Latest news with #Delbridge
West Australian
11-05-2025
- Sport
- West Australian
Steel flies high as premiers hold off Mines Rovers
Railways coach Rhett Pettit's use of Jack Steel as a valuable swingman this year in the Goldfields Football League is set to continue, after his five goals on Saturday led a 14-point win against Mines Rovers, 12.8 (80) to 10.6 (66). In a result at Digger Daws Oval that put a dampener on Mines Rovers captain Jordan Delbridge's 200th game, Steel was the game's leading forward who could easily have finished with eight or nine goals. Steel, who three years ago tied with Delbridge for the Mitchell Medal, put on a clinic of high-marking and athletic prowess that turned the game in the Panthers' favour after they conceded the opening four goals. But Pettit said he would resist overtures to limit his trump card to permanent forward duties — based on a skill set that enables him to impact games in key roles at both ends of the ground and through the midfield. 'He is an athletic freak and actually reminds me a lot of (Boulder's) Scott Worthington, when he first came back from Subiaco and was easily the best player in the competition,' Pettit said of Steel's importance to the group. 'When those players extend for the footy, no-one can go with them (and) they can take a game away from you, in a quarter really. 'We're blessed to have him and in terms of where he plays, we get (full-forward) Chris (Yarran) back this weekend, and we still want him (Steel) to play through the midfield at times. 'That was the aim at the start of the year and we know he can play down back, and there will be opportunities for him at times to do that. 'But up forward is obviously where he plays his best footy, so a lot of those decisions will be based on game situations. 'Moving him around keeps him fresh, instead of having opponents hanging off him 16 games in a row.' Mines Rovers' dynamic start was underpinned by goals to Ethan Redcliffe, Nick Reghenzani, Charlie Scafidi, and Darcy Stevens, but Railways counter-punched with 4.2 to carry a one-point lead into quarter-time. Steel's influence included two second-quarter goals, when the reigning premiers outscored the Diorites four goals to one. Railways' opening three forward entries after half-time each sailed out on the full while the Diorites stifled their efforts with some shoddy disposal. But they maintained the fight and goals to Redcliffe and Reghenzani cut the margin by the final change to nine points. The Diorites pressed early in the last quarter, but a turnover at half-back gifted a six-pointer to Gerald Ugle and Steel produced an outside-of-the-boot snap that bounced through a vacant goal square. With the blue-and-whites' bench already compromised following an ankle injury to Delbridge, Kodee Lowe was yellow-carded as Railways' lead blew out to a game-high 35 points — the result of another defensive turnover. They added three late goals, but had left their run too late and coach Marc Johnstone lamented the skill errors that were punished by opposition goals at crucial times. 'Exiting our backline, there were three times when we came through the middle and kicked it directly to a Railways player who put it right back over our heads for a goal,' Johnstone said. 'In a close game, it's those errors that are costly, and it was all over the ground. 'It was hard to watch, but we still competed hard until the final siren, so it was pleasing in that way.' Johnstone said Delbridge would miss games, although the full extent wasn't known on Sunday. 'Jordy did his ankle right in front of me in that third quarter,' Johnstone said. 'We got him off and went to get it strapped up and hopefully get him back on. 'But it had blown-up so much we couldn't even get his boot back on.' Sam Turner was another injury in the Diorites' camp and young winger Hayden Dowson was a late withdrawal because of illness. Saturday's result left Boulder, Mines Rovers and Railways each with 3-1 win-loss records.
SBS Australia
01-05-2025
- Health
- SBS Australia
Swipe right, feel lonely: Dating apps and social media are making gen Z feel isolated
Smartphones, dating apps, social media are driving disconnection in the lives of Australia's gen Z and millennials, contrary to what you may think. Source: SBS News This article contains references to suicide/self-harm. Jayden Delbridge lost his father to suicide at the age of eight. By 14, he became a mental health advocate. Now 20, he is the founder of UrVoice Australia, a not-for-profit that provides mental health and wellbeing support to school students. "[Conversation about] mental health doesn't start in the hospital. It starts in cafes; it starts in speaking with friends in informal settings," Delbridge said. A new report based on two online polls covering nearly 1,400 respondents in various age groups (gen Z, millennials, 18+) by the Social Health Foundation highlights how loneliness, social isolation and disconnection are fuelling a mental health crisis amongst Australia's youth. The report also shines a light on the "hidden first responders" to mental health problems. The report highlights areas where social connection is breaking down amongst Australia's gen Z and millennials. Gen Z is generally defined as encompassing those aged between 13 and 28 (born between 1997 and 2012), with millennials aged between 29 and 44 (born between 1981 and 1996). Negative impact of smartphones and social media: 56 per cent of participants said social media left them feeling distressed, distracted and significantly impacted their mental health. Almost all participants (91 per cent) aged 18-39 believed "social media adversely affected the strength of their real-life interactions". Online dating apps lead to loneliness: 46 per cent shared that online dating apps "increased how lonely they felt". Many workplaces are not mentally healthy: 67 per cent of gen Z and millennial respondents support a shorter work week to reduce loneliness and improve their mental health. "Workplace bullying is at an epidemic level, with one-third of women having reported being bullied", the report added. The cost of living crisis is a mental health crisis: It stopped 86 per cent of gen Z and millennial respondents from pursuing their dreams and ambitions. The National Study of Mental Health and Wellbeing for 2020-2022, conducted by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), surveyed Australians in the 16-85 age group, which totalled 19.8 million people. Of these, 42.9 per cent or 8.5 million Australians had experienced a mental disorder at some time in their life. Out of these 19.8 million Australians, only 17.4 per cent or 3.4 million, sought help from a health professional. The survey also found that one in five Australians has experienced a 12-month mental disorder, with 38.8 per cent of people aged 16-24 experiencing a 12-month mental disorder. The most prevalent conditions include anxiety, affective disorders (including depression) and substance abuse. Like Delbridge, the Foundation for Social Health also believes that mental health conversations don't just start at the hospital. Those suffering disclose trauma, stress and isolation to people who aren't part of the formal mental health system. The report states: "These informal, unrecognised interactions are the quiet frontlines of our mental health system. And yet, public policy barely acknowledges them." From hairdressers to hospitality staff, gym trainers and childcare educators — all are part of this "hidden workforce." Their clients confide in them very often "because those are the places they actually go". But for some, like salon owner Nicole Serafin, this can present challenges. "We get told about everything from affairs, to drug and alcohol abuse, to physical and mental abuse from partners, family and friends, and you can't do anything about it," she said. She said while trained psychiatrists have a buddy system: "hairdressers are not qualified to handle what we take on". Dr Pramudie Gunaratne is chair of the NSW branch of the Royal Australian & New Zealand College of Psychiatrists. "As psychiatrists, we are trained in caring for mental illness, but mental health is much wider than that … When we see people in emergency departments and clinic rooms, they are overwhelmed, at crisis point," she said. "Social connection is required all the time. It doesn't matter if it's prevention or early intervention, having that glue that holds people together is essential." This is why Glenys Reid established the first Chatty Cafe at Eclair Boulangerie, a French patisserie in the Melbourne suburb of Hampton in 2019. She recalls visiting cafes and restaurants, seeing many people dining alone. Referring to loneliness, she says: "It's an invisible and silent epidemic in Australia that we need to take action on." "The only way that it's going to be successful is if it is community-led." More than five years later, The Chatty Cafe Scheme has expanded to over 250 venues mainly across the east coast of Australia, including community centres, op shops, art galleries and even croquet and bowling clubs where patrons can have a chat with other patrons. "We know seven out of 10 people know we've got a problem with loneliness across Australia, we want those seven out of 10 people to play a role and reach out." According to the 2023 Social Connection in Australia report, from the Ending Loneliness Together organisation, one in four Australians feel persistent loneliness, and one in three people experience loneliness at any given time. Foundation for Social Health CEO Melanie Wilde is calling for a Commissioner for Social Connection to be established within government. "This isn't a problem you can solve with 7,500 psychiatrists and 30,000 psychologists," she said. What we need is a national strategy that funds the places, people, and platforms that keep communities strong — from pubs to libraries, sports clubs to cafes, gyms to grassroots arts organisations. Melanie Wilde, Foundation for Social Health CEO. According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, there were 4,300 psychiatrists and 33,000 psychologists in Australia as of 2023. Separate inquiries into loneliness in Queensland and the ACT have called for a Minister for Loneliness. A similar inquiry is underway in NSW. Wilde welcomes the recommendations from these inquiries, but believes a more permanent position that goes beyond "cyclical portfolios" needs to be established. Social media influencer Milly Rose Bannister, who has 137,000 followers on Instagram, is also the CEO of youth mental health charity ALLKND. Bannister believes the issue is hard to fight with existing resources. "We have inherited a bit of a bin fire and been given a water pistol," she said. "We've got structures in place that have been in place for decades, and they're simply not matching up to what young people today are requiring for their well-being in general and particularly their mental health. "We need a complete reform."
BBC News
18-04-2025
- General
- BBC News
Guernsey Woman, 100, recalls evacuation to London during WW2
A 100-year-old woman has shared her memories of when she was evacuated from Guernsey ahead of the German Occupation in World War Delbridge, who lived in St Sampson before the war, said her father was a docker and stayed while she, aged 16, her mother and sister were taken to World War Two, German forces invaded the island on 30 June 1940 and remained in occupation for five years."My dad would never go - he would be a real fish out of water," said Ms Delbridge. 'Weren't bringing in diseases' On the boat from Guernsey to Weymouth, she said they knew people also evacuating and shared a cabin with two other families. She said: "When we got to Weymouth... we were lined up outside some kind of a wall. "It was raining and they looked down our throats and in our ears to make sure we weren't bringing in any diseases."Other people gathered to get on a train to Lancashire where a lot of Guernsey evacuees were going to be housed."She said her family went on the train to London. 'The romantic bit' Ms Delbridge said they stayed with cousins and aunties in Ealing, London, during the war where the three of them all found jobs. Her mother's first job was making coffee in a hall and Ms Delbridge worked in a small factory where they made measuring instruments such as air meters and volt meters which she said was "very important for the war"."Although it was a funny little place, we were doing good work," Ms Delbridge said. On the first day at the factory, Ms Delbridge said she also happened to meet the love of her life. She said: "Now this is the romantic bit."In this hallway there was a wooden door, and it opened and there was a young man with black hair."He eyed me up and down and quickly closed the door again and that's the start of a marriage that lasted forever with three grown up boys." 'Deckchair under the staircase' She described life in London as somewhat "normal" as the family lived under one roof and on winter evenings, all of the women would knit together in front of the fireplace."My mother and sister had the back living room, and we had those wooden chairs which were quite popular at that time."They were chairs with loose cushions, and you could make them into a kind of bed."My sister and I were lucky we both had them in our room as my mum had a deckchair under the staircase." 'Keen to get home' She said, "life went on" and the family were not always sitting there thinking about their father in Guernsey in the five years when they were separated."We eventually got the news over the radio our dear Channel Islands have been liberated and of course we were mad keen to get home."My sister and I went to some office… we told them our father was over 70 and we hadn't seen him for five years."She said as a result she managed to get a "fairly early booking to come back" where their dad met them from the boat.
CBC
18-03-2025
- Business
- CBC
Union complains after Winnipeg mayor says he wants staff back in office full-time
Social Sharing The City of Winnipeg's largest union says it's filed a grievance against the city after the mayor indicated he's looking to call all staff back to the office. Mayor Scott Gillingham told business leaders during the annual state of the city luncheon Friday he wants employees who've been allowed to work from home as part of a flexible workplace program introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic to return full-time. "We're in the process right now of hiring a new chief administrative officer for the City of Winnipeg," Gillingham said at the luncheon. "I'm going to be making it clear to that individual my expectation as mayor is that our staff are back in the office five days a week." Gord Delbridge, president of CUPE Local 500 — which represents about 5,000 public service workers including clerical and maintenance staff — said Monday the union has filed a policy grievance over the issue. "It's a bad idea. The mayor needs to do his homework on this one," Delbridge said. "There's currently 1,500 employees that were working on a flexible work schedule, and it's noted that the policy did produce … cost-savings efficiencies and was a good way to recruit and retain workers." The city introduced its flexible workplace program in June 2022, and 1,550 employees had been approved to work from home under the program as of September 2023, representing around 15 per cent of the city's workforce. A survey conducted by the city a year into the program found nine out of 10 employees and city leaders said staff in the program were just a productive as at the office, with a majority of respondents also finding that it was important to attracting and retaining staff. 3-day minimum getting 'positive response': Mayor On October, interim chief administrative officer Sherwood Armbruster sent out an email to city staff announcing people in the program would now have to come to the workplace for a minimum three days a week, adding that it would be continuing despite some concerns it would be cancelled completely. "While the feedback received has been both positive and negative, it has led to two conclusions," the email said. "The program needs to stay in place for the benefit of our employees, but it also needs adjustments to allow for more in-person interactions and ensure consistency across departments." Gillingham said Monday there's been a "positive response" since the three-day minimum was introduced, and that the change will benefit the downtown. "It certainly helps our local businesses as well," the mayor said. "We have many private-sector [employers] who now have called their staff back to the office five days a week. I'm getting calls from the private sector asking me that we get … city employees back into the office." Delbridge said he doubts bringing the union's members back to the office will do much to support the local economy because they don't earn enough to spend money on things like eating out for lunch. He said he's received emails from frustrated employees suggesting city workers should boycott downtown businesses. "Here's a mayor that has taken an approach of supporting business as opposed to workers," Delbridge said.
Yahoo
25-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Review of payrolls shows higher hourly pay but lower overall earnings under farmworker overtime law
Cherries are harvested in the Columbia River Gorge in Oregon. (Photo by Andrea Johnson/Oregon Department of Agriculture) Some Oregon farmworkers are earning higher hourly wages but taking home less money annually than they did before the state's agricultural overtime law passed in 2022, according to a new analysis of farm payroll data from Oregon State University agricultural economists. It's likely the result of farms reducing some employees' hours to avoid paying overtime, according to Tim Delbridge and Jeff Reimer, the Oregon State economists who conducted the analysis and published it Jan. 31 on their blog. Advocates for the agricultural overtime law said it has had material benefits for farmworkers, who report better working conditions and quality of life since the law passed. Reyna Lopez, executive director of the farmworkers union Pineros y Campesinos Unidos del Noroeste, or PCUN, said the analysis 'doesn't change much for us.' 'For us, it's still about the same thing,' she said. 'If they're going to be doing this important, hard, dangerous work in one of the largest sectors of our economy and feeding families across Oregon, they deserve equal pay like everyone else.' Opponents of the law, including many farm owners and industry associations, said it will continue to create burdensome costs for small farms and seasonal crop growers, who will decide to close or consolidate in the years ahead. They say the law, which is being phased in over a period of five years and has gone from a 55-hour threshold for overtime pay to 48 hours this year, will also continue to lead to reduced farmworker hours and earnings. In 2027, overtime will be earned and paid after 40 hours. 'The problem growers face is they're price takers. They don't get to set the price on their commodity. Walmart, Fred Meyer, the large grocers set the price on the commodity. Growers have no control over that,' said Mike Doke, executive director of the Hood River-based industry group Columbia Gorge Fruit Growers. 'When there are increased regulation costs on overtime, on labor housing, growers have no way to make up for that, and so there are growers going out of business.' The Columbia Gorge Fruit Growers were among the industry groups that helped fund Delbridge and Reimer's study, along with the Oregon Association of Nurseries, Oregon Dairy Farmers, Oregon Farm Bureau and the Oregon State University agricultural extension. The groups are considering asking the Legislature to create carve outs in the overtime rules, including capping overtime at 48 hours instead of 40 hours and creating a three-month window where it's capped at 55 hours, to accommodate the harvest season for seasonal fruit growers. Delbridge and Reimer collected anonymized payroll data from five dairies, three nurseries and two cherry farms in Oregon since 2022, when the state passed House Bill 4002 requiring farm workers be paid time-and-a-half for overtime work on a phased-in, five-year timeline. Oregon was the third state in the U.S., following California and Washington, to pass an agricultural overtime law. Workers in other industries have been guaranteed overtime pay for more than 80 years under the federal Fair Labor Standards Act, but it excludes farmworkers. Washington and California are now fully phased into a 40-hour per week threshold for overtime pay. Delbridge and Reimer found that in Oregon, as in studies of California's farm workforce, overtime laws have been increasing hourly wages since 2022 but have led to slight decreases in overall average annual earnings and hours. In California, overall average weekly hours worked by farm employees dipped below the national average of about 41 hours per week, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture data. As an example, the economists analyzed data from five employees of an Oregon dairy farm who all averaged more than 55 hours a week in 2022. By 2023, their average weekly hours decreased by about six hours, and each saw their weekly wages go down by an average of $75. Lopez of PCUN said she hears less from farmworkers worried about hours being cut from overtime rules than from extreme weather events. 'What I've been hearing a lot from my members, and that's been on top of mind from them, is that what they have seen reducing their hours is really the impacts of extreme climate and environmental conditions,' she said. Not all farm managers that provided data for the analysis reduced the overtime hours assigned to employees. But some farmers who participated said they instead reduced year-end bonuses, or were feeling less pressure to raise base wages for employees who were working overtime. At 55 hours of overtime, labor costs for the dairies went up by an average of 3.6%. The economists estimate this year, as overtime moves to the 48-hour threshold, labor costs for dairies will rise nearly 7% and at 40 hours, labor costs will increase by about 12% from pre-overtime law years. Nurseries are slightly less impacted, with 4% labor cost increases by the 2027, 40-hour threshold. Cherry growers will see a 3.3% increase this year and a 6.3% increase in 2027, the economists project. 'It's clear that overtime regulation is financially worse for farmers, but it's ambiguous with respect to workers. Some workers will be worse off from the overtime, but I don't think it's true that all workers will be worse off,' Dembridge said. Delbridge said one unintended consequence of the overtime law could indeed be farm consolidation, though that's more likely to happen at the 40-hour threshold than the 55- or 48-hour threshold. 'The impact of 55 hours has been pretty modest, right? And we see that in the data,' he said. 'I think what you're hearing now is more of a fear about what's going to happen this year at 48 hours, and 'How the heck are we going to be able to do this at 40 hours?' Just because it is quite a bit of a change from the status quo.' He said it's easier for large farms to manage financial risks associated with agricultural overtime laws and new agricultural labor housing rules that will go into effect in 2027. Large farm operations can avoid overtime pay by hiring more workers. They might already have big housing facilities for those additional workers, or have the capital to invest in it, and a human resources manager or department that can handle hiring paperwork and training. Those are significant expenses for a small farm. Doke called the 2027 agricultural overtime threshold of 40 hours mixed with the updated housing laws a 'perfect storm' of untenable expenses for small farms. Oregon's future, he believes, looks like Washington today. 'You won't find many small apple farmers like you did 20 years ago in Washington. It's mainly larger corporations, and we really want to avoid that here in Oregon,' he said. 'In Hood River and Wasco County, we have 440 growers in our membership through those two counties. If they were there to consolidate into less than 100 that would have huge impacts on the industry and the communities here, and that's what we're going to end up seeing is consolidation because smaller growers just can't afford these huge expenses.' For Lopez of PCUN, overtime pay is a matter of sustaining a workforce that farmers say they need and struggle to find. It's only going to get harder with President Donald Trump's restrictive immigration orders and threats of mass deportation, she said. 'Again and again, they've been saying that the labor shortages are a challenge for them, and now we're in a time where that's only going to keep increasing,' she said. 'I really hope that they can see the bigger picture around why it's important to improve conditions for our workers.' SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
