Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .

Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2002 Week 4 Hansard (11 April) . . Page.. 1085 ..

Mr Anthony Rochester is a professional psychologist registered in NSW and the ACT. He was responsible for the development and implementation of Marymead's Fathering After Separation program and provided direct service to men experiencing domestic violence through the MensLine from 1998 to January 2002.

Mr Gerry Orkin was until recently the Assistant Director of the Prevention, Education and Early Intervention Section in the Family Relationships Branch of the Commonwealth Department of Family and Community Services. In this position Mr Orkin was responsible of the development and implementation of the Commonwealth Government's Men and Family Relationships initiative which was the first national program to recognise that men have particular needs when seeking assistance with relationship matters. In a voluntary capacity Mr Orkin has been involved in the development and delivery of school-based programs focusing on bullying, sexual assault and domestic violence. He has facilitated a range of community groups for men including those for fathers and male survivors of sexual assault.

Dr Michael Flood is a Lecturer in Gender Studies in the Centre for Women's Studies at the Australian National University. He is also the Sexual Health Promotion Coordinator at Family Planning ACT. Dr Flood's involvement in men's issues is extensive both in the academic realm and the community context. He has run a range of workshops with children in schools and with community workers on physical and sexual violence, sexuality and relationships in collaboration with a range of community services including the Canberra Rape Crisis Service.

Mr David Jones is a senior counsellor at Relationships Australia. Mr Jones is a PHD student who holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in health. He has trained extensively in individual, couple and family therapy both in Australia and USA and has tutored and lectured at the Universities of Sydney and Canberra.

Mr Chris Higgisson is a qualified teacher, with a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of NSW and a Master of Science in Counselling Psychology from the ANU. Until recently he was a senior lecturer in Health Physiology with the University of Canberra. Mr Higgisson is a facilitator of the Fathering After Separation Program and the Perpetrator Education Program (this program works with men who use violence in relationships), he is also an official mental health visitor for the ACT.

2. Canberra Fathers' and Children's Service is auspiced by Marymead Child and Family Centre. The members of the Men's Reference Group and the Director of Marymead Child and Family Centre, together with representatives from other family support and accommodation services will oversee the day to day management of this service to ensure that it is run as a highly professional, effective and accountable service to homeless men with children.

Auspicing arrangements are commonplace in human service purchasing throughout Australia. A similar arrangement was used between the department and the Lone Fathers' Association to purchase the pilot accommodation service provided by the Men's Accommodation and Crisis Service (MAACS). Auspice arrangements facilitate an integrated service response, which can be particularly effective in supporting people who have multiple and complex needs.

3. The service has three eligible client groups. These are fathers with children who are homeless or at risk of homelessness and fathers whose access to their children is contingent on their obtaining and maintaining safe and secure housing.

Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .