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Community outreach
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| EWON training for financial counsellors |
Visit to St Vincent de Paul Emerton |
Aboriginal Project Officer’s report
As in previous years, EWON’s main Indigenous outreach activities began with a stall at Yabun 2009 in Victoria Park. Since then EWON has collaborated in Good Service forums in Campbelltown, Narrandera, Griffith, Moree and Toomelah.
In February 2009 Rose Gordon, EWON’s Aboriginal Project Officer traveled to Balranald with Ramona Blacklock, the [then] EAPA Coordinator at the Department of Water and Energy. The aim of the trip was to raise awareness of the EAPA (Energy Accounts Payment Assistance) scheme and EWON’s services.
Rose continues to find similar issues across the state. A number of Aboriginal customers have signed market contracts and then experienced a billing delay. They then face disconnection when they are unable to pay large outstanding amounts.
Rose welcomes invitations to present or talk to groups and can be contacted on (02) 8218 5221 or roseg@ewon.com.au
Case study: Disconnected for a debt of $1300
Marie, an Aboriginal woman, contacted EWON when her electricity was disconnected for a debt of $1300. She had a two month old baby and needed to have her supply reconnected to heat the baby’s bottles, but she couldn’t afford to pay the bill. A friend recommended she call EWON for help.
Marie told EWON she had signed up with a new energy retailer some time ago, but wasn’t sure whether she had received a bill or made a payment towards her account.
EWON provided Marie with the names of agencies that distributed EAPA (Energy Accounts Payment Assistance) vouchers, so she could seek emergency assistance while we investigated her case.
We discussed Marie’s case with the retailer, who agreed to reconnect her supply if she set up a Centrepay arrangement to pay off her debt. They also agreed to release Marie from the contract if she wanted to return to the standard supplier for the area.
Marie received $180 in EAPA and paid a further $100 towards her account. Her supply was reconnected and she set up a payment plan to pay off the remaining debt.
EWON contacted the standard supplier for the area, who opened a new account for Marie and agreed to a Centrepay payment arrangement so she could stay on top of her bills.
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EWON in the community
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EWON staff in protective clothing provided by Country Energy, during their visit to the company’s Northern NSW operations |
The first half of 2009 has seen Narelle Brown, EWON’s Community Development Officer, attend numerous community events including the Office of Fair Trading’s Community Access Expo at Burwood, Mardi Gras Fair Day and Sydney International Women’s Day in Hyde Park.
Narelle has also visited the Samaritans Newcastle, and the Salvation Army and Housing NSW in Wollongong.
With the assistance of an interpreter, Narelle presented to a group of Mandarin-speaking seniors at St George Migrant Resource Centre. The seniors were particularly interested in pensioner rebates for energy, as well as rebates on electricity accounts for people using life support machines at home.
For new financial counselors, Narelle hosted a training session which took them through case studies, legislation and energy information that will assist them in their future work with low income and disadvantaged clients.
Community forum in Queanbeyan
In March 2009 EWON hosted a community forum in Queanbeyan with over 30 participants from local agencies. The event took place at Country Energy’s office, with speakers from Department of Water and Energy, Housing NSW, Care Inc, ActewAGL and Country Energy.
The forum concluded with a tour of Country Energy’s Intelligent Network Research and Development Centre, which showed the complexity of managing interruptions to electricity supply, isolation and restoration of faults, and information on future smart meter technology.
While in Queanbeyan a presentation was held at Housing NSW, which was also attended by staff from the Office of Fair Trading.
Narelle welcomes invitations to present to groups and can be contacted on (02) 8218 5241 or narelleb@ewon.com.au
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