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In Blue Care aged care facilities and respite centres across Queensland, celebrations included displays of traditional dancing, exhibitions of Aboriginal artefacts, didgeridoo performances, NAIDOC flag raising ceremonies and sharing of information about Aboriginal heritage.  On 8 July a Blue Care stall displayed information on Blue Care's Indigenous Employment Program at the NAIDOC Week Community event in Bundaberg’s Alexandra Park.  A similar stall was run by Blue Care at NAIDOC celebrations in Rockhampton on 9 July.

In Brisbane both Blue Care and Lifeline had stalls at the NAIDOC Day celebrations at Musgrave Park.  At the Lifeline Brisbane office in Fortitude Valley, a bush tucker morning tea was held where participants played The Bridge – a Trivial Pursuit style board game that helps players understand the experiences of the Australian Aboriginal peoples and their contribution to Australia from early colonisation to the present day.

At the UnitingCare corporate offices in North Quay, Anne Cross, CEO UnitingCare Queensland, and Greg Mackay, Director of the UnitingCare Centre for Social Justice, announced the signing of a statement of commitment on behalf of the Executive Leadership Team committing UnitingCare Queensland to the development of a Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) by August 2011. 

“There is still a long way to go but as with every journey, there is a sense of anticipation and pleasure in taking these next steps,” she said.

Two of UnitingCare Queensland’s Indigenous colleagues from Lifeline Community Care Queensland, Trudy Cooper and Christine Himstedt-Anderson attended the NAIDOC Week morning tea at North Quay and shared with participants what NAIDOC Week meant to them, a little about the work that they do and some of their personal stories.  Trudy and Christine also helped cut the NAIDOC cake, made by Kerryn Prentice, Financial Accountant, UnitingCare Queensland.

Christine and Trudy were both pleased to have the opportunity to share their experiences. 

“I felt quite valued and special and I would like to thank all those who were there for the lovely feeling that I will keep and cherish for the rest of my life,” Christine said.

Known as the CARTO 3 System, St Andrew’s has led the way with the new technology by performing the most procedures in Australia to date. Two other hospitals (in Perth and Melbourne) also have the system.

CARTO 3 works like a GPS, allowing cardiologists to pinpoint the abnormal heart muscle and keeping track of the catheter electrodes that the cardiologist uses to detect abnormalities.  It provides a real-time, full-colour, high-resolution 3D map of the heart that is so accurate the cardiologist can treat more complex arrhythmias and detect abnormalities that could be missed using older technology. The cardiologist can visually enhance specific areas of interest within the heart.

When abnormalities are identified, the cardiologist can destroy the tissue that triggers the abnormal heart rhythm or create a block in abnormal electrical pathways. This procedure is know as ablation and uses radiofrequency energy, similar to microwaves.

people every day of the year.

Congregations are being encouraged to celebrate Blue Care’s contribution to local communities on Sunday, August 22.  Blue Care Sunday is an opportunity for congregations to include in their worship services thanks and prayer for care services that are based on the values of the Uniting Church. Blue Care staff and volunteers provide care based on the compassion of Christ for more than 12,500 people every day.  For more information about Blue Care Sunday or to access resources prepared for the day, visit www.bluecare.org.au. 

Thirteen individuals and one couple from across Queensland have been recognised for their outstanding volunteer work by being awarded a Moderator's Community Service Medal. 

The recipients were recognised for their service in a wide variety of volunteer activities in categories aligned with UnitingCare Queensland's Shared Values of Compassion, Respect, Justice, Working Together and Leading through Learning.

Eight of the recipients were able to attend a ceremony to receive their medal from the Moderator, Rev Bruce Johnson, on 23 May during the 28th Queensland Synod in session.

Two ceremonies were held prior to the ceremony due to the ill health of recipients - Wally Reid of Emerald and Heather Newby of Gumdale.  Sadly, Heather Newby passed away days after her special presentation.

Beth Baker, of Blackwater in Central Queensland; Vera Otto of Pine Rivers; Elizabeth Landers of Mount Isa and Frank Robinson of North Ipswich will be awarded their medals in special ceremonies in their community.

Those present for the Moderator's presentation at the Synod were Laurie Ward of Allora; Ancy Pratt of Kingaroy; Lew Huth of Parkridge; William Afeaki of Logan; Dorothy Pickering of the Sunshine Coast; Phyllis Johnson of Upper Mt Gravatt; Anne and Andrew Jeays of Mt Mee and Robin Everest of Brisbane.

Read about their outstanding achievements at www.journeyonline.com.au

The report highlights the need for policies and strategies that reduce the factors that push people on lower incomes into areas that have poor infrastructure, low access to services and transport, and depleted local economies.

The revision of this report comes at a critical time for Australian households and communities, with the crisis in the global and national economy and a likely escalation of poverty, including high levels of unemployment. The report will be relevant to these particular circumstances and take the opportunity to offer a positive contribution to addressing such challenges in partnership with government, business and other community organisations.

Follow the link to access A Scan of Disadvantage in Queensland 2010