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Neither Sophist nor Scientist: 30 years in the field. Merely. Merely. Wendy Zerner BA, BSW, Dip Ed Wendy_Zerner@health.qld.gov.au Multicultural Mental Health Coordinator Cairns & Hinterland Mental Health Alcohol Tobacco Other Drug Services. Overview. Sophist , Scientist
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Neither Sophist nor Scientist: 30 years in the field Merely Merely Wendy Zerner BA, BSW, Dip Ed Wendy_Zerner@health.qld.gov.au Multicultural Mental Health Coordinator Cairns & Hinterland Mental Health Alcohol Tobacco Other Drug Services
Overview • Sophist , Scientist • So much more Sage, Sustainer, Scavanger, … • Why Social Work? • Practice Wisdom from – Government, Non Government experience
The 1980ies…individual • LOCAL GOV VIC – whole of community health and wellbeing issues – opportunities • STATE GOV TAS Psychiatric Inpatient Facility - teaching hospital. SW advocate. Ethical dilemas
The 1990ies…individual • FEDERAL Social Security (Centrelink) - individual advocate, guidelines Need for conformity big government organisations Policy change slow - impact huge (compare NFP and other government) • STATE Rural Hospital Social Worker – strength of partnerships & work the team
1998 – 2003…community… • NFP COMMUNITY SUPPORT CENTRE potential • Volunteer program –unique contribution & some personal control; educational opportunity builds community; reciprocity • Political action possible • Opportunity Partnerships – to achieve goals of number of organisations simultaneously
2003-6 …community continued • LOCAL GOVERNMENT Manager • client = community • Partnership potential • Reality policy v politics
Recovery work 2006 - 2007 The strength of a shared journey • STATE GOVERNMENT Department of Communities - rescuers. • NFP LIFELINE People, organisations, communities where they are at physically & psychologically
2007+ Multicultural Mental Health Coordinator – Cairns & Hinterland • Individual, family, cultural group interface with State Government system • Impacts on Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) Individuals and Communities FAMILY CULTURAL COMMUNITY WHOLE OF COMMUNITY LOCAL, STATE, FEDERAL GOVERNMENT INTERNATIONAL
Summary • Journey from Individual focus …doing for – to Community focus …more patience…greater sustainability • Partnerships - seek out the like minded • Personal power (challenges of individual obstructionists) • Find the ‘creative corner’ • Be aware then forget the self