EVOCA

Communications and Website News
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The metamorphosis of Denise – or what?
from Jeanette Shepherd
After volunteering for five weeks towards the end of last year as an advocacy assistant
working with ECCQ Policy & Advocacy Officer Fiona Caniglia I am now endeavouring to
be ECCQ’s new ‘Denise’, after ECCQ’s Web Manager & Librarian, Denise Turner,
accepted a job as librarian at Southbank TAFE. While we are all definitely sad to see
Denise leave, I am also excited at the opportunity to be working at ECCQ.
In my role as Communications Officer & Web Manager I am managing the e-bulletin and ECCQ website, while
also supporting Lalita Lakshmi with CAMS’ communications (website, e-newsletter, promotional material etc.)
and Fiona Caniglia in the area of advocacy.
I also hope to start a Master of Communication for Social Change (just need to be accepted now!), which will be
a great chance to use and develop these new concepts and skills in my work here at ECCQ.
And now a quick plug for the e-bulletin: if you don’t receive the e-bulletin but would like to, just send an email to
library@eccq.com.au or phone ECCQ to have your email address added to the list.
Jeanette Shepherd is ECCQ’s Communications Officer & Web Manager
Great outcome for ECCQ – Minister announces $274,230 grant for SECA program
On 22 December 2010, in a joint statement, Community Services Minister Karen Struthers and Multicultural
Affairs Minister Annastacia Palaszczuk said ECCQ would receive $274,230 over three years to continue the
Strengthening Ethnic Community Associations (SECA) program.
Ms Struthers said the program aimed to help key organisations train staff to get a better deal for Queensland's
ethnic communities.
"We're committed to creating a fairer Queensland for all Queenslanders," she said.
"That's why we've funded ECCQ with more than $90,000 a year for three years to continue to deliver their
Strengthening Ethnic Community Associations program.
"It will benefit ethnic community organisations across Queensland, helping them to access ongoing training and
skills development for their staff.
"ECCQ will also be taking on a no-wrong-door approach to help improve collaboration between government
agencies and non-government organisations to assist clients.
"Under the program, a greater number of ethnic community organisations can learn about dealing with government
departments and the non-government sector on a range of issues. I'm talking about issues like advice on
aged care, law and order, health, education and employment."
Ms Palaszczuk said the continued funding for the SECA program was a great outcome.
"The program has been a great success since it was established," she said.
"The State Government provided ECCQ with more than $240,000 in 2006 to get the program up and running
and it's gone from strength to strength since then.
"Since then, representatives from almost 170 organisations have attended 45 training workshops across
Queensland to develop important skills and knowledge.
"This is about creating a more inclusive Queensland where people from diverse backgrounds can access the
services and supports they need in their own communities."
News from Diversicare and Berlasco Court
For information on ECCQ’s Diversicare and Berlasco Court Caring Centre visit the following websites to
access their newsletters:
• Diversicare – www.diversicare.com.au and click on ‘Resources & Publications’ then click on Newsletters
to connect to MAS Newsletter.’
• Berlasco Court Caring Centre – www.berlascocourt.com and click on ‘Newsletters’ then click on
‘Berlasco Beacon.’
Evoca: Issue 157 - February/March 2011