Newsletter  Feb 2024

Newsletter  Feb 2024

Catch up with our latest news from the team at Touching Base.

New Committee members

In addition to our three new Committee members appointed at our AGM in December – Phil Menzies, Tommy Daenguthai and Cedric Hassing – we are delighted to confirm our new Treasurer – Carolyn Dearing and our new Secretary – Lorna Brightwater.

Do you want to march in this year’s Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras? 

People With Disability Australia (PWDA) have kindly earmarked 10 places for Touching Base members and supporters to march with their float at this year’s Mardi Gras on Saturday 2nd March 2024.

If you would like to put your name forward, there are a few things to take into account first.

We will need to provide PWDA the following details as soon as possible:

These details are requested by Mardi Gras.

PWDA are required to submit this information to Mardi Gras organisers to generate your ticket/pass and access into the Marshalling area on the day. By providing this information for the registration form, it will be understood this is your consent for PWDA to submit your contact details to Mardi Gras which they will use in accordance with their privacy policy. You will also be required to present valid photo identification that corresponds with the name registered on the ticket/pass to gain entry.

We will allocate the 10 places we have been allotted to the first 10 Touching Base members who let us know they want to take part by filling out this form: https://forms.gle/cVbyCjwehSu3ezku5 

Scarlet Alliance – call for action 

Our friends at Scarlet Alliance have put out the call that the sex worker community in Queensland needs us to take action, as follows:

The Queensland Government committed to table a bill to decriminalise sex work into before the end of 2023. This has not happened. Follow the link to the campaign letter, personalise it or send as is. The emails go to the Premier and Government Ministers. They know licensing is a failure, the Queensland Law Reform Commission agrees, sex workers agree, and you, our supporters, agree. There is broad support for decriminalisation; Queensland is now the only jurisdiction with this failed licensing model. 

Follow this link to urge the QLD Government to keep their commitment to decriminalise sex work!

Email the QLD Government NOW – demand they table the bill 

Without this essential law reform sex workers in Queensland are left with an impossible choice: to work legally, or safely. 

Everyone should have a safe workplace. With your support we can get this over the line.

In solidarity, Mish Pony Chief Executive Officer, Scarlet Alliance

Are you potentially one of our new Referral Officers?

Due to work and family pressures, Kandi is stepping down as our primary Referral Officer for a while.  We are so thankful for Kandi’s significant contribution in this key role since she joined the team in October 2022. We wish Kandi all the best and hope she will be back volunteering with us in the future.

Touching Base Referral List Officers have the critical role of providing referrals to people with disability and support staff and responding to enquiries via phone or email regarding referrals.

Referral List Officers are required to handle unique enquiries of a highly personal and sensitive nature. They may also be required to address sexual issues that may be challenging for the person making the enquiry to communicate about.

So we are looking for one or two new volunteers who really want to make a difference by becoming a Touching Base Referral Officer. This is engaging and meaningful online work that requires a commitment of up to three hours a week.

Here are some of the key essential you’ll need to have:

  • excellent interpersonal and communication skills (oral and written)
  • intermediate skills in using Gmail and web browsers
  • ability to exercise mature judgement, tact, diplomacy and empathy
  • ability to work independently and in the team setting
  • ability to maintain records regarding daily tasks

If you are interested in applying for this role, please follow this link to the full position purpose and description and instructions on how to apply and we look forward to hearing from you.

All the best from,

The Touching Base Team 

Touching Base endorses The Uluru Statement from the Heart and acknowledges First Nations as the traditional custodians of country throughout Australia, their diversity, histories and knowledge, and their continuing connections to land and community. As Australians all, we respect our nation’s First Peoples, their cultures, and Elders of past, present and future generations.