 1
“I am confident the human resource strategies will ensure staff achieve the best
possible outcome in relation to their employment.”
Ms Ringrose said prisoners would receive information about the processes
applying to their transfer.
“Special efforts will be made to facilitate a smooth transfer and to take care of
the special circumstances of some prisoners. Prisoners will be transferred to other
south-east Queensland facilities with a protection function.”
Custodial Corrections Executive Director Steve Gray said a decommissioning
plan had been put in place to ensure the centre was closed in a controlled and
timely manner.
“We have learnt a lot from the closure of Moreton A,” he said.
“Communication is a significant issue for us and we will be doing everything we
can to ensure staff know what is happening and are made a part of the
decommissioning process.
“Another significant issue is how we staff and manage the ongoing operation of
the CSU. We have established a committee involving staff and unions to ensure
appropriate participation in the outcomes.”
2 – Corrections News, July 11, 2001
The Ford family, including Sir David Longland Corrective
Services Officer Stephen, wife Caroline, and their children
Aaron and Erica are on their way to Disneyland
DEADLINES
CORRECTIONS News is published
fortnightly by the Queensland Department of Corrective Services for its staff
and stakeholders.
The next issue will be distributed on
July 25, with July 16 being the deadline
for contributions.
Subsequent issues will come out on
August 8 (deadline July 31), August 22
(deadline August 13), September 5
(deadline August 27) and September 19
(deadline September 10).
Please send disks, hard copy and
photographs to the Media and Communications Unit, GPO Box 1054, Brisbane,
4001. The unit reserves the right to edit
contributions.
Photographs should be black and
white or colour prints, transparencies or
negatives as digital photographs cannot
be reproduced to the required standard.
Contacts:
Editor
Kirsten Phillips
Phone 3227 6595
[email protected]
Publications Officers
Steven Grant
Phone 3227 6739
[email protected]
Carly Wood
Phone 3227 7231
[email protected]
Facsimile
3239 0529
Opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the
Department of Corrective Services.
No article may be produced in full
or in part without the permission of
the editor.
Maconochie Lodge celebrates 10 years
■ BY STEVEN
GRANT
FOR 10 years Maconochie
Lodge Community Corrections Centre, at Burpengary,
has supervised the reintegration of low risk prisoners
into the community.
To celebrate this achievement, a morning tea was held
on June 21, 10 years to the
day after the centre received
its first prisoners.
About 50 people attended
the
function
including
A/Director-General Helen
Ringrose, A/Deputy Director-General Peter Severin,
departmental
staff
and
Graham Zerk from the State
Chaplaincy Board.
Maconochie Lodge Chief
Executive Officer Rev. Allan
Male and Ms Ringrose spoke
to guests about the achievements of the centre and the
importance of community
corrections centres such as
Maconochie Lodge.
Rev. Male said one of the
prisoners was awarded the
Open Hand Award for the
progress and contribution he
has made while at the centre.
“Alexander Maconochie
was the Superintendent of
Norfolk Island from 18401844 and was quoted as
saying ‘men will do for liberty
what they will not do for
lashes’,” he said.
“Around 150 years later I
said that I would prefer for
the men to come out with
open hands rather than
clenched fists. It was from
these words that the Open
Hand Award at Maconochie
Lodge was created.
“At Maconochie Lodge we
deal with the rehabilitation of
prisoners.
“The latin prefix Re
means back or again and
Habili means invest with
dignity. That is what we try to
do for our prisoners -– invest
them with dignity again.
“Over the past 10 years we
have had about 1200 prisoners go through Maconochie Lodge and the morning tea was a wonderful opportunity to say thank you to
the department.
“It was terrific for Helen
Ringrose and other senior
members
of
Corrective
Services to come out to
Maconochie for an informal
and happy event.”
Contract
Management
Unit Contract Officer Chris
Beetham said the morning
tea was a good opportunity
for the department to
celebrate with the centre.
“All concerned had a
pleasant time and enjoyed the
relaxing surroundings that the
centre is set in,” she said.
Celebrating 10 years of managing low risk prisoners at Maconochie Lodge Community
Corrections Centre – Yvonne Herbert, left, Col Manning, Dan Baldwin, Peter Severin, Lisa
Freshney, Rev. Allan Male, Helen Ringrose, Graham Zerk, Chris Beetham and Brad Taylor
Prisoners from the lodge
also participated in the
morning tea.
One
prisoner
sang
and another told the story
of how his life had been
turned around at Maconochie Lodge.
Prisoners then presented
the Ms Ringrose with several
gifts in appreciation of her
attendance and support.
Shaftesbury Citizenship
Centre Inc operates Maconochie Lodge which is a 24bed facility.
Offenders
hold up
traffic
Boost to
budget
■ BY CHRIS
BANKS
NEXT time you find
yourself held up at roadworks
in the Warwick area, chances
are the stop-go sign operator
could be a graduate from the
Warwick Women’s Community Custody Program’s
latest training course.
Offenders now have the
opportunity to take part in a
two-day Traffic Controllers
Course run every three
months.
The course is one of several
on offer from the Department
of Main Roads in Warwick.
The Traffic Controllers
Course consists of one day
of theory, concentrating on
issues such as road rules and
regulations, workplace health
and safety, use of hand-held
radios, and conflict resolution
including coping with aggressive personalities.
The second day is spent
training on the job .
The course is a first for the
Warwick Women’s Community Custody Program,
For two years prior to
the first prisoners being
housed at the lodge inmates
from Woodford Correctional
Centre would go to the lodge
daily and perform work
on the property.
Stopping traffic after their participation in the Traffic Controllers Course are offenders from left, Janine, Pam, Sam and Debbie
with six offenders having
already graduated and one
being offered permanent
part-time employment. Upon
full-time release, graduates
can transfer to any suitable
area, according to their place
of residence.
Women’s Community Cust-
ody Program Manager Sue
Noordink said the Traffic Controllers Course is a prime example of how a program can
work in partnership with
a major government department in getting offenders
back into employment and
into the community.
“The enthusiasm previously displayed by offenders
from the program at Warwick
City
Council/Department
of Main Roads roadside
work sites did not go
unnoticed by Main Roads
staff,” she said.
“The women have spent
many hours in bush clean-ups,
native tree replanting and
constructing picnic tables for
travellers, and have been
justly rewarded for their
attitude by being offered
these other courses.
“It’s a tremendous effort all
round.”
Stradbroke Elders welcome corrections staff
ANAMI biami walleengee beera
inta – welcome and god be with you.
This was the welcome given in the
local dialect, Gurring, by Stradbroke
Island indigenous Elders to staff from
the Wynnum and Cleveland area
offices who attended a staff development day at Stradbroke Island on
June 15.
The focus of the day was developing a positive communication
framework both internally and
externally.
Cleveland Area Manager Greg
Stenzel said the day was designed for
staff to discuss relevant work related
issues, building networks and developing case management best practice.
“Other topics discussed during the
day included the development of
protocols and links with Bayside
Mental Health Service,” Greg said.
“Wynnum Community Corrections
Coordinator Mark French also
facilitated a discussion regarding the
Community Service Enhancement
and Enforcement Unit.
“Stradbroke Island indigenous
Elders, aunties Margaret Islen and
Thelma Willis, attended the day and
were informed of the department’s
work and how community based
orders were supervised.
“The
Elders
presented
an
informative talk on the culture
and indigenous history of Stradbroke
Island and said they were willing
to assist staff in the management of
indigenous offenders on Stradbroke
Island.
“The day was of great benefit to
department staff and local indigenous
groups alike.”
From page 1
The bulk of the funds to
complete the Maryborough
Correctional Centre have
been delivered through
the announcement of
$49.867 million in budget
allocations.
Construction of the $97
million facility started in
February and is expected
to be completed by
October next year. This
year’s allocation follows on
from $16.502 million in
the 2000-01 budget.
The funding allocated
for a Burprenorphine trial
will provide an additional
option for managing the
issue of illicit drug use
within correctional centres.
Burprenorphine will be
used for safe withdrawal
from opiates and for
maintenance treatment.
Funding will be used for
the purchase of Buprenorphine to minimise the
adverse health outcomes of
withdrawal.
Other department capital works projects for this
financial year include a
$1 million to upgrade the
Lotus Glen Correctional
Centre kitchen facilities
and $440,000 to build
industrial work facilities at
Arthur Gorrie Correctional Centre.
Alison’s move
permanent
Taking part in the staff development day – standing from left, Greg Stenzel, Mark
French, Desley Gurney, Ian Wintle, Jolene Monson, Derek Reynolds, Donna Green,
Keith McMorrin, Gina Gordon, sitting from left, Allen Pappas, Auntie Margare t
Islen, Auntie Thelma Willis and Cintia May
ALISON Hunter has been
formally transferred and
appointed to the position of
Executive Director, Community Corrections.
Alison, who was previously
the Executive Director, Policy
and Program Services, has
been acting in the Community Corrections role since
last year.
A/Director-General Helen
Ringrose congratulated Alison
on her appointment.
Corrections News, July 11, 2001 – 3
Women
in
Focus
I
Northern officers graduate
with Barbara Shaw
National female offender
management initiative
CORRECTIONAL administrators are sponsoring a
national approach to the exchange of information on the
management of female offenders.
Given the challenges posed by the relatively small size of
the female offender population in each jurisdiction, this is
a unique opportunity to share best practice solutions and
undertake joint problem solving at a national level.
The profile of female offenders nationally and
internationally has many similarities, and within Australia
jurisdictions are at different points in terms of responding
to the needs indicated by that profile.
Queensland Corrective Services will be strongly
supporting the national initiative, consistent with our
commitment to set the benchmark for the management of
female offenders.
The initiative will begin by developing a set of principles
for working with women in a correctional context.
Specific topics to be examined include drug use and
treatment, violent and intimidating behaviour, indigenous
offenders, health and strip-searching.
W orkshop report and papers available
The previous edition of Corrections News included an
article about the workshop for staff working with female
offenders held at Brisbane Women’s Correctional Centre
on June 12 and 13. A report about the outcomes of the
plenary sessions at the workshop is now available, along
with papers and handouts provided by speakers.
Please contact Fleur Ward on 3239 3984 if you would
like a copy.
Column contributions welcomed
At the recent statewide workshop, an invitation for
contributions to this column was issued by the Women’s
Policy Unit.
It would be great to see the focus on women broaden
beyond the activities of the Women’s Policy Unit to
become a forum for the exchange of information on
working with female offenders across the department.
A showcasing and information exchange session during
the workshop highlighted a huge range of great initiatives,
big and small, being implemented in the centres, offices
and units working with female offenders.
Participants learned a lot from this session and there are
other staff who could benefit from this type of exchange.
You may also be aware of research, services or training
information related to the management of female
offenders which could be shared with others.
Please contact Fleur Ward on 3239 3984 if you have a
suggestion for an item or want to highlight an initiative in
your area.
Custodial accreditation course graduates with Primary Trainer Alex Strang, front third from left, General Manager John Dunthorne,
front centre, and Training Coordinator Catherine Saxby, front third from right
TWENTY-TWO Corrective Services
officers have completed the Pre-service
Training course at Townsville prison’s
training centre.
Four of the graduates will take up
trade instructor positions at Lotus Glen
with the remainder to work at Townsville
Correctional Centre.
Two of the Townsville graduates
needed only to complete the bridging
course as they had previously worked in
corrective services in the Northern
Territory and completed their nationally
recognised Certificate IIIs.
The graduation ceremony was held on
June 14, and was attended by A/Deputy
Director-General Peter Severin.
Mr Severin gave the graduation
address and presented the graduates with
their certificates before the trainees gave
their affirmation of the Code of Conduct
of the Correctional Officer.
At the welcoming address, Townsville
General Manager John Dunthorne said
during the past few years recruitment
standards had been raised to heights
which had not been seen before in
Queensland.
“Only about 10 per cent of people who
submit applications actually get through
to the course,” Mr Dunthorne said.
“Today is the culmination of eight
weeks hard work. During those eight
weeks you have tested your comfort zones,
forged new friendships which may last for
the rest of your lives, and supported each
other when times were hard.
“This course has placed significant
pressure on each of you and we must thank
the families for their support during this
period, particularly those officers who
have had to live away from home.”
Mr Dunthorne said Townsville
Correctional Centre now had a capacity
for up to 520 prisoners.
“The Chris McCann Units, which
opened last year, represents the
culmination of an additional 145 beds to
this centre,” he said.
“Importantly for the region of
Townsville, some additional 45 staff
members have been employed to cater
for that expansion.
“The Chris McCann Units in itself
required the recruitment of an extra 30
staff, offering significant employment
opportunities to far north Queensland.
“You will add valued impetus to the
facility that you are allocated to, to ensure
that we maintain a best practice business.”
Other certificates presented on the day
were the Certificate IV in Assessment and
Workplace Training, and the Certificate III
in Correctional Practice. The Employee of
the Month for Townsville Correctional
Centre also received an award.
The award recipients were:
Pre-service Training
Townsville Correctional Centre
Linda Bassotti, Nathan Bucci, Douglas
Cronin, Devon Cupitt, Gregory Dircks,
Dallas Dorney, Geoff Dykes, Michael
Happy, Joseph Mairu, Kevin Mayo, Scott
Pratten, Richard Reynolds, Timothy Ryan,
Russell Spence, Paul Trevor, Leanne Wren
Bridging Course
Peter Sheere, Anthony Musgrove
Lotus Glen Correctional Centre
Victor Barletta, Peter Bethel, Troy
Mostert, Lindsay Pioch
Certificate IV in Assessment and
Workplace Training
Shane Crowley, Kingsley Finlayson
Certificate III in Correctional Practice
Steven Crowley, Jason Kepper, Veronica
Little, Simon Polovich
Employee of the Month
Sue Devitt
Lotus Glen hosts
Rotary field days Townsville student nurses
gain hands on experience
MILLIONS of dollars worth
of agricultural equipment,
machinery, products and
technology went on display at
Lotus Glen Correctional
Centre in June as part of the
Far North Queensland Rotary
Field Days.
Since 1989 Lotus Glen
has assisted in hosting the
bi-annual event, supplying the
site and the labour involved
in setting up and dismantling
infrastructure for the two-day
event.
Two staff and 15 inmates
gave their time this year,
conducting ground preparation, assembling display
tents, and building access
roads and carparks.
The field day provides
businesses and manufacturers
with an opportunity to display
their products in a costeffective manner.
This year the event
attracted in excess of 15,000
visitors from a wide cross
section of the agricultural
community of north Queensland, all keen to investigate
new technologies and farming innovations, upgrade
their equipment, and discuss
products direct with the
manufacturers.
Lotus
Glen
General
Manager Stephen Green said
the centre has enjoyed a close
relationship with the Rotary
Clubs of the Atherton
Tablelands since the centre
was established.
“As the funds raised from
both the field days and a
country music festival, which
the centre is also involved
with, are returned to local
charities, our involvement
represents reparation for
community benefit being
actioned at the regional
level.”
The event also included
the Inventor of the Year
competition, seminars, an
auction and equipment
demonstrations.
4 – Corrections News, July 11, 2001
FINAL year Bachelor of
Nursing Science students
studying at James Cook
University are gaining invaluable experience with clinical placements at Townsville
Correctional Centre.
For the past five years
the centre has worked in
conjunction with the James
Cook University Nursing
Sciences Department providing clinical placement for
nursing students studying
the primary health care
component of their degree.
Students work alongside
clinical nurses at the centre,
observing their roles and
responsibilities and assisting
them when appropriate.
Student Sebastian Castorina maintains his placement
at Townsville Correctional
Centre has been the most
enjoyable of his placements.
James Cook University student Sebastian Castorina gains
valuable work experience at Townsville Correctional Centre,
under the guidance of the centre’s Clinical Nurse Pauline
Strid and inmate John
He said the highlights of
the placement included the
practical experience gained
in a different type of nursing,
learning about interacting
with people and putting into
practice what he had studied
at university.
Free DNA test
to help prove
innocence
CALIFORNIA’S prisoners
are not exactly lining up in
their dozens to prove their
innocence through DNA
testing.
State-funded DNA tests are
being offered under new
legislation designed to help
free wrongly convicted felons.
Just 26 of the state’s
160,655 prisoners, or 0.02 per
cent of the state’s inmates,
have sought testing to prove
their innocence since the law
took effect on January 1,
according to the Californian
Attorney-General’s Office.
To date, none of those
requests for post-conviction
DNA examinations have been
approved, although many still
await a judge’s ruling.
In the past decade 87
inmates have been released
from United States prisons
after new DNA tests proved
their innocence. Eleven were
on death row and three were
from California.
Course to help
with presenting
expert evidence
Gwen’s curls
cut for a cure
THE world got a bit cooler for Sir
David Longland Correctional Centre
Administration Officer Gwen Hutton on
June 21.
Well-known for her long, black, curly
locks, Gwen is now wearing hairstyles
including an Afro and a pair of bright red
plaits after her head was shaved as part of a
fundraiser for the Queensland Cancer Fund.
A/Sentence Management Coordinator
Terri Skellern had the honour of lopping
Gwen’s locks in front of a contingent of their
co-workers who had banded together to help
raise $560.
At the end of the half hour head shave
and clutching five thick plaits of hair, Gwen
ran her fingers over her head, giggling that
things were somewhat cooler.
Initially, Gwen joined the fundraiser
aiming to raise a few hundred dollars to have
her hair coloured, but with some extra
fundraising by Terri more than $500 was
raised enabling her to qualify for a head
shave.
Gwen said two fellow correctional
officers, who each have a child suffering
from leukaemia, inspired her to kick off the
fundraiser and subsequently shave her head.
Gwen is also hoping to add to the grand
total by selling her hair.
“I would just like to send out a big thank
you to all the staff at SDL, particularly Terri,
who supported me and donated money,”
Gwen said.
BEING called before a court of law and asked to provide
expert testimony can be a nerve racking experience.
The process can be intimidating, particularly if the opposing
lawyer has had a person declared a hostile witness.
However, to help make the experience less daunting, Bond
University is running an introductory course on July 26 and 27
focusing on presenting expert evidence in court.
Humanities and Social Science Assistant Professor Robyn
Lincoln said the course would benefit corrective services staff
who may be called before a court to provide expert testimony.
“The courts have very strict rules in defining expertise,
though generally speaking an expert is someone who is able to
present knowledge beyond the understanding of the common
person,” Ms Lincoln said.
“Professionals are often called upon to provide expert
testimony to the courts. Despite being typically well educated
and highly competent in their chosen fields, it can be a
daunting prospect to deliver evidence in a court of law.
“At the completion of the two-day workshop, participants will
have acquired a thorough understanding of the court process
and will have spent a day applying this knowledge through
practical exercises in the Moot Court.
“They will be more confident in their ability to do themselves
and their clients justice in the witness box by providing effective
expert testimony.”
For more information about the course, contact Robyn
Lincoln at Bond University on 5595 2659 or email
[email protected]
Sir David Longland Administration Officer Gwen Hutton loses her locks as part of
a fundraiser for the Queensland Cancer Fund. A/Sentence Management Coordinator
Terri Skellern had the honour of giving Gwen her new, somewhat cooler, style cut
Woodford a winner
Cultural component key to program at building awards
Cultural values, including traditional dancing, are a key focus in Townsville’s
Indigenous Sex Offender Treatment Program
Drug courts a
radical step
ACCORDING to BBC
News, Scottish authorities are
turning to what was termed a
“radical solution” to drug
problems – the drug court.
The Queensland Government is currently conducting a
drug court pilot program in
Brisbane, Ireland’s first drug
court has just opened in
Dublin, while Canada and the
United States have similar
schemes.
The drug court deals
purely with offenders who
have drug problems, offering
them the chance to avoid
prison through a combination
of intensive treatment and
rehabilitation programs, supervision, and drug testing.
The BBC report said the
need for a new initiative in
Scotland is urgent with a
recent poll of people arrested
in Glasgow revealing 70 per
cent had used drugs.
THE
Indigenous
Sex
Offender
Treatment Program (ISOTP) has started at
Townsville Correctional Centre.
The program is similar to the Sex
Offender Treatment Program currently
conducted at Wolston Correctional Centre.
Participants in the Townsville program
come from Rockhampton, Townsville and
Lotus Glen correctional centres, where
more than half the prisoner population is
Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander.
The program is aimed at delivering a
treatment program which allows for the
inclusion of specific needs of the indigenous
community.
It includes a strong cultural component,
with an emphasis on traditional and
contemporary indigenous music, art and
dance.
Townsville Correctional Centre Senior
Psychologist Marion Lees acknowledged the
strong support of the centre’s management
who have been supportive and accommodating of the ISOTP and its success.
WALTER Construction
Group has been recognised
for its construction of the
Woodford
Correctional
Centre 400-bed expansion.
The Queensland Master
Builders Association presented Walter Construction
Group with three awards at a
ceremony on the Sunshine
Coast last month.
Walter
Construction
Group took out the Regional Project of the Year award
for the Sunshine Coast
region, the Community
Services Facilities over $10
million award, and the
Excellence in Workplace
Health and Safety award.
The Woodford expansion has already earned
Walter Construction Group
the title of the State’s most
innovative training provider
at the Construction Training Queensland Training
Excellence Awards for 2000.
The Woodford Correctional Centre Expansion
Project Team also received
the Master Builders Australia National Partnering
and Excellence Award
last year.
The department in conjunction with Project Services, Q-Build, Walter Construction Group and other
consultants and subcontractors received the partnering award in recognition
of their creating a cooperative environment with
open communication and
mutual respect.
Workshop targets industry training
CREATING closer links between prisoner
industry training and the delivery of accredited
Vocational Education and Training (VET) was the
purpose of a workshop held in Rockhampton.
About 25 people attended the two-day VET/
Industry Training workshop last month, including
management and staff from Capricornia
Correctional Centre, the Department of Employment and Training, and vocational training providers
from Yeronga Institute of TAFE, Queensland
Technology Training and Axis Training.
VET Senior Program Officer Ron Cox said when
Capricornia Correctional Centre comes on line, it
will trial a new model to link accredited VET with
correctional industries.
“This model creates a strong link between the
work experience provided by the industries and the
provision of nationally accredited VET,” he said.
“This gives participating prisoners national
recognition for the VET skills they gain through
their industry employment.
“The trade instructors appointed to Capricornia
Correctional Centre will not only manage the onthe-job training of prisoners employed in the
workshops, but will also, through an arrangement
with registered training organisations, deliver some
of the accredited training.”
Capricornia Correctional Centre Project Officer Jo Phelan prepares to talk to delegates at the
Industry/Vocational Training workshop held in Rockhampton
The purpose of the workshop was to provide staff
at Capricornia involved in industry employment
and VET, particularly the newly appointed trade
instructors and the Vocational Training Officer,
with the necessary information to successfully
implement the new model for the integration of
VET and industries at the centre.
Ron said participants deemed the workshop a
success as it provided a forum to bring together all
stakeholders involved with the project.
“We have also planned another workshop to be
held at Woodford Correctional Centre,” Ron said.
“It will be conducted along similar lines to the
one at Capricornia. It will look at the integration of
VET and the industry workshops associated with the
Woodford extension.”
The two-day workshop at Woodford is planned
for October 24-25.
Corrections News, July 11, 2001 – 5
o
LOG ON
Raffles raise revenue for runner
Improved maintenance
system available soon
A NEW improved building maintenance system will
soon be available to all correctional centres.
The existing building maintenance system is undergoing an overhaul and the new version will be available in
the next few weeks.
The building maintenance system is designed to record
details of requests for repair work that needs to be carried
out at a correctional centre. Requests range from minor
repairs such as replacing lights and fixing leaky taps,
through to furnishings and building structure repairs.
Users are able to enter repair request information into
the system and track the request’s progress through to
completion.
The designated coordinator can schedule requests to
be actioned based on the assessed priority.
Requests can be accumulated and then sent at regular
intervals to QBuild through a centralised fax facility
located at head office.
The system provides for recording details such as the
date of the request, the nature, urgency, location, and
whether the request has been faxed, is in progress, or has
been completed.
The redesigned system will be deployed centrally and
will be available over the intranet to all centres.
Future access to the building maintenance application
by individual users will be provided by the Information
Services Help Desk.
The pilot of the redeveloped system will be initially
deployed to Sir David Longland Correctional Centre
and hopefully will undergo acceptance testing in the
near future.
Once testing is completed a date will be scheduled for
general release.
If you would like to nominate to be a building
maintenance “Beta Tester”, please contact System
Developer Steve Lohse in the Information Management
Branch on 3405 6262.
Contract management system
One of the areas most critical to the success of an
organisation on the Web is the dynamic connection of
information systems, such as data sources, to Web content.
The department is now using this technology to its
full advantage, with the phone listing on the intranet
a good example.
The single most important new feature is the ability to
dynamically create Web pages from information stored in
a database.
The Information Management Branch has developed
a number of new web applications including a Monitoring
of Contracts Program.
The goal of this system is to centralise all data relating
to private provider contracts.
A laptop and a network connection allows contract
monitors to search the contract database, submit
a finding, and produce quality reports anywhere in
the state.
Centre staff have the ability to respond to a finding
using the same interface. The main benefits of the system
are that it can be accessed anywhere, anytime and
paperwork has been cut significantly.
Peter Hennessy, left, helped improve the contract management system, while Steve Lohse worked on the department’s building maintenance system
6 – Corrections News, July 11, 2001
Help from inside – Baden Bollinger, 9, competed at a cross-country event in Cairns thanks
to a donation from Maryborough prison-site workers including site manager Don Gordon
Photo courtesy of the Fraser Coast Chronicle, Maryborough
MARYBOROUGH Correctional
Centre construction workers have
chipped in with funds to send a local
9-year-old on the run of his life.
Local state school student Baden
Bollinger ran first in the Wide Bay
Athletics Association zone cross
country run in Murgon during May.
This earned him a spot in the state
team which ran in Cairns last
month.
Running a gallant race Baden
placed seventh overall in his age
division.
Each week, workers at the
Maryborough site bought raffle
tickets, with prizes donated from
subcontractors and businesses in the
area.
Walter Construction Site Manager Don Gordon said once the
workers heard about little Baden’s
competitive spirit and obvious
potential as a cross-country athlete,
it was decided to pitch in to get to
him to Cairns.
“Sometimes it’s a bit of a struggle
for parents to be able to afford to
send kids on these excursions and
we are only too happy to help,
especially in this case where young
Baden represented Wide Bay,”
Don said.
“The $1000 we raised helped pay
for Baden and his mother to fly to
Cairns, and provide for their
accommodation over the three-day
event.”
Parke State School, where Baden
is a student, also raised money
towards his trip.
Officer earns degree
and racks up 25 years
THIS year is proving to be full of
achievements for Woodford Correctional
Centre’s Michael Taylor.
After graduating from his Bachelor of
Social Science in Human Services, with
an elective in Corrective Services,
Michael is now looking toward a 25-year
career milestone of continuous work
within corrective services.
After his brother began a career
within prisons, Michael decided to also
make the move from his painting trade,
starting as a Base Grade Officer at Boggo
Road Prison and continuing at the centre
until August 1977.
During these years he also worked at
the Security Patients Hospital.
He was also among the first staff to
work at the newly opened Sir David
Longland in 1988.
In 1996, he was appointed Correct-
ional Supervisor at Woodford’s Secure
Block and has also filled the position of
Residential Offender Development
A/Manager.
Michael started his degree in 1992
studying at Queensland University of
Technology, Carseldine campus.
He has juggled study and full time
work with a number of other courses
including his First Class and Senior
Prison Officers course.
Even after 25 years, Michael still loves
every minute of his work.
“I love every bit of it. Every day there is
something different,” he said.
“Different problems and different
challenges based on everyone’s needs
and wants. It’s great.”
Michael’s wife Lyn, his mother, sister
Liz, and brother Director of Custodial
Corrections Noel Taylor, were present at
W oodford
Correctional
Supervisor
Michael Taylor on graduation day
the graduation ceremony at the
Queensland Performing Arts Centre.
Managers have red noses all round
STAFF found it hard to keep a straight
face during a recent operational meeting
at Brisbane Women’s Correctional
Centre.
As with every morning, managers and
senior staff met in all seriousness to
discuss current issues, although on June
31 the occasional snigger interrupted
proceedings.
Staff were, after all, wearing plastic,
shiny, red noses.
Fellow staff and a large number of
inmates were among thousands of
Queenslanders who supported the
annual Red Nose Day, which raises
valuable funds for research and
educational programs about Sudden
Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
Staff and inmates showed their
support of the fundraiser by purchasing
close to $600 worth of red noses, pens,
badges, and mugs.
Moving
staff a
giant
jigsaw
FOR the first time in four
years all Central Office staff
are housed under the one
roof.
On June 29 the remaining
staff from 307 Queen Street
vacated premises and moved
to level 23 of the State Law
Building (SLB) in Ann Street.
Central Office now occupies levels 6, 19, 22, 23 and
24 of the SLB.
Administrative
Services
Manager Ray Smith said
although it was decided to
move all Central Office staff
into one building when the
department was formed two
years ago, floor space needed
to be negotiated in the SLB
and the lease for Queen
Street taken over.
“Getting everyone moved
Who’s Who
A regular series profiling staff throughout the department
Mike O’Keefe, left, Jim Ferguson, Ray Smith and John Crouch pack up their old office ahead of
their move
into the one building was like a
giant jigsaw puzzle,” Ray said.
“There have been almost
500 staff moves for employees
in Central Office since the
formation of the department.
“The dedication of Administrative Services staff, in
particular Mike O’Keefe and
his predecessor Vicki White,
and Information Management
staff has been outstanding.
“Also many of the staff
moves could not have
occurred as efficiently as they
did without the support and
patience of the staff within
the directorates.”
The two head offices were
created on July 1, 1997, to
cater for the different operational structures of the Government agency - Queensland
Corrective Services Commission, and the Governmentowned corporation – Queensland Corrections.
Corrections couple ties the knot
■ BY CARLY
WOOD
TWO corrective services officers have tied the knot in
Brisbane. Albeit, slightly early.
Wolston Correctional Centre’s Louise and Brett Gourley had
planned to be the first correctional officers to have their
wedding at the historic Boggo Road Prison, where Louise’s late
father, Tony Ball, worked as a custodial officer for 14 years.
The date was set for October 6, but plans were to change with
the help of Louise’s mum Joan.
Instead, a party on the evening of Tuesday, June 12 at Joan’s
Burleigh home turned out to be Wolston chaplain Bill
Martindale’s first wedding ceremony performed on the patio of
someone’s home.
Surprised family and close friends were present for the
ceremony, which the couple said was a great way to celebrate.
The couple met in 1999 while working at Wacol Correctional
Centre, although family ties began years before, when Brett
worked with Louise’s father at Boggo Road Prison from 1988
until the facility’s closure in 1992.
Years later – and much to Louise’s surprise – Brett met the
family, but no introduction was needed when it came to meeting
her dad.
“They had already met,” Louise said. “They sat and enjoyed a
beer together. Mum and I were amazed.”
The couple were to be the third couple married at Boggo
Road, a place they felt a special affinity with after the passing
of Tony.
However, life was to offer a different alternative, one which
they feel sure Tony would have understood.
Amnesty for
South Korean
spy prisoner
AFTER 41 years behind
bars, the worlds longest
serving political prisoner
has been released from a
South Korean prison.
Woo Yong Gak, 70, was
arrested in 1958 for spying
and had been kept in
solitary confinement in a
four metre by four metre
cell.
He was entitled to a half
hour walk daily.
Gak and 16 other spies,
all of whom served a
minimum of 29 years in
solitary confinement, were
released under a special
amnesty
to
celebrate
the first anniversary of
President Kim Dae-jung’s
inauguration.
gM
Louise and Brett Gourley
Louise said the couple’s house had been put up for sale, she
had been ill in hospital and when combined with wedding
preparations and work commitments, things became too much.
The couple is still planning a party for October 6, when
they hope to be hosting a house warming in celebration of their
new home.
Name:
Annette Sheridan
Job:
Correctional Counsellor
Star sign: Libra
1) Who is your hero/heroine and why? I don’t have
heroes/heroines but Gerry Adams, Gough Whitlam,
Germaine Greer, and Yassar Arafat because of their
contribution to peace and women’s issues.
2) Where would you like to be in five years? Living in
luxury in either the Greek islands or somewhere in the
Middle East.
3) Where is your favourite place? Petra, which is in Jordan
(Middle East).
4) What is the first thing you do when you wake up in the
morning? Panic, because I’ve missed the alarm.
5) If you could be any type of animal what would it be?
A Lhasa Apso breed of dog.
6) If you could go anywhere in the world where would you
go and why? I would go back to the Middle East and
Central America because of the culture, stimulation and
diversity.
7) If you were stuck on a desert island what three things
would you want to have with you?
1) Books.
2) Mirror.
3) Gerry Adams, Yassar Arafat and food.
8) If you could have dinner with anyone you wanted, who
would you choose? Gerry Adams, Yassar Arafat and Gough
Whitlam.
9) When you were a child what did you want to be when
you grew up? Prime Minister.
10) If you were appointed Director-General of the
department what is the first thing you would do?
Acknowledge and thank all the ground level staff for their
work and commitment.
Games participants CAPTION COMPETITION
can enter for free
ALL 2001 Australia and
New Zealand Police Games
participants are now eligible
to have their registration
fee refunded.
A partnership between
the 2001 Australia and New
Zealand Police Games and
the AUSPOL Health Plan
allows participants who join
AUSPOL by November 18
to have their games registration fee covered as part of
their plan.
Games Director Russell
Hicks said without the support of corporate partners, it
would be virtually impossible
to stage the event.
All sworn and unsworn
corrective services staff,
together with police, fire,
ambulance and customs staff
can participate in the games,
which are being held from
November 10-17 on the Gold
Coast.
As an added incentive,
team captains from nominated sports can also participate in the games for
free, provided they forward
their team registration and
associated fees to the games
office by 5pm on July
31. Team sports include
indoor cricket, hockey, rugby
7’s, netball, outdoor soccer,
touch football, and indoor
volleyball.
For more information
about the games go to
the
games
website
at
www.anzpolicegames.asn.au
Alternatively, contact the
games office by emailing
[email protected]
or phone 5529 1704.
AS can be seen in this photo, even the food
was a big hit at the Cleveland and Wynnum
area offices’ staff development day last month.
Come up with a humorous caption for this
photo of Cleveland Corrective Services
Officer Cintia May, left, Wynnum A/Area
Manager Derek Reynolds and Cleveland Area
Clerk Gina Gordon for the chance to win a
double movie pass.
Mail, fax or email entries to the Media and
Communications Unit. Contact details are on
page 2.
Corrections News, July 11, 2001 – 7
International Year of Volunteers
Volunteers help lift the spirits of kids
■ BY CARLY
WOOD
SPEAK to Townsville’s
Barrie Emanuel about his
work outside corrections and
you will hear about a world
filled
with
enthusiasm,
courage and admiration for a
special group of children.
“Their courage is unequalled,” Barrie said. “They
are great kids, just brilliant.
Mature, respectful – the
strength and focus of our
organisation.”
For five years Barrie has
been one of the driving forces
behind the north Queensland
branch of Camp Quality,
famous for its volunteerdriven work for children
with cancer, their families
and communities through
recreational and educational
programs.
He has worked within
corrections, predominately in
human resources, for more
than 14 years and is currently
Townsville
Correctional
Centre’s Industries Adviser
and A/Manager at Townsville
Women’s.
Since its humble beginnings in Sydney in 1983,
Camp Quality has grown to
include 14 offices around
Australia and supports more
than 4000 families each year.
This year, more than 90
camps will be held and the
McDonald’s Camp Quality
Puppet Program, which raises
awareness of children with
major illnesses through a
show featuring life size
puppets, will reach an
additional 250,000 children.
Camp
Quality
North
Queensland is based in
Townsville and welcomes
children and their families
from Sarina, south of Mackay,
north to the Peninsula and
west to Mt Isa.
For four of his five years
with the organisation Barrie
has volunteered much of his
spare time to the position of
branch chairman of both the
organising and management
committees,
while
also
playing a key role as a volunteer at camps throughout
the year.
The key annual event for
the branch is the residential
camp for one week of the
September school holidays at
Abergowrie College, outside
Ingham. The residential camp
involves 40 to 45 campers
aged from four to 17 together
with volunteer companions
for each child.
Children enjoy a variety of
activities including art and
craft, social events, games,
excursions, and sports such as
swimming, abseiling, horse
riding, basketball, table tennis
and football.
Townsville’s Barrie Emanuel, right, with long-time friend David,
a Camp Quality participant, who at the age of 18 is now
volunteering to be a companion to camp participants
Camp Quality is well
supported by the local
community in Ingham with
members of the Lions and
Rotary service clubs hosting
barbecues.
The camps have also
inspired what has affect-
ionately become known as the
“bake-off of the century”.
Members of the Ingham
Lioness
and
Country
Women’s Association service
groups bring a seemingly
endless supply of home
cooked treats for the camp
participant’s morning tea
each day.
The majority of food for
the camp meals also comes
through sponsorship from
local butchers, and fruit and
vegetable suppliers.
Barrie said the support is
something organisers and
participating children are
extremely grateful for.
“Much of what we do is
community funded and both
organisers and the children
are mindful and very grateful
of that support,” he said.
“The kids are the strength
of the whole organisation in
north Queensland and it is
that aspect I’m attracted to –
that, and we have a lot of fun.
“While they are smiling
and laughing they are not
thinking
about
their
treatment.
“The children are at
different stages from being
newly diagnosed to having
treatment and being in
remission.
“You’d be surprised that
they’re even sick. These kids
are resilient.
“They are strong kids and
it shines through in their
character.”
It is not simply holidays at
Camp Quality. They also form
support
networks
and
friendships between children,
their families and camp
companions which continue
throughout the year.
In 1997 Barrie was teamed
up as a companion to a young
camp participant David, who
since turning 18, is planning
to volunteer as a companion.
“We first met in 1997 and
he has now put up his hand to
be a volunteer,” Barrie said.
“Over the years we have
developed a friendship and
he has gone from being
young David, to now, one of
my mates.
“He’s a great person and it
is great to think I have been a
role model to him.
“It’s the little things like
that which strengthen what
we do.”
Information about the
work of Camp Quality can be
found on their website at
www.campquality.org.au
As 2001 is the International
Year of the Volunteer, Corrections News is profiling the
work of staff throughout the
department who volunteer
their time both within and
outside of corrections.
If you know of a staff
member who deserves recognition for their voluntary
work please contact the Media
and Communications Unit.
Contact details on page 2.
Family centre wins Two decades of work recognised
volunteer award
VOLUNTEERS from the Australian Community Safety
and Research Organisation (ACRO) Family Centre at Wacol
have been honoured with an International Year of the
Volunteer award.
The family centre was established in 1986, providing
services to families visiting correctional centres in the Wacol
area, including the coordination of a transport service,
information and advocacy support.
ACRO is a non-profit community organisation and
receives funding from the Corrective Services and Families
government departments.
The centre relies on volunteers to provide their services
and was one of 12 groups from across Queensland to be
presented with an award.
The award was presented by Premier Peter Beattie
during a ceremony at Parliament House.
ACRO Family Centre Coordinator Fiona Begg said she
was grateful for the recognition such an award brings to the
program.
“The centre’s service could not be provided without the
volunteers,” she said.
ACRO Family Centre’s Phil Hassett, right, accepts the volunteer
award on behalf of fellow volunteers from Premier Peter Beattie
MORE than two decades of volunteer
work within the Logan sporting
community has earned a Corrective
Services staff member a prestigious award.
Brisbane Women’s Correctional
Centre Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander Liaison Officer Celia Moore was
presented
with
the
Queensland
Indigenous Sports Night Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander Commission
(ATSIC) Volunteer of the Year Award.
The award was presented to Celia by
ATSIC Chairman Geoff Clarke at the
third annual presentation night held at
the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition
Centre in June.
Celia has worked within corrections
since 1984 when she was appointed to the
position of ATSI Family Support Officer
for Sir David Longland and Brisbane
Women’s correctional centres.
She has worked at Brisbane Women’s
for the past three years as the ATSI
Liaison Officer.
Celia was also awarded an Australian
Sports Medal in December last year,
saying it was fantastic to be recognised
with two prestigious awards within a six
month period.
“Although the road has been long and
very challenging there were those
frustrating times when I thought – is this
really worth it?.
“But then I’m up and going again. It’s
times like this which make me proud to
have contributed to the community.”
Since her two sons, Rick, now 34 and
Gary, now 31, hit the sports field in junior
division competitions, Celia has always
been by the sideline and working behind
the scenes for a variety of sporting
organisations including netball, cricket,
lifesaving and football.
She has been president of the Gammin
W inner of the ATSIC Volunteer of the Year Award, Brisbane Women’s Correctional
Centre Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Liaison Officer Celia Moore
Association for Sport, Recreation, Culture
and Social Activities in Logan City since its
inception in 1990 and has been a staunch
supporter of netball since 1976 at various
clubs and associations.
Her involvement within netball has
covered all facets of the sport, from
playing, coaching, umpiring, to administration positions.
As part of her voluntary work with the
Gammin
Association,
Celia
also
instigated the National Aboriginal and
Islander Day of Commemoration
(NAIDOC) Netball Carnival, which this
year celebrates the eighth year of
competition in Logan.
She also has developed a personal
development program for Gammin
members, which has been conducted
intermittently for the past five years.
While teaching participants the
fundamentals of netball, the program has
a strong focus on fun and the elements of
indigenous culture.
In 1997 Celia’s volunteer work was
recognised with a Community Achiever’s
Award which was presented by the
Logan City, Beenleigh and Beaudesert
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
communities for her contributions to
sport as an indigenous Australian.
Corrections News, July 11, 2001 – 8