A helping hand for Baffle Creek residents
Queensland media release
Tuesday, 15 June 2010
A special information day in Baffle Creek on Wednesday June 16 will let residents know about the many Government and community support services available in their local area.
Centrelink Rural Services Officer, Jeff McColl, organised the community day after discovering people were missing out on vital services.
"Baffle Creek is a great place to live for many reasons but there are some difficulties that come with living in a smaller town," Mr McColl said.
"Without public transport, for instance, residents can find it hard to access Government services such as Centrelink or Job Services Australia.
"Support services are available, but I was finding residents aren’t necessarily aware of them, or at least how they might be of help in their specific circumstances."
Mr McColl said the local community centre helped him to connect with the many organisations who agreed to take part, and the response had been overwhelming.
"I’m really keen to link the people of this community to services that could benefit their lifestyle," Mr McColl said.
A host of organisations have agreed to attend with Centrelink and the Child Support Agency, including Medicare Australia, Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centres, Committee on the Ageing, Community and Allied Health Services, Department of Communities, Gladstone Regional Council, Jobfind Centres Australia, Prostate Cancer Support Group Bundaberg, Public Trustee of Queensland, Relationships Australia, Skilling Solutions Queensland, Steps Disability Queensland, and U3A.
Separated parents will be catered for at the information day, and are encouraged to collect free booklets about separated parenting from the Child Support Agency (CSA) booth.
CSA Bundaberg Team Leader, Troy Roberts, said separation can be difficult for parents and children, and the CSA’s 6 booklets contained valuable tips and hints on parenting from a distance, the relationship with the ex-partner, money matters, re-partnering and more.
"Parents can also approach the CSA booth for general information about child support, including submitting income estimates or applying for a change of assessment in special circumstances," Mr Roberts said.
The information day will be held at the Common Room, Sports and Recreation Grounds, on Wednesday June 16, from 10 am to 1 pm. Morning tea will be provided.
For more information, telephone the relevant Centrelink media contact.