News - 1 February 2012

1 February 2012

For articles from a previous HealthWest E-Bulletin, view our News Archive.

News in Brief

Addressing Violence against Women and their Children Action Plan Consultation Framework

The Victorian Department of Human Services (DHS) is developing a whole of Government Action Plan to address violence against women and their children. It is the intention that all forms of violence against women and their children will be addressed in the Action Plan, with a continued strong focus on family violence and sexual assault, given their serious and widespread impact on women and their children. A Consultation Framework has been developed as part of the process, which outlines current efforts in addressing violence against women and their children and identifies proposed future directions and action areas.

Download the Consultation Framework from DHS website:

Input and feedback on the Consultation Framework is sought in two ways:

1. Written feedback on the framework can be sent to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it by 23 March 2012. The template for written submissions is available here.

2. A series of consultation sessions will be held in metropolitan and rural Victoria throughout February and March. Details of the dates and venues and how to register your attendance at one of the sessions are available here.

Victorian Aboriginal Health Conference 2012 – registrations open

Registrations are now open for the Victorian Aboriginal health conference 2012, Aboriginal health - everyone's responsibility.

The conference will be held on Thursday 24 and Friday 25 May 2012 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. It will showcase work that is helping to close the health gap between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Victorians.

Register now for the early bird rate of $450.00 (closes on 31 March 2012).

Standard registration rate is $500.00 (1 April to 3 May 2012), once maximum numbers are reached.

More info: Register online. Contact Robyn Smith, phone 9096 7938 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

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News at HealthWest

New resource: a Karen gambling story DVD

HealthWest, in partnership with Centre for Culture, Ethnicity and Health, Gambler's Help Western and New Hope Foundation, have now released a resource to support gambling education within the Karen community.

A Karen gambling story uses culturally appropriate characters and scenarios to explore pathways into gambling, the impact of problem gambling, responsible gambling practices, and options for seeking help. The DVD is a useful resource for any services working with the Karen people.

More info: Visit Centre for Culture, Ethnicity and Health website

HealthWest position vacant: Close the Health Gap Project Manager

The Outer West Wellbeing Partnership Project is part of the Closing the Health Gap initiative which aims, through partnership, to work with and support Aboriginal people of all ages to achieve their optimal health.

We are seeking an experienced Project Manager to work alongside the Aboriginal community and our member agencies, to improve the uptake of screening and ongoing engagement with health services.

Applications close 20 February 2012

More info: Download the position description here. For all enquiries, contact Gail O'Donnell Executive Officer, HealthWest on 90175843 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

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Integrated Health Promotion/Population Health Planning

2010 State of Victoria's children report

The state of Victoria's children (2010) report presents the first thematic analysis of how children and young people in Victoria are faring in terms their health, wellbeing, learning, safety and development, as well as outcomes at the family and community level. It draws on the Victorian child and adolescent outcomes framework and builds upon previous reports to provide a more in-depth look at issues that warrant further investigation. The report provides a more detailed analysis as well as an initial exploration of associated risk and protective factors. Key government initiatives are also noted throughout the report.

This report was produced by the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development in collaboration with the Department of Human Services, the Department of Health, the Department of Planning and Community Development and the Department of Justice (including Victoria Police).

More info: Download the report

VicHealth Resource: Everyone wins – Welcome, involve and value everyone in sport

Everyone Wins aims to increase participation in sport of people with a disability, Indigenous Australians, people from culturally and linguistically diverse communities, and women and girls. The resource supports the building of healthier sporting environments that are safe, accessible, inclusive and equitable. It offers a framework of actions and practical tools and resources on how to welcome, involve and value everyone in our community.

Two versions have been developed: one for State Sporting Associations (SSAs) and another for community sports clubs.

More info: Visit VicHealth website

Evaluation of the impact of febfast participation

Febfast is a national health initiative that challenges people to take a break from alcohol consumption during February each year. VicHealth has undertaken an evaluation of the febfast event to understand who took part and why, and what impacts the event had on their alcohol awareness, health and subsequent drinking behaviours with the aim of increasing participation rates in the future.

Febfast 2012 starts today.

More info: Visit VicHealth website

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Integrated Chronic Disease Management

Victorian Dental Services Oral Health Promotion Forum

The Victorian Dental Services invite interested parties to attend a forum to develop the Victorian Oral Health Promotion Plan 2012 - 2018.

When: 1.30pm - 4pm, 7 March 2012

Where: Rydges on Swanston, 701 Swanston Street, Carlton

More info: Download flyer. RSVP by Friday 2 March 2012 to Kath O'Donnell, phone 9341 1702 or email Kath.O' This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

New healthy lifestyle programs for older community members and young Indigenous and CALD people in Maribyrnong

Maribyrnong City Council, through the Incredible, Edible, Moveable Maribyrnong project, is offering a range of free and low cost healthy lifestyle programs.  These programs include:

  • My Healthy Lifestyle Program: A 6 month program targeted at lifestyle modification focusing on increased physical activity and healthy eating at Maribyrnong Aquatic Centre.
  • Pryme Movers – Health and Wellness: Provides older adults with the tools to improve their fitness, health and wellbeing through the development of tailored fitness programs. It will target older adults aged 50 and be delivered through RecWest.
  • CALD Sports Team Initiative: Primarily targeting women from indigenous and CALD backgrounds, this program will assist the Maribyrnong Swifts Soccer Club to recruit players and provide support for training and administration.
There are also a range of other programs that will be released shortly.   Feel free to circulate the program brochures to colleges and clients and through your networks, referral pathways, mailing lists.

More Info: contact Lena Okin, Healthy Communities Coordinator, Maribyrnong City Council, email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 9688 0182

Aboriginal Victorians Life! Road to Good Health training

The Road to Good Health training course, delivered by Diabetes Australia – Victoria (DA–Vic) is the cornerstone of the Aboriginal Life! Program, a type 2 diabetes prevention program for Aboriginal people and their families. The program is coordinated by DA–Vic alongside the broader Life! Taking Action on Diabetes program and funded by the Victorian Government. Training is available free for Aboriginal Health Workers and other health professionals working with the Aboriginal community. 

When: 19-20 March 2012
Where: Melbourne 

More info: Download flyer. Contact Robyn Alexander, Health Promotion Officer, DA-Vic, phone 8648 1825 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  

Literature Review: The Hypertension Team: The Role of the Pharmacist, Nurse, and Teamwork in Hypertension Therapy

The Primary Health Care Research and Information Service have circulated the abstract for a recently published literature review. The review examines models of care delivery in hypertension control. The Chronic Care Model and Patient-Centred Medical Home are reviewed along with systematic reviews published prior to 2000 as part of a historical analysis. Contemporary studies from 2005 are discussed in relation to the role of the pharmacist, nurse and technological interventions. Future research needs and policy implications are discussed.

More info: Download the literature review abstract

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Service Coordination

New Ads Encourage Australians to Shape Mental Health Reform

Advertisements are appearing in newspapers across the country inviting Australians with a lived experience of mental illness to help shape national mental health reform.
The Minister for Mental Health and Ageing, Mark Butler, has called on interested Australians to apply to become members of the Consumer Reference Group which will help set the directions of the National Mental Health Consumer Organisation.

More info: Visit the Department of Health website

New HealthWest Initiative - Western Intake Network Meeting (WING!)

This network is for intake workers from health and community agencies in the western suburbs of Melbourne.  It has come from the Active Service Model Intake Forum held in November 2011.  At that Forum, it was identified that there is a need for Intake workers to be able to network and to share common challenges, information about their services, and to look at common trends and issues such as waitlists and service gaps.

When: Thursday 15th March at 9:30-11:30am
Where:Wyndham Civic Centre, 45 Princes Highway  Werribee
More Info:Contact Libby Jewson : 9017 5843 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

More info: Download the flyer here for 1st meeting and register via the HealthWest website.

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For Your Diary

Grants

Lord Mayor's Charitable Fund

The Lord Mayor's Charitable Foundation provides grants each year to organisations that assist people living in disadvantage and projects that support long term social change.

They aim to fund innovative programs that work to increase life opportunities, promote social inclusion and improve quality of life.

Overview:
Major Grants are may be valued at up to $150,000 over one year or up to $300,000 over two years.

Major Grants are focused on delivering projects designed to address one or more of the following priority areas:
• Homelessness
       Early intervention
       Employment and training opportunities
• Youth
       Youth mental wellbeing
       Young people in out-of-home care
       Multicultural youth
• Ageing
      Ageing with a lifelong disability
      Cultural diversity in ageing

More info: visit the Lord Mayor's Charitable Fund website, download the Guidelines here or contact Grants Co-ordinator Lord Mayor's Charitable Fund via email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or phone 03 9633 0021

Call for Papers

No news this week

National

No news this week
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Statewide

Stepping Stones: training and support for refugee and migrant women

Stepping Stones is a program that helps refugee and migrant women living in Melbourne to develop small business skills by offering financial education, micro-business training and mentoring support.

Stepping Stones builds refugee and migrant women's capacity by:

  • Facilitating understanding of financial systems in Australia
  • Facilitating understanding of Australian small business regulations
  • Building participants' capacity to develop business plans and marketing strategies
  • Assisting in finding traineeship and work opportunities
  • Assisting participants to adapt their business experiences overseas to the complexity and compliance issues of running a business in Australia.
  • Linking participants to enthusiastic and experienced female business mentors in Melbourne.

More info: contact Julianna, phone 8412-8710 or 0409 296 495 or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Seminar - Strategies for sustainable funding

This course provides an overview of the strategies every community organisation should consider putting in place to provide for a practical, workable, integrated, sustainable fundraising strategy. Learn how the sources of funding other than grants - donations, grants, community-business partnerships, alumni/membership, special events - can build a sustainable future for your group.

When: 9.30am-1pm, Friday 2 March

Where: Angliss Conference Centre, Building A, Level 5, 555 La Trobe St Melbourne

Cost: $145 per person

More info: Visit Our Community website

Seminar - Advanced Grant Writing

This seminar is focused on developing skills to become a sophisticated, successful grantseeker and generate income for your organisation. Note, as this is an advanced grants session participants must have either completed a prior grant training session or be actively involved in grant writing for their organisation. The seminar will assume a sound grant writing capacity.

When: 10am-3pm, Friday 9 March

Where: Karstens, Level 11, 123 Queen St Melbourne

Cost: $245 per person

More info: Visit Our Community website

Workshop - Bloody Serious Facts: Hepatitis C and what you should know

This workshop is suitable for drug and alcohol workers, nurses, NSP workers, community health staff, students of health professions, prison staff and welfare workers. No prior knowledge is assumed.

The session is divided into three parts emcompassing:

  • the basic facts of hepatitis C, how it differs from hep A & B, psycho-social issues, and OH&S.
  • the impact and meaning of hepatitis C for people who inject drugs.
  • testing and treatment options for hepatitis C

When: 1.30pm - 4.30pm, Wednesday 14 March
Where: Suite 5, 200 Sydney Road, Brunswick
Cost: $22.00 per person

More info: To register, ring 9380 4644, fax 9380 4688 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Workshop – Fostering Sustainable Behaviour Change

The implementation and success of many Bicycle Network Victoria programs are based upon Dr. Doug McKenzie-Mohr's community-based social marketing principles. The program focused on the five steps of community-based social marketing (selecting behaviours, identifying barriers, developing strategies, conducting a pilot and broad scale implementation).

This introductory community-based social marketing workshop will be of interest to those working to promote waste reduction, water and energy efficiency, modal transportation changes, watershed protection, and other sustainable behaviour changes. Those who work to promote behavioural changes that promote health, such as active lifestyles, will also benefit from attending.

The workshop will:

  • Teach you how to identify the barriers holding your program back
  • Provide you with behaviour change tools
  • Show you how to pilot and evaluate your program to make it successful

When: 9am-4:30pm, 29-30 March 2012
Where: Citiclub on Queen, 113 Queen St, Melbourne
Cost: $750/person. Not for profit organisations are charged at $500/person, these places are limited.

More info: Visit Bicycle Victoria website

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E-Bulletin Archive

For articles, information or links from previous issues of HealthWest's Weekly E-Bulletin view our news archive.