Multicultural Communities Council Gold Coast Ltd. - Fortnightly Facts 

IMPORTANT CONTACTS

Rosters Text only (for rostering purposes only) - 0408 082 147

After Hours (for emergency after hours phone calls)* - 0404 830 867 - Please DO NOT TEXT the after hours phone, the message will not be received. 

Office – (07) 5527 8011

Senior Management Team 

• Marie Kavale (Clinical Care Manager) - 0418 462 870 
• Jessica McAdam (Community Programs Manager) - 0412 174 700
• Corinne Butt (Support at Home Manager - South) - 0406 657 593
• Gerald Perez (Support at Home Manager - North) - 0476 555 044

• Susan Gordon (Systems Administration Manager) - 07 5527 8011 

Care Advisors

• Bozena Zdybell (Gold Coast) - 0404 895 528  
• Yoshiko Moore -RN (Gold Coast) - 0439 874 429 
• Sun Hee Park (Gold Coast) - 0439 936 990
• Amila Kaludewa (Gold Coast) - 0487 174 175
• Fiona Small (Gold Coast South) - 0438 295 010 (Tues-Fri) 
• Jennie Burton (Gold Coast) - 0447 030 073  
• Lupe Chadwick (Gold Coast) - 0439 349 162  
• Zarina Montenegro (Gold Coast) - 0438 285 024
• Karin Andres (Gold Coast) - 0487 103 451
• Sue Bloomfield (Gold Coast) - 0459 947 763
• Kerry Crokam (Sunshine Coast - Lifestyle) - 0458 526 289

Community Programs 

• Thilinika Wijesinghe (Community Development Officer) - 0409 322 645
• Koren Hannah (Settlement Case Worker) - 0436 317 994 
• Jessica Ward (SETS Support Worker) - 0436 450 207 
• Maria Nagy (Community Pathway Connector) - 0422 497 414 
• Kyzzy Romano (Work Towards Coordinator) - 0484 361 811
• Camila Solorza (Work Towards Support Worker) - 0400 724 436
• Brendan Marks (NDIS Support Coordinator) - 0438 203 197 
• Laura Bernal (NDIS Support Coordinator) - 0438 866 413

Executive Team 

• Shane Klintworth (Chief Executive Officer) - 0438 347 202
• Troy Nicholls (Chief Operations Officer) - 0459 958 172
• Goran Avramovic (Chief Financial Officer)  - 0439 459 225  ​
• Vanessa Whitiora (People and Culture Officer)– 0428 684 721
• Tory Ishigaki (Marketing & Communications Officer) - 0431 250 701

Happy New Year! I hope you've all had some time over the holidays to rest and reflect, and are ready for another big year ahead. We are working on some great initiatives in 2023 to better support our teams and our community. 

1) Better systems to make your life easier 

We are currently working with two new service providers to implement improved client information and human resources systems. You will start learning more about these systems over the next few months as we begin to roll them out, but they are designed to simplify your day-to-day.

• AlayaCare - We will be replacing Procura with AlayaCare for a much more effecient and easy-to-use client information system. We have been busy meeting with the AlayaCare team over the last few month to ensure that the new system will save time and simplify a lot of processes. Some exciting new features include a more user-friendly mobile app that will allow our Home Care Workers to access more client information on the go and a desktop version for our office staff that will allow for multiple tabs making it easier to compare information. 
• ELMO - Our new HR system will eventually replace the staff portal and allow you to sort out all of your HR needs in one place including training, leave applications & balance, etc. 

Keep an eye out for more information over the next while about these systems and how they will help you and our teams. 

2) New Funding (Gold Coast)

We are happy to announce we have received funding for some amazing new programs & events! 

• Care Finders - A new program aimed at helping seniors who require intensive support to understand and access My Aged Care, particularly those who are socially isolated, or have low literacy levels or cognitive impairment. Through this program we will be able to provide localised, face-to-face support to at-risk seniors who need help to connect with appropriate aged care supports within the community. This will include supporting them to interact with My Aged Care, guiding them through assessment, helping them find the right providers and checking in to ensure their needs are being met. 
• Skilling Queenslanders for Work - We're bringing our Train 2 Care program back to offer free Certificate III training with TAFE. If you know anyone who is keen to get into the aged care industry but needs qualifications, we will be offering two intakes this year. 
• Diverese GC Photo Exhibition - We are teaming up with local photographer Andro Engelbrecht to host a 2-week photo exhibition at Robina Community Centre showcasing some of the diverse faces that make up our Gold Coast community. The exhibition will take place during March to celebrate Harmony Week and portraits will be donated to local organisations afterward. 

Just a reminder if you have ANY symptoms please stop work immediately, let us know and get tested. COVID is still active within the community and we want to minimise any risk of spreading it, and to ensure that you are all taking care of your health and resting and recovering as needed. 

We are still on AMBER and have had cases amongst staff and clients so it is important that we keep up our health & safety measures to protect each other, our customers and community. We will continue to monitor the situation and follow all updates from QLD Health.

Please continue to:

• Wear a mask and practice hand hygiene
• Conduct wellness checks before visiting any clients
• Continue monitoring for symptoms –get tested if you are feeling unwell and do not come into work if you have symptoms

Thank you for understanding and continuing to be vigilant!

WELLNESS CHECKS - UPDATED

It is MANDATORY that you carry out COVID-19 Wellness Checks prior to conducting services and meetings with clients. Please make sure you are calling clients before any visits and asking the questions below. 

If clients DO NOT answer your Wellness Check call at the start of the day, you still need to go to the scheduled client visit at the scheduled time. If the client answers their door, you must step back and do your wellness check before proceeding to go into the client’s home or they get into your car. 

Wellness checks MUST be completed on the day of the visit/service NOT the day before. 

Wellness Check Script: 

Hello, how are you today?

I am going to ask you a few questions before I visit you today...

1. How are you feeling?  Do you have any of the following symptoms? 

• Fever, cough, sore throat, fatigue, runny nose, shortness of breath, loss of taste or smell, diarrhea, vomiting or nausea. 

2. Do you have any family, friends or visitors staying with you that have any symptoms?

If a client answers yes to any of the above questions, please let them know that you are not able to provide the service today and that the office will contact them to discuss further. Then contact the office for further instruction.

Everyone has the right to receive safe and quality aged care services.

The Australian Government is making improvements to address the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety.

One of these measures is a Code of Conduct for Aged Care (the Code) introduced on 1 December 2022.

The Code aims to improve safety and wellbeing for people receiving aged care and to boost trust in services.

The Code will help you to better understand what is expected of you in the delivery of care, supports and services. 

It aims to improve the safety, health, wellbeing and quality of life of older Australians receiving aged care, regardless of who provides that care. It does this by:

• empowering consumers
• promoting respect
• building trust in the care they receive

The Code will help you better understand what is expected when delivering care, support and services to consumers.

For more information visit: https://www.agedcarequality.gov.au/providers/code-conduct-aged-care-information-workers

We're excited to announce we have received additional funding to support our Community Pathway Connector program so Laura and Brendan will now be working as Connectors alongisde their NDIS Support Coordination work. 

The Community Pathway Connector program helps multicultural community members who need support to find suitable and culturally safe services. It is open to all ages and visa holders and no diagnosis is required. 

You can now contact Maria, Laura or Brendan with any referrals or questions. 

• Maria - marian@curacares.com | 0477 183 022 
• Laura - laurab@curacares.com | 0438 866 413
• Brendan - brendanm@curacares.com | 0438 203 197   

To understand more about the program and how it supports community, check out Maria's video below.  

Looking for some great books to fill your summer reading list?

The latest issue of Reconciliation News, reviews some recent releases from First Nations authors and artists including:

• So Far, So Good – On connection, loss, laughter and the Torres Strait by Aaron Fa’aoso with Michelle Scott Tucker
• We Are the Land: A History of Native California by Damon B. Akins and William J. Bauer
• Jack of Hearts: QX11594 by Jackie Huggins & Ngaire Jarro
• Our Dreaming by Kirli Saunders and Dub Leffer

Read Look for a Book! https://bit.ly/RecNews48BookReviews

Get $250 for every successful referral

Did you know if you refer a friend to work with us, you'll get $250 when they pass probation? 

If you know anyone who you think would like to work with us, please send them our way! We are looking for more people to join our CÜRA & MCCGC team. 

*Please note referral bonuses are added to your regular pay and taxed at the usual rate

We are hiring:

CÜRA

• Care Advisor Sunshine Coast - Full Time >> Apply Now
• In Home Domestic Workers Gold Coast - Casual >> Apply Now
• Home Care Workers Gold Coast – Casual  >> Apply Now 
• Home Care Workers Tweed Shire – Casual >> Apply Now 
• Home Care Workers Sunshine Coast – Casual >> Apply Now 
• Home Care Workers Moreton – Casual >> Apply Now 

MCCGC

• Financial Accountant - Full Time >> Apply Now 
• Company Secretary - Volunteer >> Apply Now 

 English Classes 

In 2023 we are again offering FREE English classes to community through both our CAMS and Work Towards Programs!

Our CAMS program offers English Language & Australian Culture classes every Tuesday in Palm Beach. These classes are casual, open to all levels and include group activities. Email cams@mccgc.com.au to book.  

Our Work Towards program is offering beginner, intermediate and IELTS classes at our Southport location on Tuesdays aimed at improving English levels for employment. These classes run as a 12-week course beginning 31st January. Email WorkTowards@mccgc.com.au to book.

Lunar New Year - 22nd January 2023

Lunar New Year is coming up! It is an annual 15-day festival celebrated in communities around the world that begins with the first new moon of the lunar calendar and lasts until the full moon. 

Approximately 10 days before the beginning of the new lunar year, houses are thoroughly cleaned to remove any bad luck that might be lingering inside, a custom called “sweeping of the grounds.” Traditionally, New Year’s eve and New Year’s day are reserved for family celebrations, including religious ceremonies honouring ancestors.

Also on New Year’s day, family members receive red envelopes (lai see) containing small amounts of money. Dances and fireworks are prevalent throughout the holidays, culminating in the Lantern Festival, which is celebrated on the last day of the New Year’s celebrations. 

Year of the Rabbit

2023 is a year of the Water Rabbit, starting from January 22nd, 2023 (Chinese New Year), and ending on February 9th, 2024 (Chinese New Year's Eve). The sign of Rabbit is a symbol of longevity, peace, and prosperity in Chinese culture. 2023 is predicted to be a year of hope.

Find out more about your Chinese Zodiac sign here:https://chinesenewyear.net/zodiac/ 

City of Gold Coast’s Lunar New Year

Celebrate the Lunar New Year in Chinatown, Southport! The event will be held on Sunday 22 January to celebrate the beginning of the Year of the Rabbit, known as the luckiest of all the 12 zodiac signs!

Festivities will be kicking off at 3pm on Davenport and Young Street, where you can enjoy a jam-packed entertainment line-up of lion and dragon dancers, market stalls, children’s activities (including paper-cutting and Chinese calligraphy) an interactive wishing tree, fan and umbrella dancing and a fireworks finale!

Back by popular demand, the $5 food safari will have you hopping around to all the best $5 deals that Southport has to offer. From spring rolls and noodle soup to bubble teas and ice jelly!

For more information: cityofgoldcoast.com.au/lunarnewyear or https://fb.me/e/3k71rdZQk.

Keen to attend cultural events and celebrations in 2023? 

The Department of Children, Youth Justice and Multicultural Affairs has an online event calendar that you can view here: https://www.cyjma.qld.gov.au/multicultural-affairs/events/event-calendar

If your community is organising an event, festival or project you can publicise it through this calendar by registering here: https://www.cyjma.qld.gov.au/multicultural-affairs/events/event-registration-form 

• 'Free' KMS - Just a reminder that as of the 1st Nov, for CHSP clients the 'Free' KMS have been reduced to 10kms.  No longer 15 KMS.  Please remind all your CHSP clients that if they travel further than 10 KMS they will be charged for all excess KMS.  Any issues, please talk to your Care Advisor directly. 
• CND Blocking -There are ways to stop your number being displayed. This is known as CND blocking. To block CND on all calls from your phone, contact your telco. To block caller ID for an individual call, dial 1831 (or #31# from a mobile) then the number you are calling.
• Logbooks - Please remember to hand to reception the last logbook white page of the COMPANY CAR at the end of Friday. 
• Red folders - Please remember to advise your Care Advisors if the red folder is not in the client's home. 
• Medication guiding principles practice: Consumer oral tablet medication is only provided to consumers by Home Care Workers if stored in a medication aid (such as a blister pack dispensed by a pharmacist), as they are considered to minimise potential errors. Registered Nurses and suitably trained Enrolled Nurses can provide non-blister packed medications in line with their scope of practice.
• GP appointments  - Staff are not to attend in-room GP appointments with customers. Staff may accompany customers to medical appointment if requested and wait in the waiting room whilst the GP appointment takes place.

• Email & Staff Portal - Please let your line manager know if you do not have access to your work emails or your staff portal. 

• Work Schedules - Please be aware that you cannot arrange your work schedule with a customer. All verbal customer requests for services must go through to the Care Advisor which will then be directed to the Rostering Team.

• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): If you have placed an order please remember to collect it at Reception or contact the office on 07 5527 8011 to advise the team.
• Receipt Books: Please ensure to use your receipt books when collecting cash from customers. If you do not have a receipt book, please contact your supervisor or the office immediately.
• Annual Leave: As per our process we require 4 weeks’ notice when applying for leave. Casual employees are required to complete a leave form for scheduling purposes it allows your supervisor/manager and our operations team time to find a replacement and discuss options with our customers. If you are unsure and need further advice, please contact your supervisor/manager. Thank you for understanding.
• Vehicles:  
  • Please remember to return the work vehicle you've been using with at lease 1/2 a tank of petrol.
  • Please remember the tyre pressure for our Kia Soul cars should be at 36 PSI.
  • Please make sure you are remembering to alert reception when more masks and wipes are needed in the cars/vans.
  • Ashmore:
    • No parking at the cricket club on Fridays 
    • Ensure that you return work cars to the office car park. Do not park on the fake grass beside the garage or on the road. 
    • The BP at Cotlew Street does not accept motor charge cards.
• Compliance - needs to be always current. Enter expiry dates into your phone calendar to remind you of renewals. 
• Adverse Events & Incidents - Please make sure to report back to the office any adverse events and staff incidents

Watch Professor Alison McMillan, Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer for the Australian Government Department of Health, explains how to don and doff personal protective equipment in residential aged care.

PLEASE CHECK YOUR COMPLIANCE TODAY. IT IS MANDATORY THAT ALL REQUIREMENTS ARE UP TO DATE. Failure to provide current compliance may result in being suspended. If you're unsure, please contact your supervisor, operations or Vanessa. 

All employees are responsible for ensuring these are current and updated.  You can email copies of these to hr@mccgc.com.au

• Police Check –This is due every 3 years from issue date
• Driver’s License  –This is required every year from issue date.
• Car Registration – This is due on or by expiration date.
• Car Insurance – Please check the expiry date on your policy.
• First Aid – This is due every 3 years from issue date
• CPR – This is due every year from issue date.

​Is compliance crucial to your employment? YES

Is it your responsibility to ensure all compliance is current? YES

Is it your responsibility to email all documents to HR? YES

POLICE CHECK

• Corporate Code: GVMCCGC
• You can apply for your police check through Clear to work https://check.cleartowork.com.au/

HR UPDATE

Human Resources

• ProCura Mobility- All users MUST ensure to click START and STOP times to ensure your kilometres are being recorded correctly. 
• Client Services - Changes to client services and times MUST be discussed and approved by Care Advisors. Please ensure that you are advising any changes by contacting the Care Advisors or the office. 
• Staff Portal - Gentle reminder that all forms are now online
• Staff ID cards - As essential workers, it's imperative you wear your Staff ID cards at all times. 

​Workplace Health and Safety

• Flu Vaccinations - Please ensure to complete your reimbursements and attached receipts for up to $12.00 via the staff portal. 
• PPE: -* Gold Coast text reception and Northern regions contact your manager for replenishments. Do not reuse disposable PPE.
• ​Employee Assistance Program – If you are needing someone to talk to or needing that extra bit of support please contact your local EAP provider today. All details of our program are in the Staff Portal. Self care and wellness are important!
• Uniforms - Please wear your correct uniforms as a matter of safety. Use your uniform allowance and purchase new uniforms for 2023

We acknowledge the traditional custodians of the lands on which we operate, the Kombumerri People of the Yugambeh Language Region, the Gubbi Gubbi people, the Jinibara people, the Turrbal people, the Quandamooka people and the Bundjalung people. We pay our respect to Elders past, present and emerging and extend our respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and acknowledge their ongoing connection to land, sea, culture and community.