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Renee Liang asks composer Andrew Corrêa about the value of taking on big community projects, the secrets of successful collaboration and about his latest project, People In Harmony, as part of Race Relations Day on March 21.* * *I’ve just wrapped my play, The Bone Feeder, in Hamilton where it was part of the Hamilton Summer Gardens Festival.   Coordinating  five actors, two directors and six musicians to rehearse for an in-situ performance in the outdoor venue of the Chinese Scholar’s Garden was… well, let’s just say that I’m constantly getting myself into projects that roll on the hoop of the too-hard basket.  But usually I get lucky.In the end no one got lost or injured (amazing considering some actors were coming from Tauranga and Paeroa to rehearse in Auckland and Hamilton), we were all still talking to each other at the end, and to top it off we had five days of perfect weather.  Even the cicadas, key ‘extras’ in our piece, stayed in fine voice throughout.  So big ups to the Tron for being such perfect hosts… and I’m not even being cheeky.Thinking about it more deeply, I realize that success is not as chance-filled as it seems.  When I try to figure out what works for me, it’s the people involved that count, every time.  I’m lucky in that I’m surrounded – or maybe attract – people whose attitude is, ”OK, why not?” instead of “it sounds too hard.”  Proof of this is that many of those involved in the play stepped in with enthusiasm even while juggling other commitments, including concurrent lead roles in other projects, looming examinations, jobs in other cities, and for our youngest actor, prefect duties at school.What I’m trying to argue here is that a can-do attitude pays.  It’s a trueism that “if you want something done, ask a busy person.”  In an earlier blog, I expounded on the merits of saying ‘no’.  But it’s also good – and I don’t think I’m contradicting myself - to know when to say yes.Luckily for me, Andrew Corrêa says yes to my ideas frequently.  He and I have been collaborating on the music for The Bone Feeder. Over the last year or so that we’ve known each other, Andrew, trained in classical Western music,  has magically produced compositions for traditional Chinese instruments and also improvised sound effects and background music in collaboration with the musicians.  We’ve also gotten to know each other very well over the course of several long drives to Hamilton and back.Concert Details:People In Harmony21 March 2010, 4pm and 8pmVenue: The Blockhouse Bay Community Centre, 524 Blockhouse Bay Road, Auckland 0600.Tickets: $10 adults, $6 seniors and children under 15 yrs. Pick up at door only. For reservations, email andrew.correa@gmail.com and specify which show.Barbeque provided before each show by the Blockhouse Bay Lions Club.www.facebook.com/People.in.Harmony

High Trust contracting roll-out continues

Four High Trust contracts signed with community-based organisations, signify a continued fresh approach to the way Government funds social services, says Social Development Minister Paula Bennett.”This funding model lets high-performing social service providers get on what they do best - delivering effective services to communities - instead of getting bogged down ticking the boxes and filing endless paperwork for the sake of it,” says Ms Bennett.The four high trust providers are Te Runanga o Te Rarawa (Far North), Coromandel Independent Living Trust (Coromandel), Life to the Max (Horowhenua) and the Otago Youth Wellness Trust (Dunedin).”These providers will benefit from a simpler way of contracting which will see the focus shift to the results actually being achieved for clients and families, and less on compliance and reporting,” says Ms Bennett.Whole of government contracts are for providers with multiple government funders such as the Ministries of Health, Social Development, Education and Justice, Housing New Zealand and New Zealand Police.The approach to whole of government contracts follows the Ministry’s introduction of high trust contracts for Ministry providers, starting with Ngati Awa Social Services Trust in Whakatane and Waipuna Trust in Christchurch.The Ministry of Social Development expects to have entered into twenty high trust contracts by 1 July 2010.

Whakatane’s town centre vision is one step closer to reality with the appointment of the Town Vision Advisory Board.Craig Batchelar, Paula Thompson and John Washburn join previously appointed chairman Jeff Williams to make up the board, which will now begin the first stage of strategic planning for the project.“We are extremely pleased with the calibre and range of skills that we have attracted. The board is vital to the success of this project and we couldn’t have got a better result,” Mayor Colin Holmes said.Craig Batchelar has 23 years of planning experience and holds a masters degree in planning from Harvard University. He helped manage SmartGrowth – a strategic planning project for urban and rural growth in the Western Bay of Plenty – working with Councils, Tangata Whenua and the community on the project.  Mr Batchelar is also a director at Boffa Miskell in Tauranga.After seven years as chief executive at the Tauranga District Council, Paula Thompson set up her own management business and is currently chairperson of the Bay Trust. Ms Thompson’s expertise in the public and not-for-profit sectors includes strategic planning, project management, feasibility analysis and facilitation. Originally from North Carolina, USA, John Washburn has worked in property, business and subdivision development on the American East Coast for 40 years. Mr Washburn has a particular interest in preserving the natural features of the locations – an important consideration for Whakatane’s town vision.

Mr Washburn who has a passion for property development observes that Whakatane offers great potential.

“I would like to be part of the process to bring this potential to reality. The Town Vision project offers a vehicle for achieving this and I will be working with the rest of the Board members to ensure great things for Whakatane.”

The Town Vision Advisory Board will now begin the first stage of planning for the future Whakatane town centre. The Board aims to work with the community and Council to ensure development enhances Whakatane’s natural and cultural heritage which is highly valued by the community. For more information you can contact Whakatane District Mayor Colin Holmes on               07 306 0500         07 306 0500.

 The Tangata Whenua, Community and Voluntary Sector Research Centre is ready to appoint a part time Manager (20 – 30 hours per week) to lead the Centre in its next stage of development.The role will involve initiating and implementing programmes, strategies, systems and relationship building to advance the Centre’s vision of strengthening the sector through research.We are seeking someone who will have a proven track record in relationship building, fundraising and organisational development.The appointee will bring a sound understanding of Treaty-based, community and research sector ways of working.The position will most likely be Wellington based and is for a fixed-term of 12 months. Job share, contractor or employee options will be considered. Please visit us at: http://www.communityresearch.org.nz.For enquiries contact Margy-Jean Malcolm on 021 832 976 or email: mmalcolm@unitec.ac.nz for information.For all applications, please send an up-to-date CV with your covering letter to: RCManagervacancy@gmail.com no later than 5 pm, Thursday 11 March.Only people with the right to work in New Zealand may apply for this position.

Schizophrenia Awareness Week kicks off on March 8, with a whole lot of workshops, resources and information to encourage people to talk about schizophrenia.“Schizophrenia is one of the most misunderstood diagnoses, and one of the most stigmatized,” says Judi Clements, Chief Executive of the Mental Health Foundation, which is partnering with Supporting Families in Mental Illness (SFMI) Auckland to promote the week.“The focus of the national campaign is on reducing stigma and increasing the awareness of the role family/whānau play in recovery.”Susie Crooks was diagnosed with schizophrenia in 1994, when she was 33-years-old and agrees there is still a lot of misunderstanding around it.“Hollywood has painted a rather frightening picture of my condition,” she says. “I have never been a danger to myself or others. At those times I get disconnected with reality, all I need is time out.Susie says her family’s support has been a huge help. “My family has always believed in me and supported me; they have held on to hope for me,” she says. “I am a richer person today and see myself as a fully participating member of society. I would say to anybody who has just been diagnosed [with schizophrenia] to talk to someone with lived experience of recovery. Life is great; you may have a special gift that’s worth tapping into.”Lisa Ducat, coordinator of Schizophrenia Awareness Week for SFMI Auckland, says they will be encouraging people to talk about schizophrenia in three ways. “We will be providing opportunities for groups and individuals to talk about the experience of schizophrenia and the role of family/ whānau; promoting awareness of where family/ whānau can seek further information and support, and providing information and education on schizophrenia,” she says.SFMI Auckland invites individuals to take part in the week by running their own event or by contacting them to find out about workshops available. Further information about schizophrenia and the nationwide events during the awareness week can be found at: www.sfauckland.org.nz and www.mentalhealth.org.nz

Three myths about schizophrenia

Not True: Schizophrenia means the person has a split personality.There is more media misinformation about schizophrenia than any other diagnosis. It’s not true that schizophrenia means ‘split personality’ or that someone with this diagnosis will swing wildly from being calm to being out of control.Not True: People with schizophrenia are aggressive, violent people.The number of homicides committed by people with any mental illness diagnosis is very low. Most people diagnosed with schizophrenia don’t commit violent crimes. People with drug or alcohol problems are twice as likely to commit a violent crime as someone diagnosed with schizophrenia.Not True: People with schizophrenia cannot recover and lead full lives.About one in every 100 people is diagnosed with schizophrenia. With early and good treatment, recovery from schizophrenia is the rule, not the exception. In fact, a third of people diagnosed only ever have one experience of it.Visit the Mental Health Foundation’s Special Events coverage of Schizophrenia Awareness Week: http://www.mentalhealth.org.nz/page/678-Special-Events