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A telephone survey investigated the level of father involvement in primary schools in a regional area of New South Wales. Hypotheses tested were: (a) that the level of mother involvement is higher than that of fathers, and (b) that fathers are primarily involved in gender stereotypical activities. The survey also aimed to provide a benchmark for programs aimed at increasing the level of father involvement in primary schools. Out of a possible 52 public primary schools, 43 participated. The results confirmed the hypotheses: principals estimated that only one-fifth of volunteers at the schools were male, and sports, outdoor activities and security were the preferred areas of involvement. (Contains 1 note and 3 tables.)

This article traces some of the key historical events that have combined with Australia's geography, climate and patterns of immigration in shaping characteristics of Australian families-characteristics that are remarkable for their diversity on many fronts. These factors, along with changing patterns of family formation, stability and structure, evolving parenting roles, and the ever-increasing spatial concentration of families, have all contributed to diverse strengths, vulnerabilities and lifestyles of families. Policies directed towards helping families identify and draw on their own strengths and those of their community have gained momentum since the late 1990s. The article outlines some of these policies, along with a project on family strengths that has helped shape interventions. doi:10.1300/J002v41n03_01 [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This article focuses on factors what gives a family the resilience to work through a crisis. These factors have intrigued a broad range of people, from policy makers to community workers. The Australian federal government has allocated 240 million dollars to its Stronger Families and Communities Strategy with the aim of building stronger family and community relationships. Likewise, an increasing number of family researchers are opting for a strengths approach in their family and community research. Stinnett and DeFrain's (1985) Family Strengths Model consists of six qualities which strong families across the world tend to share: commitment to the family. In 1999, under the guidance of John DeFrain, the Family Action Centre initiated the first Australian Family Strengths Research Project with funding from the Federal Department of Family and Community Services. To reach the aims of the project, the Family Action Centre developed an Australian Inventory of Family Strengths and a Family Strengths Survey.