Graeme Turner, President PICAL Committee of Management issued the following statement today:
It is with profound regret that the Committee of Management of Phillip Island Community and Learning Inc. (PICAL) announces its current financial position. Unfortunately, estimated historic debts far exceed PICAL’s financial reserves or its ability to raise the necessary funds within a reasonable timeframe, rendering PICAL technically insolvent.
We are fully aware of the impact this will have on PICAL’s dedicated staff, clients, volunteers, and the many community members who rely on our services.
PICAL, as an Incorporated Association, is required to call a Special General Meeting to move a motion to wind up the organization on 14th November 2024. During this time, the Committee of Management will work diligently with PICAL’s funding agencies (DFFH and Services Australia), Neighbourhood Houses Gippsland, Jordan Crugnale MP State Member for Bass, and the Bass Coast Shire Council to explore every avenue to preserve as many of PICAL’s vital services as possible for our community.
PICAL would like to emphasize that it is both illegal and against the responsibilities of the Committee of Management to continue trading when we cannot meet, or demonstrate the ability to meet, our debts. Despite our best efforts to resolve this historic issue, we are compelled by law to make this incredibly difficult decision.
This historic debt originated over ten years ago due to the incorrect classification of certain roles, which led to some individuals being paid on an incorrect pay scale. At the time, Enterprise Agreements were quite generic and open to interpretation, which contributed to the error that persisted, undetected, over the years. This has led to a significant debt that PICAL is unable to pay.
It is important to note that this was an administrative inaccuracy and not the result of management, misappropriation, or fraudulent behavior by anyone involved with PICAL.
While there are no current demands for payment, these historic debts are so significant that they far exceed PICAL’s financial reserves or capacity to repay, thus making PICAL technically insolvent.
After careful consideration and comprehensive legal and financial consultations, the Committee of Management has concluded that the only responsible course of action will be to make the decision to wind up. This will result in PICAL ceasing to exist as a legal entity if the resolution on 14th November to wind up is approved.
Notice of a Special General Meeting for Phillip Island Community and Learning Inc. will be issued to members on 4th October. This meeting will also provide an opportunity to discuss this issue, possible options, and any resolutions that need to be tabled.
While this is a challenging time for PICAL, all existing services will continue to support our community as they have done in the past for now and for as long as we are permitted, with a focus on supporting continuity moving forward.
We will provide more information to all concerned as soon as we are able.
Graeme Turner
President
PICAL Committee of Management
Since releasing our state budget submissions in October of last year, Neighbourhood Houses and community centres across the state have been meeting local MPs, engaging local media, and organising in their communities to stress the urgent need to fund the growing cost burden of food.
Neighbourhood Houses Victoria has actively supported this local advocacy and highlighted this issue on ABC Radio (metro and regional), the Weekly Times, Channel Nine news and various other local media.
We understand the $2.5M will form a pool dedicated to Neighbourhood Houses through an open grants process. We will confirm when we have further detail on timing and access provisions.
We sincerely thank Minister Ros Spence for supporting our submission through the budget process and to the Allan Government for this funding uplift.
While we would all rather our communities didn’t need food relief, the reality is that the rising cost of unfunded food relief is threatening the sustainability of many Neighbourhood Houses.
By contributing to previously unfunded food relief efforts, these additional grants will improve the long-term viability of the sector.
Gippsland network of Neighbourhood Houses (NHG) “Statement of Support for a First Nations Voice”
Neighbourhood Houses Gippsland gladly accepts the invitation from all First Nations Australians to the entire community, to walk as allies in support of establishing:
· a “First Nations Voice”, enshrined in the Australian Constitution, for representing all indigenous Australians and advising the National Parliament on matters affecting indigenous Australians; and
· the formulation of a process for treaty-making and truth-telling here in Victoria.
We recognise the unbroken links of First Nations peoples to, and their unceded custodianship of, the lands across Australia and the Torres Strait Islands, which has persisted across eons as the oldest living civilisation on Earth. We recognise the special place that much of Gippsland holds in the ancestry of the Gunai-Kurnai, Bunurong and other bun wurrung clans who first inhabited these local areas, and whose knowledge and beliefs have been handed down through generations of story-telling.
The fundamental principles of Neighbourhood Houses include:
– empowerment through self-determination;
– diversity & inclusion; and
– fairness & equity,
as these are the true foundations upon which all strong communities are developed and nurtured. These are also the concepts and principles underpinning the Voice. We could not be true to our own principles without supporting the creation of a Voice and a treaty-making process.
Just as we do with all segments of the local community, the NHG promises to work with our local First Nations clans and with their national and Victorian representative bodies, to listen to their needs and to help them advocate/explain these needs to the wider community, in an effort to heal the wrongs of the past.
This invitation from our First Nations brothers and sisters arose from the 2017 Uluru Statement from the Heart, but indigenous Australians’ attempts to have a self-determining voice over matters that affect them, go back to the initial time of white colonisation in 1770. However, many past attempts have been overruled by successive governments. So NHG believes the time is now well overdue, and we believe that a change to Australia’s Constitution is the best way of perpetuating this Voice in an enduring, inalienable manner that cannot be changed.
NHG urges all of our stakeholders to fully acquaint themselves with the history leading up to, and the landscape surrounding the Uluru Statement from the Heart, and encourages our stakeholders to vote YES in the upcoming referendum on 14th October 2023.
Last week Neighbourhood Houses across Gippsland came together for their Network’s AGM Awards presentation. Awards were presented under 3 categories; Climate Action, Community Resilience and Community Development.
These categories capture the unique and important work Neighbourhood Houses do within their communities. Applications were submitted and judged by specialists from outside of the area to make the difficult decision of choosing the following winners:
Climate Action Award, sponsored by Gippsland Climate Change Network winner Venus Bay Community Centre for Community Energy for Venus Bay. This project saw the installation of solar, battery and back-up generator at the Venus Bay Community Centre to provide resilience for the local community. The secondary outcome of the project was to be chosen for a large-scale Feasibility Study into Community Resilience and Reliable Energy with funding support from the Federal Government.
Community Resilience Award sponsored by Aussie Broadband: Yarram Neighbourhood House for Let’s Feed them project. During June and October 2021 South Gippsland was hit with storms that caused large scale destruction, flooding and extended power outages, YNH cooked and provided meals and offered shower facilities to those without power for the duration of the power outage event. As a result of this project funding was secured to purchase 4 generators with lighting and power kits to support communities who are experiencing severe weather.
Community Development Award sponsored by NHG: Wurruk Community House for Play, Learn Share; an interactive after-school activities program for local primary school-aged children in their community. The program supports at-risk children through positively engaging recreationally, socially and educationally in a trusted, safe non-threatening environment supporting place-based grass roots methodology.
“These projects are excellent examples of how Neighbourhood Houses listen and respond to the changing needs in regional and rural communities. We have exceptional staff and volunteers working with limited resources in our Neighbourhood Houses/Community Centres across the region.
We are extremely thankful to our sponsors Aussie Broadband and Gippsland Climate Change Network in recognizing the vital role Neighbourhood Houses Play in their communities” Toni Halloran-Lavelle, NHG Network Manager.
For more information see: https://nhg.org.au/awards/
Also celebrated was NHG’s AGM. Guests listened to Carolyn Turner; retired Editor of Warragul Gazette talk about the power of local press and how to generate the best exposure. Leanne Potter from Lifeline discussing the impact of mental health on physical health and the role Neighbourhood Houses play in supporting positive outcomes for community members. Caitlin from Gippsland Pride who talked about the importance of safe spaces for LGBTIQ members and some of the issues currently being faced in addition to the upcoming celebrations.
Neighbourhood Houses Gippsland (NHG) funded by the Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions Let’s Stay Connect and the Regional Digital Fund, developed a website which collates programs being run from Neighbourhood Houses within the NHG network. The website also showcases the volunteer stories and opportunities within the sector. This is the first time a Network have developed a site like this and believe it will strengthen their work and increase participation from community members across the region. The website can be viewed here: www.nhg.org.au
NHG Network Manager Antonia Halloran-Lavelle said “During the pandemic the Network became stronger than ever and, recognizing the unique differences between what each House provides, wanted to improve access for communities. If the House in your local community is not offering opportunities that meet your need then have a look at what other Houses within the region are offering. Community members can walk into any Neighbourhood House and be met with a warm welcome and access their services.”
The website was launched during Volunteer Week in recognition of the significant contribution volunteers make to the sector. Speaking at Phillip Island’s Community & Learning Centre (PICAL) Antonia said “the variation of volunteer opportunities within Neighbourhood Houses is incredible, they are the backbone of the sector. Opportunities will be advertised on the website as well as showcasing the fantastic work undertaken by volunteers”.
A Wurruk Community House volunteer, Jade Bradley, was awarded the prestigious 2021 Victorian Social Housing – Frances Penington Volunteer Award on Thursday (5 May 2022), at an award ceremony held at Victoria Parliament House.
Jade was nominated for her invaluable work with the delivery of the original ‘Wurruk Community House Foodbank Outreach Program’ in the first year of Covid.
Then last year, when our community demand outstripped capacity with the outreach program, and we successfully gained charitable status, Jade worked tirelessly setting up and in-house delivery of the Wurruk Food Pantry, which was achieved in record time.
The Wurruk Food Pantry is a vital service, delivering much needed food relief for the community of Wurruk, as well as a way for many community members to connect with their community house and other community members.
Receiving this prestigious award acknowledges and recognises Jade’s fabulous contribution to Wurruk Community House.
We’re super proud of Jade and our wonderful team of volunteers!
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