Paul Maytom

Paul Maytom returned to update us on his experiences supporting disengaged workers in our district. 

Paul was praised for his work by Ken Dachi, last week’s speaker. Ken represented ‘Welcoming Australia’, his focus on ‘Welcoming Workplaces’, including the PALM Scheme. The PALM Scheme is the starting point for many of Paul’s Disengaged Workers.

PALM Scheme workers from the Pacific Islands or Timor Leste are expected to work for the employer to which they are first allocated. If conditions are not satisfactory for the worker at that workplace, they have no recourse but to leave the employer and become a disengaged worker. They cannot transfer to another employer. They have no access to Medicare or normal Australian citizen’s rights.

Disengaged Workers make up 3% of the PALM Scheme intake.

Paul has become well known for his support for disengaged workers. As a result, many such workers approach him for help. He talked of specific examples:

• A lady with medical problems and three babies. Griffith Hospital has been very helpful. The mother wants her three children back, and she wants to return to her home with her children. This situation emphasises the vulnerability of such women.
• A man whose finger had become infected. He was unable to work and no care was offered. Eventually, the finger was amputated. Employers need to be aware of the circumstances of their employees.
• Solomon Islander who suffered a stroke. A $61000 debt resulted. Paul was able to establish connections to allow the man to return home.
• Accommodation for a group of workers was overcrowded, had no electricity, no cooking facilities, no fridge. Paul used his network to apply pressure on the landlord to improve the facilities. There needs to be an official check on accommodation conditions.
• A local Labour Company fined $540,000 for infringing the rights of PALM Scheme workers

Paul’s support has led to numerous media articles to highlight the PALM Scheme deficiencies. 

Included in Paul’s network is Ken Dachi, Legal Aid, PALM Disengaged Workers Task Force, and the Community Connection Officer in Griffith.

Paul strongly agrees the PALM Scheme has immense value for Australian agricultural and health industries and for the Pacific Island and Timor Leste workers who come to Australia. But the scheme needs to work well for both groups. 

President Jennifer thanked Paul for his persistent and caring support for disengaged workers over many years (decades?)

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Sergeant Carmel

THIS LOOKS LIKE FUN!!

Carmel took our fine money and then rewarded us for correctly answering 17 questions about the Winter Olympics. Questions were easy enough if you knew the answers. For some unexplained reason, the reward basket of chocolates was still quite full at the completion of the activity. It got to Dan and Eric on the second circuit of those attending before the basket was emptied. A very generous Carmel!

Carmel did remind us of the Valentines Day approaching. A very helpful reminder for Eric. He won the raffle! A bottle of Chardonnay for Penny would do the trick nicely. Aahh, distraction, He forgot to pick up the bottle at the counter.

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Upcoming Events

RYDA will be held March 12. Dave Lang in charge.

We have an invitation from Council to provide breakfast for 100+ at 8 am March 13.

We’ve received a request to provide labour at the MHERV Van (Men’s Health Check) at the Riverina Field Day at Whitton Malt House March 27/28.

Planning for Charity Golf Day Sunday June 14 is progressing.

Groove Inc Band is considering a suitable play list for the Rotary Deb Ball in July.

Buster Ryan’s Fund has been transferred to a trainee veterinary nurse.

The program for this week is Dale Arthur talking bout his visit to Antarctica some time ago.

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The Last Word

Paraprosdokian Sentences

Do not argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level and beat you with experience.

A bank is a place that will lend you money, if you can prove you don’t need it.

To steal ideas from one person is plagiarism. To steal from many is research.

Market Day BBQ

Three Rotarians at the BBQ, a quiet moment. One says, “Windy, isn’t it?”. The next says, “No! Its Thursday”. The third man says, “So am I. I’ll shout you a drink”. No names mentioned!