community news
Unexpected highlights of business volunteer program
Volunteer sets up a plan for micro-finance WHEN John Randall of Warwick was offered Vanuatu as his first assignment for Australian Business Volunteers, he doubted it would have the excitement factor he wanted. Nothing could have been further from the truth. He now knows that most visitors to these islands see only five per cent of this totally different, vast other world that still has a long way to go. He has been there twice since joining with ABV three years ago. ABV’s priority is to place recently retired business professionals in short-term business-focused assignments under the Australian Volunteers for International Development (AVID) program, an Australian government initiative in developing countries in South-
East Asia and the Pacific region. After retiring three years ago, John found ABV on the internet, and contacted the Canberra-based organisation. The recruitment criteria are specific - the focus of the screening is on personality
ject is identified the process is very streamlined. John said everything happens within weeks, including health checks, vaccinations and an interview in Brisbane. John’s business background is development expertise and small business
The idea is to make it possible for young people to stay in their villages instead of moving to the city... type; the volunteer has to have a high degree of transferable skills, be confident, with a high degree of resilience, self-reliance and to be low-maintenance. The projects on offer need to suit the volunteer’s experience and fit with his commitments but once a pro-
mentoring, something he has done for many years in Australia. In Vanuatu his key role was establishing a strategic plan for a microfinance scheme. The idea is to make it possible for young people to stay in their villages instead of moving to the city.
Have you applied for Seniors' Week grant? experience and knowledge as leaders, carers, grandparents and advocates. “It’s on for young and old” has become a catchcry of the event and will be used again in 2016 to build on its success over the past two years. From Saturday, August 13Seniors Week 2016 will
run through to Sunday, August 21. Last year 737 events were held from the Northern Peninsula Region to Mount Isa, Cairns to the Granite Belt.For Seniors Week info call COTA on 1300 738 348, email seniorsweek@cotaqld.org.au or visit www.cotaqld.org.au.
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GET in quick as now is the time to apply for a Seniors Week subsidy of up to $1000. Seniors Week provides the opportunity to unite Queenslanders to celebrate the contributions seniors make in their communities. Whether as volunteers or in the workforce, seniors utilise their
www.seniorsnews.com.au
AusAid, supplies funds to enable young Ni-Vans (the local people) straight out of training school to set up their own business, but the proviso is that the trainee has to do a Small Business course before he can get the money. John Randall wrote the syllabus for the course and the criteria, and did pilot projects on four islands. And it’s working. One trainee set up a successful bakery in his village, and others are setting up market gardens using the money to buy more land, or buy the basic tools. The concept of profit-making, of charging more than it costs, had to be introduced as it is foreign to them. John’s first assignment has extended to another stage and he has now agreed to the second assignment.
John Randall on assignment in Vanuatu.
In Brief
Updates from the Toowoomba Region
City Library Shuttle Bus Service
Council Cabs
The Free City Library Shuttle Bus service has been extended until March 2016. In addition, two further stops were introduced along the loop making a total of 8 stops in the CBD. The service is now available to the wider general public to use. Hours of operation are Monday to Saturday (excluding public holidays) 9:30am-2:30pm. The service cannot be booked and will run on a 30 to 45 minute loop. Designated stop locations are: 1. Gallery Lane next to Council’s Customer Service Centre at 4 Little Street 2. Margaret Street Taxi Rank located next to the Suncorp building and old Gardentown Shopping Centre site 3. Grand Central Shopping Centre rooftop carpark – near the Coles travelator 4. The Bus Interchange Facility located on Neil Street, Platform 4, Stop 4a 5. Toowoomba Post Office – the taxi rank outside Fitzy’s Hotel 6. Empire Theatre – taxi rank just north of the Neil Street crossing 7. Toowoomba City Library corner of Ruthven and Joseph Streets – taxi space on Ruthven Street 8. Milne Bay Aquatic Centre located on the corner of Herries and Victoria Streets.
Council is trialling a cab service to help older people and those with a disability travel to their local shopping centre. The cab picks you up from your home and takes you to your local shopping centre once a week. The service will need to be pre booked by calling 1300 811 394 before noon on the day before your trip. You will travel in a shared taxi. It then takes you home at a set time a few hours later. It costs $2 per person, per trip (which is $4 there and back). Council subsidises the rest of the cost of the fare. If you live in one of the service areas, are aged 60 or over, have a disability or hold an eligible concession or pension card, then you qualify to use the service. You can also bring a carer or dependent children (under 10) with you for free. When you book, the operator will check to make sure you qualify.
A COUNCIL ACCESS & DISABILITY TRANSPORT INITIATIVE SERVING THE COMMUNITY
Council’s Advisory Committees
For bookings for all events call 131 872 or visit www.tr.qld.gov.au
GraffitiSTOP
To report graffiti and for removal and prevention tips call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or TRC on 131 872. Free graffiti removal kits can be collected from Council Customer Service Centres. Photos of graffiti can be uploaded using the GraffitiSTOP app or the iCouncil app which are available to download free from the App Store.
There will be no Regional Youth Advisory Committee or Regional Access and Disability Advisory Committee meetings until further notice from the new Council.
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By MARG JOHANNSON
March 2016 - Toowoomba & Darling Downs Seniors- Page 3