We have received the following information from Siblings Australia:
I am writing to ask for your support, leading up to this year’s Federal election. Once again, Siblings Australia is at risk of being unable to continue its important work in supporting siblings of people living with disability or chronic illness. I am asking that you write letters to your local and/or national parliamentarians telling them why sibling support is important.
In the twelve years since the establishment of Siblings Australia, the organisation has gained a national and international reputation. However, we have faced many hurdles, none more devastating than the loss of funding when the new ALP government came into power in 2007. Since then we have continued to carry out a number of valuable projects to support siblings, families and providers despite severe resource restrictions. However, Siblings Australia is not able to continue this work without proper resources. It would be shameful if this experience and expertise were to be lost.
We are very fortunate to have recently had Families Australia support our efforts by including Siblings Australia in their election proposals. You can read the National Action Plan for Siblings, and a Briefing Paper about the work of Siblings Australia, here. You can see the details of all the Families Australia’s 2010 election proposals, including those relating to siblings on their website. We now need your support in this campaign.
Please feel free to write your own letter but, in order to make it easier, a pro forma document to guide this letter writing campaign in support of Siblings Australia is included below, which you can adapt as you wish to suit your own situation/experience.
We suggest you email any or all of the below parliamentarians, and any others that you wish (you can cc them into one email):
- Chair, Senate Community Affairs References Committee, Senator Rachel Siewert (AG, WA) senator.siewert@aph.gov.au
- Chair, House of Representatives Standing Committee on Health and Ageing, Mr Steve Georganas MP (ALP, Hindmarsh, SA) Steve.Georganas.MP@aph.gov.au
- Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FAHCSIA) The Hon Jenny Macklin MP (ALP, Jagajaga, VIC) JMacklin.MP@aph.gov.au
- Minister of Health and Ageing, The Hon Nicola Roxon MP (ALP, Gellibrand, VIC) Nicola.Roxon.MP@aph.gov.au
- You may also like to cc your local Member (see list here) and also Siblings Australia.
We appreciate any advocacy efforts you are able to give in order to ensure our ongoing commitment to siblings.
Kind regards
Kate Strohm
Executive DirectorSiblings Australia Inc
p 08 83571214
m 0408 720 558
a 23a king william road, unley, sa 5061
e kate@siblingsaustralia.org.au
w www.siblingsaustralia.org.au
The pro forma email (to be adapted and copied as you wish):
I am writing to support the 2010 election proposals put forward by Siblings Australia and Families Australia and also the Siblings Australia National Action Plan for siblings.
Siblings Australia is the only organisation in this country that is focussed on addressing the unique concerns of brothers and sisters of people with special needs; including chronic illness, disability and mental health issues. However it needs resources in order to continue.
[if you wish, INSERT HERE a paragraph from your own experience (personal and/or professional) about the needs of siblings, the outcomes if support is or is not available and the impact and importance of Siblings Australia OR DELETE THIS SENTENCE.]
Siblings are too important to ignore, not only for their own sake but also for the sake of their brother or sister with special needs.
Can you please assure me that you will consider very carefully the proposal put forward by Families Australia/Siblings Australia for a national co-ordinating organisation to continue this important work?
I look forward to your reply.
Yours sincerely…
