About us

Herstory

North Queensland Combined Women's Services (NQCWS) began functioning in August of 1984 as the Townsville Women’s Information Centre. (more)

Vision Statement

We embrace a Feminist philosophy. We demand a world without rape and violence.

We validate women’s experiences, advocate for women and challenge injustice. We promote and enhance the health, well being and safety of all women.

We actively promote the development of a socially just, inclusive and respectful society and will continue to forge creative, collaborative community partnerships to enhance the position of women.

Objectives

Using a Feminist framework informed by empowerment and women-centered practice, we will promote the health and well being of all women in a way that acknowledges and validates women’s own perspectives and needs.

We will:

• Provide a 24 hour service for women who choose to access a responsive woman centred range of services;
• Strengthen our position in the community and provide a specialist service working with and for women against violence and sexual assault;
• Enhance the safety of women and children by strengthening and valuing partnerships and relationships within the community and government agencies;
• Actively encourage and invite inclusion of diversity and incorporate this in our practice; and
• Acknowledge the unique journey and current position of Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and South Sea Islander women and work with them to challenge their ongoing barriers.

                             

Funded Services

Queensland Health funds the Women’s Centre to provide a Sexual Assault Support Service and a Women’s’ Health Service in the Townsville area and an outreach service to Ayr, Ingham, Charters Towers and the Townsville Women's Correctional Centre.  The Women's Centre also receives Supported Accommodation Assistance Program (SAAP) Funding and Complex Needs Homelessness funding from the Department of Communities Queensland.

This year we have received additional funding from Red Cross to provide an "Up for Rent Program" which assists women to gain secure, affordable accommodation.

In addition to this, the Women’s Centre receives Emergency Relief Funding from State and Federal Governments, thus assisting in the provision of emergency relief for women and their children.

Structure

The Women's Centre has achieved incorporation as North Queensland Combined Women's Services Incorporated, and operates in accordance with the Associations Incorporated Act 1981.

Staff

The Staff Team at the Women’s Centre consists of;

• Coordinator
• Senior Counsellor
• Supported Accommodation Assistance Program Counsellors
• Sexual Assault Support Service Counsellors
• Women’s Health Counsellor
• Health Promotion Worker
• Centre Resource Support Workers
• Resource Development Worker
• Administrator

All counselling staff hold tertiary qualifications in Social work, Psychology, Social Sciences or Health.

Contract positions exist from time to time. See Positions Vacant

All staff are expected to actively participate in the Staff Team to work within the parameters of their job description and to contribute to the day-to-day operations of the centre.

Management

The Management Committee meets monthly and an Annual General Meeting is held usually in early October.

Responsibilities of the Management Committee;

• Ensure that NQCWS Inc. works consistently within the framework of its philosophy, aims and objectives.
• Administration of organisational matters, property and funds of the association within the legislation.
• Ensure legal employment practices are adhered to.
• Ensure that Workplace Health and Safety Standards are met.

Structure;

• Members of the Association who are not employees and who have an understanding of, and a commitment to the values and practices of feminist frameworks are eligible for Management Committee membership
• Members are elected annually at the Annual General Meeting. New members are nominated and existing members may be re-nominated at the Annual General Meeting.

Staff Training and Professional Development

The Women’s Centre prioritises training opportunities for staff who attend many workshops and conferences which enhance their professional development.

Conference paper

A paper and accompanying poster presentation ‘Provision of Outreach Services in Northern Rural Communities: The Challenges Survivors Face – Women’s Stories’.was made at the Lets Get Savvy: Working with People Affected by Sexual Violence Conference in 2008.

in 2009, this paper was also presented at Crime Prevention Conference in Ayr and the Rural and Remote Social Workers Conference in Geelong.

Annual Report

The Annual report is provided to the membership at the Annual General Meeting. Membership is free, and we invite all women supporters to become members.

Annual Report 2006-2007

Annual Report 2007-2008

Annual Report 2008-2009

Our Networks

We are members of many networks in National, State, Regional and Local levels.

National
WESNET The Women’s Services Network
NASASV National Association of Services Against Sexual Violence
ACOSS Australian Council of Social Services
AWHN Australian Women’s Health Network - Queensland Representative

State
QCOSS Queensland Council of Social Services
QSAN Queensland Sexual Assault Network
WHSN Women’s Health Services Network Queensland

Regional
North Queensland Women’s Services Network
North Queensland Sexual Assault Services Network
Domestic Violence Regional Action Planning Group

Local
Cultural Diversity Network
Dovetail (Interagency Domestic Violence Group)
ERF Collective
Family Inclusion Network (FIN)
Magnetic North Association of SAAP Services (MNASS),
Mental Health Consumer Group
Providers of Anti-Violence Education (PAVE)
Sexual Assault Regional Response Group (SARRG)
Monthly Community Network Meeting (with a yearly presentation)
Upper Ross Network
Women’s Health Circle
Women’s Health Promotion Network Stakeholder Meetings
Queensland Corrective services Stakeholder Meetings
Child Support Agency Stakeholder meetings
Mental Health Consumer Group
Health Consumer Group

Student Placement

The Women’s Centre offers students the opportunity to commence placement within the agency. Women students on placement are responsible to their Field Educator and the Women's Centre Coordinator. The Field Educator will supervise the performance and activities of the women on placement. The duties of the women on placement are decided by agreement between the student, Field Educator, and the Coordinator. The Staff Team and Coordinator will determine the number of students to undertake placement each year.

Employment

All vacant staff positions are filled according to the Employment Policy, and positions are advertised through the Townsville Bulletin, this website, other employment websites and other appropriate media.

For Current available positions please call the Women's Centre on
(07) 4775 7555

All staff and support workers must demonstrate a framework of practice that is grounded in feminist philosophy and accept and work towards the implementation of the philosophy and aims of the service.