The ICAN team from Cairns, Yarrabah, Palm Island and Thursday Island met at the Paradise Palms Resort last month for our annual workshop. The intensive three-day workshop included presentations from organisation partners James Cook University, Australian Securities and Investments Commission, Queensland Office of Fair Trading, WA Central TAFE and the 20/20 Group. ICAN CEO, Aaron Davis said, “It was important to get the team together, review the year that was and make sure we’re all on the same page for the busy year ahead.”
James Cook University (JCU) Researcher, Jan Robertson presented on the progress and outcomes of the Money Management Program evaluations in Yarrabah and Palm Island. The information provided by JCU will be used to improve the programs in the coming year, with the final program evaluation report due to be released in January 2011.
Robynne Quiggin and Jillian Burgess from the Australian Securities and Investments Commission presented on the new national consumer credit protection legislation. ICAN Services Manager, Jon O’Mally said, “the presentation gave ICAN financial counsellors and support officers a chance to discuss how their own specific cases were affected by the new legislation.”
Sue Harten presented on legislation that the Queensland Office of Fair Trading administers and the developments to the partnership referral process. ICAN Yarrabah Team Leader Lutricia Sexton said, “It was great to discuss with Sue the various consumer issues in our community and identify our rights and responsibilities.”
Jill Lyall from WA Central TAFE and ICAN Training Coordinator Majella Anderson presented on the new Indigenous Financial Counselling Mentorship Program and held an introductory workshop. The time at the workshop gave the team a chance to begin creating a training plan for the year ahead.
Jo Ward from the 20/20 Group presented on some of ICAN’s human resource management undertakings for the year including shifting to a new award and the development of position descriptions and employment contracts. ICAN would like to acknowledge Blake Dawson for their legal support and the QLD Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation funding the services provided by the 20/20 Group.
ICAN would like to thank all of the workshop presenters including workshop facilitator and ICAN Director, Graeme Hooper who collectively made the workshop a great success. Mr. Hooper’s experience in governance training was integral to facilitating the information sharing required to produce a sound strategic business plan. ICAN CEO, Aaron Davis said, “The input from all of the ICAN team is invaluable in planning for the year ahead.”