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From
the Pen of the Executive Director
I hope each of you had a
restful break and are looking forward to a new year with great anticipation. The
Christmas period was a remarkable time with the tragedy of the tsunami’s in Asia
and the amazing response especially in Australia.
The enormity of such
tragedies can often cast a veil over tragedies caused by human beings in war,
poverty, corruption, abuse and neglect. We can forget the sacrifices that some
people make in trying to help alleviate the suffering.
A young father was
referred by the family court for parenting education to an ACS counsellor.
He and his ex-partner (who lives in another town) are sharing the parenting
of their child week about. The father was angry.
The counsellor was able
to assist this father with managing his anger as well as parenting skills.
An indigenous female
sought help from an ACS counsellor. She was having difficulty communicating
to her solicitor about her predicament and needed counselling. The
counsellor wrote the client’s story down. She then read it back to the
client who broke down in tears.
It was the first time
she had heard her own story of sexual abuse and violence.
It was the first time the client felt that someone had listened to her.
With the coming of the
rain and the conclusion of the harvest around Moree, there has been a
noticeable increase in the number of people seeking counselling because of
marriage/relationship breakdowns. In some cases, the women have left the
children with the father.
The mentality during the
drought has been to ‘just get through it’.
Now the pressure is off or so it seems. The harvest has been good for some
but the price for the crops is depressed.
These are some the reasons
people come for help to the Anglican Counselling Service. We need to help those
who suffer overseas but should not forget those who also suffer here.
The Department of Family and
Community Services in its 2004 Social Policy report to Federal Government stated
that “Up to 20% of adult Australians experience mental disorder within a 12
month period… and is responsible for the greatest level of disability or
impairment in the Australian community – over twice that associated with either
cardiovascular or musculoskeletal disorders.” Using information from the
Australian Bureau of Statistic’s National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing,
the report also concluded that “34% of unemployed and 45% of lone mothers had
particularly elevated levels of disorders”.
Continue to pray for our
staff who seek to help children, teenagers, adults, and couples from differing
backgrounds and cultures with relationship and mental health issues. As
counsellors, we have the privilege of working with people who may be warped
and/or wounded, like the prostitutes and tax gatherers Jesus knew. But our
clients are loved by God who takes pleasure in His creation and has shown His
love by providing a way for us to be reconciled to Him.
Staff Matters
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Jenny Regan has been providing
counselling and personal support to indigenous people at the Coledale
Community Centre for several years. 18 months ago, we obtained funding to
finance this work. The Indigenous Co-ordination Unit with FaCS (NSW) requested
permission to put forward the Coledale Project as one of two success stories
of indigenous funding in NSW. Well done Jenny!!
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Brian has successfully completed
his Master of Ministry and is looking forward to a break from study.
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There is a new intern from LRCCS
(Armidale/Tamworth) and 2 people being interviewed to become counsellors
(Tamworth & Moree).
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St Paul’s Anglican Parish has
indicated their desire to sell the current building in Ebsworth St Tamworth
out of which ACS currently conducts counselling and some training, mediation
and education. Further, the Bishop has indicated that it is perhaps time for
ACS to consider purchasing their own building. Staff in Tamworth have
suggested their preference for all Tamworth operations to be in a single site.
This would require a floor area of about 400 sqm. To purchase land, buildings,
furnishings, telephone & computer networks and car park spacing would cost in
the vicinity of $1.2 million. Another option is a site just for the
counselling operations, which must be accessible to public transport. ACS has
few assets and currently do not own any property. Most of our funds are used
to meet our clients needs.
Money Matters
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Due to an increase in the State
Award, counsellors have a 3% increase in their pay. This is good for them, but
not so helpful for the budget as our funding, donations and fees don’t have a
mandatory increase.
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Jenny and Brian have prepared a
submission to State and Federal Governments for short-term financial
assistance to help put LRCCS on a stable footing. They are working with the
local State Members, Peter Draper and Richard Torbay.
Praise Matters
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Rain … Yay !!!
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The current budget is on target.
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An anonymous person donated some
advertising on Tamworth’s Radio Rhema,
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LRCCS is having its first
graduation in November with 10 Diplomas and up to 4 Degrees to be awarded at
this stage.
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The Thanksgiving Dinner for Rev
Graham Farley and Ran & Jenny Mitchell on retiring from the ACS Board was a
great night. Ran & Jenny were presented with a painting of ‘the meeting of the
board’, Graham was given a gift voucher for the Tamworth Christian Bookshop.
Prayer Matters
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Rain … please !!!
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Safe travel for staff and Board
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The ACS Board, meeting on Feb 23
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That our continuing submissions for
funding be looked upon favourably
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Judy James and Betty Yeaman on sick
leave—pray for a complete and speedy recovery.
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Federal Government in its Budget
deliberations may increase funding levels to assist Family and Relationship
Counselling and Education.
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As staff and the Board grapple with
alternative premises in Tamworth, pray that God will grant us wisdom, patience
and the financial means to meet this new challenge.
Anglican
Counselling Service, Executive Director: Rev Brian Kirk
Lois Reid
College of Counselling Studies, Principal: Jenny Regan
Financial
Counsellor: Faith Boehm
Relationship
Counsellors: Ruth, Libby, Catherine, Judy, Caroly, Wendy, Ros, Lynn,
Jenny M, Ran, Jenny R, Nancy, Shirley, Betty
Other Staff:
Cheryl, Barb, Lois, Fran, Colleen, Meryl, Carol, Elaine, James,
Allan, Donna
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