Dear Here to Help, I have been reading your column over the past years and I wonder what to do once all other avenues have been exhausted, without result? Thank you for your letter. Sometimes, it feels like you aren’t getting anywhere with government, or other large bureaucracies....
Dear Here to Help, I am at a stage in my career where I want to give back to my community, by helping government make better decisions. I have worked extensively with small business owners, not-for-profits and charities, to help them become more sustainable. I see how...
Everyone loves some good alliteration, right? Here are the seven Ps of advocacy, that one of my regular Local column readers distilled from reading my articles. PURPOSE – be clear on the outcome you’re seeking. Taking the time to get this step right is crucial – read...
I started my journey in public policy as a new graduate in the public service. John Howard had just been elected for his second term on a public policy platform of tax reform. The reforms meant massive increases to public service staffing and lots of...
Dear Here to Help, My son has been engaged with adolescent mental health services for some time and I'm so frustrated!! It took months to get a psychologist appointment and when we did, we could only get them during school hours, and he's already missing too much...
Dear Here to Help, I read a recent article about a Japanese woman who decided that she couldn’t look the other way. She pushed the Japanese government to take action, including through her petition. The article is here. Is this an isolated example of ordinary people pushing...
Dear Here to Help, During the past 2 school holidays, violence and bad behaviour has been increasing along the Fernleigh Track, particularly from kids on e-bikes. Over Easter, you may have seen the petition “a safer Fernleigh Track for all”, as well as extensive local media...
Dear Here to Help, All this rain has damaged my house structure. I lodged a claim immediately. The insurance company said they would send someone to “make safe”, then an assessor. The “make safe” team simply cleaned up some of the debris. I had to follow...
Dear Here to Help, I’m at my wit’s end. My dad has been in hospital for 6 weeks and nobody seems to have any idea what is happening! We feel like we have been living in a Fawlty Towers episode. Here are just some of the things...
I like to have my hands occupied. So, when I watch TV, I am usually doing something with my hands. One of these things is tapestry. In their final form, tapestries can look good as cushion-covers or wall adornments. When people ask me how long it takes...