Annual Report

2011/2012

Philosophy Statement

Open Doors values and celebrates the legitimacy of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender identities and the diversity of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender cultures and communities. We believe that all young people have the right to explore their gender and sexuality in safe and supportive environments. All aspects of Open Doors are underpinned by a genuine commitment to the principles of participation, access, equity and collaborative action.

Open Doors believes that the exploration and experience of sexuality and gender is diverse and life-long. Open Doors recognises that young people exploring lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender issues do so in a cultural environment that can disadvantage, discriminate against and marginalise them both directly and indirectly. Open Doors actively works toward creating environments and opportunities that empower young people to live with pride in their lives as valued and equal members of their communities.

Open Doors is based on an innovative and dynamic service delivery model. This service works with young people in accessible and culturally appropriate ways to reduce isolation, share information, develop support networks and enhance young people’s participation and connection to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender cultures and other communities. Open Doors works to enhance the capacity of communities to understand and support young peoples expressions of their gender and sexuality.

Open Doors advocates for the right of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender young people to access a variety of services and support appropriate to their needs. We work collaboratively with others to: a) meet the needs of young people, either directly or indirectly; b) identify gaps and enhance capacity to meet the needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender young people.

Through participation in relevant networks and undertaking community education and training, we challenge negative stereotypes and misconceptions which hinder the access of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender young people to a full range of services and supports. Open Doors is committed to the development of sustainable networks across sectors.

Open Doors values the contribution, opinions and experiences of each member and the practice of open and honest communication. We aim to achieve a shared understanding and direction through equal access to information and an active commitment to consensus where possible. We employ supportive processes that encourage learning and development for all members of the organisation. We are committed to the positive resolution of conflict to enable effective organisational growth and change.

In these ways, Open Doors aims to make a significant difference to the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender young people and their communities. We will operate ethically, transparently and accountably in all facets of our service. We acknowledge the challenge and responsibility of this opportunity and welcome the participation of all communities who share this commitment.

Open Doors Youth Service Inc. Annual Report 2011/2012 Page 2 Open Doors Youth Service Inc Annual General Meeting 5 Greensquare Close, Fortitude Valley 24th January 2012

Minutes

Meeting Commenced: 6.20pm

Welcome to Country: Aunty Dawn Daylight delivered a traditional welcome acknowledging the traditional owners of Brisbane.

Attendance (18): Dawn Daylight, Rod McLaren, Cherry Waldron, Linda Hibbert, Jules Woodley, Rocky Malone, Mick Gardiner, Greg Banach, Sally Morris, Ged Farmer, Keith Vanhaefien, Glenn Deller, Russel Flynn, Pauline Coffey, Ashleigh Broom, Amanda Dean, Marya McDonald, Shannon Michaels, Suzanne Michaels, Dale Symons, Grace Grace MP, Logan Wolfrhamn (YP) and Lachlan Black (YP).

Apologies: Bobby Noone, Senator Claire Moore, Joy Glover, Rebecca Johnson, Tanya Quakawoot, Ashli Roberts and Joseph Robinson.

Proxies (5): Rebecca Johnson, Joy Glover, Ashli Roberts and Bobby Noone

Cherry Waldron, finance and admin worker, welcomed everyone to the meeting

Minutes of 2011 AGM:

Minutes of 2010 AGM: Proposed that Minutes from the 2010 AGM be accepted Moved: Seconded: Accepted

Committee Report: Shirralee Ransley 2010/2011 Chairperson of the Management Committee spoke to the Management Committee report. Thanked staff, volunteers, young people and Committee and all those who have supported Open Doors in past year. Proposed that the Chairpersons Report be accepted Moved: Seconded: Accepted

Service Report : Rocky Malone Acting Coordinator of Open Doors spoke to the 2010/2011 Service report. Highlighted key events and achievements from all projects and programs. Proposed that the Service Report be accepted: Moved: Seconded: Accepted

Open Doors Youth Service Inc. Annual Report 2011/2012 Page 3 Minutes Cont.

Treasurers Report: Rod McLaren 2010/2011 Treasurer of the Management Committee spoke to this report. Thanked all those who generously donated money to support the work of Open Doors. Proposed that the Treasurers report be accepted Moved: Seconded: Accepted

Report on Public Liability Insurance: Cherry Waldron announced that Open Doors Youth Service had increased their Public Liability Insurance from $10mil to $20mil.

Appointment of Auditor: Proposed that Haywards Chartered Accountants be adopted as the Auditor for the financial year 2011/2012. Moved: Seconded: Accepted

Election of Management Committee: Russell Flynn, Returning Officer declared all positions vacant.

All nominations were unopposed and the following members were declared elected:

Dale Symons – Chairperson Jamie Langlois – Secretary Rod McLaren – Treasurer Rebecca Johnson Joy Glover Sophiaan Subhan

Russell announced that there are still vacancies on the committee and that everyone is welcome at the Management Committee Meetings held on the 2nd Tuesday of the Month.

Cherry Waldron acknowledged the new IT consultant, Greg Banach and the two young people who attended. In closing, she thanked all those present for their attendance and for their continued support of Open Doors.

Meeting closed: 7.20.

Entertainment: Jules Woodley

Open Doors Youth Service Inc. Annual Report 2011/2012 Page 4 Committee Report

Reflection

Over the past year Open Doors Youth Service has seen considerable change both within the service, and in the overseeing committee. These changes have been a catalyst for Open Doors youth service to explore new opportunities as we advance our plan for the next year, five year, and ten year periods. The Open Doors tenth anniversary, celebrated in December 2011, marked a service milestone and also gave a moment of reflection. Reflection showed the path Open Doors has moved along since it was established til today: where it has evolved into a solid, incorporated Youth service. The challenge of maintaining, expanding, and finding new opportunities to engage those young people in need is still ahead.

Rocky, like her name sake, has been the rock of Open Doors Youth Service over the past 4 years – ever more so over the past year since she has stepped up to the coordinator role. Rocky has worked hard at pulling together staff and volunteers to help run the service and keep the wheels turning. Rocky’s dedicated team, comprising staff and volunteers, have supported Open Door’s clients as through mentoring, Drop-in days, and special events.

Over the past year, Open Doors Youth Service has witnessed a shift in the diversity of the young people attending and accessing the services. Some of these young people are from diverse ethnic backgrounds and cultures. This is testimony that Open Doors has created a safe haven for young people to meet likeminded peers and participate in the services available. This is especially evident during the ‘Drop-in’ times. Regardless of their background, the young people form a bond and unite to continue their journey.

Events

Rocky and the staff put together a fantastic night solely devoted to Open Doors’ volunteers - acknowledging their tireless work in the service. The young people hosted a BBQ and prepared food for all the volunteers that attended. Special thanks to Beau, Ashli, and Jonathan who not only coordinated on the Volunteer night, but helped pull the feast and the awards together seamlessly.

On Pride day, many of the young people and volunteers helped organise and put together activities and information to show any prospective young people attending. Jonathan helped stage a youth event at the Pride day: the Youth Olympics.

Big Gay Day was a success: the staff, volunteers and young people got together to help raise money for Open Doors Youth Service. Through networking and word of mouth, the staff and volunteers spread vital information to young people and friends of young people who may have not known about Open Doors Youth Service.

Queeriosity was staged for the third consecutive year. Each year the event increases in scope, momentum and attendees. This year 307 young people attended Queeriosity, many of whom were new to the service. Queeriosity a great day for all young people to come, meet friends, and have fun. This year the event took place under the Story Bridge right near the river which was a great venue with plenty of space and market-like stalls for all to enjoy.

Funding Open Doors Youth Service operates though funding received from grants and donations. Several grants have been ongoing, and negotiations continue with the current State Government for a small but significant allocation of funds to continue supporting Young People at risk.

Open Doors Youth Service Inc. Annual Report 2011/2012 Page 5 The challenging process of seeking opportunities for funding and partnerships will continue and a strategy for this is in development.

Forward planning Open Doors Youth Service planed and completed a draft strategic policy to guide staff through the next few years. The strategy will comprise of several phases with the staff already drafting their vision for the organisation’s future service delivery. By the end of 2012, the management committee and the staff will meet to develop the formal strategic plan and subsequent implementation processes.

Service delivery Open Doors’ service delivery is guided by policies and procedures. Over the last few years, a number of the policies has been reviewed and revised to reflect current practices, issues, and staff requirements. The Management Committee and staff are now committed to the process of continual review, seeking to increase the scope of some policies thereby reducing the need for others and providing a concise set of operational guidelines.

Staff 2012 has seen a number of staff changes. Early in the year, a new appointment was made for the role of coordinator. For such a small organisation, the coordinator role is pivotal and the incumbent had for a time, been acting in the role until the selection process could occur. The current coordinator has been able to lead and develop the organisation while mentoring staff and cementing their support. In an environment in which the daily work and focus can be ever- changing, the coordinator has upheld the direction and integrity of Open Doors Youth Service while rising to meet the challenging priorities.

The role of finance officer also became vacant. The position involved considerably more than attending to the accounts, budgeting, and forecasting expenses: finding a suitable replacement involved casting a wide net. In total for the two vacancies in 2012, Open Doors received an excess of 50 applications.

Losing such pivotal staff is always difficult in small organisations. The incumbents in both positions have worked hard to ensure a seamless transition from the change of staffing. Outgoing staff have maintained contact and provided support where required. Open Doors Youth Service is proud it can enlist support from past employees for training and assisting new staff to become familiar with the role.

The Management Committee is confident that the organisation is in safe hands with the new appointees. In addition, the Management Committee itself has experienced some changes in membership. A number of long serving members decided to retire from the committee at the end of 2011 including the chair. During 2012 several new members joined the committee and at the conclusion of this year, the Management Committee with see further change as memberships renew.

Reporting In an effort to streamline administrative practices, Open Doors’ staff has developed new reporting templates. This has made the monthly task of reporting and recording quicker and more efficient for both the staff and committee members.

Open Doors Youth Service Inc. Annual Report 2011/2012 Page 6 Community Support Open Doors Youth Service Benefits from considerable community support. Local organisations continue to fundraise and provide ‘in-kind’ support for activities. For this, the organisation is grateful and consistently seeks opportunities to partner with other organisations. Our coordinator has proactively developed links with arts organisations that see young people who may be living away from home for the first time, and are likely to be at risk. The continuation of Queer Yarn has been well received and numbers attending remain strong.

Open Doors has also experienced an increase in invitations from schools and school groups, concerned with ensuring teachers of students who are exploring identity, are well informed and supported to provide the best possible outcomes for students.

Website A new and improved website is currently in development. The website will house a number of resources for parents, young people, and schools with an emphasis on meeting the needs, and reaching out to young people in rural and remote locations throughout Queensland.

2013 The year that is almost over has been eventful and extremely busy for all at Open Doors Youth Service. We now embrace the challenges ahead and look forward to what the New Year will bring.

It is timely, as Open Doors reaches this important milestone and the end of its current strategic plan, to examine the needs of LGBT young people and the opportunities that exist for Open Doors (and others) to respond to them.

Final Thanks: The committee would sincerely like to thank all of our staff, volunteers and allies who have contributed in a variety of ways to Open Doors, giving their time, energy, enthusiasm and commitment.

Open Doors Management Committee 2011/2012: Dale Symons (Chairperson) Jamie Langlois (Secretary) Rod McLaren (Vice Chairperson, Treasurer) Joy Glover Michael Johnson Ashli Roberts Jonathan Waters Sophiaan Subhan Rebecca Johnson

Open Doors Youth Service Inc. Annual Report 2011/2012 Page 7 Staff Members and Volunteers

Coordinator Rocky Malone January 2009 – ongoing

Reconnect Youth and Family Worker Jules Woodley March 2011 – ongoing Sally Plunkett September 2011 - ongoing

Finance and Administration Worker Joseph Robinson May 2012 – ongoing

Peer Mentor Program Linda Hibbert August 2010 – August 2012 (volunteer since December 2008)

Young and Proud Group Facilitator Sally Plunkett (March 2010 to ongoing) (volunteer since December 2008)

Jelly Beans Facilitator Lorelei Voisey June 2011 - ongoing

Youth Worker Relief Staff Sally Plunkett, Timothy Foote, and Cherry Waldron

Cleaners Felicity Pobje, Kevin Leia, Nikki Smith, and Russell Chisadza

Volunteers Joseph Robinson (Office Administration) Rod McLaren (Young and Proud, Emergency Relief) Grace Barney (Drop-In, tutor) Jim Healy (Jellybeans) Nicola Gordon (Drop-In) Timothy Foote (Drop-In) Ally Stewart (Drop-In) El Turner (Queeriosity) Heidi Jansen (Psychologist) Oska Gilmour (Young and Proud) Michael Grigg (Drop-In) Tanya Quakawood (Drop-In, Queeryarn)

Student Placements Daniel Wallace, Steffi Stackpolle and Shannah Lundon-Collard.

Open Doors Youth Service Inc. Annual Report 2011/2012 Page 8 Service Report 2011 – 2012

PROGRAMS, PROJECTS, and GROUPS

Reconnect Program (Funded by the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs)

Through the Reconnect program, Open Doors Youth Service is able to support LGBT young people aged 12 to 18 and their families who are homeless or at risk of homelessness During the 2011-2012, Open Doors Youth Service has supported 38 new Reconnect young people and their families and provided them with case management and individual support to assist in the improvement of their family relationships, and their engagement with the community, appropriate accommodation, education, employment and training.

Over the past twelve months, Open Doors Youth Service has had an increase of LGBT young people families, extended families and carers of LGBT young people access Open Doors Youth Service for support. Open Doors Youth Service has also made valuable partnerships with external organisations to provide the young people with the best support possible for their needs. Open Doors Youth Service has worked alongside such organisations as Hot House (Youth Drug and Alcohol Service) and Brisbane Youth Service creating a positive and accessible support network for LGBT youth.

In 2011-2012 we saw the implementation of Open Doors Youth Service educational workshops for LGBT youth, who may be living out of home, to teach them life skills such as budgeting, personal safety, negotiation skills, shopping and cooking.

A total of 61 Reconnect clients had accessed the Open Doors Youth Service social support groups during this period. It was interesting to note that these young people had 1038 individual contacts with groups: an average of 17 contacts per young person (1 being lowest 95 being the highest).

The Reconnect Youth and Family Support Workers are Jules Woodley and Sal Plunkett.

Open Doors Youth Service Inc. Annual Report 2011/2012 Page 9 Drop-In Space

The Open Doors Youth Service Drop-In space for young people who identify as LGBT, or who are exploring their sexuality and/or gender identity, serves two key purposes.

2012 Drop-in has seen a significant increase in the number of young people engaging with Open Doors Youth Service Youth Service Drop-in activities. Open Doors Youth Service has had 120 new clients register in 2012, a large number of these made first contact through the Drop-in service.

Drop-in provides an opportunity for young people who feel isolated, are questioning their sexuality, or are looking for opportunities to meet young people like themselves.

Drop-in provides a safe and supportive environment supervised by professional staff and volunteers. The relaxed and casual environment provides staff with an opportunity to build a rapport with young people, and offer individual support to clients identified as needing further assistance through the Reconnect Program.

Further, Drop-in gives an important opportunity for external services to engage with LGBT young people. Some of the visiting service providers have included; RESPECT, Queensland Police Liaison Officers, Community Elders, PFLAG, Hot House, 2Spirits (Healthy Communities), QuIHN, and Brisbane Youth Service. This opportunity allows services to build a rapport with LGBT young people. They may feel safer to access programs through those services as a result. For example: Youth Connections Live & Learn program (BYS), Hot House (alcohol and other drug counselling), Police support and more.

Feedback about Drop-in from young people “I went to open doors quite a few years ago now and it's where I met a lot of people I'm still quite good friends with today. I had only just come out of the closet and didn't really have that many gay friends. Open Doors gave me confidence and a feeling of community with the others who were in a similar situation or who had been through it. Things such as the calendar, the occasional outing and the bbq's were great too! Having a place like Open Doors in such a central area is very helpful for a lot of youth” Tai (age 25).

“I am sure many of the others will agree to, Open Doors is sort of like a second home to many of us, what with how friendly, accepting and welcoming everyone is there. Personally, for me, it has been really helpful, because it has given me a place to explore who I am and gain some small level of confidence that I did not have when I first started coming, some three years ago now. I like Open Doors because I feel loved, accepted, respected and welcomed every time I attend a Drop-In session. It has been amazing coming to Open Doors every week and having such an amazing time with the workers, the other young people and, of course, the Wii. XD!! WOOO!! GO MARIO KART!!” Garath (age 18)

Open Doors Youth Service Inc. Annual Report 2011/2012 Page 10 Staff from a range of allied and LGBT-friendly support services are regularly invited to Drop-in: Hot House, 2 Spirits, Family Planning, Sexual Health, and Brisbane Youth Service medical support services and Othilla’s Young Women’s Support Service.

2012 Drop-In also offered LGBT young people the opportunity to access professional mental health support in a safe space. Open Doors Youth Service was fortunate to continue their relationship with Priscilla Jettoo (Psychologist) who provides valuable support to LGBT young people at Open Doors Youth Service. During the past year, the Centre for Human Potential supported Open Doors Youth Service by inviting volunteer Heidi Jansen (Psychologist) to work weekly with LGBT young people across all programs and groups.

During this period, 198 young people attended Drop-In. Across the total clients, there was a total of 1,488 visits, with an average of 7.5 contacts per young person (1 being the lowest and 95 being the highest). During 2012, 92 young people were first time visitors to the Drop-In space.

2012 Drop-In volunteers have included Ayla O’Donnell, Glen Druitt, Nicola Gordon, Heidi Jansen, Michael Grigg, Tanya Quakawoot, Grace Barney, Lorelei Voisey, Shannah Lundon, Tim Foote and Lizet Depaz.

Jellybeans (Funded by Healthy Communities Fund, Donations)

The Open Doors Youth Service Jellybeans group is for young people who are transgender or gender diverse. Jellybeans gives access to support, information, and resources specific to the needs or transgender and gender diverse youth. Jellybeans recognises that the experience of having a diverse gender is different to that of a diverse sexuality.

The group is a safe and welcoming place for transsexual, transgendered, or otherwise gender-diverse youth to gather and find social support, information, and resources that assist in exploring the lived experience of their own gender identities. It is recognised that gender-diverse young people have specific needs apart from, or in addition to, those in the collective queer community – few spaces exist that acknowledge accept, promote and celebrate the various potential gender identities within society.

Jellybeans has, over the last year, been through some subtle changes: the group has moved away from being just a social hang-out, and has moved toward round-table discussions and engaged dialogue between facilitators, volunteers and young people. This was brought about after identifying a growing need within the young people to really tackle as a group more detailed transgender issues and topics

Open Doors Youth Service Inc. Annual Report 2011/2012 Page 11 The discussions have sought to reach a harmonious balance between being client-driven and facilitator-driven activities: young people have the opportunity to shape the space to meet their needs and desires. Topics have covered include hormone use/access and effects, identity and community issues, health and social aspects of transgender ageing and others. We have also held several fairly successful clothes-swaps.

In this period, 79 young people attended Jellybeans. These young people had a total of 229 visits to the Jellybeans group with an average of three contacts per young person (one being the lowest and 14 being the highest). Jellybeans had 46 first time visitors to the group.

The Jellybeans facilitator and volunteers are not only transsexual or gender-diverse themselves, and from various places on the masculine-feminine spectrum, but comfortable in being open about their identities and life experiences. This has been important in providing supportive, positive role models, and to demonstrate that a transgender identity is a valid, valued and wholesome one. The Jellybeans Group Facilitator is Lorelei Voisey, and volunteers included Jim Healy, Hania Samuel and Grace Barney.

Open Doors Youth Service Inc. Annual Report 2011/2012 Page 12

Young and Proud

(Funded by Community Donations and YAP Fundraising)

The Open Doors Youth Service Young and Proud group is for LGBT young people and those with a diverse gender and questioning their sexuality aged 18 to 24. This group is very active: introducing young people to the larger LGBT community and providing them with opportunities to participate in a drug and alcohol free spaces, which often can be hard to find.

The Young and Proud Group Facilitator and Young people fundraise and find community donations to keep this group up and running. As a result of our efforts and activity, 87 young people attended YAP, with an average of 2.8 contacts per young person (one being the lowest and 30 the highest). The average age of participants is 20 (15 being the youngest and 26 the oldest)

These young people have been visible and active volunteers at many community events supporting Open Doors Youth Service including: Big Gay Day, Rallies, Sporties Charity Bake off, Members night at the Wickham, and . Young and Proud encourages the community to donate money to keep their group going. In past years Young and Proud has relied on older community volunteers: this past year young people who have accessed group for longer periods of time have been acting as volunteers within Drop-in, as well as running fundraising events for Young and Proud without supervision. To those young people we send an enormous thank you.

The Young and Proud Group Facilitator is Sally Plunkett.

Open Doors Youth Service Inc. Annual Report 2011/2012 Page 13 On The Fringe Peer Mentor Program

On The Fringe Peer Mentor Program saw the development of a drug and alcohol resource. This resource was in the form of a LGBT specific binge drinking poster, pamphlet, and On The Fringe CD.

This poster has been developed by and for young people using their language and artwork, which was then complied into the resource as it has been produced. As is the case with all the resources, the flyer has been developed by and for young people using information from the Drink Wise website combined with input from young people, that mirrors the content of the web site, and various professionals, which in a way proves that the message is getting through.

We are particularly proud of this resource: it is an innovative way of delivering the binge drinking message in a format designed to appeal to young people with contemporary music. It delivers a message, and coordinated a diverse group of young people and other services in the recording and production.

The final product is a collaboration between young people, LGBT and LGBT allied performers (based locally and internationally) Open Doors, Hot house, Q music, Gas Works Studios, and the Queensland University of Technology: music and sound.

The CD itself is comprised of an interview segment with a young person or a professional alcohol and drug worker followed by a song and another interview. To listen to the song, you must listen to the message (you can’t fast forward through the message).

Open Doors Youth Service would like to acknowledge that this has been highly challenging, diverse, and rewarding with many complex aspects to develop: implementing the program and training package, staging alcohol and drug free events, and the development of resources. It is also true to say we will be very sad to see the program come to an end. We are sure it is also true the young people, the mentors, and all those organisations and individuals too numerous to mention here, who have contributed there time and energy in making the peer mentor program the success it has been, will be sad to see the program end. In achieving the aims and objectives of the funding agreement, we hope we have built a lasting legacy of experience and resources developed in this ground breaking program – A program and experience that we hope will be used in the future as a solid base for other organisations who may be interested in developing programs for LGBT youth: at times a much misunderstood and neglected part of the community.

In developing alcohol and binge drinking resources we feel that the `On the Fringe: The CD’ will be a unique and lasting tribute to the program and an innovative way of getting

Open Doors Youth Service Inc. Annual Report 2011/2012 Page 14 the binge drinking message out to young people in a format they can relate to that will be a part of their CD collection for a long time to come.

I sincerely feel it has been my privilege to work with this group of young people, the mentors and other organisation who have contributed to the program over the time of the program.

Sincerely,

Linda Hibbert Peer Mentor Worker

Open Doors Youth Service Inc. Annual Report 2011/2012 Page 15 QueerYarn

QueerYarn is an LGBT Youth Yarning Circle that is held once a month. QueerYarn is a group for Indigenous and Non Indigenous Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and or Transgender young people aged 24 and under. A Yarning Circle is a place where stories and knowledge can be shared in a caring environment that’s relaxed and comfortable. QueerYarn is a community project that involves LGBT and NON LGBT organisations.

The Yarn is a communication tool to assist people in sharing their voice and experiences in a structured learning environment. It uses traditional Aboriginal storytelling and incorporating oral communication techniques, such as one voice at a time and turn talking.

QueerYarn wants to bring together Indigenous and non-Indigenous LGBT Young People together to learn about culture, share stories, break down barriers, and work together to as one voice in the LGBT community.

2011/2012 period saw the Queeryarn group actively educating LGBT youth about the diverse cultural groups within the LGBT community. Queeryarn showcased cultural beliefs, dance and yarning to educate all LGBT youth.

Queeryarn works in partnership with:

• 2 Spirits (Healthy Communities) • Indigenous Elders • Indigenous Police Liaison Officers • IndigiLez • Samoan Police Liaison Officers • Samoan community members • Runway Dance Crew • Aboriginal College of Performing Arts (ACPA) • Hepatitis Queensland

The Queeryarn workshops are run by multicultural groups or members teaching culture and diversity to all LGBT young people. The workshop goals are to create awareness of the multicultural LGBT community. Some activities include:

• Hepatitis Sand artwork workshop’s • Indigenous Elder’s attendance and Yarning • Cultural educational workshops • Dance lessons • Music and singing • Traditional cooking Open Doors Youth Service Inc. Annual Report 2011/2012 Page 16 The Indigenous Elders who attend QueerYarn now have also built relationships with the LGBT young people who access the Drop-in space and attend Open Doors Youth Service. Elders are able to liaise with the young people outside of the monthly Queeryarn group activities. The Indigenous Elders have also participated in such events as Queeriosity and the Equal Rights Marriage Rally: helping LGBT young people to paint signs and banners.

QueerYarn has grown throughout 2012 and has seen LGBT youth attending such events as NAIDOC 2012 and ACPA events and performances. In 2012 Open Doors Youth Service was recognised by the Queensland Police Service, Indigenous Police Liaison Officers and Indigenous Community Elders for their partnership with working with the Indigenous community and youth. The QueerYarn volunteers are Uncle Tiger Sing, Aunty Bessie Parsons, Aunty Margaret Stanley, Aunty Dawn Daylight, Brett Mooney, Philip Sariago, Tanya Quakawoot, Nome Tuagalu, Sala Pati, Shelton Murphy and Bianca Corowa.

Emergency Relief Program

Due to a generous private donation, Open Doors Youth Service now has an emergency relief program to support LGBT young people’s health, safety and wellbeing needs for those who do not have access to any other options, such as Centerlink, employment or family support and to provide them with accommodation, food, clothing, transport and medical support. This program also allowed us to keep a well-stocked food bank and nutritional frozen meals for young people who do not have access to a reliable food source.

Open Doors Youth Service would like to thank Pip Sturgen (PFLAG member) and Nicola Gordon (Volunteer) for cooking meals for the emergency relief program so that LGBT youth can be provided with home cooked meals.

KEY ACTIVITIES:

ODYSI Award

The ODYSI Award is awarded to an Open Doors Youth Service young person who has contributed significantly to their community. In 2011 the ODYSI Award was awarded to three young people because it was a hard choice to just pick one as the recipient of this year’s award have all contributed significantly to the LGBT community over the year. The winners are: Ashli Roberts

• Volunteers at 95% of the events we have a presences at (pride days, same sex marriage rally’s, gay day) • Will attend Openings and Lunches as an Open Doors Youth Service young person representative. • And has fundraised for Young and Proud since it has been running. • Has helped new young people fit in and find a group of friends at events or Open Doors.

Open Doors Youth Service Inc. Annual Report 2011/2012 Page 17 Beau Hawton

• Volunteers / fundraises for young and proud and has so since he first accessed Open Doors. • Has participated in a few event committees’ for Open Doors Youth Service such as queeriosity and made a valuable contribution to the tenth birthday celebrations. • Has helped new young people fit in and find a group of friends at events or within Open Doors. Scha

• Scha has participated and taken a lead role as a young person in the tenth year birthday committee. • Assisting and helping Jellybeans young people with education and advice.

Open Day

In the June school holidays Open Doors Youth Service held the regular Open Day to encourage young people who have not previously had contact with Open Doors Youth Service to see the space, meet the staff, discover our support services, and have some fun at the same time. In 2012 Open Doors Youth Service teamed up with Visible Ink youth support service to hold the event in both spaces. This allowed Open Doors Youth Service clients to interact with Visible Ink staff and to access the Visible Ink space.

30 Young people attended the Open Day and participated in a make-up course, dance class, badge making, artwork and BBQ lunch. 6 of these young people attended for the first time to meet and interact with young people just like them.

Open Doors Youth Service Inc. Annual Report 2011/2012 Page 18 Queeriosity – National Youth Week Queer Youth Festival

Queeriosity is the LGBTIQ youth festival run by Open Doors Youth Service on the 21st April 2012 during Brisbane’s National Youth Week. Queeriosity is an event to inform the wider community about who Open Doors Youth Service is and the services we offer, and also to provide entertainment for the young people who access the services at Open Doors.

This year, we went for a different feel: running Queeriosity as a music festival which had the best local and interstate LGBTIQ (and supportive) musicians to front the show. With acts like Just Lizi, The Boys, Rawr Vanity, The Mouldy Lovers and many more.

The general consensus of feedback gathered from the young people who attended Queeriosity 2012 was: “AWESOME”. Aside from the amount of creative awesomeness that was oozing from the main stage and the acoustic stage; there were endless info stalls, discussion groups, and LGBT youth activities.

Queeriosity 2012 saw a significant increase in LGBT young people, family and friends who attended the event. In total, we had 307 people attend the festival and 9 community organisations attending the event. young people that attended commented that they enjoyed the bands, the activities, and found the stalls and discussion groups informative.

Open Doors Youth Service would personally like to thank all of the young people who attended Queeriosity, the bands and musicians who performed, and all the volunteers who helped make the day a huge success. Open Doors Youth Service would like to specifically thank El Turner who volunteered her time to plan the event along with Jules Woodley and Open Doors Youth Service Inc. Annual Report 2011/2012 Page 19 the LGBT youth committee. We would like to thank Brisbane City Council and STREETSMART for their generous donation that made this event possible. The LGBT youth and LGBT community are grateful for their support.

Club IQ – LGBT Youth Dance Party

Club IQ is an LGBT dance party was held in November 2011, at the Holy Trinity Church. The Young and Proud group in conjunction with the peer mentor program developed this event. Club IQ is an alcohol and drug free dance which offered a supervised, unique space and safe, clubbing experience for young LGBT people. Club IQ relied heavily on volunteers from the peer mentor program and Young and Proud to make this event run smoothly. We had 48 young people attend on the night with a diverse range of cultures, and an age range between 14 to 24 years of age: 43% identified as male and 57% identified as female. Cultural backgrounds included: South Sea, Asian, Indigenous (Aus), American, Korean, Indonesian, Pilipino, Dutch, Columbian, Maori, French, Latino, Greek, Iraqi, New Zealander, Jordanian, Malaysian, South African.

Thanks to

• Mentors and volunteers • Father Trevor and the Holy Trinity Church • Rent-a Fence • The Wickham Hotel • Young and Proud young people

Open Doors Youth Service Inc. Annual Report 2011/2012 Page 20 Volunteers Week Celebration

This year for Volunteer week we wanted to celebrate and show our appreciation to our volunteers for their contributions, hard work, and commitment to Open Doors. The planning began with the help of our young people. On the night we had a build-your-own-burger section, and great live music and dance performances from the young people. We like would once again to thank all the volunteers who give their time up to support Open Doors.

Moreover, we’d like to thank all our volunteers for their contribution over the year, your much appreciated time and support help make Open Doors Youth Service what it is today and will allow it to continue to expand into the future.

Nicky Miklos: Has volunteered her time to fundraising and helping running the stall at such events as Queeriosity.

Nicola Gordon: Is a Drop-in volunteer, Nicola has encouraged the young people to unleash their creativity, she also donates a lot of art and craft supplies along with food.

Grant Fitzgerald: Has helped Open Doors Youth Service with legal proceeding and advice for young people, while he is considered a volunteer let it be known he charges a packed of biscuits.

Joseph Robinson: Has volunteered much of his time to admin.

Jim Healy: Volunteers for the Jellybeans program.

Hiedi Jansen: Is the psychologist, she has run many workshops surrounding relationship and mental health issues. Her support to the young people is greatly appreciated.

The Sportsman hotel: Has offered their support over the years, we thank them for their assistance they provide in fundraising.

Sal Plunkett: Has volunteered her time in a number of ways, through Young and Proud, the Open Doors Youth Service stall and at a variety of events.

Pip Sturgeon: Has supplied home cooked meals for the young people, during winter we are especially thankful for nutritious hot meals.

Ruth Gardner: has aided Open Doors Youth Service particularly prior to events such as sourcing and providing equipment and materials.

Oska Gilmour: Has just begun volunteering with Open doors, he has participated in running the stall at the Marriage equality rally.

Open Doors Youth Service Inc. Annual Report 2011/2012 Page 21 Peer Mentor Program

Since its beginning in August 2010, it has been a great source of support, friendship and understanding. From our clients: “We’d like to thank all the peer mentors, knowing someone has been there to talk and understand what we are going through has made all the difference.”

Danielle Lewis: has volunteered her time and is an active member of the community.

Nima Radan: was one of the first people to sign up for this program, the continued support is greatly appreciated.

Hemal Ruthuayake: Has also been a long-time volunteer.

Kristiana Kilvert: advocates for the LGBT community at such events as the marriage equality rally.

Nick Clark: helped organise Queeriosity and continues to volunteer for a variety of fundraising events and wherever volunteers are needed.

Brian Powell: continues to offer his support to the program and being involved in the community.

Management committee

Rod McLaren: Is a recently retired member of the management committee. His commitment as treasure and vice chair, in addition to volunteer work with Young and Proud is enormously appreciated.

Dale Symons: Is the currently the chairperson of the management committee prior to this position he filled the role of secretary.

Jamie Langlois: is the current management committee secretary – a role with many varied responsibilities. He also offers his time as Open Door’s photographer.

Joy Glover: is a management committee member, she is also involved with Young and Proud and Sporties great bake off, whereby she baked cakes to be used for fundraising.

Ashli Roberts: is a member of the management committee, he also volunteers for a number of events, manning the Open Doors Youth Service stall.

Michael Johnson: is new to member to the management committee, we’d like to take this opportunity to thank him.

Bec Johnson: Is a member of the management committee, she also regularly assists with drop-in and was involved with our Indigenous lesbian workshops.

Open Doors Youth Service Inc. Annual Report 2011/2012 Page 22 Chinta Woo Alcock: Member of the management committee and has also participated in making rainbow beads, attending Drop-in and was the MC for Queeriosity 2012.

Jonathan Waters: Is an active and industrious volunteer – we would like to give our sincere thanks for his efforts as a management committee member this year.

Trent Mabbott: Trent volunteered his time at the in September, and worked as Open Doors Youth Service Treasurer from September til November 2012.

Training and Community Development

Open Doors Youth Service have seen an increase in organisations requesting training to appropriately and effectively support LGBT young people.

Open Doors Youth Service continues to educate and deliver full day and half day training package, and even half hour educational sessions covering topics such as understanding sexuality and gender identity, understanding the needs and experiences of LGBT young people, ensuring confidentiality, supporting disclosure, initiating practical support strategies, understanding Indigenous LGBT and Multicultural LGBT youth and creating accessible services.

Open Doors Youth Service has provided training to approximately 23 organisations or groups in the 2011/2012 period including Family Planning Queensland, Child Youth and Mental Health Services, Logan Youth and Family Service, Queensland School Based Health Nurses, Caboolture Youth Justice Services, Deadly Sex Congress, Young Parenting Program, Lifeline, Griffith University, University of Queensland and Southbank Tafe.

In this period Open Doors Youth Service has visited 15 secondary schools to talk about diverse sexuality and the impacts of homophobia, hoping to reach the LGBT young people in the group, and educate their heterosexual peers about their behaviour. How to respond to homophobia that is still present in schools was also a key point. Open Doors Youth Service also was able to visit schools to support individual students with sexuality or gender identity issues: this then allowed Open Doors Youth Service to educate staff to effectively support these students. Some of the schools visited include Forest Lake SHS, Wynnum SHS, Balmoral SHS, Wavell SHS, Cavendish Rd SHS, Albert Park Flexi School, and Calamvale College. Open Doors Youth Service Inc. Annual Report 2011/2012 Page 23

Open Doors Youth Service attendance and education at these schools has increased over the past year with more schools accessing the organisation for education and support around LGBT young people issue. Some of these schools now see the importance that their LGBT students access support at Open Doors. This has paved the way for Open Doors’ staff to contact new young people, with some schools allowing their students to access programs and groups. Open Doors Youth Service has also been in consultation with up to 4 schools who would like to create a Gay/straight alliance within their school.

Open Doors Youth Service Inc. Annual Report 2011/2012 Page 24 Student Placements

Open Doors Youth Service often invites students to complete their practice placements at our service, and it is a popular choice for students: several students are often turned away purely because we do not have the capacity to accommodate the number of students that apply.

Students offer valuable support to our service, completing projects that otherwise would not be completed. These projects include: Queeriosity, Volunteers Celebration Week, Same-Sex Marriage Rally and Supporting LGBT young people resource.

In this period Daniel Wallace, Steffi Stackpolle and Shannah Lundon-Collard all successfully completed their student placements with Open Doors.

Rocky Malone, Coordinator

Treasurer's Report

For the year ended 30 June 2012

The financial year ending 30 June 2012 resulted in a deficit of $4,945.90.

Haywards Chartered Accountants, who have provided the independently audited report, have formed the opinion that this report presents a fair and unbiased view of both the financial position of Open Doors Youth Service and of its financial performance for the year then ended at June 30 2012.

Income

Total income for the year was $373,752.58. Compared to last financial year, this is an increase of $14,393.88. Grants from Street Smart Australia and the Gambling Community Benefit Fund account for this income increase.

Reconnect Program funding for the year was $208,060.00: an increase by $2,060.00 from the 2011 financial year. This is a 1% increase from the previous year.

Open Doors Youth Service Inc. Annual Report 2011/2012 Page 25 The Department of Communities income was $2,138.41. This amount was granted to Open Doors to provide further work on the Sector Capacity Building Project, which is now expended in full.

The Department of Health and Ageing funding was $105,998.97 to deliver the Peer Mentor (Binge Drinking Prevention) Program. The program has now concluded, with the final expenditure going toward worker wages and final report printing.

Street Smart Australia provided a grant of $3000.00 in 2012. This funding source was committed toward Queeriosity.

A grant from the Gambling Community Benefit Fund provided $17,731.37 for Open Doors Youth Service to purchase new furniture and equipment.

Bank Interest, a small source of income, has increased by 26% to $6211.52 compared to 4929.27, which was recorded in the previous financial year.

Open Doors Youth Service conducts education and training to the wider community on social work within the LGBT community. Income from our training services has increased from the previous financial year with $2,880.00 compared to $360.00, indicating our training initiatives could be a more important source of support in the upcoming financial year.

Membership sales and merchandise sales have also increased and still represent a small source of income. Our Donations have again decreased, similar to the 2010/2011 financial year. The end of June, 2012 saw donations of $19,901.45 compared to the previous June, 2011 recording of $29,346.27 – decreased by 32% from the previous year. We have still seen more donations compared to the 2008/2009 ($14,573.23) financial year: donations for the year were 36.5% higher than the 2008/2009 year.

Donations received are committed towards our two key support groups: Jellybeans and Young and Proud. The donations generously provided by the wider community help create a safe, interactive space for LGBT youth. Donations provide additional income to support the reconnect program, and therefore help to prevent LGBT young people from becoming homeless. Donations we receive also allow Open Doors’ staff to provide Emergency relief in the form of transport, accommodation, and counselling to clients facing a crisis.

Our sincere thanks must go to all the members of the LGBT community and our allies who have generously supported us this year. A complete list of our valued donors is attached in the following pages of the report.

Expenditure

The 2012 financial year recorded total expense of $378,707.48. This is a slight decrease compared to the 2011 financial year ($384,685.87) – a decrease of 1.5%.

Several small expenses from the 2012 financial year account for the similar total expenditure between the 2012 year and the 2011 year: support activities (41%), postage, printing (53%), office supplies (53%), motor vehicle (28%), and membership expenses (22%) all increased slightly compared to the 2011 financial year. Expenses for meetings

Open Doors Youth Service Inc. Annual Report 2011/2012 Page 26 and conferences recorded larger increases in expenditure despite being relatively small amounts: $100 to $429.55 and $613.63 to $5500.36 respectively.

Key increases, however, include advertising and promotion expenses, brokerage (9%), depreciation (46%), and insurance (22%). Advertising was the key increase: expenditure has risen from $220.91 to $10,017.64. This can be accounted for by advertising for two positions following staff changes during the 2011/2012 financial year among other promotional fees.

Expenses associated with the Gambling Community Benefit Fund were also added to our total expenses for the 2012 financial year, with $8,130.45 expended. Security fees and consultant expenses, which were unavoidable in the previous year, were not expenses this financial year.

Several of our expenses have decreased: training (9%), resources (49%), repairs and maintenance (43%), travel expenses (44%), telephone (20%), Rent (56%) and electricity (27%).

I will be monitoring the Rent and Resources expenses closely this financial year, as the unexpected Drop-in these expenses - particularly the rent fees – are a concern. Further the smaller, but still significant increases need to be checked on closely.

2011/2012 Financial Year Forecast

The figure for Open Doors Youth Service Net assets remains large ($105,933.78). To reiterate the current funding agreement from previous years, the department of Families, Housing, Community Support and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA) may not renew our funding agreement after July 1, 2013. On our balance sheet, Our current equity is $56,223.61, which is our total assets less our total liabilities. This indicates Open Doors is currently in a financially viable position. We are expecting larger deficits compared to previous years this financial year.

Effects of the Equal Remuneration Order.

Fairwork Australia began the Equal Remuneration Order (ERO) this year. The ERO aims to increase the wages of social service and crisis accommodation employees. The outcome of this case is a gradual increase of wages. We have changed to the new pay tables, and estimated that the increase in wages and salaries expenses would eventually place Open Doors Youth Service in deficit and reduce cash flow.

We are expecting additional federal funding, however, to cover the Equal Remuneration Order. The Federal Government has created a fund for Services that require additional government funding for wage increases. Open Doors Youth Service is funded by the Reconnect program, which is within the scope of programs to receive assistance. This is because Reconnect is a part of the Housing and Homelessness assistance set programs to receive funding.

Open Doors Youth Service has taken steps to improve its grant application and tender writing procedures. Our aim for this financial year is to successfully secure more grants to provide funding for equipment, programs, and activities to improve our service delivery.

Open Doors Youth Service Inc. Annual Report 2011/2012 Page 27

Our fundraising aim for previous years remains, and we will continue to actively fundraise for our unfunded programs: Young and Proud, Jellybeans, and the Emergency Relief Fund.

Please remember that donations over $2.00 to Open Doors Youth Service are tax deductible you can donate online at www.opendoors.com.au for single or a regular donation. For more information on donating to us including bequests please contact us on (07) 3257 7660.

List of Donations:

Anglican Parish of Nambour $555.75

Big Gay Day Donations by Wickham Hotel $7000.00 Collected by Open Doors’ Staff and Volunteers $246.00

Brisbane Unitarian Universalist Fellowship $150.00

Simone Blomberg $99.01

Samantha Campbell $237.60

Ray Cook $480.00 White Wolf $345.00

Brian Funk $247.52

Mick Gardiner $200.00

Ned Higgens $118.80

New Farm Anglican Parish $500.00

Qnews Carnivale $200.00

Gary Young Gee & Roger Sawkins $985.70

Grill’d Fortitude Valley $100.00

Open Doors Youth Service also gives its sincere thanks to Michael Anderson, Sheila Andrews, Hannah Middleton Baker, Ashley Crimp, Aniko Laczko, Meg Goodwin, Adam Sadd, and all our valued volunteers who have given their time and skills generously to support Open Doors’ staff and programs. Open Doors Youth Service would also like to thank all the members of the LGBT community and alliances. In particular, we are grateful for the support of Queensland Association for Health Communities and the Metropolitan Community Church. Further, thanks to all those who supported us by making donations at various events such as Big Gay Day, Carnivale, and the many Pride Events throughout the year. Open Doors Youth Service Inc. Annual Report 2011/2012 Page 28