Centacare Tasmania

Archdiocese of Hobart
Centacare Tasmania
Annual Report
2011 – 2012 Centacare
Tasmania

Bernie’s
Pad: I’m very
grateful I’ve a place to
come to and spend one-onone
with my child. I felt very
comfortable and at ease in
the shop.” Step dad
“residents,
who are on
fixed pensions, use the
home-grown produce to
cut down on household
budgets.” Brad, a resident at
Freesia Gardens
“No-one
else listened
to us before you
became our worker”
10 year old child
‘I have
learned to slow
down and think
before reacting’
CAB client
Contents
Archbishop Adrian Doyle’s report 3
Chair’s report 4
Board Members 5
Executive Director’s report 6
Organisational Structure 7
Strategic Goals 8
Centacare Tasmania Financial Summary 9
Celebrating 50 Years of Service – Archbishop Doyle
Children, Family and Community
10-11
Family and Relationship Counselling 12
Challenging Abusive Behaviours (CAB) 12
Specialised Family Violence Service 13
Family Support Program 13
Reunification (Pathway Home) Service 13
Humanitarian Settlement Service 13-14
Volunteers 15
Communities for Children 15
Family Law Services 16
Adoption Services 16
Clarendon Children’s Foundation 16
Employee Assistance Program
Housing and Homelessness
16
Private Rental Tenancy Support Service 17
AK Young Women’s Emergency Accommodation Service 18
Specialist Intervention Tenancy Service (STAY) 19
Centacare Transitional Support Service 20
Centacare Tasmania Community Housing Association
Education, Training and Employment
20
Family and Relationship Education and Skills Training 21
Rural Group Program 22
Settlement Grants Projects 23
Natural Family Planning 24
Family Life Education 24
Child Care Services 25
CAMEO Group 25
Childcare 26
Engaging Adolescents 26
Willson Training
Regional Services
26-27
North-West Coast, Circular Head
and West Coast Regional Services
28
Better Futures, Local Solutions 28
Northern Regional Services 29
Centacare Family Services...at a glance 30
Centacare Services 31
1

ifqu dahlgren
2
About Centacare
Services Tasmania
Mission
Centacare Tasmania is committed to Christian principles. We
will respond to individuals, families and the community by
providing services which will enhance human dignity and
freedom and enable people to realise their full potential.
Vision
Centacare Tasmania will continuously strive to be at the
forefront in the provision of welfare and human services in
Tasmania by:
The excellence and quality of our services
Our commitment to advancing the provision of welfare
services in accordance with Catholic principles
Our ability to actively respond to the needs of our
communities and clients, underpinning our work with sound
research and development
Our capacity to work collaboratively and strategically with
other agencies where there is a demonstrated mutual
benefit and which will deliver improved outcomes for clients.
Values
The values of Centacare Tasmania are based on Catholic Social
Teachings and give expression to the principles of Catholic
social justice embracing the following:
The dignity of each individual
We recognise the unique value of each individual.
Families
We recognise the inherent diversity of families, upholding
their value and dignity and giving support to each.
Community
We will work to promote a society that provides equitable
opportunities for all people, including those who are most
vulnerable.
Stakeholder participation
We are committed to developing meaningful relationships
with all parties. We will consult widely with our internal and
external stakeholders including clients, our communities,
staff, governments and other human service organisations.
We will promote mutual respect and collegiality.
Transparency and accountability
We will act at all times with integrity and with a commitment
to open and honest decision-making processes.
Staff
We recognise that our staff are our greatest asset. We are
committed to ensuring they are resourced and supported to
undertake their work and to perform to the highest possible
standards.

Archbishop’s report
Archbishop Adrian Doyle AM DD
In my travels around the State and meetings with people from
all walks of life, I am constantly reminded of the valuable work
undertaken daily by the staff of Centacare Tasmania.
Centacare has been offering a helping hand to Tasmanians for
more than 50 years, and is now spending around $13 million each
year to make life a little better for some 5,000 Tasmanians.
Centacare offers a broad range of assistance reaching communities
across Tasmania through its Family Services, Child Care Services,
Community Housing, Humanitarian Settlement, and Willson
Training programs.
Many of these services have been developed through productive
partnerships with Commonwealth, State and Local Governments.
With more people forced to reach out as they struggle with
the pressures of daily life, these collaborative partnerships are
increasingly the way forward.
Centacare is also working with partners like CatholicCare Victoria/
Tasmania, Clarendon Children’s Foundation, the Tasmanian
Community Fund, Tasmanian Catholic Education Office, Australian
Community Housing Ltd, Marist Youth Care, Relationships Australia,
The Salvation Army, Anglicare, Colony 47 and Communities for
Children to ensure help is available where it’s needed.
This means that Centacare continues to grow in accordance with its
Mission of enhancing human dignity and freedom, and enabling
people to realise their full potential.
But such achievements don’t
come without hard work from
Centacare’s 200 staff – all whom
deserve high recognition – as
well as our volunteers who are
so vital to the Humanitarian
Settlement Strategy.
I want to thank the Chair Ron
Ward and members of the
Centacare Advisory Board, the Executive Director, Tim Gourlay,
Director Family Services, Georgina McLagan, and their dedicated
staff for their ongoing service.
Centacare staff are from all walks of life, backgrounds and even
beliefs. But they all come together for one cause – to assist the
marginalised, disadvantaged and the vulnerable on a daily basis.
The services give many, including children, a voice, a direction and
often much needed assistance.
As the welfare arm of the Archdiocese of Hobart, Centacare is the
one Catholic agency established under Canon Law – being the
welfare arm of the incumbent Bishop. The core of the Catholic
Church is based around the family, and it is the family that is also at
the centre of Centacare’s services.
Thank you to everyone who has been a part of this great effort
for continuing to present the Mission of the Catholic Church in
Tasmania in such a compassionate and committed manner.
“The issues of homelessness and poverty remain ongoing in our society and Centacare sits at the forefront
of this challenge. However, to succeed in the provision of assistance requires a diverse, skilled team of
professionals with the knowledge, dedication and compassion to deliver Centacare’s values.” Archbishop Adrian Doyle
Volunteer with Archbishop Doyle.
L-R: Tim Gourlay, Archbishop Doyle, Ronnie Burns, Appin Hall Children’s Foundation, and Ron Ward – Centacare conference.
3

4
Chair’s report
Ron Ward
During the 2011-12 year the Advisory Board members focussed
on supporting the staff and management to deliver on the
agency’s Mission and in particular the strategic plan as well as
the supplementary elements of the plan that apply to the various
business streams. Of course the Board’s primary task is to provide
advice to the Archbishop on the effective management and
governance of the agency.
The past year saw the continuance of quality service delivery to the
clients and the community across all four primary business streams,
as well as significant improvement in the financial performance of
business units such as Child Care and Willson Training. Indeed the
agency’s overall financial performance last year went a long way to
offset difficulties experienced in the previous year and has placed
Centacare in a more sustainable position to meet future challenges.
This improvement in financial outcomes over the last two years
reflects the collective effort of many people, indeed too many to
mention, but the leadership of Executive Director Tim Gourlay
deserves particular acknowledgment.
Through our Family Services business stream ably led by Georgina
McLagan, which has long been the major component of Centacare,
we have continued to provide a wide range of family relationship
and community support services, including children’s counselling
“The past year saw the continuance of quality
service delivery to the clients and the community
across all four primary business streams.”
services across the state. Relationship breakdown, domestic
violence, unemployment, homelessness and poverty in our
communities demand a range of specialised programs and skilled
staff. Settlement programs and Humanitarian Settlement Services
supporting families and individuals under the Humanitarian
Settlement Strategy require experienced case workers, bi-cultural
workers and volunteers. In meeting these challenges Centacare
and specifically its Family Services people are highly regarded in
the welfare and social support space.
With its ongoing growth the Centacare Tasmania Community
Housing Association has positioned itself as a reliable and
strong provider of social and affordable housing. The move into
housing ownership and leasing as distinct from tenancy support
services - which Centacare Family Services has long provided -
has been a major component in enhancing the agency’s overall
financial sustainability in a climate where government at all levels
is tightening program funding. Community Housing operates
in a competitive environment and will need to continue to win
government tenders to maintain its growth profile.
The Child Care business unit experienced difficult development
pains in its first two years since the agency branched into this
service area, however it is pleasing to report it has gradually been
turned around and is now a viable service. Occupancy levels have
continued to be positive and the future is relatively bright in what is
a very demanding field of endeavour. This year has seen the rollout
Centacare Tasmania ANNUAL REPORT 2011 – 2012
of National Quality Framework
implementation in child
care, an integrated national
approach to the regulation and
quality assessment processes
including child to staff ratios,
educational qualification
requirements and the like.
And finally the fourth arm of
the agency, Willson Training, the agency’s long running Registered
Training Organisation has been dealing with multiple challenges
including the introduction of new regulations. Under the guidance
of senior managers, the Willson Training business model is being
reviewed and management is looking at ways of consolidating
services for the benefit of clients and employers to meet today’s
workplace needs.
There are any number of issues that stand to impact on the agency
into the future which will require competent management. For
example the impact of the Fair Work Australia Remuneration
Order which recognised that the community services sector
is undervalued and a Fair Work determination of 2.9 percent
salary increase came in to effect from 1 July 2012. The Federal
Government has flagged it will provide additional funding
supplementation to offset labour costs to organisations that
receive government funding and employ service delivery works by
management/supervisors and experienced specialist workers.
In January 2013 changes to Work Place Health and Safety Act
regulations take effect which will place additional demands on
staff and management. In general the compliance bar is being
consistently raised and with that, inevitably, come additional costs,
not all of which can always be recovered from program funding.
In such circumstances it becomes critical that Centacare has
alternative revenue streams or funding reserves to draw upon. The
alternative to such funding is a reduction in service, usually in an
environment of increasing and not decreasing demand.
Change has also been occurring in government policy whereby
more and more it only wants to deal with major players and in
some cases, national organisations. Centacare Tasmania has
taken steps to accommodate this change and has formed an
incorporated alliance with four of the agencies attached to
Melbourne dioceses, namely CatholicCare Victoria/Tasmania.
We register a special note of appreciation to the Clarendon
Children’s Foundation which gifted $500,000 to be applied to
increasing positive outcomes for children.
Lastly, I extend a vote of thanks to my fellow directors for their
support and in particular their generosity of time to assist
Centacare and in turn the Archbishop, in helping those in our
community most in need.

Board members
Ron Ward FAICD
Chair
Appointed to the Board in 2009 and Chair
since 2009, Ron is an experienced business
manager who has worked in a number of
industry sectors across Australia including
freight transport, passenger transport and
waste management. He is a director on
several commercial boards including Chair
of Metro Tasmania and a business consultant. Prior to that he was
the General Manager of Veolia Environmental Services.
Barry Donoghue
Appointed to the Board in 2007, Barry
had twenty years in the oil industry
attaining the position of District Manager.
A career switch to the insurance,
superannuation and finance industry led
to the commencement of the Tasmanian
franchise for RetireInvest financial planning
operation in 1984.
Serving on various sport and school Parents and Friends
committees including 12 years on the Board of St Mary’s College.
Tim Gourlay DipTeach, TTC, GradCertMgmt, MAICD
Appointed to the Board in November 2011,
Tim is the Executive Director of Centacare
Tasmania with the Archdiocese of Hobart.
He has extensive experience in asset
management and was Capital Works and
Planning Consultant with the Tasmania
Catholic Education Office prior to taking
up his position as Executive Director at
Centacare in April 2011.
as at 30 June 2012
David Harradine BComm
Appointed to the Board in December 2010,
David is a partner with the professional
advisory firm Deloitte in Hobart. David
has over 13 years’ experience in providing
accounting, audit and advisory services
broadly within the public and private
sectors in Tasmania.
David works closely with community
organisations and the not-for-profit sector and advises boards and
management on corporate governance, risk management and
internal control frameworks.
David graduated from UTAS with a Bachelor of Commerce, is
qualified as a Chartered Accountant and a Certified Internal Auditor
and is a member of the Risk Management Institute of Australasia.
He has been a director of a financial institution for more than
20 years and has held various positions on the Governance and
Remuneration Committees. Tim recently retired as Director and
Chair of the MyState Financial Community Foundation and as
director of MyState Financial and MyState Limited.
“Knowledgeable dedicated directors enhance the
Board’s capacity to provide support to the Executive
Director and his senior management team but most
importantly tender wise counsel and considered
recommendations to the Archbishop.” Chair Ron Ward
Ray Brown LLB FAICD
Deputy Chair
Appointed to the inaugural Centacare
Board in 1998, Ray was Chair in 2002
and a current Board member since
2010. Admitted to Legal Practise in 1976,
practising principally in commercial law
and as legal adviser to the Archdiocese, its
Agencies and several Orders, Ray retired as
senior partner of Page Seager Lawyers in
2008. Ray has also served on the Diocesan Finance Committee.
Ray has extensive corporate governance experience, formerly
Chair of Transend Networks Pty Ltd and currently Chair of Kemp &
Denning Limited and the Hazell Bros Group.
Ann Butterworth
Appointed to the Board in February
2009, Ann initially trained and worked
as a Radiotherapy Radiographer (MSR)
in England, Canada and USA, before
becoming a full time mother. Ann then
worked extensively in aged care and
Pastoral Care, where she gained a Diploma
of Pastoral Ministry (DPM).
In the past, Ann has held positions on Parish Councils and is
currently active in Parish Ministry in areas of visitation and
Eucharistic ministry.
Peter Cusick BComm, CPA, GAICD
Appointed to the Board in 2003, Peter
is the Business Manager of the Catholic
Archdiocese of Hobart. He is responsible
for the management and financial
overview of all Archdiocesan activities
including Archdiocesan property and
commercial activities.
From 1985 to 1994 Peter was the
Archdiocesan Accountant and from 1994 to 1998 he was the
Manager of the Catholic Development Fund before taking on the
role of Business Manager of the Catholic Archdiocese of Hobart.
Peter is a Trustee of the Roman Catholic Church Trust of the
Archdiocese of Hobart, Chair of the BlueLine Laundry Board and a
member of the Tasmanian Catholic Education Commission.
5

6
Executive Director’s report
Meeting the needs and the expectations of clients is central to our
work at Centacare and the importance of staying a client-centred
organisation was clearly brought home to me at a recent staff
planning day.
Increases in demand heightened by changing economic conditions
are having a real impact on family living standards in Tasmania. Add
state and federal government funding cuts to programs and our
capacity to deliver core family services to a broad cross-section of
the community is greatly impacted.
It would be disappointing to allow these pressures to dictate our
level and quality of service so I am heartened by the commitment
of staff to grow and develop our services and programs while
remaining optimistic with reduced funding and continuing to do
the very best for their clients.
This proven capacity to embrace change is a commendable quality
within management and staff, producing significant achievements
over this past year.
Centacare Tasmania ANNUAL REPORT 2011 – 2012
Tim Gourlay
Our wide range of family services has experienced
increased demand state-wide especially in the area
of family counselling.
Our wide range of family services has experienced increased
demand state-wide especially in the area of family counselling.
Housing and homelessness are core delivery areas and several
programs, including the STAY program operated in partnership
with the Australian Red Cross, addresses homelessness by
supporting clients to obtain shelter, maintaining their tenancy and
strengthening their ability to connect with family and community.
Our community housing portfolio has increased to 194
independent living units state-wide and we are making inroads in
becoming a reliable provider of affordable housing.
Centacare was successful in obtaining funds under the Federal
Government’s Supported Accommodation Innovation Fund to
build three independent living units in Devonport for Devonfield
Enterprises. Several other affordable housing projects supported
by Housing Tasmania and the Federal Government are on the
drawing board and will be completed in 2013.
Experienced case workers, bi-cultural workers and volunteers are
assisting refugees and humanitarian entrants –both individuals
and families – to settle in Tasmania and adjust to an Australian
way of life. As I see the friendships forming and the time spent
by staff ensuring young entrants 16 to 25 years of age are given
every opportunity to assimilate into the community, this federally
funded Humanitarian Settlement Service is successful way beyond
expectation.
Twelve primary schools have welcomed a partnership with
Centacare by offering Outside School Hours Care and vacation care
services to families and enrolments at all of our twelve child care
centres are continuing to grow. Next year we will offer occasional
care child care to help
families manage day to
day commitments.
Accessibility to education is
a key overarching theme of
Centacare’s current strategic
plan and Willson Training,
a Registered Training
Organisation, in delivering funded job seekers programs is making
a valuable contribution in educating and supporting participants
attain recognised employment skills and actively participate in
community and employment.
An alliance with four Victorian dioceses and the Archdiocese of
Hobart to form CatholicCare Victoria/Tasmania in 2011 has been
successful in its objective to tender in partnership for larger
Government contracts.
Centacare’s selection as host organisation to deliver the federal
government’s national project - Better Futures, Local Solutionswithin
the Burnie community demonstrates a great confidence in
Centacare’s capabilities.
Affordable Community Housing Alliance is a new company
established in December 2011 as a joint venture with Centacare
and Sydney organisations, Affordable Community Housing Limited
and Marist Youth Care. The alliance brings a wide range of skills to
community housing and increases our capability to provide more
affordable housing in Tasmania.
This year also had special significance as we celebrated Archbishop
Adrian Doyle’s 50 years in service to the Lord. We are privileged to
continue to receive his wisdom and guidance.
As we plan for 2013 and beyond we will continue to look for
innovative ways to deliver services to clients and for diversity
with income streams as we can no longer rely wholly on
government funding to meet the needs of the most vulnerable
in our community. We will foster our relationship with our current
service delivery partners and work at creating new alliances with
innovative partners to deliver on Centacare’s Mission.
In my second year at the helm, the Centacare Board have remained
generous in their support and guidance and I thank them, and in
particular Chair Ron Ward, for his encouragement and trust in my
ability. I also thank Board members for the enormous contribution
they make to Centacare.
I am also appreciative of the loyal and dedicated contribution
made by Business Manager of the Archdiocese, Peter Cusick, and
Georgina McLagan, Director of Family Services to Centacare and
the Archdiocese of Hobart and for assisting me to deliver the
Mission of the Catholic Church in Tasmania.
Finally, I extend my thanks to staff in helping to improve people’s
lives. It is their compassion, care and willingness to put clients’
needs before all else that Centacare delivers services way beyond
expectation and has the capacity to meet future challenges.

Organisational structure as at 30 June 2012
Manager
Willson Training
• 31 years as a
RTO
• State-wide
training
including retail,
community
and business
services, asset
maintenance
and work
practices
Diocesan Finance
Committee
Centacare Advisory Board
Manager
Child Care Services
• 12 Centres State
Wide
• Over 1014
students and
over 40 staff
• Supporting
Catholic
Mission and
enrolments
• Outside School
Hours Care
NORTH WEST
• Child Care Services – OSHC
• Specialist Intervention Tenancy
Service
• Men and Family Relationships
• Family Life Education
• Employee Assistance Program
• Family and Relationship Education
and Skills Training
• Private Rental Tenancy Support
Services
• Regional Family Dispute Resolution
• Post Separation Cooperative
Parenting Program
• Adoption Services
• Communities for Children
• Family Mediation
• Better Futures, Local Solutions
• Centacare Tasmania Community
Housing Association
• Willson Training
Manager
Community
Housing
• Over 194
properties
state wide
• Mix of
affordable, low
cost and social
housing
• Property, rental
and asset
management
services
Archbishop of Hobart
Executive Director
Centacare Tasmania
Regional Program Distribution
NORTH
• Child Care Services – OSHC
• Specialist Intervention Tenancy
Service
• Men and Family Relationships
• Personal and Family Counselling
• Challenging Abusive Behaviours
• Family Life Education
• Employee Assistance Program
• Settlement Support Program
• Family and Relationship Education
and Skills Training
• Transitional Support Services
• Silver Lining Adult Literacy
• Private Rental Tenancy Support
Services
• Family Support Services
• Adoption Services
• Centacare Tasmania Community
Housing Association
• Willson Training
State Manager
Housing Services
Settlement
Services
Regional Manager
North
Business Manager
Archdiocese of Hobart
Director Centacare
Family Services
Clinical
Supervisor
Counselling
Family Support
Services
Regional Manager
North West
SOUTH
• Child Care Services – OSHC
• Specialist Intervention Tenancy Service
• STITCH Program
• Rural Group Program
• Reunification (Pathway Home) Program
• Challenging Abusive Behaviours
• Employee Assistance Program
• Complex Case Support
• Settlement Support Program
• Specialist Family Violence Service
• Family and Relationship Education
and Skills Training
• Transitional Support Services
• Private Rental Tenancy Support Services
• Humanitarian Support Services
• Natural Family Planning
• Family Life Education
• Adoption Services
• Family and Relationship Counselling
• Children’s Counselling
• AK - Young Women’s Refuge
• Centacare Tasmania Community
Housing Association
• Willson Training
7

8
Strategic goals
Clients
Focus on meeting the needs of disadvantaged and marginalised
individuals, families and communities.
Sustainability in Business Practices Financial
Viability and Sustainability
Develop sustainable growth with an emphasis on financial viability.
Quality Assurance Accreditation and Governance
Obtain ISO 9001 quality accreditation.
Research and Development
Undertake appropriate and relevant research in respect to
informing and supporting core business activities and exploring
business development opportunities.
Alliances and Partnerships
Focus on existing alliances and partnerships and develop new
alliances and partnerships with established agencies and providers
to address opportunities for the benefit of clients, staff and key
stakeholders.
Key overarching themes
Brand Recognition
2011- 2014
Quality Assurance
Accreditation and
Governance
Alliances and
Partnerships
Centacare Tasmania ANNUAL REPORT 2011 – 2012
Clients
Sustainability in
Business Practices,
Financial Viability
and Sustainability
Access to
Education
Communication
Value internal and external communication in all forms to
communicate best practice models, activities and strategies.
Brand Recognition
Develop and maintain a recognisable presence within the
Tasmanian community through raising the profile of the
organisation.
Access to Education
Identify and develop targeted education opportunities within each
service delivery arm to enable clients to break the disadvantage
cycle.
Integrity
Work transparently with stakeholders to uphold Centacare’s values
and demonstrate services and activities are delivered in accordance
to policy and procedure.
Research and
Development
Communication
Integrity

Centacare Tasmania fi nancial summary
Income
Total Income
2012
State Government 4,948,271
Commonwealth
Government
2,981,567
Donations &
Fundraising
16,987
Investment 309,014
Other
444,634
Program/Contract 2,998,588
Rental
1,354,108
Training
635,728
Operational Expenses
Wages & Salaries Costs
Travel
Rental Property
Other
Motor Vehicle
Finance
Equipment
Program Support
Building
Administration Costs
2012
66%
1%
3%
1%
4%
4%
1%
8%
2%
10%
2011
4,189,633
2,736,628
63,064
282,109
236,145
2,241,104
711,118
607,946
13,688,897 11,067,747
2011
62%
1%
5%
2%
4%
4%
1%
6%
3%
12%
Total 100% 100%
for the year ended 30 June 2012
State Government
Commonwealth Government
Donations & Fundraising
Investment Income
Other
Program/Contract Income
Rental Income
Note this report is exclusive of unrealised movements in investment property values, fair value adjustments and transfers to and from reserves
Training Income
Wages & Salaries Costs
Travel Expenses
Rental Property Expenses
Other
Motor Vehicle Expenses
Finance Expenses
Equipment Expenses
Program Support
Building Expenses
Administration Costs
9

10
Archbishop Adrian Doyle AM DD
Celebrating 50 years of service to the Church
On December 20, 2011, His Grace Archbishop Adrian
Doyle, celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of his
Ordination and his five decades of service to the
Church in Tasmania.
In an interview for The Tasmanian Catholic, the
Archbishop spoke of receiving ‘the call’ to the
priesthood during his secondary schooling at St
Virgil’s. Considering a career as a lawyer, like his
father, Archbishop said that it was towards the end
of Year 12, he realised that he was being called in the
direction of the priesthood.
“The role of the priest was one which I was familiar with. I knew a
number of priests, particularly the one at the Cathedral Parish, and
of course through my years at St Virgil’s.”
“Therefore there was that familiarity with the role. In my final year,
two recently ordained priests, Fr Sheedy and Fr Kilby, came to the
school and their visit made an impression on me.”
Archbishop Doyle entered the seminary at Corpus Christi College
at Werribee in Victoria the following year. He had only been there
eighteen months – being in his second year and coping pretty well
with life in the College – when a unique opportunity arose.
At this time a letter arrived from Archbishop Guilford Young who
announced that he managed to obtain a position for a student in
Rome at the College Propaganda Fide and the young Adrian Doyle
was to be that student.
“It was very exciting but a bit bewildering as I had to say goodbye
to my family as I wouldn’t see them for some years,” Archbishop
Doyle said.
As his father had passed away, Archbishop Doyle saw the
opportunity to study in Rome as a big sacrifice on the part of his
mother, who had been approached by Archbishop Young for her
consent to this plan.
Student days, 1956.
A long way from home.
Sitting exams at the Collegio Propaganda Fide, Rome, 1957.
Ordination by Cardinal Agagianian, 1961.
Centacare Tasmania ANNUAL REPORT 2011 – 2012
Archbishop Doyle’s mother, Gertrude,
with (L-R) Moya, Brian and Adrian.
A time for celebration!
With his brother, Brian, and mother,
Gertrude, following the Ordination.
Young Adrian at three.
Archbishop Doyle’s father, Leo, with his children
(L-R) Moya, Adrian and Brian.
“It was interesting meeting students from all over the world,”
Archbishop said of his time at the College. The student population
was made up of one third African, one third Asian and one third
Anglo-Celtic plus others from the Middle East.
In the December of his sixth year, Fr Doyle was ordained as a priest
in the College Chapel by Cardinal Gregory Agagianian.
After discussions with Archbishop Young back in Hobart, it was
decided Archbishop Doyle, as a newly ordained priest, would stay
on for another three years to complete the course in Canon Law.
On returning to Tasmania after a nine-year absence, Fr Doyle
had been a priest for four years but didn’t have much pastoral
experience.
“My contemporaries, Graeme Howard, Bill Egan, Terry Southerwood
and John Williams had been on the road for a number of years. They
had experience in going to the schools and working with young
people – and I didn’t have this experience.”
Following the death of Archbishop Guilford Young in March 1988,
Archbishop Eric D’Arcy was appointed as the Archbishop of Hobart
in late 1988.
Archbishop D’Arcy commenced the Renew Program, appointing
Fr Doyle as the priest-director on a full-time basis to support the
program assisted by Sr Jill Dance.
After Renew, Fr Doyle oversaw the Marriage Tribunal
and worked with the Italian community before
eventually becoming the Vicar General.
On February 6, 1998, he was ordained as Co-adjutor
Archbishop and then as the 10th Archbishop of
Hobart July 26, 1999, following the resignation of
Archbishop D’Arcy and Archbishop Doyle has filled
the role for twelve years. He was the first Tasmanian
born Archbishop.
“We started a process called Call to Change, said
Archbishop Doyle when asked about the highlights
of his twelve years in office.
“While this began before I took over, it gave us
the blueprint for most of the structural changes we
needed to make in restructuring parishes.”
“It was a very landmark program but we had only
got Call To Change bedded down before the sexual
abuse issues emerged in a serious way.”

John Wall, His Holiness Pope John XXIII, Archbishop Guilford Young, and
Adrian Doyle, Rome, 1960.
Meeting with His Holiness, Pope John Paul II, Rome, 1998.
Archbishop Doyle admits he struggled to manage the sexual abuse
issues, the impact on his personal reputation and that of the Church
and the reaction that followed still weighs heavily upon him.
“I believe we eventually responded in a way which demonstrated
that the Church understood the suffering of the victims and finding
a way in assisting them to move forward.
“I had never had experience of these issues before and at the time
didn’t understand the long-lasting depth of pain suffered by the
victims – I sincerely regret that.”
In 2006, Archbishop Doyle was re-elected as a member of the
Permanent Committee of the ACBC and as Chair of the Bishop’s
ComMission for Caritas. In 2005 he was one of two representatives
of the ACBC at the Synod of Bishops held in Rome. Archbishop
Doyle has also represented the ACBC at regional gatherings of
Bishops in South Korea and Samoa.
Along with the Bishops of the Province of Melbourne, Archbishop
Doyle is a Trustee of Corpus Christi College, the Seminary for
Victoria and Tasmania.
He has led delegations of young Tasmanians attending World Youth
With former US Vice President Al Gore to sign a Memorandum of Understanding for Catholic
Earthcare, 2009.
Pastoral care – an enduring role for the Archbishop.
Ministering to Confirmation candidates, Wynyard, 2012.
As Chaplain to the Hobart Italian community, 1980.
Meeting with parishioners from the Archdiocese of
Onitsha, Nigeria, 2007.
Addressing mourners at Premier Jim Bacon’s
State Funeral, 2004.
Day celebrations in Toronto, Cologne, Sydney and, more recently,
Madrid.
In his time, Archbishop has also contended with a changing work
environment as the Church collectively has evolved into the largest
non-government employer in the State.
“When you become a Bishop, you don’t necessarily understand the
Church in these terms,” Archbishop Doyle said.
“Everything to do with the selection of employees, work conditions
and termination of employment has all gone to another level.
“Although the Church has emerged in a corporate sense, it is also
important that this is not the core business – which is still preaching
the Good News and spreading the name of Jesus.
“At the political level, I see the Church is very much underappreciated
and misunderstood for what it does in this State.
“Out in the parishes, I know there are difficulties including the
workload of the priests and we must be very mindful of this and
provide adequate and timely support when required.”
He sees some of these issues affecting the priests being the
adoption of the new Missal, financial accountability, risk
management and occupational health and safety.
As our Archbishop follows the path into retirement, it is his 50th
Anniversary of Ordination that was a highlight.
It is evident from the many events His Grace has attended that he
will be missed by many both within and outside the Tasmanian
Catholic community.
He is greatly respected by many including State and Federal
politicians from all sides.
And how does Archbishop see leaving the position?
“I’ll look back and know that I did give it my best and it is time to
give someone else a turn.”
11

12
Children, Family and Community
Family and Relationship Counselling
Centacare offers a comprehensive state-wide counselling service,
to individuals, couples, families and children. The program
promotes the well-being of the family and where possible we work
with the individual or family member to develop stronger, healthier
relationships. Where families are no longer able to live together,
separation and post-separation counselling is available and aims
to give support during this transition, to minimise conflict and to
assist parents to seek outcomes in the best interests of the children
involved. The program is funded by Families, Housing, Community
Services and Indigenous Affairs.
Children sit at the very heart of much of the work we do and this
year again has seen heavy referral numbers to our counselling
services. As a result, we have had to extend the areas in which we
Challenging Abusive
Behaviours
Centacare Tasmania ANNUAL REPORT 2011 – 2012
see children and have spent many enjoyable hours re-vamping the
rooms to make them more child – friendly and places where they
feel welcome and safe.
Children attend for a wide range of issues. These often include
parental separation, experiencing or witnessing family violence,
grief and loss, trauma, anxiety, behavioural difficulties, bullying and
school related issues. Prior to seeing children a parental interview
is required and ongoing parental involvement is an integral
part of this work. Counselling is provided in a way that supports
and encourages children to communicate their feelings and
experiences and this is achieved through offering a range of ageappropriate
expressive therapies.
Challenging Abusive Behaviours group program runs throughout the year and
provides an initial assessment, orientation and 20-week educational program for
men who have been aggressive or abusive towards their partners and have acted
in ways that have frightened and/or hurt their partners and children. It is for men
who want to take responsibility for their behaviour and learn more positive, safe
and respectful ways of relating in their families.

Specialised Family Violence Service
Specialised Family Violence Service is federally funded and offers
specialised individual assessment, counselling and group program
which covers the impact of family violence on all family members.
This service offers whole-of-family approach and offers participants
access to the Challenging Abusive Behaviours group program for
men who have been or are abusive in their families. Children are
Family Support Program
Following many changes within the program last year, the Family
Support Program and team have consistently worked hard
throughout the year to positive effect. Both the new programs:
Reunification (Pathway Home) and Rural Groups are now well
established and have provided families throughout southern
Tasmania opportunity to make positive changes in both the
parents and children’s lives. The program continues its focus
Reunifi cation (Pathway Home) Service
The Reunification team works with families whose children are in
alternate care arrangements through provisions under the Children,
Young Persons and Their Families Act 1997. The service provides a
range of integrated and intensive services for families undertaking
the reunification process. These include; brief intervention
counselling, group work, family life skills and parenting education
with the aim of supporting children and their families to achieve
their optimum level of safe and sustainable reconnection and
reunification.
Workers encourage parents to be self-sufficient, support them to
identify their options and make informed decisions, and support
referrals to other services as needed. Some of the supported
referrals and agencies that the team have worked in partnership
with during the past year have included:
Premature Baby Playgroup
Child Health Nurses
Equine Therapy
Launch into Learning programs
Support with material goods such as furniture
Humanitarian Settlement Service
The Humanitarian Settlement Service (HSS) program provides initial, intensive
settlement support to humanitarian entrants when they first arrive in Australia or
when they are granted a Protection Visa from within Australia.
HSS is funded by the Australian Government and administered through the
Department of Immigration and Citizenship. Centacare Tasmania is the HSS service
provider in southern Tasmania. We provide services that are designed to equip new
humanitarian entrants with the skills and knowledge they need to settle successfully in
Australia.
supported in accessing the children’s counselling services and
group program to deal with their experience of family violence. A
case management approach is used to monitor and ensure best
practice is maintained with due regard to the safety of women and
children.
of working within a family-centred, child focussed framework,
working creatively alongside parents and children who participate
in both services. All team members actively seek and participate
in professional development opportunities, ensuring that they
are well versed on new and emerging trends and training to best
support parents and children.
Child and Family Centres
Housing Support and Emergency Shelter accommodation
services
Dad’s Play Group
Disability Support Services
Counselling Services
Drug and Alcohol Services
Hobart Women’s Centre
The service has now been operational for 16 months and within the
past year the team has supported 23 families. The team members
have a range of skills and tools to assist
them in delivering the best possible
support to the families who are
referred to the service.
“We are
really glad to have
your support, we have
been asking for support with
parenting for such a long time
so I am glad that we will finally
have someone to
help us” (a mum)
13

14
The Humanitarian Settlement Service program cont’d
“Our goal is “capacity building; building clients’
confi dence and ability to participate economically
and socially in the wider Australian community”
(Department of Immigration and Citizenship)
FrankKeillor
Entrants are supported for a period of between six and twelve
months using a case management model and an assessment
process is used to provide individual needs-based support.
The program delivers several key services:
Case Management – All clients are allocated a caseworker. After
arranging initial reception and accommodation needs, caseworkers
coordinate access to the services their clients need and are entitled
to. Together with bi-cultural workers, caseworkers help link new
clients with local cultural communities and provide ongoing
support throughout their time with the program.
Accommodation – As well as providing on-arrival accommodation,
we assist clients to access secure, stable, and affordable longer
term accommodation – usually in the private rental market. When
moving to long term accommodation, they are provided with a
package of basic household goods to establish themselves in their
new home.
Orientation – Orientation is the central component of the HSS
program. It is designed to help all clients gain the key competencies
they need to settle successfully in Australia. Orientation is provided
in both practical day-to-day settings and in regular workshops with
particular focus on:
finding services and accessing information
making an appointment
transport
money management
tenancy
employment and education
Australian law
Volunteer Support – Volunteers play a vital role in providing both
social and practical support and are assigned to all new clients.
When clients have the confidence and ability to participate
economically and socially in the wider community, the Settlement
Grants Program provides more targeted services on a longer term
basis.
Centacare Tasmania ANNUAL REPORT 2011 – 2012
Aisha’s story
Originally from Afghanistan, Aisha * and her four children
arrived in Hobart in 2009. They had spent several years in Iran
and Pakistan before being granted the ‘Woman at Risk Visa”
(subclass 204) that provided them with access to Australia.
Tragically, Aisha’s husband had died during their time as a
refugees and the family arrived in Hobart with no known
support. Aisha felt isolated, lonely, and daunted by the many
challenges faced during the re-settlement process. Despite
having steered the family along the complex and arduous path
from refugee to new humanitarian entrant, she now lacked the
confidence to keep leading them through the process that lay
ahead. The family considered moving interstate to find a larger
Afghan community which they hoped would ease their feelings
of isolation. Thankfully, members of the small but close local
Afghan community started to lend their support and the family
stayed put. But it was the ability of her daughter to step into
a household leadership role that really helped Aisha and her
family to move forward in those difficult early months. It was a
challenging time for both mother and daughter as their roles
changed, but the family stuck together and Aisha found the
time and space she needed to recoup her strength and rebuild
her confidence.
Many things changed after those early months. For years Aisha
has suffered from a variety of health issues. Before arriving in
Australia she struggled to pay for necessary treatment – having
to borrow money if treatment became urgent. While Aisha
still suffers from health problems, she is now receiving regular
treatment without having ng to
risk the family’s well-being ng to
pay for it. Her oldest daughter ughter
is now married (although h
her husband is still in Iran) n)
and the younger children n
all attend school. The two wo
younger daughters have e
settled well, being happy y at
school and now speaking g English.
Aisha has made many friends iends in the
community which has helped elped her
to feel more settled. She e is a regular
member of the Centacare re STITCH sewing
group, she attends English sh classes classes and
despite finding the learning ning hard, she
is persevering and progressing ressing well. well.
Aisha now demonstrates s increased
confidence and independence, ndence,
accessing many services
independently.
Challenges still lie ahead d for Aisha
and her family, especially y the process
involved in applying for other family
members to come and share hare in their
new Australian life but, thanks to their
resourcefulness and their ir community’s
support, the family is now w better placed
to meet those challenges. es.
* Asia not her real name
Emily Bluestar

Volunteers
The work of Centacare’s Humanitarian Settlement Services is
supported by a pool of dedicated and trained volunteers. We are
blessed to have 122 volunteers who offer assistance with every
aspect of new entrants’ settlement and create a warm entry into
Australian society.
Volunteers prepare on-arrival accommodation, greet humanitarian
entrants at the airport, assist in their orientation to Hobart, and
show entrants how to catch the bus, use an ATM, shop, and help
them get to and from the initial appointments. In addition to assisting with our core settlement role our volunteers
also offer numerous complementary services. Volunteers assist
with youth programs, source and refurbish quality computers
for our clients, facilitate social outings and events, maintain an
extensive communal food garden and acquire seized bicycles
released from the Glenorchy police station.
ommunities for Children
The Communities for Children initiative is supported by the
Australian Government under the Family Support Program of
Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs.
Centacare is the facilitating partner for the Burnie Communities for
Children initiative.
In this role Centacare drives and manages a community
development approach to improve outcomes for less advantaged
families with children 0 -12 years within the local community.
A range of services are provided by a variety of local organisations.
We also provide group-based programs for young mums and
young dads.
All programs are branded by our life size icon Bernie the Blue
Tongue Lizard, Bernie’s Pad in the Plaza and Bernie on Wheels.
Bernie has become the community symbol for Communities for
Children keeping the key messages about the importance of family
interaction in the foreground for families.
Bernie’s Pad is a shop front where parents can drop in with their
children and get information, simply play with their kids using the
many resources in the shop front or have a chat with the shop front
staff. Similarly, Bernie on Wheels outreaches to neighbourhoods
and various community events. All together they provide a non–
threatening point for families to information and access to services
and programs in partnership with Burnie City Council.
“Volunteers prepare on-arrival accommodation,
greet humanitarian entrants at the airport, assist in
their orientation to Hobart, and show entrants how to
catch the bus, use an ATM, shop, and help them get
to and from the initial appointments.“
All of our volunteers receive training. This year we have held two
training sessions for 25 new recruits and utilised the experience of
long term volunteers to act as mentors.
Our volunteers are a great asset to our program and organisation
and greatly expand the realm of the services we can offer to
humanitarian entrants. Centacare regularly recognises the
contribution of our volunteers in various ways and several of
our volunteers have also been nominated for recognition at
ceremonies held at Hobart and Glenorchy City Councils.
“Bernie’s Pad staff are warm and friendly, now I
am able to get some one-on-one time with my
granddaughter with great activities, books and
educational toys. We are now regular visitors.”
A fi rst time grandmother with her young granddaughter is now a regular visitor to Bernie’s Pad.
15

16
Family Law Services
“There is nothing more satisfying than walking out of a mediation knowing that the two parents have entered
mediation in good faith and that the agreements that they have made are in their children’s best interests are
going to guide them to effectively co-parent from separate households.”Rebecca Mitchell-Smith, Accreditation Mediator
Centacare North West Tasmania is the largest provider of mediation
services on the North West Coast. We pride ourselves in being able
to offer a supported and holistic approach to family separation. We
sit on the Family Law Pathways Network to keep up with legislation
and what’s happening in the Family Law community on the coast.
With minimal wait times and five accredited mediators on board
and another two in the process of training, we believe we provide
the best Family Dispute Resolution service on the North West Coast.
Adoption Services
The Catholic Private Adoption Agency offers a state-wide service
to all parties to adoption, which includes relinquishing parents,
adoptive parents and adoptees.
Parents considering the adoption option for their child are assisted
to consider all options and sources of support. This may include
an adoption plan, but more often will lead to support to parent
their child. The Agency deals only with the adoption of Tasmanian
children and is represented on the State Government Inter-country
Adoption Consultative Committee.
Clarendon Children’s Foundation
In February 2012, Clarendon Children’s Foundation gifted
Centacare $500,000 to be used towards increasing positive
outcomes for children who use Centacare services.
This generous gift has been used to develop and facilitate two
12-month pilot projects - Rural Group (North) and a ‘Front End’ to
the Reunification program. An art project for children in alternate
care arrangements is also funded.
Rural Group (North) will be based on the same model as the Rural
Group (South). It will reach into rural communities in north eastern
Tasmania to facilitate Triple P Positive Parenting Programs.
Like its southern counterpart, groups will be run in partnership
with local schools or community centres, providing parents
the opportunity to participate in local groups. It is hoped that
these groups will also provide the opportunity for parents
who participate to expand their social and support networks.
Participants of the northern Rural Groups will also be able to access
the Facebook page.
The ‘Front End’ to the reunification program will support
those parents whose children have just entered alternate care
arrangements, prior to reunification being considered. The service
will consist of a rolling program, enabling parents to join at any
stage without waiting for any specific intake date.
Centacare Tasmania ANNUAL REPORT 2011 – 2012
Our aim is to facilitate parents to work out how they will parent
their children with the focus being on the children’s best interests.
In addition to our mediation process we are able to offer a range of
services such as counselling and child consultancies to separated
families so that they are better equipped to make the most of
mediation and stay focussed on the children’s needs and rights.
Several women throughout the state have been assisted through
the difficult decision-making process of planning for life after
the delivery of their child, and in each case they have chosen to
maintain the care of their infant. The Agency makes every effort to
ensure that they receive all appropriate care and support.
Through the Adoption Information Search service, the Agency has
provided information and linkage for relinquishing parents and
adoptees. This process requires great care and sensitivity, and supports
are offered to all parties during and after linkages have taken place.
The program will be structured
around eight life domains, to support
and assist parents in acknowledging
and addressing those issues which
resulted in their children having to
enter alternate care arrangements.
It is anticipated that participation
in the program will aid assessment
and demonstrate change for parents participating in the various
groups. Completion of units within the program and on-going
assessment throughout participation will aid Child Protection
Services’ Reunification Readiness assessments and hopefully
minimise the timeframes between children entering care and
reunification being considered. There will also be a small outreach
and case management aspect to the program to assist and support
parents in accessing appropriate support services.
Employee Assistance Program
We continued to provide counselling to staff from a wide range
of work sites and during the last year have again experienced a
marked increase in the number of referrals to this program.

Housing and Homelessness
Centacare recognises the importance of safe, stable, secure and
affordable accommodation providing support to those in need
through our housing and homelessness services. Homelessness is
a growing concern in Australia, Tasmanian Homelessness services
reporting alarming increases of people who are homeless or who
are at risk of homelessness. Which way home? A new approach to
homelessness (2008) reports that each night, 100,000 Australians
are homeless, the Australian Bureau of Statistics from the 2006
Census (AIHW: 2009) reporting approximately 2,507 people were
homeless in Tasmania, a rate of 52.6 homeless people per 10,000.
Centacare programs for those who are homeless, at risk of
homelessness or in housing stress continue to be in high demand.
Private Rental Tenancy Support Service
Private Rental Tenancy Support Service (PRTSS) is an initiative
of Housing Tasmania’s affordable housing strategy stage one,
specifically funded to work with tenants renting in the private
rental market who may be at risk of homelessness due to eviction.
The program has an educational approach and endeavours to
assist, support and educate tenants to better maintain their
tenancies into the future. Workers conduct tenancy training
sessions across the state, with regular training sessions in the south
and north regions which are provided for Humanitarian entrants,
Specialist Homeless Services, school students and community
centre groups and Neighbourhood houses.
Private Rental Tenancy Support Service receives referrals from and
has developed excellent working relationships with other Non
Government Organisations, government and private businesses
including many real estate agents across the state. Over the last
two years self-referrals have increased up to 50 percent of new
households each month, many of these having been informed of
the service through friends or family thus demonstrating positive
feedback from clients through word of mouth referral from client
to client.
This is a reflection of the difficult times many of those within our
community are facing. Many clients having difficulty entering
into the private rental market and are forced to rent substandard
dwellings due to the lack of options available to them. Many of our
clients who are able to secure private accommodation options are
finding themselves in severe housing stress, with many paying well
over 50 percent of their income in rent. Although there has been
some easing of the private rental market this is primarily at the
higher end of the market with the lower rental options remaining
outside of affordability for our clients.
Trends and issues
Increase in clients accessing service for the 2011 – 2012 period.
145 percent increase in clients requesting support in southern
Tasmania.
Increase in clients accessing service due to financial hardship,
increased essential services and living costs (e.g. power and food
items).
Increase in first time service user cohort with 80 percent of
PRTSS clients each month having never contacted the service
previously (staggering given 1700 households assisted this
financial year).
Adapt service delivery within existing resources to meet increase
in client demand.
Program developments
PRTSS North-West commenced operating from the Centrelink
Building one half day per week.
PRTSS North commenced working one day per fortnight from
Georgetown Community Health Centre.
PRTSS South, managed the significant increase in new client
intakes without the requirement of a waiting list for support.
“My situation before PRTSS was extremely dire because where I had options before, the doors all seemed
to be closed, and I was feeling real desperate. Having contacted a PRTSS worker was the best thing I could
have done, the worker didn’t give up on the situation, where I had. Because of their support I am in a much
better place, and I have hope for the situation. It is great to have the right people to contact.” (Single male)
17

18
AK Young Women’s Emergency Accommodation Service
AK Young Women’s Emergency Accommodation Service has been
a program within Centacare Tasmania’s Housing Programs for the
past three years. During this time, AK has supported hundreds of
young women aged 13-20 years experiencing homelessness.
Throughout 2011-2012, AK have consistently maintained a
supportive and therapeutic approach to engaging with all clients,
focusing on the client as an individual, and ensuring all practices
used are from a strengths based perspective and utilising a client
centred approach.
Crisis response case planning for each young woman’s physical,
emotional and mental health needs, education, work and training
and family and relationship support are just some of the critical
areas requiring an immediate response by workers to ensure
stability, whilst maintaining focus on the individual client outcome
for stable and secure accommodation into their future.
AK has been fortunate to obtain the support of both internal and
external services to provide weekly activity sessions, offering
education and support for relevant or pressing issues such as self
harm, sexual health, self care and self protection techniques as
identified by individual clients.
Throughout the year, clients have been involved in structured
therapeutic art activities and self care programs, which have been
utilised as a strategy to support both their emotional and physical
AK Weekly Art
Activities with
Local Artist
The young women of AK have
been participating in weekly
art sessions with local artist
Di Reynoldson for the past 12
months.
Over this time it has been
identified by Di, staff at AK
and clients that the art works
created should be shared
with the wider community
by way of a public exhibition
highlighting homelessness
within the community and
bringing about a greater
awareness of the needs
of such vulnerable young
women.
Art works for ‘WHOLESUM’
Preparing an Art Exhibition
for Homelessness Week 2013.
Centacare Ce Cen Ce Cen Ce Cen CCen C Ce en n tac ta tac ttacare a ac car
are ar are aare ar are ar are aare re r e Ta Tasm Tasmania sm sma sm sma sm sma sm sma sm sma sm sma ma mania nia ni nia ni nia n ia iia
i ia ANN ANNUAL NN NNU NN NNU NN NNU NN NNU NU N NNU
N AL RE REP RE REP RE REP RE REP RE REP RE REP REPORT EP E EP EPORT ORT OR ORT OR ORT OR O ORT OR O R RT RRT
R RT T 20 2011
11 –2 – –2 – –2 – –2 –201 – 2
2 22012
01 012 01 012 01 012 01 012 01 1 12 1 12 112
1
... integral part of maintaining a welcoming and
nurturing environment for every young woman...
health and to offer the young women a feeling of self worth,
personal empowerment and self respect.
Accommodation outcomes for the young women of AK are
planned and intensively case managed to support a client
focussed plan into either transition accommodation, options for
independent living supported or unsupported or transitional plans
for reuniting with immediate or extended family.
AK have worked closely with Child Protection over the past three
years ensuring that current Child Protection Care Plans are followed
and supported, and individual AK support plans are developed
to assist those who are ‘age-ready’ to transition into independent
living.
AK has been extremely fortunate over the past year to have
secured long term support from external organisations who donate
to the service on a regular basis. This support and dedication of
businesses, individuals and organisations Australia-wide have
formed an integral part of maintaining a welcoming and nurturing
environment for every young woman who accesses AK.

Specialist Intervention
Tenancy Service (STAY)
The STAY program is an intensive housing support program for
high and complex needs clients referred from five key stakeholders
which are: Tasmanian Department of Justice including the
Tasmanian Prison Service; Community Corrections and court
mandated drug or mental health diversion programs; Department
of Child Youth and Family Services including Child Protection and
Youth Justice; Specialist Homelessness Services including women’s
shelters, men’s boarding houses and transitional and emergency
support services; Housing Tasmania and Mental Health services
including Adult Community Mental Health services, residential
rehabilitation services and Departments of Psychiatric Medicine
and Forensic Mental Health.
Centacare Tasmania and Australian Red Cross are partners in
the program with STAY teams based in Centacare offices in
Hobart and Launceston and the Red Cross office in Burnie. The
program consists of four multi-discipline teams of social workers;
psychologists and experienced workers from several fields
including education, health, adult education, vocational training,
mental health, drug and alcohol. There is one Red Cross employee
in all the STAY teams and they are completely integrated into
the program not only sharing the offices and facilities but also
participating in all training and other team activities.
The high and complex needs clients are assessed using a bio/
psycho/social assessment tool to ascertain their suitability for the
program and level of need and then are matched with a property
supplied from Housing Tasmania through the Same House
Different Landlord program which manage the properties. The
STAY workers then provide intensive case management support
in the form of at least weekly home visits especially in the initial
stages of the two year program of support.
The intensive support can take several forms and is tailored to the
individual needs of the client with the aim to build a therapeutic
relationship which is key to future client outcomes and targeted to
a client’s specific needs.
The first intake of clients are approaching the end of their time with
the program and will be transferred to Housing Tasmania leases
and the second round of clients will start to be allocated properties
as the first round is transferred.
Trends
Need for food assistance due to high living costs particularly for
clients receiving Youth Allowance or New Start allowances.
Significant debt with rental companies particularly with
disability or low cognitive functioning.
“... the ability for clients to return to their home
instead of once again becoming homeless has
enabled them, often for the fi rst time, to plan for the
future.” Centacare STAY worker
Nicky’s story
Reaching 21 years of
age, Nicky achieved a
real milestone – as she
wasn’t expected to
reach this age.
Diagnosed with
anorexia and
depression, the young
lady from Legana
was constantly
hospitalised, facing
each day without
much hope.
This was until Nicky
entered the STAY Program, a specialist intervention tenancy
support program run by Centacare Tasmania in partnership with
the Australian Red Cross for homeless people or people at risk of
homelessness.
“As the program is aimed at clients with high and complex
needs, referrals only accepted through Mental Health Services,
Department of Justice, Housing Tasmania, Department Youth,
Children and Family Services and Special Homelessness Services,”
said STAY Launceston worker, Sarah.
The program, which operates out of Centacare offices in Hobart,
Launceston and Burnie, supports the clients for up to two years,
with the aim of enabling clients to gain the skills needed to
maintain a tenancy long term.
For Nicky, the first step was finding better accommodation – her
initial unit being “cold, mouldy and dark.”
“I was very sick and depressed as well as being stuck in this house. I
had to take Vitamin D tablets,” said Nicky, who was one of the initial
clients to enter STAY.
Now in a new two bedroom unit, Nicky has found renewed
motivation in life and the positive change is evident on her face.
“Everything in the unit is new and bright. As the sun comes in all the
time, I am no longer on Vitamin D.”
Having just received another 12 month lease, Nicky established a
vegetable garden – harvesting strawberries and vegetables. Her
constant companion is a golden Labrador called Teddy. Earlier this
year, she found herself three months work at a local orchard – a first
step into the workplace.
“From where I was, I wasn’t looking after myself but I really am now
and the bad days are getting less and less.”
Sarah says Nicky has become more and more independent and is
making the most of the opportunities which come her way.
“She is ready to make these changes and improve her quality of life,
accepting that things aren’t perfect and she has built strategies and
healthy coping mechanisms for managing more difficult situations.”
Sarah has witnessed a remarkable change in this young woman
from being extremely thin, unable to walk up stairs or put sentences
together to now being focussed on a positive future.
19

20
Centacare Transitional Support Service
Centacare Transitional Support Service (CTSS) has been operating
since 2001 in the north and south of the state. In the south
CTSS works with women and children living in emergency
accommodation. In the north CTSS works with both males and
females with or without children in emergency accommodation.
Referrals only come from emergency accommodation with
capacity for a minimal amount of referrals from community
services. CTSS, along with all Specialist Housing Services, has
been reviewed by the Department with a new service delivery in
mind. CTSS statewide maintains excellent protocols and networks
with the referral agencies and believes this to be a strength in any
tendering process for case management/case work and support to
target group.
During the past year Centacare have been asked by Housing
Tasmania to assist in supporting families in public rental houses
that have a history of unacceptable neighborhood issues, culturally
and linguistically diverse women leaving violence with no income,
and situations where the family is about to be evicted from public
housing, CTSS have been able to work with the family using a
Centacare Tasmania Community Housing Association
The past 12 months has seen Centacare Tasmania Community
Housing grow from 161 units to 194 with a further 55 to be built by
the end of 2013.
Centacare Tasmania Community Housing has had two significant
tenders this year. The first being the Devon Districts Co-operative
Housing Society; this involved the transfer of 28 houses and a vacant
parcel of land to Centacare. Centacare has now gained a foothold
in an area where we previously had no accommodation. This has
enhanced our statewide housing portfolio. The other was the North
West Land Release which included a cash incentive towards building
and land in Wynyard and Ulverstone. Centacare will start building in 2013.
Centacare Tasmania Community Housing has entered into a
community based joint venture with Coal River Valley Sustainable
Living Group (CRVSLG) and Richmond Primary School, creating a
community garden around the old orchard on site. The Richmond
Centacare Tasmania ANNUAL REPORT 2011 – 2012
case management model and have been able to obtain positive
outcomes for the client and Housing Tasmania.
Trends
There has been a slight increase of referrals this year compared to
last, however there is a remarkable rise in the number of clients
with high and complex needs. More clients are presenting with
mental health illness and/or Child Protection orders, the latter
may align with Safe At Home, where Child Protection are notified
when police attend family violence incidents.
There is also a noted trend in referrals from women over 50.
Increase in requirement for food assistance due to personal debt
and increased living costs.
Small increase in clients accessing public or community housing
and private rental.
Increase in clients presenting with a history of child abuse or
having experienced domestic violence.
Clients requiring family support, refusing referral to gateway
services due to fear of child protection involvement.
Community Food Garden project is also supported by Clarence City
Council’s Community Grants Program. The children from the school
attend the garden twice a week supported by members of CRVSLG,
teachers and tenants from Centacare units.
Every tenant has a life story either couch surfing, living in
overcrowded accommodation, being homeless or just finding the
private rental market too expensive and not prepared to give people
doing it tough a chance.
Over the past 12 months we have met and helped many interesting
people and have been a lifeline for some.
Every tenant has a life story either couch surfi ng, living
in overcrowded accommodation, being homeless or
just fi nding the private rental market too expensive ...
Gardens Help Communities Grow
Manager Lynne Lowry
For the residents of two housing complexes in
Kingston, the establishment of raised garden beds has
given them a fresh meeting place.
Centacare Tasmania’s community housing sites in
Freesia Gardens and Balmoral Road were recently
provided with the specially manufactured garden
beds.
It was decided that this project was a good way for
new tenants to come together, especially the elderly

Education Training and Employment
Family and Relationship Education and Skills Training
Family and Relationship Education and Skills Training provides a
variety of relationship skills and education programs for individuals,
couples and families. This program is based on identified client
and community needs to enhance individuals, couples and
families’ experience of life by building on strengths and providing
information to develop skills within a group learning framework.
Centacare provides two types of relationship program for couples
preparing to marry:
FOCCUS Pre-Marriage Inventory
Weekend Group Programs
While both programs allow couples to reflect on their relationship
and learn skills to assist them in their marriage, FOCCUS is for
individual couples only and the weekend group program allows
couples to work in a small group of between 4-8 couples. By
participating in the FOCCUS program, couples are encouraged to
reflect on and discuss the strengths and areas of growth within
their relationship in a safe environment. Pre-marriage weekends
allow couples to learn about topics such as; parenting, problem
solving, communication, love and intimacy, sexuality and family
planning, stress and money and marriage.
Humour workshop
and the project certainly has achieved this
result.
At both sites, the residents enjoy planting
and weeding their own patch – with several
residents sharing each raised garden bed.
The residents look after the gardens, growing
their own preference of vegetables.
Brad, a resident at Freesia Gardens agrees
residents, who are on fixed pensions, use
New initiatives
the home-grown produce to cut down on
household budgets.
At Balmoral Road, each unit block has its own
garden and there seems to be a competitive
air about who can grow the best veggies.
Margaret has been in this complex for around
six months and loves the community garden.
“I have always had a garden, except when I
have been travelling. But the garden gives us
Over the past year we have
developed new co-operative
working relationships and
partnerships with other
service providers.
Relationships Australia
invited us to be part of
a pilot project, funded
by the Attorney
Generals Department,
in Co-operative Family
Dispute Resolution
for separated parents
where there has been
family violence. In the
North the Legal Aid Service
has asked us to provide Child
Consultancy in some of their
Family Dispute Mediation cases.
In addition referrals to our Employment
... couples
are encouraged
to reflect on and
discuss the strengths and
areas of growth within
their relationship in a
safe environment.
Assistance Program have increased with new employers enquiring
about this service.
Group programs held throughout the state this year include:
Real Women’s Group
Challenging Abusive Behaviours
Family Trees and Family Forests Step Family Group
1,2,3 Magic Parenting Programs
Kids’ Express
Walking Alone Living well with Loss
Humour for Health
Parent Effectiveness Training
Positive Ageing
Engaging Adolescents Parenting Group
Pre-Marriage Education
that community focus and I now feel like I’ve
been here for ages. ” said Margaret.
Centacare Tasmania recognises that many
people want to grow their own produce and
cut down on their budgets through sharing
the harvest and we will be reviewing our
clients’ sites across Tasmania and where
possible we’ll look at establishing more
community gardens.
21

22
“..I loved it. It
was great and I would
love for the course to
happen again...”
“Other people
have noticed a
difference in our children’s
behaviour...my husband
and I are much more
relaxed ...”
A Facebook
page has also been
developed and is online to
provide handy tips of the week,
links to sites of interest and
information about upcoming
events and groups.
Centacare Tasmania ANNUAL REPORT 2011 – 2012
“...my husband
and I were looking
for something to give us
a common ground (when it
came to parenting)...we are
now both on the same
page...”
Rural Group Program
The Rural Group program has also been operational in the south of the state
for 16 months. In the past 12 months it has reached into five communities,
providing opportunity for parents to participate in Triple P positive
parenting programs. Groups have been facilitated in Margate, Bothwell,
Ouse, Westerway and Nubeena. Each group runs for eight weeks, with three
month and six month follow-up and refreshers provided. Thirty-six parents
have attended groups across the five communities; with groups being run in
partnership with local schools or community social workers, acknowledging
the connections these local people have to the parents and community. It
should also be acknowledged that the groups would not be able to go ahead
without local support and we thank those people in the communities for
their on going support and enthusiasm.
This program is funded through a grant provided by Clarendon Children’s
Foundation. The funding will maintain the program until 2014.
“... you said
that you were not
about telling parents what
to do but giving tools and
strategies for the parent
toolbox...you were true
to your word.”
“...it helped
me mainly realise
I’m not the only person
going through this
situation...”

Settlement Grants Projects
The Settlement Grants Projects (SGP) delivered good quality client
focussed services to emerging communities and humanitarian
entrants in Hobart and Launceston achieving excellent outcomes.
The main cultural groups assisted through the Humanitarian
Settlement Service are Bhutanese, Nepalese and Burmese, including
Ethiopian, Congolese, Oromo, Burundian and Sudanese.
Achievements
In the south
100 clients were assisted with case management.
66 STITCH sessions were delivered throughout the year to 874
women.
STITCH is a life-skills sewing and craft group for new entrant women
with a focus on reducing social isolation, acquiring life skills and
accessing mainstream services.
In the north and south
151 clients with housing, tenancy and financial needs were assisted
in the southern and northern regions.
Information and education workshops requested by clients were
delivered by SGP on: levels of government, National Census, scams,
The Mercury Photographer, Sam Rosewarne
safety on the streets, oral health, Translating and Interpreting Service,
how to make funeral arrangements, Child Protection, budgeting,
tenancy issues, breast and cervical cancer, Justice, Assisted Migration,
Australian wildlife, weaving, embroidery and knitting.
Without a doubt the highlight of the year was the Bhutanese
Soccer Extravaganza held in April at Wentworth Park Howrah
between soccer teams from the Hobart and Launceston Bhutanese
Communities.
Centacare ran the event in partnership with the Bhutanese
Community from a small grant received from Clarence City Council
and we are extremely grateful for the assistance of Clarence City
Council staff during the organising of the event and to Alderman
Doug Chipman, Mayor of Clarence City Council, for presenting the
medals and trophies.
Centacare Settlement Projects Team look forward to working
with emerging communities in the future and holding more client
focussed events.
Centacare Settlement Projects Team look forward to
working with emerging communities in the future and
holding more client focussed events.
23

24
Natural Family Planning
Natural Family Planning is a state-wide service that is offered to couples wishing to achieve or avoid a
pregnancy using natural methods.
Natural Family Planning involves educating and supporting couples in decisions regarding their fertility
by a nationally accredited Natural Family Planning Educator.
The future for Natural Family Planning involves further promotion of the program within the parishes.
Family Life Education
Family Life Education is a sexuality and relationship education
program offered to students from Kindergarten to Grade 12.
Each presentation is age appropriate and aims to encourage
communication between students and parents on matters around
sexuality and relationships.
Family Life Education also aims to educate students with correct
and up to date information about their bodies and to assist them
in making positive and healthy decisions about their bodies in the
future.
Our primary school program is offered as evening or in-class sessions,
or a combination of both.
Topics discussed during these sessions include; the importance of
families; different types of families; how a family begins; and good
touches/bad touches; good secrets/bad secrets and babies needs.
In the upper primary classes, we also discuss puberty and making
positive decisions.
Our secondary programs are offered as in-class sessions only.
Centacare Tasmania ANNUAL REPORT 2011 – 2012
Topics discussed during these sessions include; puberty; fertility; oversexualisation;
healthy relationships/unhealthy relationships; sexually
transmitted Infections; contraception; self esteem; sex and the law;
making positive decisions and where to go if you need help.
This year, we began offering an updated program to all students
in grades 11 and 12 and is well received by the students who have
viewed it.
While we have offered parent sessions to primary schools since
2009, we are now also offering a parent session for the parents of
secondary students. This presentation has been taken up by Mount
Carmel College and Friends School and was well attended at both
schools.
This presentation allows parents to hear up to date information and
statistics on teenagers as well as tips on how to talk to their teenagers
about sex.
In the last year, the state-wide Family Life Education Program was
booked by 35 schools and attended by over 4000 students.

Child Care Services
Centacare’s Child Care Services is a not for profit service which
provides child care services on behalf of the Roman Catholic Trust
Corporation of the Archdiocese of Hobart. At the beginning of
the year all staff contributed to the development of the Child Care
Services strategic plan. The plan ensures that child care services:
are delivered according to the Catholic Mission and vision
support families in their role as the primary carers and educators
of children
transition to the requirements of the National Quality Framework
and comply with statutory requirements.
It has been an exciting year with:
30 percent increase in enrolments
28 percent increase in the number of families using services
Quality Improvement Plan for every service
60 percent increase in staff training in preparation for the
transition to the National Quality Framework
overall increase in the number of staff undertaking formal child
care study
Schools, parents, children and service staff, have assisted in service
growth and our goal to continually improve how services are
delivered.
Centacare Tasmania Child Care Services is where it is today thanks
to the commitment and feedback received from parents, children,
school staff, Principals, child care staff and Centacare management
and its Advisory Board.
I love After School Care because:
“It’s like going to Nan’s house.” Jacob
“I like after school care and before school care
because my friends are there and the staff are really
nice we get yum food and we get a lot of treats and
things like pasta and chicken noodles they are my
favourite. We play lots of cool games and go outside
to play.” Ebony
I Love Outside School Hours Care Because:
“It’s fun and I get to play with all of my friends, it’s a
good experience.” Seth
CAMEO Group
The CAMEO group is an eight-week program for women providing
information and awareness on the short and long-term effects that
living with an abusive partner can have on the women themselves
and on their children.
Centacare Children Have Fun
25

26
Childcare
The childcare team continues to provide quality care for the children
of clients attending appointments and/or groups within Centacare.
Care is regularly provided for children of clients attending long term
programs such as the STITCH program, and on a short term basis for
group programs including:
• HSS (regular tenancy and life skills training)
• REAL women’s group
The team have also supported the Rural Group program by providing
on-site childcare at the location where each program is being run.
Provision of childcare for Centacare services breaks down potential
barriers for clients wishing to participate in any groups and enhances
participation rates in these programs. It is intrinsic to the Centacare
ethos of ensuring accessibility of service to all clients.
The primary goal of childcare is to provide a safe, caring, nurturing
and stimulating environment to all children, which will encourage
growth and provide opportunities for children in all areas of their
development.
Engaging Adolescents
A group for parents wanting to engage more successfully with
their adolescent children was offered again this year and was well
attended with all participants providing positive feedback.
New initiatives
We are currently working with Positive Solutions to present
sessions in schools on living in step families to children, parents and
teachers. The Salvation Army, Communities for Children, has asked
us to run the Kids’ Express group program for children in the third
school term.
Centacare Tasmania ANNUAL REPORT 2011 – 2012
missresincup
Willson Training
Our learning space
Willson Training reached its milestone of 30 years as a Registered
Training Organisation (RTO) this year, one of the longest serving
RTOs in the state and has continued to provide nationally
accredited and personal development training to our Tasmanian
community. Our main focus is to provide job seeker training for
those returning to work with adults wishing to renew, up skill or
move into a different career path. Many enrolments have been as a
direct result for a need or positive decision to:
attract or improve job prospects
gain formal qualifications as a requirement of a chosen field
undertake training which includes an element of work
experience leading to employment opportunities
or for some, simply to have the chance of re-socialising and
learning to learn as an adult with others and building confidence
and self esteem.
Being part of this program helped me go out and
get a job. Certifi cate II in Asset Maintenance – Cleaning
Although a number of our students come to us without any
previous qualifications, our statistics show that many students have
prior qualifications from Certificate II through to Bachelor Degree.
This in itself promotes the ideals and necessity of lifelong learning
to meet changing workplace and industry demands, changes in
our economic environment and changes in personal or family
circumstances.
Approximately 90 percent of our training funds in 2011-2012 have
been made available by our major funding partner Skills Tasmania
through the competitive tender process.
Willson Training has been successful in securing a number of
enrolments in the Productivity Places program (PPP+). This funded
program has assisted over 140 job seekers undertaking traditional
face to face training in regional areas across the state. With an
element of simulated and practical activities, underpinning
knowledge and real time work experience, future prospects in
workforce participation have increased significantly.
This has seen a huge coordination effort on the part of our training
coordinators and assessors with the end result providing nationally
accredited qualifications and/or partial qualifications in the areas
of Business, Retail, Education Support (Teacher Aide), Children’s
Services (Child Care) and Asset Maintenance (Cleaning Operations).
200
180
160
140
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
Clients by prior education report 2011-2012
Advanced
Diploma
and
Associate
Degree
Bachelor
Degree
Certificate
I
Certificate
II
Certificate Certificate
III IV
Diploma
Level
Miscel Prior
Education Education
not set or
stated

On the job work placement was great. I obtained
further work from this. Certifi cate II in Business student
The year saw an increase in our casual staff complement of
accredited trainers to enable roll out of our programs. We thank
our trainers for their efforts and dedication of providing both
group and individual learning experiences to our students for job
seeker training, on the job traineeships and personal development
courses.
Our partnering agencies who have also worked hard with us this
year include:
Anglicare Tasmania
APM Hobart
WISE Employment
Campbell Page
Choose Employment
Clarendon Vale Neighbourhood Centre
Commonwealth Rehabilitation Centre
CRS Australia
Gagebrook Community Centre
Kennerley Childrens Homes
LINCS at Kingston, Rosny, Glenorchy, Huonville and Devonport
Max Employment
The Salvation Army
Workskills
In the second half of this year Willson Training has been successful
in attracting funding to support the Affordable Housing for Life
Program. This project in conjunction with new partners: National
Training Solutions, Marist Youth Care, Wilson Homes and Campbell
Page will enable 40 young people to undertake a pre-construction
course leading into employment in the construction industry.
Compliance and future strategies
As well as providing positive and professional learning spaces
for our trainees working within the not for profit sector, Willson
Training must ensure that we have adequate and responsive
systems and processes in place to meet the new compliance
framework. The standards are now part of legislation and regulated
by the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA). As with many of
the agencies within Centacare, this change in increased regulation
will be our main priority as we continue to make a difference
through skill development to our client base and manage the
operations of our registered training organisation.
Looking ahead, Willson Training will strategically review and
consider:
The future direction we take considering our client base,
associated qualifications and the Tasmanian community we
serve.
Maintaining an appropriate level of resource requirements to
meet quality standards and service levels.
Investing in a balance of service and compliance activities.
Ensuring systematic processes are in place which respond to
the vocational education and training (VET) sector and business
operations.
Clients by disability report 2011-2012
SIR30207 Certificate III in Retail
SIR20207 Certificate II in Retail
PRM20104 Certificate II in Asset Maintenance …
CHC30808 Certificate III in Education Support
CHC30708 Certificate III in Childrens Services
BSB40807 Certificate IV in Frontline Management
BSB40507 Certificate IV in Business …
BSB30407 Certificate III in Business …
BSB20107 Certificate II in Business
Acquired Brain
impairment
Hearing/Deaf
Intellectual
Learning Disability
Medical Condition
Mental Illness
Other
Physical
Unspecified
Vision
Disability not set
Enrolments in qualification report 2011-2012
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
“I wish to thank my colleagues for their commitment and the support provided by fellow staff, senior
managers, and the executive of Centacare and the Archdiocese of Hobart.” Manager Willson Training, Jennifer Byrne
27

28
North-West Coast, Circular Head
and West Coast Regional Services
The North West branch of Centacare Tasmania provides its services
to a large geographical area, identified as the Mersey-Lyell region,
stretching from Port Sorell in the East to Smithton in the West and
South to Strahan and crossing back over Cradle Mountain. This
is a large area with a diverse population of over 100,000 living in
residential, rural and remote communities. The two regional cities
of Burnie and Devonport are the service hubs and the sites of most
of the areas welfare and health services. Access to those services is
therefore problematic for people living in smaller communities as
public transport infrastructure is, at its best, is poorly developed and
in most cases non-existent.
North West Centacare has two main offices in Burnie and in
Devonport offering a full range of services. It has access to co-located
consulting rooms in Sheffield, Ulverstone, Smithton, Zeehan,
Queenstown, Rosebery and Strahan. Its full staff compliment is 13,
employed across the following programs:
Family Relationship Counselling
Regional Family Dispute Resolution
Family Relationship Education and Skills Training
Men and Family Relationships
Centacare Tasmania ANNUAL REPORT 2011 – 2012
Specialised Family Violence
Post Separation Parenting Program
Pre-Marriage Education
Private Rental Tenancy Support Service
Communities for Children Initiative
Employee Assistance Program
Adoption
On the north-west coast:
we are the largest providers of Family Law Services
we are the largest Non-Government Organisation (NGO) provider
of children’s counselling
we are the largest provider of Family and Relationship Counselling
we provide one of the largest range of services in partnership with
other NGOs, State and Local Government due considerably to our
Communities for Children initiative
we provided services to over 1,000 families during the financial
year.
Better Futures, Local Solutions and addressing barriers to education and employment.
The Better Futures, Local Solutions Initiative is funded by the
Australian Government Department of Human Services; it is
a component of a broader place-based measure – Building
Australia’s Future Workforce. The initiative concentrates on the
community and government working together to help families
and individuals to enhance their work skills, find employment and
provide opportunities for their children to participate in educational
opportunities.
There are ten Local Government Areas participating in the Better
Futures, Local Solutions initiative of which Burnie is the Tasmanian site.
Each Local Government Area has a Government Action Leader, a
Community Action Leader and a Local Advisory Group working
together to identify and develop innovative local initiatives that
boost engagement, capability and workforce participation through
supporting projects that are innovative and creative.
The Burnie Local Advisory Group members were invited to
participate by the Minister of Human Services in February 2012 and
collectively the group have identified five key strategic priorities for
Burnie:
To help locals achieve and maintain sustained employment.
To support or initiate programs that build resilience, self esteem
and enhance readiness/preparation for employment.
To improve opportunities for disengaged youth and
disadvantaged job seekers to participate in education or sustained
employment through providing targeted education opportunities
To build a community value of education, increase retention and
participation in mainstream education and improve take up of
adult education opportunities.
To understand the requirements of growth industries and existing
employers, and improve employability by matching skill needs to
education, training and community development initiatives.
Three projects have been recommended for funding through the first
round of the Local Solutions Fund which will commence in August 2012.

Northern Regional Services
The Launceston Centacare office has 28 staff members and we work
together to meet the needs of clients in a supportive, empowering
and non-judgmental manner.
A wide range of services including a significant level of outreach
services are provided:
Family and Relationship Counselling (Launceston and George Town)
Challenging Abusive Behaviours (CAB) Program (Launceston and
George Town)
Silver Lining Adult Literacy Program (regional)
Integrated Family Support (Launceston and George Town)
Early Intervention Services (regional)
Private Rental Tenancy Support Service (regional)
Centacare Transitional Support Service (Launceston)
Men and Family Relationships (regional)
Colony 47 Outreach (Launceston)
George Town Family Support Program
Positive Parenting Program for rural areas
Employee Assistance Program services (regional)
Women’s Business - Peace Talks Program (George Town)
In an important development we were successful in securing funding
from the Tasmanian Community Fund to deliver a Challenging
Abusive Behaviours Program in George Town for three years from
1 July 2012. Although Centacare has delivered Challenging Abusive
Behaviours programs in a number of locations across the state for
15 years this is the first time the service has had external financial
support.
“I think about the situation now and try and deal with
the situation in the best possible way.”
In June 2012 the Department for Immigration and Citizenship
advised that all services provided to humanitarian migrants under
its Settlement Grants Program in Launceston would in future
be provided by one agency to provide clients with easier access
to services. As a result on 1 July the specialist housing services
previously provided by Centacare transferred to the northern
Migrant Resource Centre.
The northern region has, as one of its stated strategic aims, the
desire to broaden and enhance its service provision to the most
disadvantaged members of the wider community. In the past year
we believe we have made progress towards this in a number of
ways:
Responded quickly to surges in local demand, with the
provision of additional counsellor availability in George
Town when major employers reduced worker hours and
therefore income.
Recruited a specialist children’s counsellor to work with
clients from 4 to 18 years, and their parents.
Developed a 2012 calendar made up of client artwork.
Reviewed the range of services provided both in terms
of content and location across the region in an attempt to
provide relevant local services.
L- R: Don and Colin from the STAY program
Secured funding for additional services such as Challenging
Abusive Behaviours which built on our current strengths.
Participated at Agfest 2012, raising awareness of Centacare.
Strengthened links by working together with other Archdiocese
endeavours including parishes in Launceston, Riverside,
Scottsdale and Flinders Island, as well as Catholic Education and
Southern Cross Care.
Worked on building a sound rapport with local government in the
region.
Formalised a relationship with UTAS on student social worker
education.
Continued to work on developing links with the Aboriginal
community.
Worked in collaboration with another welfare agency on
re-focussing attention on developing and delivering a broad
range of counselling services that engage with men in nontraditional
areas such as worksites and sports clubs and venues.
Dear Peter
I am holidays on the Gold
Coast – quite an achievement on my
behalf as I drove myself to the Gold Coast!
I want to thank you for input in to my life with
help of yourself and team I am able to live a
well balanced life using all the points achieved
in the course. Putting them in to practice
every day!
Yours sincerely, grateful CAB client
29

30
swan-t
NicholasLasaccoo
Centacare
Family Services
... at a glance
We deliver a broad range of specialised
and professional support, counselling,
accommodation, emergency, advocacy,
education and training throughout
Tasmania.
Our particular strength is in the familycentred
approach, recognising that
whatever impacts on family, impacts
on the children in specific ways.
It recognises that children can be
major casualties in family disruption
and that listening to the voice of
children impacts on the long-term
consequences for all involved in
resolving family conflict.
Whilst acknowledging basic rights of
people to live with health and security,
Centacare’s services focus on those
whose choices in life have been limited
with regard to fulfilling relationships,
adequate income, housing, and
meaningful employment options.
All services are delivered in such a
manner so as to enhance human
dignity and freedom, and to enable
people to realise their full potential in
life.
Services are available to all without
discrimination on the basis of age,
gender, race, religion, physical disability,
marital, social or financial status.
Centacare staff are experienced and
skilled professionals, with qualifications
in psychology, social work, counselling,
nursing, administration and the social
sciences. They are client-focussed and
work together for the marginalised,
disadvantaged and vulnerable in
Tasmania.
Services are available to all
without discrimination on the
basis of age, gender, race,
religion, physical disability,
marital, social or fi nancial status.

Centacare Services
Service Location Funding source
Family and Relationship Counselling Hobart, Launceston, Burnie Commonwealth Department of Families,
Housing, Community Services and
Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA)
Specialist Family Violence Service
Challenging Abusive Behaviours Men’s Program
Men and Family Relationships
Children’s Program
Counselling
Kids’ Express
Hobart, Burnie
Hobart, Launceston
Burnie, Launceston
Hobart, Launceston, Burnie
Hobart
Commonwealth Department of FaHCSIA
Unfunded
Commonwealth Department of FaHCSIA
Commonwealth Department of FaHCSIA
Commonwealth Department of FaHCSIA
Family and Relationship Education and Skills Training Hobart, Launceston, Burnie Commonwealth Department of FaHCSIA
Family Support Programs
Rural Group Program – Triple P Parenting Program
Reunification (Pathway Home) Program
Silver Lining Adult Literacy
Hobart
Hobart
Launceston
Clarendon Children’s Foundation
State Department of Health and Human Services
Tasmanian Community Fund
Adoption Hobart, Launceston, Burnie State Department of Health and Human
Services
Family Life Education Hobart, Launceston, Burnie Fee for service
Natural Family Planning Hobart Commonwealth Department of Health –
Australian Catholic Bishops Conference
Regional Family Dispute Resolution Burnie Commonwealth Department of FaHCSIA
Communities for Children Burnie Commonwealth Department of FaHCSIA
Better Futures, Local Solutions Burnie Australian Government Department of
Human Services
Centacare Transitional Support Service Hobart, Launceston State Department of Health and Human
Services
Supported Accommodation Assistance
Program (SAAP)
Private Rental Tenancy Support Service Hobart, Launceston, Burnie State Department of Health and Human
Services
Specialised Intervention Tenancy Service Hobart, Launceston, Burnie State Department of Health and Human
Services
AK Young Women’s Refuge
Emergency Accommodation Service
Hobart Federal and State Government
Humanitarian Settlement Strategy Hobart Commonwealth Department of
Immigration and Citizenship
Settlement Grants Program
STITCH Women’s Sewing/Support Group
Hobart, Launceston
Hobart
Commonwealth Department of
Immigration and Citizenship
Willson Training - Registered Training Organisation Hobart, Launceston, Burnie Skills Tasmania, State and Federal
Government
Centacare Tasmania Community Housing Association State-wide Centacare, State and Federal Government
Centacare Tasmania Child Care Service State-wide Centacare, State and Federal Government
31

Locations
Centacare offi ces
Head Office
35 Tower Road
NEW TOWN Tas 7008
PO Box 369
MOONAH Tas 7009
Phone: (03) 6278 1660
centacare.hobart@aohtas.org.au
Fax: (03) 6278 1005
Launceston
201 York Street
LAUNCESTON Tas 7250
Phone: (03) 6332 0600
centacare.launceston@aohtas.org.au
Fax: (03) 6332 0699
32
Centacare Tasmania ANNUAL REPORT 2011 – 2012
Burnie
108 Mount Street
BURNIE Tas 7320
PO Box 1120
BURNIE Tas 7320
Phone: (03) 6431 8555
or 1800 559 793
centacare.burnie@aohtas.org.au
Fax: (03) 6431 8114
Devonport
85 Best Street
DEVONPORT Tas 7310
Phone: (03) 6423 6100
or 1800 559 793
centacare.burnie@aohtas.org.au
Fax: (03) 6424 4601

www.centacaretas.org.au