Profile on Edwina Muir - Grandparent Advisor, Sydney's east
New South Wales Media Release
Thursday, 9 December 2010
Edwina Muir understands family demographics are changing that’s why she was keen to take on her new role as a Grandparent Advisor, at Caringbah Centrelink, in Sydney’s east.
A grandmother herself and having been heavily involved in intensive support within the Federal Government for nearly 30 years, she is all too familiar with the complexities grandparents face when they take on the full-time responsibility of caring for infant or adolescent grandchildren.
Delighted at a recent Federal Government decision to provide Grandparent Advisors, Edwina has embraced the opportunity and set to work immediately. She is currently working closely with several relevant stakeholders, including grandparent groups, in a bid to build a sound network to provide programs and support to the many grandparents who find themselves in this difficult situation.
"Often it doesn’t happen by choice," said Edwina.
"Caring for grandchildren happens because grandparents want to support their adult children who can’t provide their own children with adequate care.
"This happens for a number of reasons –mental health, physical disability, neglect, abuse, domestic violence, drug and/or alcohol abuse or the death of a parent.
"Grandparents also want their grandchildren living in a safe, secure environment and they know they can provide this within their own home. I think many know it’s not going to be easy but they feel it’s their only option."
Edwina says while it’s an admirable responsibility and all efforts should be commended, being a grandparent carer is challenging, even at the best of times, and that’s why her role is so important.
She said often when grandparents take on the primary carer role they don’t realise the social, emotional, health and financial issues associated with it, and as they get older it becomes even harder.
"As a Grandparent Advisor I’m here solely to support them through those challenges, focusing on their needs and working with them to access payments and support services.
"I also provide information and referrals to other government and community organisations I feel they might benefit from."
Edwina says in her role, in Caringbah, she is able to provide assistance to grandparents from Kiama, in the south, to North Shore. She also covers Burwood, Bankstown and Campsie. So far she has been able to link quite a few grandparent carer s to grandparent support groups in those areas; she’s been able to inform them about respite entitlements and help them to acquire additional benefits.
"Many don’t realise they could be eligible for payments not only from Centrelink, but also from the Child Support Agency and Medicare Australia. Other states and territories might be able to provide grandparent carers with additional payments too."
Edwina says she knows she "can’t change the world" but she can make a difference.
"I’ve got good hearing; I’m a good listener and I know I’ve got what it takes to be a good advocate for grandparents and that’s what I intend to do.
For more information, telephone the relevant Centrelink Media Contact.