Community Matters

Content Warning: This episode contains discussions of sexual violence and disturbing content that may be upsetting or triggering for some listeners. Please use your discretion when deciding whether to continue listening. If you or someone you know has been affected by sexual violence, resources and support are available and listed at the bottom of the show notes below.  

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In this challenging and thought-provoking episode Nicky chats with Tracy Lumb, the Manager of Shoalhaven Women’s Health Centre about the issue of non-fatal strangulation and sexual choking.  

With a new study showing that 60% of 18- to 35-year-olds report having experienced choking during sex this is not an issue that we can just leave people to discover on their own.  As Tracy explains the danger around this behaviour is that it can lead to unanticipated health consequences, including brain injury, as well as leading to future coercive relationship issues.  

Tracy uses the analogy of how we wouldn’t let a young person drive a car without any instruction or guidance, however when it comes to sex education we seem to not apply the same consideration and provide the guidance or instruction that would help young people navigate this important part of life. 

The discussion centres around the importance of breaking down stigma and raising awareness about how families and friends, members of the community and workers in the community sector can broach this important topic area and recognise the warning signs to protect themselves and others.  

“Nobody should acquire a brain injury because they’ve consented to have sex.  We’ve started talking about brain injury in sports.  We just have to start talking about brain injury in sex,” says Nicky after learning from Tracy about the scale of the issue.

Tracy and her team with the help of the new “It left no marks” resources and training are on a mission to normalise the discussion about non-fatal strangulation and sexual choking through better sex education in order to engage and make sure that young people are staying safe and learning the risks.

Resources and Training:

·         Find out more about the “It left no marks” resources and training here: Resources - It Left No Marks

Support Services:

·         If you are in immediate danger call 000 and ask for the Police or and Ambulance.

·         For ongoing support after strangulation or sexual choking contact your closest Women’s Health Centre - Women’s Health Centres NSW – Women's Health NSW

·         For Crisis support after strangulation and sexual violence call the NSW Sexual Violence Helpline 1800 424 017

·         For help with strangulation as domestic and family violence call the NSW Domestic Violence Line 188 565 463

·         Find out more about the work of the Shoalhaven Women’s Health Centre here: Shoalhaven Women's Health Centre |

Acknowledgement of Country

Community Industry Group' podcast is recorded on beautiful Dharawal Country, and we acknowledge the traditional custodians of this land, and their Elders. 

We acknowledge and respect their continuing culture, the world’s oldest living culture, and the contribution they make to the life of this region and our country. 

We acknowledge that we live and work on Aboriginal land and recognise the strength, resilience and capacity of Aboriginal people.

Music Credit:

"Jarvic 8" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

In this episode Nicky speaks with Alice Lans the CEO of Noah’s Inclusion Services to better understand how allied health disability services support functional outcomes for children with disability.  Alice is a Speech Pathologist by training and now leads a dedicated team of allied health professionals, support workers and early childhood educators at Noah’s all of whom are working together to support functional and developmental outcomes for kids with disability.  

Alice talks about the importance of providing “the right support at the right place and the right time” to ensure the best outcomes.  Alice explains how collaboration is key to positive results and how her team supports families to understand the goals of their child’s therapy and to assist them to work in partnership to implement therapy supports through a coaching model.  Combining the expertise of the allied health professional with the family’s knowledge and care for their child ensures the greatest success.

This collaboration and goal setting is being challenged with the current price settings for NDIS therapies having remained on hold since 2019 and some now even being reduced this year, together with a significant 50% reduction in travel charges that a therapist can make.  

“Being able to be where the participant works, plays, spends time and learns is very important” explains Alice, warning that the continued pricing reductions are making this increasingly difficult for allied health services.

Unfortunately, impacts will be felt the most by those already most disadvantaged in terms of people who are isolated, rural or remote participants and those that do not drive.  Alice talks about how this pricing situation is forcing already stretched Allied Health providers into “an ethical and financial dilemma”, where they need to choose to operate at a loss or to exit from their services those where the current travel situation is not viable.  Alice argues that these services are not only reasonable and necessary but in fact “essential” and that cuts to these services will seriously disadvantage children with disability. 

Additionally, as Alice explains, there are a cohort of people with disability for whom allied health services are keeping them healthy and out of acute care health settings and hospitals so that the return on investment for these allied health services, which may appear high cost, are actually a very wise investment.

This is an important conversation that explains a complex issue in a way that everyone can understand.

·       Find out more about the great work that Noah’s Inclusion Services are doing here: Homepage - Noahs  

Acknowledgement of Country

Community Industry Group' podcast is recorded on beautiful Dharawal Country, and we acknowledge the traditional custodians of this land, and their Elders. 

We acknowledge and respect their continuing culture, the world’s oldest living culture, and the contribution they make to the life of this region and our country. 

We acknowledge that we live and work on Aboriginal land and recognise the strength, resilience and capacity of Aboriginal people.

Music Credit:

"Jarvic 8" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

In this enjoyable episode Nicky chats with Amarni Harris, a young Personal Care Worker with Warrigal Care.  With a workforce twice the size of the entire mining industry in Australia, aged care needs great people and faces an urgent need to grow the workforce to meet the increasing demand.

For anyone considering a career in aged care this episode demystifies the pathways to getting into the sector, from volunteering, to certificate courses, to tertiary qualifications and the great opportunities and huge diversity of roles that are available. 

Amarni talks about what motivated her to take up a caring role in aged care explaining, “I wanted to contribute to the community and make a difference”.  Now aged 19 and pursuing professional qualifications in Nursing Amarni reflects on the way her career choice has made such an impact on the trajectory of her life. 

Amarni also describes what it is like to work with older people (telling Nicky “the first word that comes to mind is – Fun!”) and the amazing experiences she has had.  “It’s truly opened up my eyes to the big world” says Amarni reflecting on her deepening understanding about the reality of aging that all those that have the privilege of growing old will face.  Amarni even provides some great ideas for how the aged care sector can better appeal to younger workers like herself (listen up recruiters!). 

Aged care providers, recruiters and policy makers will benefit from Amarni’s fresh eyes on the sector and her lived professional experience meaning this episode has something for everyone with an interest in aged care and the workforce challenges of staffing this essential service.

•CareForce: Aged Care careers here: https://www.careforcehub.com/
•Warrigal Care here: https://www.warrigal.com.au/

Acknowledgement of Country

Community Industry Group' podcast is recorded on beautiful Dharawal Country, and we acknowledge the traditional custodians of this land, and their Elders. 

We acknowledge and respect their continuing culture, the world’s oldest living culture, and the contribution they make to the life of this region and our country. 

We acknowledge that we live and work on Aboriginal land and recognise the strength, resilience and capacity of Aboriginal people.

Music Credit:

"Jarvic 8" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

In this powerful NAIDOC Week special celebrating the 2025 theme of "Next Generation: Strength Vision and Legacy," host Nicky sits down with Charlie Ashby, Cultural Lead for Cullunghutti Aboriginal Child and Family Centre in the Shoalhaven.  This is a conversation that will transform how you think about cultural healing and community connection.

“We are in good hands” says Charlie as he opens up about the incredible work happening at Cullunghutti, where children are strengthening their cultural identity through immersive experiences on country. By embracing the bush, connecting with animals, and engaging with spirit and culture, these young people are discovering respect, belonging, and responsibility in ways that create lasting transformation.

The conversation reveals how this approach is building resilient children and a deeply respectful community where trust flourishes.  The impact extends beyond Aboriginal children as Charlie explains how their truth-telling processes are helping non-Aboriginal educators become more effective supporters of young people.

The discussion doesn't shy away from difficult topics – exploring how non-Aboriginal people can be genuine allies, addressing the legacy of the Voice referendum's No vote, and examining how cultural practices like Welcome to Country have become politicized despite their healing origins.

Nicky brings vulnerability to the conversation, openly addressing the nervousness many people feel when engaging with Aboriginal culture, helping to break down barriers and awkwardness. Together, they create an invitation for listeners to join Cullunghutti's vital community work, emphasizing that everyone has a role in building resilient future leaders and strong young people.

This episode offers both inspiration and practical pathways for meaningful cultural engagement and healing.  You can check out Cullunghutti’s great work at their website www.cullunghutti.org.au or drop in and say g’day next time you are in Nowra.

Acknowledgement of Country

Community Industry Group' podcast is recorded on beautiful Dharawal Country, and we acknowledge the traditional custodians of this land, and their Elders. 

We acknowledge and respect their continuing culture, the world’s oldest living culture, and the contribution they make to the life of this region and our country. 

We acknowledge that we live and work on Aboriginal land and recognise the strength, resilience and capacity of Aboriginal people.

Music Credit:

"Jarvic 8" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

“There’s got to be food and it’s got to be fun!” explains Bellambi Neighbourhood Centre Coordinator Cath Daly about her approach to supporting community health and wellbeing.

Nicky talks to Cath about supporting families and kids by providing nutritious breakfasts and packed lunches and a place to connect and share.  After school programs, bingo and other community initiatives sees this little centre under Cath’s passionate leadership providing essential supports to the community.

Nicky and Cath explore the connections between food and social and mental health, exploring the impacts of poverty and trauma and how the Food Security Program run from the centre is directly supporting up to 70 families a week from a large, diverse but vulnerable client base from across the region which relies entirely on donations from the community, individuals and groups like Oz Harvest and Club Grants.

Nicky and Cath also explore issues around funding from the NSW Government which does not fund food and practical assistance.  This seems strange given the clear connection between having enough to eat and outcomes such as school attendance.

Regardless Cath and the team make it work through sheer determination and embracing the support of the community.  There is so much going on at the “Neighbo” and Cath and Nicky talk about how the community can get involved and contribute through donations or volunteering to join in the tremendous work that Cath and the team are doing to help build resilience and safety for all members of the community.

Acknowledgement of Country

Community Industry Group' podcast is recorded on beautiful Dharawal Country, and we acknowledge the traditional custodians of this land, and their Elders. 

We acknowledge and respect their continuing culture, the world’s oldest living culture, and the contribution they make to the life of this region and our country. 

We acknowledge that we live and work on Aboriginal land and recognise the strength, resilience and capacity of Aboriginal people.

Music Credit:

"Jarvic 8" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

In this powerful conversation, Nicky dives deep into fairness, equity, and social justice with Craig Foster AM—former Socceroos captain, sports broadcaster, author, human rights advocate and 2023 NSW Australian of the Year. Nicky and Craig discuss how his own life journey took him from country NSW and a sheltered worldview to a broader, more diverse and inclusive perspective shaped by exposure to the people and communities he experienced through his soccer career and his activism.
 
Craig reflects on pivotal moments, including rescuing a refugee footballer from a Thai prison, supporting Afghan women fleeing the Taliban, and advocating for gender-equal pay in Australian soccer. Craig discusses the importance of systemic change, challenging power structures, explaining that resistance is to be expected and is a natural part of progress. He explains how taking action can create lasting impact and personal meaning.
 
Ultimately, Craig’s message is one of empowerment and responsibility. He emphasises that all people are driven by a fundamental sense of justice and encourages listeners to consider their own responses to inequality by asking us the critical question: “What would you do?”.  His insights inspire reflection, empathy, and the courage to act in the face of injustice, making this conversation a compelling call to action to make the world a better place for everyone.

To find out more about Craig and his work visit: www.craigfoster.net

Music Credit:

"Jarvic 8" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Acknowledgement of Country

Community Industry Group' podcast is recorded on beautiful Dharawal Country, and we acknowledge the traditional custodians of this land, and their Elders. 

We acknowledge and respect their continuing culture, the world’s oldest living culture, and the contribution they make to the life of this region and our country. 

We acknowledge that we live and work on Aboriginal land and recognise the strength, resilience and capacity of Aboriginal people.

Music Credit:

"Jarvic 8" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

This week Nicky talks to Ed Birt, Senior Policy Specialist at the Community Industry Group, about the shift towards a risk proportionate registration model for disability service providers that is coming to the NDIS.  

In December 2023 the NDIS Review recommended a risk proportionate registration model where all providers are registered based on the level of risk and complexity of their services.   Ed explains that presently only 6% of NDIS providers are registered.  Registration means that providers are governed by the NDIS Practice Standards and regulated by the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission.  In 2025 the NDIA is poised to introduce registration requirements for Supported Independent Living , Support Coordination and platform providers with other service types to follow.

Ed and Nicky explore the benefits of a regulated sector to support quality and safety for people receiving disability services and some of the present disparity that is a feature of the sector in terms of risks for people with disability, increased costs for registered providers and lack of oversight of unregistered providers.   

Ed unpacks some of the challenges and risks associated with transitioning the market to greater regulatory oversight via registration and discusses how this will need to be undertaken in a well-planned, clear and collaborative fashion lead by government.   

Link to NDIS Review Final Report Working together to deliver the NDIS. NDIS Review: Final Report (refer to page 214 for the recommended risk proportionate provider registration arrangements). 

Music Credit:

"Jarvic 8" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Acknowledgement of Country

Community Industry Group' podcast is recorded on beautiful Dharawal Country, and we acknowledge the traditional custodians of this land, and their Elders. 

We acknowledge and respect their continuing culture, the world’s oldest living culture, and the contribution they make to the life of this region and our country. 

We acknowledge that we live and work on Aboriginal land and recognise the strength, resilience and capacity of Aboriginal people.

Music Credit:

"Jarvic 8" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Statistics show, despite years of disability employment strategies, rates of employment for people with a disability remain much lower than the general population.  On this episode Nicky takes a deep dive with Rod Von Clark the CEO of the Flagstaff Group to understand why.  

Rod talks about some of the systemic and cultural barriers to people with disability achieving employment.   While getting a job is generally regarded as a great achievement and important to our identity and self-esteem, Rod also talks about the counter intuitive fear and vulnerability that can be associated with achieving employment and the importance of addressing the genuine concerns people may have about being disadvantaged through obtaining paid work.  

To address the challenge Rod talks about a model of integrated employment with broad application where there is support as needed, high expectations and people are treated equally and with dignity in the workplace.  This is a whole of government and whole of community issue and here Rod articulates a helpful holistic model for an inclusive, relational and high performing approach to the workplace and thinking about work.

Music Credit:

"Jarvic 8" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Acknowledgement of Country

Community Industry Group' podcast is recorded on beautiful Dharawal Country, and we acknowledge the traditional custodians of this land, and their Elders. 

We acknowledge and respect their continuing culture, the world’s oldest living culture, and the contribution they make to the life of this region and our country. 

We acknowledge that we live and work on Aboriginal land and recognise the strength, resilience and capacity of Aboriginal people.

Music Credit:

"Jarvic 8" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

New research from the University of Wollongong reveals concerning levels of food insecurity for families across the Illawarra Shoalhaven region (see link below).  On this episode Nicky speaks with Danna Nelse, Manager of the Albion Park & Albion Park Rail  Neighbourhood Centres, who is on the front line of seeing the impacts of food insecurity on families and individuals. A situation which she says is very real and only getting worse.  The Neighbourhood Centres which she manage have gone from being a place to connect and an information and referral service to now having to pivot into practical crisis supports, food, clothing, nappies, helping people pay bills, feeding kids and other care and crisis supports for people in need.

Danna also discusses the impacts on providers of what she calls the “Not for Profit Starvation Cycle” that sees funding not keeping pace with inflation and cost of living for community services, meaning providers need to do more with less.  As she explains, Neighbourhood Centres are relying on donations and support from a community under pressure and from other NFP’s who are also affected creating a challenging cycle.  

However it’s clear that Neighbourhood Centres, with their strong connections to the community are well placed to assist, and Danna gives practical ideas of how people can help and make a difference from donations, by volunteering or just giving a helping hand to someone in need.  Danna speaks to the importance of community connections, relationships and the many people that have mentored and supported her along the way.

Link to the Illawarra Shoalhaven Food Survey from UOW: 2025 | Why community centres are the unsung heroes in the fight against hunger - University of Wollongong – UOW

Music Credit:

"Jarvic 8" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Acknowledgement of Country

Community Industry Group' podcast is recorded on beautiful Dharawal Country, and we acknowledge the traditional custodians of this land, and their Elders. 

We acknowledge and respect their continuing culture, the world’s oldest living culture, and the contribution they make to the life of this region and our country. 

We acknowledge that we live and work on Aboriginal land and recognise the strength, resilience and capacity of Aboriginal people.

Music Credit:

"Jarvic 8" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

In this Episode, Nicky is joined by Maria Corsiglia - Centre Manager, Barnardo's South Coast Children's Family Centre. Maria gives insights into how lack of access to public transport impacts the lives of people in vulnerable circumstances. Using real life examples, Maria explores how vulnerable families are further disadvantaged by being unable to access services and supports. A poignant example is the story of the single mum who lost her job due to lack of transport and how that disadvantaged both her and her young family.

She goes on to explain that families are put at risk when they can’t make mandatory appointments and encourages service providers – and other members of society – to walk in the shoes of people experiencing transport disadvantage.

Maria speaks about the privilege of being able to drive and own a car and shines a light on the difference foster parents can make in the lives of vulnerable children and families.

A powerful lesson for us all.

Music Credit:

"Jarvic 8" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Acknowledgement of Country

Community Industry Group' podcast is recorded on beautiful Dharawal Country, and we acknowledge the traditional custodians of this land, and their Elders. 

We acknowledge and respect their continuing culture, the world’s oldest living culture, and the contribution they make to the life of this region and our country. 

We acknowledge that we live and work on Aboriginal land and recognise the strength, resilience and capacity of Aboriginal people.

Music Credit:

"Jarvic 8" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/