Relationships Australia SA

Congratulations Nick Tebbey on this well-deserved appointment! Your leadership and dedication to supporting families and communities will be invaluable to the Family Law Council. We look forward to seeing the impact of your contribution! 👏

This week, our CEO Claire Ralfs PhD and Executive Manager Information & Digital Joanna Retnam were guests on an AlphaSys luncheon panel discussion about Humanising Client Case Management for social service organisations undergoing digital transformation.   The luncheon was during the Salesforce Agentforce World Tour Sydney and Dr Ralfs and Ms Retnam offered their expertise alongside Salesforce Senior Director, Nonprofit Product and Solution Strategy Kelli Hudson, and Alphasys Director Consulting Justin Yoon.   Discussions centred around the need for technological transformation to support relationships and human connection, with “doing with” rather than “to or for” a core principle of innovation. RASA panellists reflected on the transformative experience of moving from a system of record to a client centred platform, and the role data plays in improving service delivery and engaging funders. Thanks to Alphasys for bringing together representatives from the social services sector for an inspiring and insightful event! #DigitalTransformation #SocialImpact #Salesforce #NonprofitTech #AgentForce #WorldTourSyd #RelationshipsAustraliaSA 

Today our Deputy CEO Pete Allred took part in a press conference to launch SA Health's Donor Conception Register (DCR), where the donor-conception community can apply to access information held in the online database. Donor-conceived people aged 18 years and over can now access available information about their donor and genetic siblings through the DCR. Donors can also access information on the DCR if the donor-conceived person has given consent. The DCR will be welcome for many people, and it may also bring up complex feelings and challenges for others. Relationships Australia SA will provide the Donor Conception Register Support Service to assist donor-conceived people, donors and their families, as well as others immediately affected.     The support offered will include counselling, search work and support in facilitating connections between donor-conceived people, siblings and donors.  To access the register visit www.sahealth.sa.gov.au. To contact Relationships Australia SA call 1300 364 277 or 1800 182 325 for country callers, or visit www.rasa.org.au. Pictured in the group photo (L-R) is Relationships Australia SA Deputy CEO Pete Allred, Donor-conceived reference group representative Damian Adams, Minister for Health and Wellbeing Chris Picton, and SA Health Executive Director of Governance Advisory Services Prue Reid.

Congratulations to Relationships Australia Victoria and The Australian National University on their study that supports parents to find a co-parenting app to suit their circumstances. This evaluation will help parents make an informed choice👏  

AISR’s Workforce Development Courses are open for enrolment! Courses in a range of community service areas, offered between now and the end of April, are ready for you to enrol in today.      AISR is the training division of Relationships Australia SA. We're leaders in teaching for social impact and offer a range of courses that empower you to contribute meaningfully to society.      Courses open for enrolment include: ·        Safe Environments for Children and Young People ·        Supervision: Developing Your Reflective Practice ·        Working Better with Nunga Kids ·        Conversations at the Kitchen Table ·        Working with People with Lived Experience ·        Working Therapeutically with Men who Perpetrate Violence ·        Accidental Counsellor ·        Family Group Conferencing Coordinator Training   🔗 To discover the right course for you visit www.socialrelations.edu.au.     Keep an eye on our socials for more courses added each month.  

Tomorrow is the anniversary of the 2008 National Apology to the Stolen Generations, a moment that acknowledged the impact of forced child removals on First Nations families, communities, and culture. This day is a reminder of the past, the resilience of survivors, and the ongoing journey toward truth, justice, and healing. Between 1910 and 1970 thousands of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children were removed from their families and communities by churches, welfare organisations and governments. It's estimated that up to 1 in 3 First Nations children were forcibly removed from their families and fostered or adopted by non-Indigenous families or raised in institutions. To read more about the apology, including the Bringing Them Home report that documented the grief, loss and intergenerational impact of breaking cultural, spiritual and family ties, visit http://bit.ly/40MVARx If you live in the Port Adelaide area, join the Walk of Awareness to reflect on the meaning of this day. Walking together, we acknowledge the past and work toward a shared future of respect and reconciliation. 📍 Where: Port Adelaide 🕥 When: Thursday, 13 February 2025 – Gather at 10:15am, walk begins at 10:45am

Meet our Chair, Diarmid Lee. Diarmid has been a board member for six years, including two years as Deputy Chair. Diarmid is founder and a director at Adelaide based consultancy Leed Consulting, a company that specialises in organisational development. He works with clients as a coach, facilitator, and cultural change consultant, assisting them to optimise business and people performance at both the organisational and individual levels. Diarmid brings to the role experience, passion and a clear vision for RASA’s future. "I’m honoured to be chair of an organisation that has relationships at its core, not only in the vital work it does, but also how it engages both internally and externally. It is a pleasure to be working with such a highly skilled board and executive team and I’m excited about what the future holds for us and the impact we can bring to the South Australian community." -         Diarmid Lee To learn more about our Board visit https://lnkd.in/gFUS-AZB    

We’re excited to unveil the Australian Institute of Social Relations (AISR) website! 🎉 With a bold new logo, improved navigation, and content that’s clear and easy to follow, it’s never been easier to explore our courses and take your career in the Community Services sector to the next level. 🚀 🔗 To discover what course is right for you visit www.socialrelations.edu.au.

After an exceptional 24 years of leadership, Franco Camatta is stepping down as Chair of RASA’s Board. We are delighted that he will continue contributing as a member of the Board, sharing his knowledge, experience, and wisdom. Franco has made a significant contribution to RASA’s success, guiding the organisation with vision, dedication, and a deep understanding of the importance of our work. We are pleased to welcome Diarmid Lee as our new Chair. With six years on the Board and two as Deputy Chair, Diarmid brings experience, passion and a clear vision for RASA’s future. To the role of Deputy Chair, we welcome Lorna Hallahan, who has been a Board member since 2021 and brings with her a wealth of expertise in policy and social services.   We celebrate the outstanding contributions of Geoff Kay, who departs after 27 years of service, most as Treasurer. His financial expertise has significantly contributed to RASA's success. We are delighted to welcome Sarah Emms to the Board as our new Treasurer, bringing her strategic financial expertise, and also Ann-Marie Hayes, whose extensive sector experience provides invaluable insight for our future.  We appreciate the breadth of knowledge and skills our Board Members bring to RASA, and their shared commitment to quality family services. To learn more about our Board members visit www.rasa.org.au. 

We recently farewelled our much-loved Executive Manager of Children’s Services, Deborah Lockwood, as she headed into retirement. 💐 For more than 28 years Deb supported clients through early intervention services and support. She was instrumental in advocating for, introducing and growing a range of RASA programs, including Infant Massage, Post Adoption Support Service, Together for Kids, and Ngartuitya Family Group Conferencing. Deborah has a strong commitment to social justice, and she doggedly advocated for marginalised communities throughout her career, including for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander justice, children, Palestinians, and the LGBTQI+ community. Her passion, leadership and unwavering commitment had a lasting impact, influencing government and sector training programs to support the changing needs of South Australian families. Deborah is an inspirational leader who models heart-based listening ❤️. She discovered and backed many young people in their early career, who she leaves in her wake to continue her legacy. Deborah, we wish you all the best for this new chapter. Thank you for your incredible contribution! 🌟 We welcome Sarah Decrea as she steps into the role of Executive Manager of Children’s Services.