Times

Sari Russo Nee Hyytinen

SOME traditions must be kept or brought back if they haven’t occurred for a while.

I like to see community events like Hotel Euramo’s Boar and Barra Bash as these types of events help community members who are struggling with an issue (e.g. Farmers being overrun by boars), and they provide something fun for the community to enjoy together.

I love community markets for this reason. The community can come together and share their talents or support a need.

My biggest concern with the digital world we currently live in is that we often don’t know what is happening for a family in our community, even if they live just

Community members supporting community matters

around the corner.

How can a community support their community members if they don’t know their battles?

There does become an issue where being too involved in what is happening in people’s lives can result in too much gossip. Which is why I don’t believe anything is true unless I see it myself in person. If I get the information through conversation, I consider it a half-truth and want to hear the other side. I then decide the truth is somewhere in the middle.

I am sure we were all involved in the games of Chinese whispers as children and know that often there is very little truth left in a story once it has passed through a few people’s hands.

Australian Small Business And Family Enterprise Ombudsman

AUSTRALIAN Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Bruce Billson, has called on digital platform providers to dramatically improve their dispute resolution processes for small business.

Mr Billson said there has been a noticeable increase in complaints and disputes involving digital platform providers, and since July 2020 the Ombudsman has taken on more 236 cases involving small and family businesses.

“When we become involved it regularly leads to satisfactory outcomes in just a handful of days – which means small businesses can get back in business,” Mr Billson said.

“We’re arguing for a policy change and for dispute resolution agency support like what we provide, to equip small and family businesses with the tools to protect themselves.

“When small businesses turn to us for assistance, our contact with the digital platforms is generally constructive and most have provided us with a direct human contact to enable these disputes to be escalated and a satisfactory outcome achieved quickly.

“However, the need for a government body to step in to resolve every small business dispute is not the answer and should be the exception.

The Ombudsman has outlined the problems and solutions in a submission to the Senate inquiry into international digital platforms.

“These platforms, which have fundamentally changed the way in which small businesses connect and sell to their customers, must make their self-help and internal problem solving more effective,” Mr Billson said.

“Some people have built their entire businesses on social media and digital platforms and having someone

Tully Support Centre News with 54 Bryant Street, Tully - 4068 1004

The TSC is also seeking front office volunteers to provide the essential first point of contact for community members during the TSC opening hours, 9 am – 1 pm and 2 pm – 4 pm, Monday to Friday.

Shane Greenwood

Volunteers’ Week 2023

JOIN us for two 2023 Volunteers Week activities. Volunteer morning tea will be held from 10 am on Thursday, May 18, at the El Arish Diggers Museum in partnership with El Arish Hall Committee.

And a volunteer afternoon tea, from 2:30 pm –4:30 pm on Thursday, May 18, at the Tully Library in partnership with the Tully100 Oral History Project and the Cassowary Coast Regional Council.

For more information, please contact Maxine on 40681004 or email maxine@tullysupportcentre.com. au

During May, Queensland will highlight and praise over 700,000 Queenslanders who volunteer their time to make an extraordinary impact on individuals, communities, and the environment around us. Volunteers are also an essential part of the fabric of Australian life. During May, community groups across the country will stop to recognise and celebrate the more than 6 Million Australians that make voluntary contributions to our communities.

In our community, volunteers provide integral support for community groups, sporting clubs and support services; many of these groups and services would not exist without volunteers.

Volunteer at the Tully Support Centre

This year the TSC is asking for volunteers to help supervise the Tully Youth Centre after school from 3:30 pm – 6 pm. The Youth Centre provides a safe place for young people 10 – 17 years after school and on school holidays.

If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Shane on 4068 1004 or email shanegreenwood@ tullysupportcentre.com.au

Benefits of volunteering

Not only does volunteering contribute positively to our community, but it also provides valuable work experience and practical skills. In addition, volunteers often report positive effects on their emotional wellbeing and improved social interaction. Suppose you can choose to volunteer for something you are passionate about. In that case, you will not only be helping your community, but you will also enjoy it and be able to share your passion with others.

Important questions to ask about volunteering

No matter where you volunteer, it is important that you are open and honest about your availability and expectations. Let the group know your personal and family commitments that might limit your availability. All groups who rely on volunteers understand that as a volunteer, you are offering to help, and we welcome it, an hour, a day, short term or long term; if you let the group know in the beginning, it will mean a much more rewarding volunteering experience.

The Tully Support Centre is funded by the Queensland Government and services communities throughout the Cassowary Coast.

The Tully Support Centre is located at 54 Bryant Street in Tully, opening hours Monday to Friday from 9 am to 1 pm & 2 pm to 4 pm; and open until 6 pm on Wednesdays.

To register your interest or more info about groups and other services, please call 40 681 004, check the Tully Support Centre online at www.tullysupportcentre. com.au, or follow us on Facebook “Tully Support Centre Inc.”