Hearing, Healing, Hope:  The Ministry of Service in Challenging Times builds on the reflections and challenges of keynote speakers, workshop leaders and engaged participants at the Catholic Social Services national conference held in Melbourne in February 2018.
The first launch is in Brisbane, at 2.00pm on Thurs 18 October, at the Frances Rush Centre.

Deputy Premier James Merlino told the 2018 pre-election forum at Catholic Social Services that ‘a great society is where the most vulnerable citizens are supported so that they can reach their full potential.’  Deputy Liberal leader David Hodgett noted that ‘good economic policy needs to be balanced with support for those that are disadvantaged, vulnerable and marginalised.’ 

Wednesday 10 October is World Homelessness Day. Habitat for Humanity estimate that 1.6 billion people live in inadequate shelter around the world and more than 100 million people worldwide are homeless, based on a survey conducted in 2015. These numbers have continued to grow as conflict, war and displacement affects countries and communities around the globe. 

Many regional and rural communities are supportive, vibrant, and thriving.  However, there are a number of communities that are doing it tough, where disadvantage has become entrenched and persistent. The demand and unmet need for services identified in this paper are similar to those in many metropolitan areas, but the lack of service accessibility and availability, the high cost of transport, energy and technology and the decreased opportunities for education, training and jobs, are factors that increase disadvantage for people living in regional and rural Victoria.