samantha in the press - homelessness

No home for help
Mail Newspapers
by Mara Pattison-Sowden
24 May 2011

samantha in the press - local laws

Homeless help
Mail Newspapers
by Russell Bennett
19 April 2011

Camping Ban
Mail Newspapers
by Kath Gannaway
19 April 2011

local law passes

report from the roundtable - 12 apr

At this week's council meeting council had to consider the making of a local law to deal with a number of issues. This was the second time the local law was before us, back in January when the local law was first tabled, it raised the ire of groups and agencies who represent and help homeless people (see blog). The key issue at the time was the criminalisation of homelessness.

Although the local law covers off on a number of different matters, the issue which had the most attention was the part of the local law aimed at dealing with campers at Lillydale Lake and other parks around Yarra Ranges.

I moved the motion to make the local law. With that motion I also moved that an amendment be made to the Guidelines for Assessment, which is the document that provides guidance for staff on the interpretation and implementation of the law.

Since January, shire officers have been in contact with PILCH and other agencies around the wording of the local law and the Guidelines for Assessment. Councillors wanted to ensure that we picked up on concerns raised by advocates of homeless persons.

I noted in the draft that it failed to pick up an issue raised by both PILCH and the Salvation Army around our officers, should they indentify a person as homeless, the need to contact a relevant community agency to notify the agency of the existence and location of that homeless person (with their consent, of course). I thought it was important to include this in the Guidelines, it provides that bridge between council and homeless persons and connects people with help. In the event that a homeless person doesn't want assistance our local laws officers will provide them with a Homelessness Contact Card.

The Shire's local laws team have already been briefed by local agency, Anchor, so they will be better prepared should they indentify a homeless person when administering the local law. It's important to council that homelessness is dealt with in a sensitive manner, with respect and dignity and that homeless people are not disadvantaged by the local law.

Councillors supported the motion unanimously.

samantha in the press - local laws

Council bans Lillydale Lake campers Leader Newspapers by Kimberley Seedy 13 Apr 2011

samantha in the press - homelessness

'Sleeping rough' by-law deferred
Yarra Ranges Weekly
01 Feb 2011

Homeless stung
Mail Newspapers
by Kath Gannaway
01 Feb 2011

samantha in the press - homelessness

Council parking ban would 'punish' homeless
The Age
Farah Farouque
24 Jan 2011

mission impossible turns 12

It was terrific to join the wonderful staff and visitors at Mission Impossible to celebrate 12 years of service to the community. To mark the occasion local cafe, Reel Cafe, made a birthday cake for all to enjoy (and have done so for many years).

Celebrating 12 years of care and compassion at Mission Impossible in the Tin Shed, Belgrave.

Mission Impossible has been providing hot meals to those who are disadvantaged or homeless in our community for the past 12 years. The team are dedicated to helping the needy and do a great job of it.

In March last year I funded the installation of a shower for people to use at Mission Impossible. There are many people in our community who are either homeless or don't have access to hot running water, the shower is a practical way to assist. It's proved to be a valuable addition to Mission Impossible's services, with it being used every day by up to 5 people a day.

Well done to Mission Impossible, your work is truly appreciated by many in our community including me.

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sleep out for homeless

On Saturday night my family and I participated in the sleep out for homelessness at Melba Park in Lilydale. The event was to raise awareness about the issue of homelessness. I took along a large cardboard box to represent those homeless people who sleep out in improvised shelters across Australia.

The statistics are telling and shameful for such an affluent country as ours. I thought it was important to raise awareness about homelessness and provided food for thought by detailing the statistics on my improvised shelter.




From the ABS: On census night 2006, 105,000 people were homeless

16% were sleeping out
45% stayed with friends or relatives temporarily
21% were in boarding houses
19% stayed in hostels, shelters and refuges

55% were single
20% were couples
26% were families with children

67% were over 18
21% were between 12 and 18 years old
12% were under 12


Me and Anita Burman from the Dandenong Ranges Emergency Relief Service (DRERS). Money raised from the sleep out event will go to DRERS and Anchor to provide emergency relief in the Yarra Ranges.

I thought the box was a great way to raise awareness and everyone at the event strolled over to have a read. As the night wore on, it got colder and colder and the box provided little protection against the cold and damp of night (and it was a relatively mild night).

Definition of homelessness
Absolute Homeless: living on the streets, in deserted buildings, improvised dwellings, in parks.
Relative Homeless: staying in boarding houses, using emergency accommodation or people with no secure accommodation staying temporarily with friends or relatives in private dwellings.
Marginally Housed: people living in caravan parks.

We can all do our bit to help the homeless in our community, whether it be buying an extra tin of food at the supermarket to donate, giving cash, donating blankets, volunteering time, every effort helps to assist our emergency relief agencies to help the homeless.

At this Tuesday’s Council meeting I will be moving a motion to use my ward fund to install a shower at Mission Impossible at the Tin Shed in Belgrave. In speaking with locally based emergency relief services there is a real need for a locally based public shower for the homeless. I hope my colleagues support my motion, it is a simple but pressing need for the most marginalised in our community.

Did you know:
$5 can provide a phone card
$10 can provide a MET ticket
$30 can provide asthma medication for a month
$50 can provide warm clothing
$100 can provide access to an essential health service
$200 can provide a family food for a week

The event was well worth it if in some small way it helps those who are most marginalised and disadvantaged in our community.