JourneyOnline
What’s coming up
Homelessness Week 6–12 August
Homelessness Week is an annual awareness-raising week to highlight the 116,000 Australians who are homeless on any given night. Learn more about homelessness in Australia. Make some noise on social media about this issue.
Week in review
Youth homelessness on the rise
Mission Australia’s new report reveals this hidden problem. The report is based on the 2017 Youth Survey, and shows that one in six young people have experienced homelessness. Much of this is “hidden homelessness” where people move between temporary accommodations such as couches, garages, cars or share houses. Horrifyingly, one in five of those who had “couch-surfed” had done so before the age of 12! Read more detail from Mission Australia’s publications.
Towards an Indigenous voice
The Uluru Statement from the Heart is beginning to have an impact in Canberra. On Monday last week the joint parliamentary committee on the constitutional recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples released its first report (interim).
Aboriginal map of Lake Eyre Basin a living treasure
An Aboriginal map detailing significant cultural information has been released for the Lake Eyre Basin, which spans 1.2 million square kilometres across inland Australia—almost one-sixth of the country. The map features songlines, historical trade routes and other cultural information about the basin which covers 71 language groups. View the map here. Further explanation about details of the map is also available.
Hottest July on record
With parts of Queensland recording their hottest July temperatures on record, one of Australia’s leading climatologists has concerns about what lies ahead on the weather radar.
Young men’s mental health initiative
Headspace National Youth Mental Health Foundation has launched the Headcoach campaign for young men. One in seven young men aged 16 to 24 experience depression or anxiety each year, with only 13 per cent asking for help. Suicide is the leading cause of death for young men in Australia. Read about the campaign. Seven tips to maintaining a health headspace can be found here.
Talking point: ageism and elder abuse
While the majority of people over 60 live active, healthy and productive lives, as a community we must ensure all older people are respected, supported and able to live free of abuse. This article is about Tasmania, but its truths apply everywhere…
Call to action
Calling Indigenous women and girls
The Australian Human Rights Commission’s national conversation Wiyi Yani U Thangani (Women’s Voices) is seeking to hear from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and girls (12–16 years). June Oscar AO, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner is leading this conversation about women and girls’ priorities, challenges and aspirations for themselves, their families and their future. There are many ways to get involved, including this online survey for women.
