The Imabulk Program is funded through the Department of Health and Community Services and receives funding for HACC (Health and Community Care) Services and Aged and Disability.

The Program is designed to provide a range of services for Pensioners and Disabled people.

During 2003 /2004 Council employed a HACC worker part time who was responsible for preparing a lunch time meal for people on the Program. All Pensioners are eligible to be included in the program however some choose not to have the meal which cost $4 per day. Fourteen (14) people received a meal five (5) days per week. The HACC worker was assisted by CDEP workers. During 2003 the women involved in this program all successfully undertook the Aged Care Certificate 111 Course through BatchelorCollege.

HACC reporting which is undertaken quarterly was being undertaken by the Council Administration Officer.

Council received a One Off HACC Grant from the Department of Health and Community Services to purchase a second hand vehicle for the Imabulk Program and a coin operated washing machine.

Council employed two (2) people on a casual basis to undertake the Aged and Disability work. For a number of reasons this was not successful.

In June 2004 the HACC worker retired and Council reorganised the whole Program with approval from the Department. Council employed a Co-ordinator who was responsible for the HACC and Aged and Disability Work. The Co-ordinator also undertakes the quarterly reporting. The program has expanded from just providing a meal to doing washing and house cleaning for Pensioners as well as taking them on outings. The cost for these services has increased to $60 per fortnight. Council applied for a further One Off HACC Grant to purchase a new large freezer and fridge for the kitchen. This has recently been approved.

Council has also applied for funding to have the kitchen redone to bring it up to Food Safe Standards. Originally the kitchen was designed for people in wheel

chairs to be able to cook and wash up for themselves. This was when the Centre was a live- in Pensioner Centre. When the Commonwealth Government withdrew

their funding the Centre could no longer provide accommodation and Pensioners moved back with family. The kitchen continued to be used for the Meals on Wheels

Program. The kitchen is not designed for cooking for large numbers and because of its age (nearly 10 years old) it no longer meets health standards in terms of food storage and food preparation. Council is seeking $75000 to upgrade the kitchen to meet these standards and to meet Worker’s needs. Council is also seeking an increase in operational funds to allow the program to operate full time. Currently the program operates on a three quarter time basis. Funds have also been sought to put a full length roof rack on the Pensioner vehicle to give more room inside the vehicle when the Pensioners go on outings.

If this application is approved it will greatly help the Imabulk Program and will assist Council in providing a range of quality services to the Pensioners.

In 2001 Belyuen Council applied to the Commonwealth Government for eight (8) Community Aged Care Packages (CACPs) for the community. The application was not approved. Unbeknown to Council at the time an Interstate Service (Home Care Services) extending their services to the Northern Territory was granted Packages which were also to include Belyuen. In 2004 Home Care Services approached Belyuen Council in regard to having these four (4) packages available in the Community. Only one (1) Pensioner is receiving the full seven (7) hours per week whilst the other three (3) are receiving approximately half of what they are entitled to. The four (4) Pensioners are also required to pay a fortnightly fee directly to Home Care Services. However, the Imabulk Program continues to provide the meals, cleaning and washing services to these Pensioners who also pay $60 per fortnight to Council for these services. Home Care Service does not pay Council for providing the services to the Pensioners that they are receiving CACP funding from the Commonwealth Government for. If Council had been granted the CACPs as originally requested then this situation would not be happening.