1 Annual Report 2013 - 2014

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hard to ensure that as many of our members as possible are contacted throughout the year. We are finding now, that the average number of people being cared for by staff and volunteer per homicide, has risen to over 13, as more and more people realize that it is not just the family members who need our assistance, it is also friends, work colleagues and witnesses. In my 2012-2013 report, I mentioned that one of our main goals for last year was to grow our regional support networks. This has been achieved, so much so, that we saw 7 regional Memorial Services this year compared to three for the previous year. We also saw the numbers of members attending the Brisbane service increasing – with over 120 members at the service. We have developed a Support and Regional Development Committee, which has been chaired by very dedicated Board member, Scott Furlong, who meets every month with members of staff and regional members to continue to grow the peer support networks in the regions. Our next goal, which we have been working on in this very important job, is to develop our Volunteer Training in the regions by holding our first Volunteer Training Weekend in 2015 and develop team leader roles throughout more of the regional areas. This has already started with more peer support groups now operating in Mackay, Rockhampton, Cairns and Townsville. As you can appreciate, Queensland being the size it is, this is not an easy task and it can be costly. I take this opportunity to thank our funding body, Victims Assist Queensland (VAQ) (under Department of Justice and Attorney-General) for their extra support that continues to come in. Without this support, we would not have been able to place a permanent Family Support Coordinator in Far North Queensland or allocate more hours to our Brisbane staff to look after Central – North Queensland and regions closer to Brisbane. On that note, our staff continue to work very I take this opportunity to thank Paula Starmer (Senior Family Support Co-ordinator/South Eastern), Soraya Seklaoui (Central), Bernie Palings (Metropolitan Brisbane), Elaine Henderson (Southern) and Ellie Kelly (Northern) along with our regional team leaders for their continuing hard work. Keep up the great work! All Board and members are most appreciative and I can speak on behalf of the Board when I say that your efforts at the Awareness Days, Memorial Services and other fundraising events has not gone unnoticed and the events would not be as successful as they are with you and your team of dedicated volunteers. In early 2014, we said good-bye to Ann Robb who resigned from the position of Family Support Coordinator in Far North Qld and we thank her for her efforts in working with our members during her time in that role. We then welcomed Ellie Kelly into the role. Ellie worked with us in Brisbane several years ago and is based in Cairns and has been working tirelessly at making contact with as many of our members as possible and developing the support groups and volunteers in that vast area. Congratulations Ellie and welcome back! I also make special mention of our office support staff – Robin Christmas, our Finance Officer and Leanne Murfitt, our Volunteer/Trainer Coordinator, for their continued efforts in their very important roles. We also have many student volunteers who assist our staff with the very important task of keeping in regular contact with our members. As you can appreciate, there are so many people who we assist, that our staff cannot make contact with as many of our members as they would like in their limited hours. Our volunteers help share the load and are able to give that invaluable time and a listening ear to our members. 8 Annual Report 2013 - 2014
2014 also saw the commencement of our three new websites being developed. Board member Tracy Johnston and several of her colleagues got the ball rolling and the final development has been done by Joe Fox and the team from Studio Culture. Joe and his team have been working with us for approximately 18 months and are staunch supporters of our organisation and what we are aiming to achieve. Joe is a marketing-whizz and I encourage you to go to our new fantastic websites for QHVSG, OPCK and Daisy Chain Foundation. They are all connected, so follow this link for the main website – www.qhvsg.org.au and I’m certain you will be suitably impressed with the web sites. We will be able to share our loved ones stories, promote our awareness and education campaigns, advertise our events and sell tickets and merchandise online. 2014 also saw the start of our fundraising venturing in to the “Bunnings BBQ’s”. The Gold Coast group has hosted several BBQ’s raising much needed funds for the organisation. Well done Gold Coast crew. Police Commissioner Ian Stewart, and Police Minister, Jack Dempsey were amongst the many guest speakers who gave of their time for us. Ross Thompson represented us at the annual Police Memorial Day. Once again, as Ross reported, it was a solemn, yet memorable tribute to those police officers that have lost their lives in the line of duty. It is more than a privilege to attend this event each year, it is an honour to be invited to share this very special time with our Patron, the Queensland Police Commissioner, Ian Stewart and the many police officers and families. It is very fitting for us to attend, especially as the Queensland Police Service has always supported us by attending our Awareness Days, Memorial Services and our Annual General Meetings (AGM’s). I take this opportunity to thank, particularly the Commissioner and the members of the Homicide Squad, for their continued efforts in working with our families during their most fragile and traumatic time of their lives and for their commitment generally to our organisation over the last 20 years. AWARENESS DAY 2014 – another huge success with so many members of the public walking through King George Square, stopping, contemplating our shoe display and taking the time to listen to our many guest speakers including our Attorney-General, the Honourable Jarrod Bleije, who chose our forum to announce publicly the revocation of the old double jeopardy laws, so now, so many offenders who were found not guilty in the past, can be re-tried if new evidence allows it. During 2014, we also saw the introduction of the new ‘One Punch’ offence being put into legislation with a maximum sentence of 10 years. "Unlawful Attack occasioning death" Commissioner Ian Stewart, Debbie Lawler and Ross Thompson Our relationship with our stakeholders remains strong, and continues to grow and improve, particularly in regards to the Queensland Police Service, the Attorney-General’s department and Victim Assist Queensland. Police Minister, Jack Dempsey has been involved with us in many discussions regarding OPCK and continues to support us. We have also been working with the Queensland Education Department on the 9 Annual Report 2013 - 2014
Page 1 and 2: 1 Annual Report 2013 - 2014
Page 3 and 4: OUR PURPOSE • To provide Peer sup
Page 5 and 6: Table of Contents QHVSG Team Presid
Page 7: Foreword - President Debbie Lawler
Page 11 and 12: Established in 1995 … …since fi
Page 13 and 14: Those in Support Paula Starmer This
Page 15 and 16: Soraya Seklaoui Successful Awarenes
Page 17 and 18: Ellie Kelly provide practical and a
Page 19 and 20: Current Board of Management Debbie
Page 21 and 22: Court Support This has been a very
Page 23 and 24: Community Presentations This year,
Page 25 and 26: Our Valued Partners The work of the
Page 27 and 28: Financial Report, 2013/14 Robin Chr
Page 29 and 30: 29 Annual Report 2013 - 2014

1 Annual Report 2013 - 2014

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