Vision Statement To be a leading Australian-Greek community services agency in Australia. Statement of Purpose To empower members of the Australian-Greek community to reach their full potential. This will be achieved by undertaking service provision, advocacy, policy development and research in an innovative, culturally and linguistically appropriate manner. Australian Greek Welfare Society Ltd. 7 Union Street, Brunswick Victoria, Australia 3056 Telephone: (03) 9388 9998 Facsimile: (03) 9388 9992 Email: agws@agws.com.au Website: www.agws.com.au
Contents President s Report 3 Executive Director s Report 8 AGWS Board of Directors 12 Board, Staff Members & Volunteers 14 Building Community Capacity 18 Responding to Community Need 20 Quality Services 24 Encouraging Independence 26 Community Engagement and Partnerships 28 Philanthropy 30 Acknowledgements 31 AGWS Radiothon 2010 32 In-Focus 35 Financial Statements 37
President s Report PRESIDENT Mr. Nicholas Katris On behalf of the Board I am pleased to report that Australian Greek Welfare Society (AGWS) has successfully completed another year of service provision to the Australian Greek community. AGWS has been responding to the needs of the Greek community through the provision of culturally and linguistically appropriate services delivered across metropolitan Melbourne. AGWS operates quality services supporting individuals and families within the home and community through programs offered in the following areas: Aged & Disability Services with community and home based services Family and Community Services including generalist casework Children s Services with bilingual and multicultural programs Education and Training Services To meet the increasing demand for services AGWS is committed to further developing its capacity to meet the needs of the Greek community across metropolitan Melbourne. Following the refurbishment of the first floor level at head office in 2008, work began on the ground level, as we witness here tonight, providing appropriate areas and amenities to serve the community and the needs of our elderly citizens. The AGWS strategic directions have given careful consideration to the government policies and directions and to the health and welfare needs of the Australian Greek community. Some of the priorities and challenges in the coming year include: 1. Partnership and relationship building with government, Greek and mainstream services in Melbourne and Victoria; 2. Mapping of community needs in particular focusing on the aged care and increasing health needs of the community and engaging community 3. Marketing/Promotion of AGWS services in demographically Greek populated suburbs to increase access to services 4. Responding to the ever-increasing need for aged care services including Home and Community Care, Respite and Dementia Programs 5. Fundraising to supplement Government Funding; and 6. Increasing our capacity to respond to the needs of the Greek community through regionalisation, and in particular through the establishment of a purpose built facility in the southern region of Melbourne; We all look forward to next year as a year of exciting challenges and expansion. On behalf of the Society I like to extend our gratitude and thanks to the Federal Government, State Government and Department of 4 AGWS - Annual Report 2009-2010
Human Services for the funding and support which makes it possible for AGWS to address the needs of the Greek speaking Community of Melbourne and Victoria. In relation to the building fund, we thank the Bank of Cyprus for nominating AGWS as the charity partner of The Bank of Cyprus Australia Charitable Foundation. This donation will contribute significantly towards our plans for a new centre in the South-East region. We would also like to thank the Laiki Bank Radiomarathon Trust for their donation towards the purchase of equipment for the AGWS Activity Room which supports the programs for the older people and in particular younger people with special needs. This year s Radio-Appeal exceeded expectations and reflecting the hard work of everybody involved and the support of the Greek community. In addition for the fourth year, the Australian Hellenic Golf Federation nominated AGWS as the charity partner for 2010 and we value the contribution made by the Federation in supporting our work with the Greek community. We would also like to acknowledge the support of the Association of Elderly Citizens Clubs of Melbourne & Victoria for their continued support. On behalf of AGWS I like to extend our gratitude and thanks to organizations, sponsors and donors, who have generously contributed towards a very successful year. I thank all AGWS members, friends and supporters of this organization for their invaluable support throughout the year. In concluding, I would like to highlight the important contribution made by the many volunteers, who work tirelessly with the elderly, people with disabilities and those who are isolated in our community. Their work is of enormous value and we thank them for their ongoing commitment. A special thanks to our friends in the media who have supported AGWS in all its endeavors and in particular I would like to thank Neos Kosmos, 3XY Radio Hellas, Ta Nea and SBS Radio. I thank all Board Members for their commitment and continuous support over the year, namely: Anastasia Contos Chairperson, George Spiliotis Honorary Treasurer, Litsa Kypuros Honorary Secretary, and Directors Eugenia Grammatikakis, Magdalena Simonis, Ivy Fatouros-Mimilidis and Krisanthi Stamboulidis. I congratulate all re-elected and new members to the Board and I look forward to working with you all in fulfilling the future goals and directions of the Society. The Board recognises and thanks Voula Messimeri- Kianidis Executive Director, for her valuable resource of the Board and her leadership to AGWS. We value and acknowledge the work performed by all our dedicated staff named in the Annual Report that work with conviction and innovation to meet the needs of the Greek speaking community. We at AGWS are proud of the accomplishments and the high standards attained this year and look forward with optimism to meet the challenges the next year will bring us. Nicholas Katris President President s Report 5
Αναφορά Προέδρου ΠΡΟΕΔΡΟΣ κ. Νικόλαος Κατρής Εκ μέρους του Διοικητικού Συμβουλίου, βρίσκομαι στην ευχάριστη θέση να σας ανακοινώσω ότι η ΑυστραλοΕλληνική Κοινωνική Πρόνοια - AGWS με επιτυχία έχει ολοκληρώσει ακόμη έναν χρόνο παροχής υπηρεσιών στην ΑυστραλοΕλληνική παροικία. Η AGWS/ Πρόνοια έχει ανταποκριθεί στις ανάγκες της παροικίας μας με την παροχή κατάλληλων πολιτιστικών και γλωσσικών υπηρεσιών που διανέμονται σε ολόκληρη την μητροπολιτική Μελβούρνη. Η AGWS/Πρόνοια χειρίζεται υπηρεσίες ποιότητας, υποστηρίζοντας ανεξάρτητους και οικογένειες στο σπίτι τους ή στην ευρύτερη κοινότητα μέσα από προγράμματα που προσφέρονται στους παρακάτω τομείς: Υπηρεσίες Ηλικιωμένων & Ατόμων με Αναπηρίες με βάση το ίδιο τους το Σπίτι ή με εξωτερικές Κοινοτικές υπηρεσίες Οικογενειακές ή Κοινοτικές Υπηρεσίες συμπεριλαμβανομένης Γενικής Συμβουλευτικής για κάθε υπόθεση Υπηρεσίες για τα Παιδιά με Δίγλωσσα Πολυπολιτιστικά προγράμματα Μορφωτικά και Εκπαιδευτικά Προγράμματα Η AGWS/Πρόνοια για να ικανοποιήσει τις αυξημένες απαιτήσεις για υπηρεσίες έχει δεσμευτεί στην εκτεταμένη ανάπτυξη των δυνατοτήτων της, ώστε να εξυπηρετήσει τις ανάγκες της ελληνικής παροικίας σε ολόκληρη την μητροπολιτική Μελβούρνη. Σε ακολουθία της ανακαίνισης του 1ου ορόφου των κεντρικών γραφείων μας το 2008, ξεκίνησαν εργασίες και στο ισόγειο, όπως μπορείτε σήμερα να διαπιστώσετε, ώστε να υπάρξουν κατάλληλοι χώροι και εξοπλισμός για την εξυπηρέτηση της παροικίας και των ηλικιωμένων συμπάροικων. Οι στρατηγικές κατευθύνσεις της AGWS/Πρόνοιας έχουν προσεκτικά λάβει υπόψη τους αρχές και κατευθυντήριες γραμμές στον τομέα της υγείας, αλλά και στην πρόβλεψη των αναγκών της ΑυστραλοΕλληνικής κοινωνίας. Μερικές από τις προτεραιότητες και τις προκλήσεις για την ερχόμενη χρονιά είναι: 1. Οικοδόμηση συνεργασίας και σχέσεων με την κυβέρνηση, τους ελληνικούς, αλλά και τους κύριους Οργανισμούς παροχής υπηρεσιών στη Μελβούρνη και στη Βικτώρια. 2. Χαρτογράφηση των παροικιακών αναγκών με κύρια επισκόπηση την φροντίδα των ηλικιωμένων και τις αυξημένες ανάγκες της παροικίας μας στα περίπλοκα θέματα της κοινωνίας και στην υγεία. 3. Προώθηση των υπηρεσιών της AGWS/Πρόνοιας στα γνωστά ελληνικά δημογραφικά προάστια, ώστε να αυξηθεί, η πρόσβαση στις υπηρεσίες. 4. Να ανταποκρινόμαστε στην κάθε αυξανόμενη ανάγκη για υπηρεσίες ηλικιωμένων, συμπεριλαμβανομένων της φροντίδας στο Σπίτι και στην ευρύτερη Κοινωνία, όπως είναι τα προγράμματα της Ανακουφιστικής φροντίδας και Άνοιας. 5. Να κάνουμε Εράνους για να συμπληρώσουμε τις κυβερνητικές χρηματοδοτήσεις 6. Να αυξήσουμε τις δυνατότητες ανταπόκρισής μας στις ανάγκες της ελληνικής παροικίας, μέσα από κατάλληλη κατανομή ανά περιοχή και κυρίως με την εγκαθίδρυση ενός κτιρίου, που θα προσφέρει διευκολύνσεις στις νότιες περιοχές της Μελβούρνης. 6 AGWS - Annual Report 2009-2010
Ανυπόμονα αναμένουμε την επόμενη χρονιά να είναι μια χρονιά με συγκλονιστικές προκλήσεις και επεκτάσεις. Εκ μέρους της Οργάνωσης θα ήθελα να επεκτείνω την ευγνωμοσύνη και τις ευχαριστίες μας στην Ομοσπονδιακή, στην Κοινοπολιτειακή και στην Πολιτειακή κυβέρνηση και επίσης στο Υπουργείο Ανθρωπίνων Υπηρεσιών για τη χρηματοδότηση και την υποστήριξη της AGWS/Πρόνοιας, ώστε να εξυπηρετήσουν τις ανάγκες της ελληνόφωνης παροικίας της Μελβούρνης και τις Βικτώριας. Σε σχέση με τη χρηματοδότηση του κτιρίου, ευχαριστούμε την Τράπεζα Κύπρου που επέλεξε την AGWS/Πρόνοια σαν φιλανθρωπικό κομιστή του Φιλανθρωπικού Καταπιστεύματος της Τράπεζας Κύπρου στην Αυστραλία. Αυτή η δωρεά θα συνεισφέρει σημαντικά στην πραγματοποίηση των σχεδίων μας για ένα καινούργιο κέντρο στις Νοτιανατολικές περιοχές. Επίσης, θα θέλαμε να ευχαριστήσουμε τη Λαϊκή Τράπεζα και το Καταπίστευμα του Ραδιομαραθωνίου για τη δωρεά τους, ώστε να προμηθευτούμε εξοπλισμό για το Δωμάτιο Δραστηριοτήτων της AGWS/Πρόνοιας, που υποστηρίζει προγράμματα για ηλικιωμένα και κυρίως νεότερα άτομα με ειδικές ανάγκες. Αυτήν την χρονιά η Ραδιοφωνική έκκλησή μας ξεπέρασε τις προβλέψεις μας και ανταπέδωσε τη σκληρή εργασία όλων όσων κατέλαβαν προσπάθειες στήριξη της ελληνικής παροικίας. Επιπρόσθετα για 5η χρονιά η Ομοσπονδία ΑυστραλοΕλληνικού Γκολφ ανακήρυξε την AGWS/ Πρόνοια σαν φιλανθρωπικό δέκτη για το 2010 και είμαστε ευγνώμονες για τη συνδρομή και την υποστήριξη τους στο έργο μας για την ελληνική παροικία. Επίσης, θα ήθελα να αναγνωρίσω τη συνεχή υποστήριξη της Ένωσης Ηλικιωμένων Μελβούρνης και Βικτώριας. Εκ μέρους της AGWS/Πρόνοιας θα ήθελα να επεκτείνω την ευγνωμοσύνη και τις ευχαριστίες μου σε Οργανισμούς, Χορηγούς και Δωρητές που έχουν συνεισφέρει γενναιόδωρα για την πρόοδο μιας επιτυχημένης χρονιάς. Κλείνοντας, θα ήθελα να υπερτονίσω τη σημαντική συνεισφορά που έχει γίνει από τους εθελοντές μας, που ακούραστα εργάζονται με τους ηλικιωμένους, τα άτομα με αναπηρίες και αυτούς που ζουν απομονωμένα στην παροικία. Η εργασία τους είναι ανεκτίμητης αξίας και τους ευχαριστούμε για τη συνεχή δέσμευσή τους. Ακόμη, ένα ιδιαίτερο ευχαριστώ στους φίλους μας στα Μέσα Ενημέρωσης που υποστηρίζουν την AGWS/Πρόνοια σε όλες τις προσπάθειες της και κυρίως επιτρέψτε μου να ευχαριστήσω την εφημερίδα του Νέου Κόσμου, το ραδιόφωνο του 3ΧΥ, την εφημερίδα ΤΑ Νέα, το ραδιόφωνο του SBS, το ραδιόφωνο του 3ΖΖΖ και τον καινούργιο υποστηρικτή μας, την τηλεόραση του ΑΝΤΕΝΝΑ Αυστραλίας. Ευχαριστώ όλα τα μέλη του Διοικητικού Συμβουλίου για τη δέσμευσή τους και τη συνεχόμενη υποστήριξή τους καθ όλη τη διάρκεια της χρονιάς, ονομάζοντας τους κατά σειρά: Αναστασία Κόντος Προεδρεύουσα, Γεώργιος Σπηλιώτης Ταμίας, Λίτσα Κυπουρού Γραμματέας και τα Μέλη: Ευγενία Γραμματικάκη, Μαγδαλένα Σιμώνη, Ήβη Φατούρου- Μιμιλίδη και Χρυσάνθη Σταμπουλίδη. Συγχαίρω όλα τα επανεκλεγόμενα και τα νέα Μέλη του Διοικητικού Συμβουλίου και προσμένω να συνεργαστώ μαζί τους για να εκπληρώσουμε τους μελλοντικούς στόχους και τις κατευθύνσεις της Οργάνωσης. Τέλος, το Διοικητικό Συμβούλιο αναγνωρίζει και ευχαριστεί τη Γενική Διευθύντρια κα Βούλα Μεσσημέρη Κυανίδη, για τις αξιόλογες εμπεριστατωμένες προτάσεις προς το Συμβούλιο και τον τρόπο που διοικεί την AGWS/ Πρόνοια. Αξιολογούμε επίσης και αναγνωρίζουμε όλη την εργασία που εκτελέστηκε από όλα τα αφοσιωμένα μέλη του προσωπικού μας και τα κατονομάζουμε στην Ετήσια Αναφορά για την επισταμένη εργασία τους και τους νεωτερισμούς τους, ώστε να εκπληρώσουν τις ανάγκες της ελληνόφωνης παροικίας. Εμείς, στην AGWS/Πρόνοια, είμαστε περήφανοι για τα κατορθώματα και τα υψηλά δεδομένα που πετύχαμε και αυτήν την χρονιά. Γι αυτό και προσβλέπουμε θετικά στην επιτυχία των προκλήσεων που θα μας φέρει η επόμενη χρονιά! Νικόλαος Κατρής Πρόεδρος President s Report 7
Executive Director s Report EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Ms. Voula Messimeri-Kianidis AM During the 2009/10 financial year Australian Greek Welfare Society (AGWS) pursued its multiple agendas of advocacy, community education, service delivery and policy development across all areas of operation achieving quality outcomes for our service users and the Greek speaking community generally in Melbourne and Victoria. Key highlights and program achievements include the following: The provision of 6,500 hours of visitation via our Volunteer programs funded by the Commonwealth and State. Specifically AGWS through the Commonwealth funded Community Visitation Program provided volunteer support to 77 isolated aged care residents. The recruitment retention and training of 200 volunteers, trained to provide support and companionship to isolated elderly at home and in aged care facilities The development of training packages under the Community Partners Project as a way of engaging community leaders in the area of aged and health issues and partnership engagement with PICAC. The recruitment and training of bilingual Community Care Workers bringing this pool of specialist staff to 60. All staff have completed the Certificate in Home & Community Care and a new group are about to commence training. Alpha Child Care continues to provide high level care to Greek background children as well as to children drawn from diverse backgrounds offering a bilingual and multicultural rich program to over 70 families per year. Casework and counselling client contacts mounts to over 2,500 for generalist and men s and families. This was work undertaken with limited resources, given the enormous demand from the community. The AGWS Greek Legal Information & Referral Service supports approximately 65 clients per year through the engagement of Greek speaking volunteer solicitors. We would like to acknowledge all participating solicitors for their time and commitment to the service. 35 community education activities were held under the Community partners Program reaching 5183 people across Melbourne and the Men s and Family Relationships Program reached an additional 1,000 people leading to an increased level of enquires from the elderly cares and families. Through a combination of State HACC funding and Commonwealth direct grants AGWS was able to provide substantial hours of service to individuals and families in excess of 67,000 hours this year. 8 AGWS - Annual Report 2009-2010
In addition and as a way of meeting demand by members of the Greek speaking community and specialist service providers AGWS continued to develop and extend its Brokered Services Program working with 26 providers across Melbourne and providing 1,400 hours of service per month. The state funded Supported Access Pilot Project has addressed key matters of access for elders linking them to the aged care and health system. A total of 317 client contacts this year making this an essential element of access and equity for this vulnerable group in our community. The continuation of the well utilised Greek Cardiac Rehabilitation programs in Brunswick and Oakleigh: 77 men and women used these programs this year. We gratefully acknowledge our partners: Oakleigh Rehabilitation Service, Uniting Aged Care and the Royal Melbourne Hospital. AGWS provided cultural briefings to a total of 256 professionals through the CPP program in order to aid with skills development in working with Greek clients. Partnerships and collaboration with other agencies formed the basis of AGWS work including in the areas of elder abuse, diabetes, medicines, recreation emotional health the needs of carers, grandparents and others. (Details in the main part of the report.) We gratefully acknowledge all out partners and look forward to further joint endeavours in the coming year. Successful launch of the fundraising arm of AGWS working with business and others in our community to augment the funds we receive from Government. A key highlight this year has been the construction of the purpose build centre for the elderly and people with disabilities at head office in Brunswick. This is an exciting initiative which will enhance the quality of care to the frail elderly and younger people with disabilities. In addition these works now complete the refurbishment of the head office facilities adding to the flexibility of service provision and modern amenities for staff. I pass on my sincere thanks to Nick Katris, President and all AGWS Board Directors for their guidance, support and generous allocation of time to AGWS. To all our volunteers: little would be accomplished in social support without you. A very warm thanks for your dedication and humanity in a very demanding but equality rewarding area of AGWS work. A special acknowledgement and thanks to Tina Douvos Deputy Director and to our Unit Managers: Stavroula Mavroudis, John Lioupas, Nikki Efremidis, Maria Bellos and Stelios Piakis for work well done under enormous funding constraints against demand from the community. Finally I extend special thanks to all our staff in each and every area of work for your dedication and passion in servicing our community throughout the year. Voula Messimeri-Kianidis AM Executive Director Executive Director s Report 9
Αναφορά της Γενικής Διευθύντριας ΓΕΝΙΚΗ ΔΙΕΥΘΥΝΤΡΙΑ κα Βούλα Μεσσημέρη Κυανίδη AM Στη διάρκεια του Οικονομικού Έτους 2009/10, η AGWS/ Πρόνοια συνέχισε πολλαπλάσια να συνηγορεί σε ημερησία διάταξη, να προσφέρει παροικιακή ενημέρωση, παροχή υπηρεσιών και να δημιουργεί πολιτική διασχίζοντας όλες τις λειτουργικές περιοχές, ώστε να επιτευχθούν ποιοτικές εκβάσεις για τους χρήστες των υπηρεσιών και την ελληνόφωνη παροικία γενικότερα στη Μελβούρνη και στη Βικτώρια. Κόμβοι που πρέπει να επισημανθούν και επιτεύξεις προγραμμάτων συμπεριλαμβάνονται στα ακόλουθα: Η πρόβλεψη 6.500 ωρών επισκέψεων μέσω των εθελοντικών προγραμμάτων, που είναι επιδοτούμενα από την Κοινοπολιτειακή και την Πολιτειακή κυβέρνηση. Συγκεκριμένα, η AGWS/Πρόνοια παρέχει εθελοντική υποστήριξη σε 77 απομονωμένα ηλικιωμένα άτομα που χρειάζονται φροντίδα, μέσω του Κοινοπολιτειακού Προγράμματος Επισκέψεων. Στρατολόγηση, δέσμευση και εκπαίδευση 200 εθελοντών, που είναι εκπαιδευμένοι να προσφέρουν υπηρεσία και συντροφιά σε απομονωμένα άτομα στο Σπίτι τους ή σε Ιδρύματα Φροντίδας Ηλικιωμένων (Γηροκομεία Γηριατρεία). Η δημιουργία εκπαιδευτικών πακέτων από το πρόγραμμα Κοινοτικής Συνεργασίας σαν τρόπος δέσμευσης των συντονιστών για θέματα που αφορούν την Υγεία, τους Ηλικιωμένους και τη δέσμευση Συνεργασίας με το PICAC (Πολιτισμικές Συνεργασίες για Παροχή Κατάλληλης Φροντίδας). Η στρατολόγηση και εκπαίδευση Δίγλωσσων Κοινοτικών Υπαλλήλων Φροντίδας ανεβάζοντας τον πήχη του ειδικευμένου προσωπικού στα 60 άτομα. Όλο το προσωπικό έχει ολοκληρώσει το Πιστοποιητικό Φροντίδας για το Σπίτι & την Κοινότητα, ενώ υπάρχει ήδη μια καινούργια ομάδα που είναι έτοιμη να αρχίσει εκπαίδευση. Ο Παιδικός Σταθμός ΑΛΦΑ συνεχίζει να παρέχει υψηλό επίπεδο υπηρεσιών σε παιδιά ελληνικής καταγωγής, εξίσου με παιδιά κι άλλων εθνικοτήτων που συμμετέχουν, προσφέροντας ένα Δίγλωσσο Πολυπολιτιστικό πλούσιο πρόγραμμα σε περισσότερες από 70 οικογένειες κάθε χρόνο. Σε περισσότερα από 2.500 φθάνουν τα άτομα που εξυπηρετήθηκαν με Κοινωνική Υπηρεσία και Συμβουλευτική γενικότερα ανά υπόθεση, αλλά και από το πρόγραμμα των Ανδρών και της Οικογένειας. Αυτή ήταν μια εργασία που αναλάβαμε με ελάχιστους πόρους, προκειμένου να εξυπηρετήσουμε τις αυξημένες απαιτήσεις της παροικίας. Η ελληνική Νομική υποστήριξη και Παραπεμπτική υπηρεσία της AGWS/Πρόνοιας εξυπηρετεί περίπου 65 υποθέσεις τον χρόνο, με την προσφορά εθελοντικής εργασίας από έλληνες δικηγόρους. Θα θέλαμε να αναγνωρίσουμε όλους τους συμμετέχοντες δικηγόρους για τον χρόνο και τη δέσμευσή τους σε αυτήν την υπηρεσία. 35 Παροικιακά Επιμορφωτικά Σεμινάρια Δραστηριοτήτων πραγματοποιήθηκαν από το πρόγραμμα Κοινοτικής Συνεργασίας, με 5.183 συμμετέχοντες σε ολόκληρη τη Μελβούρνη, ενώ προσθέτονται άλλα 1.000 άτομα για να αυξήσουν τον αριθμό των αιτήσεων για τη φροντίδα ηλικιωμένων και οικογενειών μέσα από το πρόγραμμα για τις Σχέσεις των Ανδρών και της Οικογένειας. Σε συνδυασμό απευθείας επιδοτήσεων HACC της Πολιτειακής και της Κοινοπολιτειακής κυβέρνησης η AGWS/Πρόνοια χρηματοδοτήθηκε για να παρέχει σημαντικές ώρες υπηρεσίας σε ανεξάρτητους και 10 AGWS - Annual Report 2009-2010
οικογένειες, ξεπερνώντας τις 67.000 ώρες τον χρόνο. Επιπρόσθετα και για να καταφέρουμε να καλύψουμε τις εκκλήσεις των μελών της ελληνόφωνης παροικίας και των ειδικών οργανώσεων παροχής υπηρεσιών, η AGWS/Πρόνοια συνεχίζει να αναπτύσσει και να επεκτείνει το Πρόγραμμα Υπηρεσιών με Μίσθωση σε συνεργασία με 26 διαφορετικές Οργανώσεις σε ολόκληρη τη Μελβούρνη και παρέχοντας 1.400 ώρες υπηρεσίας το μήνα. Το Πιλοτικό Πρόγραμμα Υποστήριξης Πρόσβασης Υπηρεσιών, που είναι επιδοτούμενο από την πολιτεία έχει καταγράψει σημεία κλειδιά για τους ηλικιωμένους δρομολογώντας τους σε υπηρεσίες φροντίδας και στο σύστημα υγείας. Συνολικά καταφέραμε να δρομολογήσουμε 317 άτομα που επικοινώνησαν μαζί μας αυτήν την χρονιά, ώστε να λάβουν τη στοιχειώδη και δίκαιη πρόσβαση σε υπηρεσίες που δικαιούται αυτή η ευαίσθητη ομάδα της παροικίας μας. Φυσικά, υπήρξε η συνέχιση των ιδιαίτερα ωφέλιμων και με μεγάλη συμμετοχή Ελληνικών Προγραμμάτων Καρδιακής Αποκατάστασης στο Brunswick και στο Oakleigh με 77 άνδρες και γυναίκες να χρησιμοποιούν αυτά τα προγράμματα κάθε χρόνο. Αναγνωρίζουμε ιδιαίτερα τους συνεργάτες μας: την Υπηρεσία Αποκατάστασης του Oakleigh Uniting Aged Care και το Βασιλικό Νοσοκομείο της Μελβούρνης. Η AGWS/Πρόνοια παρέχει πολιτισμικά σύντομα σεμινάρια σε συνολικά 256 επαγγελματίες, μέσω του προγράμματος Κοινοτικής Συνεργασίας, ώστε να τους βοηθήσει να αναπτύξουν τις ικανότητες τους για να συνεργάζονται με έλληνες πελάτες. Συνεταιρισμούς και Συνεργασίες με άλλες Οργανώσεις για να συγκροτηθεί η βασική λειτουργία της AGWS/Πρόνοιας, συμπεριλαμβανομένων των τομέων για τη βία στους ηλικιωμένους, το διαβήτη, τα φάρμακα, τη συναισθηματική αναψυχή υγείας για τις ανάγκες των φροντιστών, παππούδες-γιαγιάδες και άλλα (Λεπτομέρειες θα βρείτε στο κυρίως μέρος της Ετήσιας Αναφοράς). Με ευγνωμοσύνη αναγνωρίζουμε όλους τους συνεργάτες μας και προσμένουμε να ξανασμίξουμε τις προσπάθειες μας την επόμενη χρονιά. Με επιτυχία εγκαινιάστηκε το τμήμα Εράνου της AGWS/Πρόνοιας που συνεργάζεται με επιχειρήσεις και ευρύτερα στην παροικία μας για να επαυξήσει τους πόρους που λαμβάνουμε από την Κυβέρνηση. Κάτι ξεχωριστό που πρέπει να αναφερθεί για φέτος είναι η ανοικοδόμηση του Κέντρου Πολλαπλών Χρήσεων για τους Ηλικιωμένους και τα Άτομα με Αναπηρίες στα κεντρικά γραφεία μας στο Brunswick. Αυτό είναι μια συναρπαστική καινοτομία που θα συμβάλλει στην ποιότητα για τη φροντίδα των ανήμπορων ηλικιωμένων και των νεότερων ατόμων με αναπηρίες. Επιπρόσθετα, αυτές οι εργασίες έχουν τώρα ολοκληρωθεί με την ανακαίνιση και των χώρων λειτουργιών των γραφείων μας, ώστε να προσθέσουν ευκαμψία στην πρόβλεψη παροχής υπηρεσιών και μοντέρνο εξοπλισμό για το προσωπικό. Απευθύνω τις ειλικρινείς ευχαριστίες μου στο Νίκο Κατρή Πρόεδρο και σε όλα τα Μέλη του Διοικητικού Συμβουλίου της AGWS/Πρόνοιας για την καθοδήγηση, υποστήριξη και γενναιόδωρη προσφορά του χρόνου τους στην AGWS/ Πρόνοια. Σε όλους τους εθελοντές: Ελάχιστα θα είχαν πραγματοποιηθεί χωρίς εσάς όσον αφορά την κοινωνική υποστήριξη. Ένα πολύ θερμό ευχαριστώ για την αφοσίωση και τον ανθρωπισμό μας σε μια τόσο ευαίσθητη αλλά εξίσου ανταμοιβόμενη περιοχή εργασιών της AGWS/Πρόνοιας. Ιδιαίτερες επίσης ευχαριστίες και αναγνώριση στην Τίνα Ντούβου Αναπληρώτρια Διευθύντρια και στους Διευθυντές μας: Σταυρούλα Μαυρουδή, Γιάννη Λιούπα, Νίκη Εφραιμίδη, Μαρία Μπέλλου και Στέλιο Πιακή για την πολύ καλή εργασία που προσέφεραν κάτω από μειωμένες χρηματοδοτήσεις ανάλογα των απαιτήσεων που υπάρχουν από την παροικία. Τέλος, επεκτείνω τις ιδιαίτερες ευχαριστίες μου σε όλο το προσωπικό σε κάθε και όποιο τμήμα εργασιών, για την αφοσίωση και την υπομονή τους να εξυπηρετήσουν την παροικία κατά τη διάρκεια της χρονιάς. Βούλα Μεσσημέρη Κυανίδη ΑΜ Γενική Διευθύντρια Executive Director s Report 11
AGWS Board of Directors PRESIDENT Mr. Nicholas Katris CHAIRPERSON Ms. Anastasia Contos Hon. SECRETARY Ms. Litsa Kypuros TREASURER Mr. George Spiliotis Nicholas joined the Board in 1995 and served as a Chairperson in 1998 and 1999. He is now serving his fifth term as President, a commitment and responsibility that has become part of his daily routine and life. Nicholas expertise and career is in the discipline of Architecture and Interior Design. His strong interest in Greek Culture and History lead him into further Studies in Classics and Archaeology enjoys part time teaching in Design History at Tertiary level. He has a lifetime experience from his involvement in community affairs since 1960 s and is an honorary life member of a number of organizations. In 2001 he received the Centenary Metal Award for Services to the Greek Community. Anastasia joined the Board in 2004 She has worked as a psychologist and project leader in the community, educational and psychiatric sectors for twenty years. Anastasia has also worked in the areas of migrant and ethnic affairs as well as with people from socially disadvantaged backgrounds and is committed to high ethical standards in practice as well as working towards social justice. Currently, Anastasia works in private practice as a Human Services Consultant and also provides a clinical service to individuals, couples and families as well as training and supervising practitioners in the field. Her involvement on the Board of the Australian Greek Welfare Society provides her with the opportunity to make a contribution to the Greek Australian community. Litsa joined the Board of AGWS in 2005 because she believes that people have the capacity and responsibility to shape the kind of community in which they wish to live. She enjoys working with people who want to create change and who are both dedicated and committed to assisting organisations such as AGWS in developing and delivering solutions to build stronger and therefore, healthier communities. Litsa has had over 20 years experience as a Speech Pathologist and Audiologist. She is a clinical and certified practising member of Speech Pathology Australia. In addition to her private practice, she currently works for Student Support Services in the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development in the Northern Metropolitan Region. George joined the Board in late 2006.. George is a lawyer with considerable experience in the areas of Commercial Litigation, Dispute Resolution and Employment Law. He is currently a member of the Court Practice Committee for Litigation Lawyers Section of the Law Institute of Victoria and has been a member of other Committees. George s first involvement with the AGWS was as a founding volunteer with the Australian Greek Welfare Legal Information Referral Service and remained a volunteer with the Referral Service for 10 of years. 12 AGWS - Annual Report 2009-2010
DIRECTOR Dr. Magdalena Simonis DIRECTOR Ms. Ivy Fatouros-Mimilidis DIRECTOR Ms. Krisanthi Stamboulidis DIRECTOR Ms. Eugenia Grammatikakis Magdalena Simonis joined the AGWS Board of Directors in 2009. She is a Fellow of The Royal College of General Practitioners, also holds a diploma in Obstetrics and Gynaecology. Her career objectives include a commitment to disease prevention and empowerment of migrant men and women. As an Australian born of Greek migrant parents, who works in full time General Practice, Magdalena is keenly aware of the ongoing need to bridge gaps between our expansive Greek community and the social and support services that either are available or need to be created to deliver the standard of care and support that are increasingly needed as the population ages and family structure along with socio-cultural dynamics change. Ivy joined the Board of the Australian Greek Welfare Society in 2007 as a way of making a positive contribution to the welfare of Greek Australians. Ivy has extensive experience as a secondary school teacher in the disciplines of History, English and Modern Greek, particularly in the middle to senior years and has undertaken numerous roles in educational leadership. She is passionate about improving the learning outcomes of young people, extending their life experiences and providing a mentoring role in their emotional and intellectual development. Ivy has the utmost respect for the elderly in the Greek community and an appreciation of the sacrifices and contributions they have made in sustaining the Greek traditions and maintaining the values of family life. Krisanthi joined the Board of AGWS in 2004. Her qualifications are a Bachelor of Arts and a Diploma of Education where she majored in Greek, English and ESL. She also has a Certificate II in Applied Language for Spanish. She has been involved with the teaching of Greek and the maintenance of all aspects of Greek culture in school, at several Saturday morning Greek schools and in private tutoring from 1984 to 1994 and in 2005. While teaching, as a secondary teacher, she was the Languages coordinator for 5 years, securing an International Teaching Fellow to assist with LOTE material development. Krisanthi has been involved in various projects of Greek curriculum writing, for advanced and beginner programmes, for secondary schools in years 9, 10 and VCE. Eugenia has over twenty years experience in the ethnic and multicultural field particularly in policy development, social planning, research and analysis, language services, community development and cross cultural communication. Professionally she has managed multicultural programs and services for Commonwealth Departments and more recently in Local Government. She has been an active community member and has served on a wide range of Boards and Committees including past President of Australian Greek Welfare Society, Member of the Australian Multicultural Advisory Committee, Executive Member of the Ethnic Communities Councils of Tasmania and Victoria and Director of the Greek Orthodox Community of Melbourne and Victoria and current Senior Deputy Chair of FECCA. Board of Directors 13
Board, Staff and Volunteers BOARD OF DIRECTORS President Nicholas Katris Chairperson Anastasia Contos Hon. Secretary Litsa Kypuros Treasurer George Spiliotis Director Magdalena Simionis (from 08/09/09) Director Ivy Fatouros-Mimilidis Director Krisanthi Stamboulidis Director Eugenia Grammatikakis (from 06/04/10) EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR DEPUTY DIRECTOR Voula Messimeri-Kianidis AM Tina Douvos-Stathopoulos ADMINISTRATION / FINANCE / HUMAN RESOURCES Manager Maria Bellos Administration Officer Betty Smyrnios (till 30/06/10) Receptionist / Secretary Eleni Economou Coprporate Services Ramtin Paivar (till 31/12/09) Bookkeeping/Payroll Officer Lillian Zhang BUSINESS & PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT Manager John Lioupas Fundraising & Marketing Events Coordinator Thalia Ioannidou AGWS LIFE MEMBERS Mr. Savas Augoustakis Mr. Jack Bisas Dr. Conn Constantinou Ms. Eugenia Grammatikakis Ms. Eugenia Mitrakas Mrs. Margaret Moraitis Dr. Spiro Moraitis Mr. George Papadopoulos Mr. Nick Polites Mr. Tony Toumbouros Mr. Petros Yiallouris 14 AGWS - Annual Report 2009-2010
FAMILY & COMMUNITY SERVICES Manager Tina Douvos-Stathopoulos Team Leader, Men s & Family Relationships Counsellor Poppy Hearn Men s Project & Community Services Officer Antonios Maglis Social Worker Marianna Margaritis Social Worker Dimitris Bouras Case Worker Nikolaos Vrousgos (till 11/09/09) Dementia Project Officer Nina Xarhakos Dementia Project Officer Mary Kolyvas AGED & DISABILITY SERVICES Manager Stavroula Mavroudis Acting Manager Nikki Efremidis (Jul 09 - Dec 09) Coordinator Volunteers Program Paraskevi Tsingas Planned Activity Coordinator Georgina Papanikolaou Aged & Disability Servicer Officer Tanya Beavis Aged & Disability Servicer Officer Dimitrios Korexenos (till 21/08/09) Aged & Disability Servicer Officer Christine Paraskeva (from 17/11/09) Aged & Disability Servicer Officer Stacey Papamanolis (till 28/05/10) PAG Supervisor Chris Bellos PAG Supervisor Chris Dimokranitis PAG Supervisor Foula Moraitis PAG Supervisor John Rakkas Supported Access Pilot Project Worker Nina Xarhakos CO-ORDINATED CARE & TRAINING Manager Nikki Efremidis (from 01/01/10) Coordinator Respite & Brokered Services Program Niki Matziaris Respite & Brokered Services Officer Zoe Bozovitis Fotini Zahariou CACP Case Manager Marianna Margaritis (from 17/11/09) CACP Case Manager Anastasia Economou (till 30/10/09) Training & Education Coordinator Elizabeth Rossiter (till 31/12/09) Judy Wolff (till 01/05/09) Trainer Vicky Pertile Kathy Agalidis (from 01/02/10) Mina Castos (from 01/02/10) Margaret Tardarello Chrissoula Anastasiou Ana Greco COMMUNITY CARE WORKERS Christos Agneskis Magdalini Aliferis Andreas Aloneftis Sofia Anagnostou Stavros Andrian Maria Bakopoulos Paraskevi Bakopoulos Soula Berdenis Afrodit Boukouris Angela Bozovitis Fay Christidis Paula Christoforou Kathy Chrysostomou Andrea Dimitriou Board, Staff & Volunteers 15
Board, Staff and Volunteers COMMUNITY CARE WORKERS (cont.) CHILDREN S SERVICES Chris Dimokranitis Maria Fenner Joyce Frittulini Rania Georges Eve Hadjioannou Nicki Hatzis Demetra Ioannou Irene Ioannou Maria Karabatsos Theodora Kairuz Loula Karefilakis Aleka Kargiotis Tina Karlos Chrissoula Katsaros Antonia Kessaridis Rita Kontopoulou Helen Kourkoutzelos Melba Korras Osianlis Dimitra Kurubilis Elefteria Laoutas Maria Lazari Georgia Loupetis Maria Loe Eleni Lazaropoulos Niki Manoli Dimitrios Mavroudis Anna McIntosh Effie Michalopoulos Panorea Padela Metaxia Papadopoulos Katerina Pazios Harry Peidis Georgia Petrakis Georgia Polydorou Olga Psyllos John Rakkas Ann Rozanitis Sophie Sarantos Mossi Tountzis Theo Tsalkitzakos Paraskevi Tzimopoulos Connie Vamvoulidis Helen Yianni Manager Stelios Piakis Mothercraft Nurse & Kindergarten Teacher Nina Belskaya Angela Vidinopoulos Mother Craft Nurse Iris Gavrilovics Roula Palavras Anna Giannopoulos Kalliope Ioannou Certificate III Childcare Worker Alex Paktitis Christina Nteris Joanna Zotos Sara Taylor Neeru Duchana Child Care Worker Eve Nikols (till 03/0510) Cook Vicky Mesarvitis Casual Child Care Worker Ellie Bougiotis Sujata Kumar Helen Van Der Stam Stefan Whitehouse Iqbal Kaur-Hayer Sophie Lazenkas Eleni Pirdis Auynh Ngo Eva Kalatheris 16 AGWS - Annual Report 2009-2010
A WARM THANK YOU TO ALL AGWS VOLUNTEERS FOR THEIR DEDICATION AND COMMITMENT AGWS VOLUNTEERS Sophie Agaliotis Kyriakoula Agelinas Andreas Aloneftis Sofia Anagnostou Stavros Andrian Irene Andrianakis Nafsika Andrianakis Konstantina Androutsopoulos Athanasia Antoniadis Maria Antonopoulos Vicky Arabatzis Mary Arapoglou Stavros Arapoglou Maria Axiotis Soula Berdenis Sofia Bitras Rony Bololias Vicky Bouranis Helen Brand Aikaterini Choleva Constantinos Chrisant Soultana Chrisant Stella Christodoulou Ekaterini Chrysostomou Con Constandineas Alice Costopoulos Vassiliki Crilis Irene Dagianda Angela Dalianis Poppy Dandris Koula Delonas Iordana Dimos Poppy Doufas Eleftheria Drakopoulos Mary Earp Anna Economidis Denia Eleftherakis Toula Eleftheriou Ana Maria Espino Vaso Farais Maria Fokianos Toula Ftaras Anagnostis Ftaras Ekaterini Galanakis Angeliki Galanis Ourania Georges Daphne Gialamantzis Maria Giamoukoglou Eleni Giannopoulou Simela Gigis Zaharina Grapsas Ekaterini Grigorakis Agni Hadjipantela Victoria Hagiefremidis Mary Hatginicolaou Giannoula Hatzivasiliou Solon Illiadis Dana Illiadis Marlies-Dorthe Johnson Poppy Kalinikos Anna Kaloudis Maria Kantianis Dimitra Kapodistrias Con Kapouleas Glykeria Karaiskos Stella Karayiorgis Alexandra Kargiotis Dimitra Kassioras Vasiliki Katselas Poppy Kefaloukou Savvas Kessaris Christina Kiriazis Dionisios Kiriazis Katina Klepkas Helen Kofteros Dimitris Kokkinis George Kondou Athanasia Kondou Soumela Konstantinidis Helen Kordaris Melpo Korras - Osianlis Amalia Kotsonis Andreas Kotsonis Georgina Koulis TriandafylloS Kourtis Voula Koutroumanis Fotini Kouzoumis Dimitra Kurubilis Eleftheria Laouta Andreas Laoutas Eleni Lazaropoulos Mela Limperis Vasiliki Litinakis Sophia Lyras Litharo Manidis Dimitrios Manoulakakis Olympia Mantoulidis Vassiliki Mastrantonaki Antonia Matarakis Dimitrios Mavroudis Despina Melapsos Vaso Mersina Maria Michalopoulos Vicky Miliangkos Melia Miltiadou Irene Mingos Anthony Misserlis Anna Moschidis Spiros Moschidis Bessy Mougos Maria Nelis Anna Nichola Andreas Nicolaou Eliana Pakouta Dimitra Panagiotou Dimitra Panagopoulos George Papadimitriou Vicky Papadimitriou Asimina Papadopoulos Soultana Papafotiou Ellie Papantoniou Anna Parellis George Parvakis Anna Pasakalos Polychronia Patsouris Stergios Patsouris Panagiota Pavlidis Katina Pazios Eleni Pehlivanis Eva Petsetas Evangelia Pilaki Efterpi Piplios Nick Polites Denise Politis Antonis Polykarpou Toula Prantalos Rebecca Provataris Arthur Provataris Maria Psaraki Athina Raftopoulos Elias Rentzis Voula Rentzis Margaret-Rose Roobol-Hill Agathi Savva Maria Savva Vicki Simoglou Konstantina Siora Sofia Sourlos Anna Spyriadou Eleni Stavrakis Helen Stavropoulos Vanessa Stratos Alexandra Sycamnias Anna Themistocleous Andriana Theodoropoulos Eugenia Tsegos Ritsa Tsolaki Roula Tsotsoros Vicky Tzortzoglou Irene Vettos Chrisoula Votaris Maria Voulanas Sonia Vrettos Kostantinos Xenos Eleni Yianni Iris Young Panagiota Zacharias Angela Zacharias - Pantazis Demetres Zois Board, Staff & Volunteers 17
Building Community Capacity Developing community capacity has been a major focus of all AGWS funded programs. This has been attributed primarily to the need for providing members of our community with greater access to services and an increased awareness of systems and their application. It has also mobilised the community around priority areas such as aged care, mental health, families and elder abuse. Each year AGWS increases its access to the Greek community in response to community requests for information and resources. The active engagement of the Greek community through the development of culturally relevant activities has enabled program areas to consult and foster open discussions on Volunteer Training - Northern Region pertinent issues impacting the Greek community today and informing the future work priorities for AGWS s program areas. The need to work collaboratively with Greek community leaders and professionals is an integral part of our strategy to build community capacity. As a result, through the Community Partners Project (CPP) two training packages were developed. The first is a train the trainer package for Greek community leaders. Engaging community leaders is crucial to developing a resilient community, one that has increased capacity to address local aged care and health issues. The second, in partnership with PICAC, the Effective CALD Community Engagement Strategy targeting CPP funded organisations and aged care service provider to increase their capacity to provide culturally relevant care. The Men s & Family Relationship Service (MFRS) delivers programs that build the capacity of men and their families to address pertinent issues impacting on wellbeing of families. Strengthening the capacity of men through the provision of skill development and support group activities improved the capacity of many families to effectively negotiate responsibilities in their family, work and community settings. Through its Volunteer Programs, AGWS employs a holistic approach towards its facilitation. Volunteering within the organization is recognized as a third tier responce to the needs of an ageing Greek population. In the last twelve months the Volunteer Program provided in excess of 6,500 hours of visitation across the Melbourne metropolitan area. Volunteering is further acknowledged as an activity with immense benefits to the health and well being of the volunteers as well as the client group receiving the service. Well for Life - Swimming Program The volunteer program currently supports 200 volunteers who are actively involved in ongoing structured training and development programs to facilitate the execution of volunteer functions. Training however has acted as a vehicle for personal growth, confidence building and an exploration of other strengths, interests and vocational opportunities for all volunteers. Non-accredited and accredited training such as literacy and language tuition have provided pathways for further vocational training and specialist training at a Certificate II or III level. AGWS is currently in its fourth year of vocational training for its Community 18 AGWS - Annual Report 2009-2010
Well for Life - Cooking Activity Care Workers (CCW). To date 60 staff members have completed this traineeship with an additional 8 currently completing their Certificate III in Home &Community Care. The majority of Community Care workforce is over the age of 50, has Greek as their first language, and has come to us from different employment sectors such as hospitality, construction and the private business sector. The Community Care Workers undergo 9 months of study and workplace training to become skilled in working with clients who have complex and multiple care needs. The workers develop skills in manual handling, personal care, monitoring and reporting and providing a culturally sensitive and responsive service. The demand for trained workers is increasing and we train on average 10 new staff per year to meet the demand for community care. There has a significant growth to the pool of staff from 20 in 2006 to a current staff level of 60 active community care workers. In the area Children s Services, Alpha Child Care Centre(ACC) support children to develop their sense of community through the incorporation of community language and other programs. More than 50% of the ACC families, are from a non-english background, with the majority being of Greek origin. The Greek language program meets the cultural and linguistic needs of this group through the delivery of activities ranging from singing songs and conversing in Greek all of which is facilitated by Greek speaking members staff that are present in all of the children s rooms. It suffices to say that this program also benefits non-greek speaking children who are given the opportunity of being exposed to another language and culture. The importance and benefits of bilingualism have been well documented in recent years. Alpha Children s Centre also acknowledges the invaluable assistance of the Greek Government and in particular the Consulate s Education Office for the out posting of the Greek Kindergarten Teacher wich offers extensive language and cultural programs. All the Kindergarten children benefit enormously by this linguistic and cultural injection, which consolidates their learning of previous years and ensures that they grow up being proud of their heritage. Of equal importance, is the multicultural program complements the language program, and also recognizes that Australia is a society comprising of Oakleigh Greek Cardiac Program many ethnicities, and their language and culture is valued. Throughout the year children learned about various cultures by celebrating important anniversaries. Activities revolved around Diwali (Indian), Moon Festival (Vietnamese/Korean), Chinese New Year, and also Greek National Day celebrations. Australia s indigenous culture had a prominent place, with week-long activities during NAIDOC week. Local aboriginal workers came and played the didgeridoo, danced with the children, told dreamtime stories and did dot face painting. We strongly believe that Australia s social fabric and harmonious living of the ethnic communities can only be enhanced by our multicultural program. Building Community Capacity 19
Responding to Community Need Through its vast experience of the Greek community and well developed strategies for access and service delivery AGWS has great capacity in addressing the needs of the community. The responses developed range from one to one contact with individuals to group and community approaches?? Casework and counselling services are a core function of AGWS responding to the immediate needs of individuals and families. The clients who access these services seek assistance in areas such as aged care, health and mental health, financial assistance, domestic violence, family relationships and parenting, substance abuse, accommodation amongst other. Language Grand Parenting Seminar Oakleigh and cultural barriers continue to exist making access to services an ongoing challenge for many clients. In the last financial year casework services recorded 2199 client contacts and the men s counselling program recorded 329 new client contacts. Increasingly, this work has involved working in partnership with other organisations within the health and aged care sectors, to support access to services and improve the quality of life of clients. Providing information on the service systems and the role of various organisations has become an integral part of the work in supporting clients to address presenting issues. Fifteen percent of the direct services are related to matters of the law, more specifically family related issues including domestic violence. The Greek Legal Information & Referral Service, now in its twelfth year of operation, responds to the initial needs of clients through information provision and identification of options. Referrals to Greek speaking solicitors and other community legal services are made where follow up is required. The service is provided by bilingual volunteer Greek speaking solicitors and the demand for this service steadily increases with an average of 65 new clients accessing the service yearly. As the Greek community rapidly ages, the needs of carers and the many carer issues they are experiencing have increased. Casework & counselling services provide immediate responses to crisis situations for carers and works closely with carers to access appropriate respite and care services to address their needs. Dementia is causing significant anxiety and stress for many carers as they experience changes in their loved one and their role as a care Speakers from victim of crime support giver. The introduction of the Carer Counselling Program at AGWS in partnership with Carers Victoria will further support the person-centered care provided to carers and clients. On a broader scale the need for information, resources and education by the Greek community has greatly increased. Community education forms Grand Parenting Seminar Oakleigh Speakers 20 AGWS - Annual Report 2009-2010