National Water Week Ambassador Initiative
Frequently Asked Questions
This document is designed to answer any questions you may have about the NWW ambassador initiative. If you have any further questions that are not covered by this document please contact Fleur Johnson on fjohnson@awa.asn.au
What is the NWW Ambassador Initiative?
The NWW Ambassador Initiative is a new initiative developed by the Australian Water Association to raise community awareness and improve understanding of water issues in Australia and globally.
During National Water Week a team of volunteer ambassadors who have in depth knowledge of the water sector will be available to visit local schools and community groups to present on a range of different water topics.
Can anyone become a NWW ambassador?
We are currently only inviting members of the Australian Water Association to register to become a NWW ambassador.
I am interested in becoming a NWW ambassador but I am concerned about the time commitment. What is required of an ambassador?
The amount of time you dedicate to the NWW Ambassador Initiative is entirely up to you. Once you have successfully registered to become an ambassador you will receive requests for school and community group visits direct to your email. You can accept or decline these invitations to fit with your own schedule.
If, at any time during the initiative, you feel that the time commitment is too great you can withdraw from the initiative.
My school/community group would like to request a visit from a NWW ambassador. How do I make a request?
Making a request for a NWW ambassador is easy. Simply visit the NWW website and click on the link to 'request an ambassador'. You will be asked to provide a few contacts details and indicate when you would like an ambassador to visit.
When will I find out if my request for an ambassador visit has been successful?
All requests for ambassador visits are sent directly to those ambassadors that are located closest to your school or community group. It is therefore the responsibility of the ambassador to contact you about your request.
Are NWW ambassadors required to undertake a working with children background check?
The requirements for working with children background checks differ in each state and territory. Please see below for specific information regarding the requirements in your state or territory.
Queensland
In Queensland the Commission for Children and Young People and Child Guardian issues Blue Cards once it has carried out the Working with Children Check to see if a person is eligible to work in the areas of child-related work covered by the Commission's Act.
Volunteers taking part in the NWW Ambassador Initiative do not need a blue card. Under the Act a volunteer guest of a school or registered charity, incorporated association or corporation for 10 days or less on no more than two occasions per year for the purpose of observing or supplying information or entertainment to 10 or more people, who is unlikely to be physically present with a child while no other adult is present.
For more information go to http://www.ccypcg.qld.gov.au/employment/index.html
NSW
Ambassadors in NSW are not required to undertake a Working with Children Check so long as they are supervised at all times.
For more information go to https://check.kids.nsw.gov.au
ACT
Ambassadors in ACT are not required to undertake a Working with Children Check so long as they are supervised at all times.
Tasmania
There are no uniform requirements for screening (or "checking") all people who work with children in Tasmania. There are currently no legislative requirements to screen persons who work with children, unless they are involved in the child-care industry. Therefore, Government and many non-Government organisations have developed their own requirements and procedures for screening.
Victoria
Volunteers in NSW are not required to undertake a Working with Children Check so long as ambassadors are supervised at all times.
For more information go to http://www.justice.vic.gov.au/workingwithchildren
South Australia
In South Australia criminal history screening checks are not required for one-off guest presentations such as guest speakers, concert performers or for attendance at one-off events such as sports days, working bees and whole of school/centre events.
For more information go to http://www.decs.sa.gov.au/employmentopps/default.asp?web=recruitment&group=supportadmin&id=28214
Northern Territory
There is currently no legal requirement for volunteers in NT to undertake a working with children background check. Schools or community groups may have their own procedures in place in relation to working with children checks.
Western Australia
In Western Australian there is a legal requirement for all volunteers involved in 'child related work' to apply for a working with children check.
However, there is an exemption under the legislation that allows volunteers who are undertaking child-related work on no more than 5 days in a calendar year to carry out their duties without applying for a WWC check. This is often called the "5 day threshold".
The National Water Week Ambassador Initiative takes place during one week of the calendar year (National Water Week - 17-24th October) therefore in most cases we do not expect ambassadors to undertake child related work that extends over 5 days in a calendar year. If, as a NWW ambassador, you choose to undertake child-related work over the 5 day threshold (i.e. visit schools and/or community groups working with young people) you will expected to undertake a working with children check.
For more information about the application process below see the information below. http://www.checkwwc.wa.gov.au/checkwwc/Employers+and+Volunteer+Coordinators/FAQs.htm
I would like a NWW ambassador to visit my school/community group but there isn't anyone available in my area. What can I do to take part in the initiative?
In some areas a NWW ambassador may not be available at the time of your request. However, the NWW Ambassador Initiative will be recruiting new ambassadors until the start of National Water Week in October. This means that a NWW ambassador may become available in your area over the next few months.
How long will the ambassador initiative run for?
The NWW Ambassador Initiative will run during National Water Week (17-23 October).
I would like an ambassador to visit my school/community group but there is no available time during National Water Week. Will an ambassador be available after National Water Week?
The NWW Ambassador Initiative will run during National Water Week (17-23 October) and there are currently no plans to extend the initiative beyond this timeframe. However, should we receive a significant number of requests from schools and community groups we may consider extending the initiative.
Will AWA reimburse any expenses I occur from taking part in this initiative?
Unfortunately AWA is not able to reimburse any expenses that ambassadors may occur for taking part in this initiative.
My organisation has produced some useful materials on water matters. Can ambassadors take third party water information along to school or community group visits?
Yes. If your organisation has already prepared materials such as leaflets and postcards that provide information on issues such as water conservation we would be happy for you to take these supporting materials with you.
Is there scope for ambassadors to tailor the presentation slides?
The content of the presentations slides has been reviewed and agreed by a number of AWA members therefore we ask that the content is not changed. We have produced some blank template slides that will enable you to add your own content and tailor the presentation for your audience, if you wish.
