Communities in Control Conference 2008
The Community Challenge: Building political, environmental, social & economic pathways towards true social inclusion
Love it or loathe it, Australia is changing: politically; environmentally; socially and economically - there is no escaping the impacts of globalisation.
Globalisation has changed the way we live, the way we organise our work in communities, our social groupings, our very way of thinking.
It has created stresses and strains, a sense of powerlessness and feelings of loss of control; but also excitement at previously unimagined opportunities,
at the new ways of thinking and doing and creating, of new pathways towards true social inclusion.
If we don't get involved we will continue to be passive in the face of trends that most of us had no part in creating and that are already having an enormous impact on every facet of our individual and collective lives.
Become a member of the Communities in Control movement - then take your knowledge and enthusiasm back home to your own communities to analyse, create and develop local solutions to some of the most challenging questions of our time:
In the face of such enormous global challenges, and in the shadow of such formidable global powers, how do we begin to imagine the world we want to create? How do we take our vision to the global stage? Does it really matter to the world at large what we do in our own backyards?
How do we harness the power of modern communications to bring the wisdom of global knowledge into play locally, and carry our stories to the world? How can we transfer our own experiences effectively without imposing or patronising?
How do we overcome the pressures of the "I want, I want" society and move towards the development of altruistic, safe, just, borderless, inclusive communities? How
do we move beyond tolerance to true diversity? Where do we start?
What do we need to do now, today, to become the modern, dynamic, flexible organisations we need to be in order to respond to local and global pressures? How
do we become greener, more creative, more responsive, more responsible, more outward-looking, more inclusive without compromising our core mission?
How do we take full advantage of all that globalisation offers and insulate against all that globalisation threatens to take away?
The Honourable PETER BATCHELOR MLA, Minister for Community Development Affordable, Accessible and Sustainable: Developing Liveable Communities
Professor FRAN BAUM, Head of the Department of Public Health, Flinders University, Adelaide;
leading international expert on the social determinants of health Not In My Backyard: How globalisation can be harnessed to support
local equality, inclusion and community
Professor TIM FLANNERY*, 2007 Australian of the Year; scientist, global warming activist and adventurer When a Butterfly Flaps Its Wings: Acting Locally in the Face of National and Global Threats
KATE GILMORE*, Executive Deputy Secretary-General, Amnesty International; health and human rights campaigner The 2007 Community Leadership Oration: At Home and Away: Now More than Ever, Global Issues Need Local Community Leadership
BRETT DE HOEDT, showman, media trainer and Mayor, Hootville Communications 2008 Westpac Community Idol compere
DEBBIE KILROY OAM, Director, Sisters Inside; campaigner for the rights of women prisoners Speaker, The Great Debate: "In the Face of the Enormity of Global Threats, Local Action is a Waste of Time"
The Honourable JOAN KIRNER AM, former Premier of Victoria; Victorian Community Ambassador Adjudicator, The Great Debate: "In the Face of the Enormity of Global Threats, Local Action is a Waste of Time"
MICHELE LEVINE, social researcher and Chief Executive, Roy Morgan Research Sorting Fad from Fact: Understanding the Trends,
Issues and Changes that Impact on Community
The Honourable JENNY MACKLIN MP, Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (TBC) Opening, Day 1
JENNY McGREGOR, Chief Executive, Asialink (Australia's largest Asia Australia Centre) Speaker, The Great Debate: "In the Face of the Enormity of Global Threats, Local Action is a Waste of Time"
The Honourable LISA NEVILLE MLA, Minister for Health, Community Services & Senior Victorians (TBC) The Jack and Robert Smorgon Children Community Awards
Dr NOEL PURCELL, Westpac Group General Manager, Stakeholder Communications; spearheading Westpac's corporate responsibility and sustainability initiatives and 2007 Awardee as one of the 15 World Leaders for Responsible Business Corporate Action: The Business Role in Supporting Local Communities
to Stare Down National and Global Threats
The Honourable BILL SHORTEN MP, Parliamentary Secretary for Disability and Children's Services, former Australian Workers' Union Secretary, ALP Victorian State President (TBC) Next Steps in Making Australian Communities Liveable for People with Disabilities
BRETT SOLOMON, internet activist and community advocacy champion; Executive Director, GetUp Speaker, The Great Debate: "In the Face of the Enormity of Global Threats, Local Action is a Waste of Time"
PAT TURNER AM, Chief Executive Officer, National Indigenous TV Australia (NITV) & distinguished former public servant Closing the Gap: When and How will Australia EverBecome Truly Liveable for Indigenous Australians?
JOY MURPHY WANDIN AO, Wurundjeri Elder & community leader Welcome, Day 1
PLUS! Surprise, special guest to present the prize to the winner of the 2008 Westpac Community Idol competition
Monday 16 June 2007, 5pm-7pm: Meet and mingle with your community
colleagues and celebrate community through performances and entertainment. (Drinks, finger food and entertainment included as part of conference fee.)
Working with Government: A one-day skills day on how to successfully work with all levels of government - local, state and federal - and get results for your community
Sunday, 15 June 2007
The ability to work with and influence government at every level is a critical
currency in today's rapidly changing world.
As communities across Australia formulate their response to the complexities
of economic and social change, to catalyse opportunities, and to compete for
limited resources and advantage, there has never been a better time to learn
the secrets to gaining, retaining and leveraging influence with government at
all levels.
Welcome and Introduction: RHONDA GALBALLY AO, CEO & co-founder, Our Community
The Inside Story: Working with Local Government to Achieve Successful Outcomes DICK GROSS, President, Municipal Association of Victoria, former three-time Mayor of the City of Port Phillip
Influencing Government Policy Decisions: SANDRA MCKAY, former Ministerial Adviser & TONY NICHOLSON Executive Director, Brotherhood of St Laurence
Influencing Government Funding Decisions: LIDDY CLARK, Director, City of Port Phillip; former Queensland Minister for Indigenous Affairs & GORDON GREGORY Executive Director, National Rural Health Alliance
How to Enhance the Government's Understanding of the Importance of Community: KERRY THOMPSON, CEO, City of Maribyrnong & GEORGE LEKAKIS, Chair, Victorian Multicultural Commission
Inside the Bubble: The Government Point of View (Panel Session) MICHAEL LOCKWOOD, Director of Community Services, Brisbane City Council; former director of services, Queensland Department of Communities LINDA POWELL, Assistant Secretary, Budget Branch, Federal Department of Health and Ageing MAURICE CORCORAN, Manager, Disability Inclusion, SA Office for Disability and Client Services
The Low Down: Revealing the Answers to All the Questions You Were Too Afraid to Ask about Influencing Government Come prepared with questions to submit for this dynamic panel session LIDDY CLARK, SANDRA MCKAY, KERRY THOMPSON & GORDON GREGORY
As part of the 2008 Communities in Control conference, we want to find the community group in Australia that stands out
from the pack.
We want to find the community group that is an innovative, vibrant, effective, representative and participative leader.
We want to find the 2008 Community Idol!
How To Apply
It's simple. Nominate your own community group by answering the questions on the entry form, briefly explaining how and
why your organisation is so special and why it stands as an inspiration to other community groups. It is not about being the
biggest or the best resourced or the most high profile group, it's about being a community group that does what it does
well and stands out as a beacon of community leadership.
To be eligible for prize money of $3000 and the mantle of "2008 Community Idol" you need to fill in the entry form and
return it to Our Community by Friday 9 May 2008. Three community groups will be selected as finalists and a representative
of each will present their case at this year's Communities in Control conference in Melbourne on 16 June, 2008. Ten
additional "highly commended" groups will also be acknowledged.
Attendees at the conference (expected to be a capacity crowd of 1500 from right across the community sector) will then
vote on which of the three short-listed groups they believe is most deserving of the title of 2008 Westpac Community Idol.
The prize will be announced at the end of day two of the conference on 17 June, 2008.
Public Transport: By Tram: Tram No 59, Airport West - City. (1) You can catch this
tram anywhere along Elizabeth St (from Flinders St Station to La Trobe
St). (2) Get off at Stop 33 called Moonee Ponds Junction (Mt Alexander
and Pascoe Vale Road). (3) Walk down Dean St, turn left into McPherson
St, enter at Members Gate 1, Moonee Valley Race Course. By Train: Broadmeadows Line. (1) Catch the Broadmeadows line
train from any city loop station. (2) Get off at the Moonee Ponds Station.
(3) Walk (about 500m) down Puckle St (becomes Dean St) and turn left
at McPherson St; enter from Members Gate 1, Moonee Valley Race Course.
Take Away Reference Material:
In line with our sustainability objectives, presentations made available
to us for distribution will not be printed but will instead be available
via the Our Community website at www.ourcommunity.com.au/cic.
Price:
Pre-Conference Skills Day (15 June): $230 (GST Inclusive)
Communities in Control Conference (16 & 17 June): $285 (GST Inclusive)
Combined Pre-conference Skills Day + Communities in Control Conference (15, 16 & 17 June): $485
Prices includes lunch and refreshments on each day and drinks and finger food on Monday
evening. GST inclusive. Split tickets are not permitted.
Bookings, Cancellations & Refunds:
All bookings must be paid in full at least five working days before the event or by arrangement with Our Community.
Cancellations received in writing by Our Community three weeks prior to the event will be accepted and fees refunded
less a $55 administrative fee. Cancellations notified within three weeks of the event will forfeit fees but will receive course
notes (as available) in lieu of attendance. Substitute participants are welcome but must be advised in writing.
Commitment to Access and Disability:
Our Community and our alliance partners are committed to access and
disability and everything will be done to meet the needs of all people.
Mr Alan Matic of Our Community will be delighted to assist any individual
or organisation requiring any assistance. Alan can be contacted on telephone
(03) 9320 6805, or email to alanm@ourcommunity.com.au.
