VMIAC V2 issue 68

VMIAC Bldg 1, 22 Aintree Street, Brunswick East 3057

Tel: 03 3980 3900 Fax: 03 9388 1445 E-mail: [email protected] www.vmiac.org.au

DATE:01/Feb/2013 VOLUME: 2 ISSUE:68

VMIAC E-Bulletin VMIAC is an organization for people who have had mental or emotional health problems.

VMIAC is run by people who have had mental or emotional health problems.

VMIAC believes that people with personal experience of mental health problems have a valuable role to play in the developments of mental health services.

VMIAC is committed to active consumer participation at all levels of the mental health system.

In this Edition:

1. Groups in Horsham:

2. Training and talks informed by lived experience and professional expertise:

3. Every Australian Counts’ submission on the NDIS legislation

4. Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission January E Bulletin:

5. NDIS CAMPAIGN:

6. MIND Position Description:

7. Beyond Expectations:

8. Women with disabilities Victoria:

9. NDIS Bill - Time for Closer Examination:

10. Sprout Community Market:

11. Active Moreland website launch:

12. CERES:

The email is sent every week and contains items which may interest mental health consumers, carers and

service providers and which otherwise they may not be able to access. Thank you for subscribing to this

VMIAC email if you wish to unsubscribe please contact [email protected] Bill Moon or Dominic Troughton

Information Officer Victorian Mental Illness Awareness Council Tel (03)9380 3900 http://www.vmiac.org.au/

This message is intended for the addressee and may contain confidential information. If you are not the

intended recipient, please delete this message and notify the sender. Views expressed are those of the

document initiator/writer, and are not necessarily the views of the Victorian Mental Illness Awareness Council.

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.vmiac.org.au/






VMIAC is an organization for people who have had mental or emotional health problems.


VMIAC believes that people with personal experience omental health problems have a valuable role to play in the developments of mental health services.


1/ Groups in Horsham:

Weekly: "Thursdays" Social Group

A time to drop-in for as long as you like between 1.30-4pm every Thursday.

Where: Horizons Building, 28 Urquhart Street, Horsham.

Every THURSDAY we meet.

We have a time of relaxation/meditation/mindfulness & chat, relax, sometimes an

outing is held but with notice.

Monthly: The Pendulum Support Group

Where: Horizons Building, 28 Urquhart Street, Horsham.

Time: 7.00-8.30pm

Contact: Jo Harries, 0430 167163 and/or Liz Carr, Senior Advocate VMIAC, 0409 000585.

3rd THURSDAY of EVERY month.

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2/ Training and talks informed by lived experience and professional expertise:

I offer specialised training in:

Trauma-informed support Community project management Peer educators in mental health Difficult emotions Supporting and managing a consumer workforce Mental health keywork

I also offer free public talks every couple of months about topical issues in mental health, and write regularly on issues of human rights and mental health. My expertise comes from lived experience of childhood trauma, 12 years as a mental health consumer, and my own recovery journey. I also have extensive experience as a community support worker, as the manager of a peer support service, and have studied in a broad range of areas. You can read more about my experience and personal story on my website. Keep up-to-date with my latest talks, training & writing If you join my mailing list you will receive a newsletter no more than once or twice a month, and you can be assured that I take privacy seriously and will keep your personal details secure and private. To join my list, either reply to this email to confirm, or complete your details at this webpage if you would like to specify particular topics of interest. Please note that in keeping with 'spam' legislation I won't contact you again unless you elect to join my mailing list. I hope my training and talks are of interest and look forward to hearing from you. Kind regards, Indigo Daya _____________________________________________________________

Indigo Daya

Consumer-Informed Mental Health Services Training, Speaking, Consultancy & Resources e [email protected] w www.indigodaya.com p 0400 404 829 Please note that email is the fastest way to reach me as I am often busy in talks, training or meetings. Top



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http://www.indigodaya.com/training/training-calendar/supporting-and-managing-a-consumer-workforce/

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3/ Every Australian Counts’ submission on the NDIS legislation:

Every Australian Counts’ submission on the NDIS legislation

The Senate Standing Committee on Community Affairs is currently considering the laws that will govern the NDIS.

Following calls from the committee for submissions on the legislation Every Australia Counts supporters sent in more than 1400 responses saying why Australia desperately needs the NDIS.

After reading through all of the excellent contributions made from supporters the campaign also submitted one. This submission brings together all the feedback sent in from supporters and provides a snapshot of why they think introducing the NDIS will be so important. You can read the submission here.

Submissions have now closed but you can now read the contributions made from the community at the Senate Committee’s website.

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4/ Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission January E Bulletin:

Acting Commissioner’s welcome

I hope everyone has had a good start to 2013.

Commission staff enjoyed participating in the Midsumma Festival earlier this month, hosting a stall at the Carnival where the team spoke to people about their experiences and let them know about their rights and the help available to them. See picture of Commission volunteers presenting some Fair go, sport! socks to swimmer Michael Klim at Carnival.

The Pride March this Sunday 3 February in St Kilda is another chance to demonstrate support for our friends, colleagues and family members in the GLBTI community. The Commission and its partners in the No to Homophobia campaign, including Victorian country footballer Jason Ball and his Yarra Glen Football Club teammates, are gearing up to wave the rainbow flag at this year’s Pride.

Each year the Commission marches to show its support for the community and also to raise awareness of the laws that protect gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and intersex people from harassment and discrimination and what they can do to respond to them.

By joining forces with No To Homophobia we want to send the message that not only is homophobic discrimination harmful and offensive, it’s also against the law when it happens at work, school or on the sporting field.

Our Fair go, sport! partners, including those from Hockey Victoria and Reservoir High School, will also be marching with the Commission. Fair go, sport! is a project that aims to increase awareness of sexual and gender diversity in sport and promote safe and inclusive sporting environments.

We invite all our friends and supporters to take a stand against homophobia and discrimination by joining us at Pride on Sunday, which is the closing event for Midsumma.

Date: Sunday 3 February Time: 1.30pm (for 2.00pm start) Meet: Corner of Fitzroy Street and Lakeside Drive in St Kilda



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Route: Fitzroy Street through to Catani Gardens

To register or for more information email [email protected] or call Ian Row on (03) 9032 3429.

I also invite you to have a look at our redesigned website, and I hope the improvements make it easier for you find the information you need.

Enjoy the read and as always we welcome your feedback.

Karen Toohey Acting Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commissioner

Exposure draft of the Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Bill 2012

The Commission welcomes the exposure draft of the Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Bill

2012, which streamlines and strengthens the federal anti-discrimination regime with

contemporary principles and procedures, and will significantly enhance the effectiveness of

federal legislation to address discrimination.

The Australian Council of Human Rights Agencies, of which the Commission is a member, made

a submission to the Inquiry in December 2012. The submission focuses on the practical issues

associated with the Bill and makes a series of recommendations that would strengthen and

improve it. The submission also responds to concerns that have been raised since the Bill was

released for comment, such as the definition of discrimination, exceptions to discrimination and

compliance powers and mechanisms.

The Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee held public hearings on 23 and 24 January 2013, and is due to report on 18 February 2013. The Bill, explanatory notes and associated materials are available on the Committee’s website at aph.gov.au/senate_legalcon.

Are you interested in how sex and gender are framed in Australian surveys?

If you are, you might want to make your views heard in the Australian Bureau of Statistics’ (ABS)

Review of the Sex Standard and potential new Gender Standard. The ABS is considering how a

person identifies themselves and presents themselves to the community. It is also considering

how to collect information about people who do not identify as either male or female but do not fit

within the ‘intersex or indeterminate’ category in the current Sex Standard. The Standards will be

used by the ABS in statistical collections, but can also be used by other organisations as a guide

when writing surveys.

Submissions are due 28 February 2013. For more information visit abs.gov.au/thesexstandard

New research project: people with disabilities as victims of crime

The Commission will undertake research in 2013–14 on the experiences of people with

disabilities as victims of crime in Victoria. The aim of the project is to understand barriers to the

recognition of crimes committed against people with a disability in different settings, and to



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identify challenges and solutions in delivering police services to them. The research will look at

crimes against the person, such as assault, sexual assault and hate crimes.

A Project Reference Group will guide the project and is made up of representatives from Victoria

Police, the Office of the Public Advocate, the Disabilities Services Commissioner, Victorian

Women with Disabilities Network, Victorian Advocacy League for Individuals with a Disability,

Disability Justice Advocacy and the University of Ballarat. The Reference Group met on 17

January to finalise the scope and methodology for the project. Research will commence shortly.

The Commission will consult widely to incorporate the views of people with a range of disabilities

from different cultural backgrounds, police, service providers and advocacy bodies.

Details on the scope of the work will be available on the website – for more information or to get involved in the project please contact [email protected].

Commission Disability Reference Group member wins award

The Commission congratulates Frank Hall-Bentick for being honoured as a Disability Rights

Champion by the United Nations for his achievements in promoting the rights of people with

disabilities. Visit unescap.org for more details about the award.

Right: Frank Hall-Bentick with Disability Reference Group members.

Keep informed!

For Commission updates, photos, human rights and equal opportunity news and events join us on Twitter @VEOHRC and facebook.com/VEOHRC. We’d love to hear from you, so please send us information you’d like to share with our followers.



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Using the dispute resolution service

The Commission offers a dispute resolution service under the Equal Opportunity Act 2010 and

the Racial and Religious Tolerance Act 2001 through a conciliation model.

Dispute resolution commences when a person brings a complaint to the Commission claiming

discrimination or sexual harassment in an area such as employment, education or goods and

services. A person may also complain about being publicly vilified due to their race or religion.

A complaint is handled by a conciliator who is impartial and ensures the conciliation process is as

fair as possible to all parties. Conciliators are expert in handling complaints made to the

Commission and understand the particulars of the complaint. They provide information about the

law and the way other complaints have been resolved.

Conciliation is a flexible, informal, confidential, timely and cost free process in which parties to a

complaint are given the opportunity to explore resolution of the issues raised in the complaint. It

is not a court hearing and no decisions are made about who is right or wrong or whether the law

has been breached. Conciliation allows parties to a complaint to decide the terms upon which

they agree to resolve a complaint and no outcome can be imposed on them.

Our conciliation service is provided across regional Victoria and can also be conducted via

telephone if required.

Complaints may be made using the online complaint form on the Commission’s website at

humanrightscommission.vic.gov.au/complaint.

Assistance also continues to be provided to those people who may have difficulty completing a

complaint form due to disability or language difficulties.

If you would like further information about dispute resolution or the scope of equal opportunity and vilification laws you can contact the Commission’s Enquiry Line on 1300 292 153 or email [email protected].



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The law explained

Employment-related medical testing

In some circumstances, employers can ask an employee or a prospective employee to attend a

medical examination, including:

to assess whether the employee can perform the requirements of the job (including the

specific skills, capabilities and attributes that are required for the job)

to assess whether the employer needs to make reasonable adjustments to help the employee

or prospective employee to perform the genuine and reasonable requirements of the job

if the employer is concerned about the employee’s health and safety at work or the health and

safety of other people or property.

Employers must have a reasonable basis for asking for a medical examination to be carried out.

Under the Equal Opportunity Act, employers must not discriminate against an employee or a

potential on the basis of a disability. Employers can set reasonable requirements of the job. For

example, a flight attendant could be required to be able to lift a certain weight to be able

manoeuvre doors if there is an emergency.

Employers should consider these issues carefully. The process and information obtained need to

be managed well to ensure that they are not discriminatory.

Read more>

Commission’s new website launched

The Commission’s redesigned website is now live at humanrightscommission.vic.gov.au.

The site is the most popular way for people to access information on the law and their rights and

responsibilities from the Commission, with more than 220,000 visits in the past year. The most

viewed resources on the site include information on discrimination, our Employer Toolkits and

information on the Commission’s training.

The new site features an updated ‘look and feel’ as well as a major redesign of the information

structure which we tested with stakeholders and community members to ensure information is

easier to find.

As the site is still being finalised, we apologise for any broken links or issues we are unaware of. Please contact us if you have any feedback at [email protected].



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Training directory 2013

With the Equal Opportunity Act 2010 in force, it’s time to update your equal opportunity practice. The Commission has a range of workshops available in 2013 to help you understand your rights and responsibilities. Register for courses and download the 2013 Human Rights and Equal Opportunity training directory online.

Anti-hate kits

Tired of hate in your community? Visit antihate.vic.gov.au to share your stories and order an anti-hate kit for your organisation.

Cultural diversity in the workplace

The Commission has a range of resources to help employers and employees understand their

rights and responsibilities. The resources are available online.

For employees: Know your rights

For employers: Know your responsibilities

Every employer and service provider has obligations under Victoria’s equal opportunity laws and must meet these obligations, irrespective of their size, industry or sector.

There are still spots left for our February training workshops, which can be viewed online at humanrightscommission.vic.gov.au/training.

Book now for upcoming courses in March.

5 March: Small business: equal opportunity compliance basics (Carlton) – Free 7 March: Equal opportunity obligations for community organisations (Carlton) –$44 15 March: Equal Opportunity Act 2010: an overview (Box Hill) – Free 18 March: Equal Opportunity Act 2010: an overview (Carlton) – Free 19 March: Working with employees with mental illness (Carlton) – $264 ($66 for

volunteers, community advocates and community organisations)



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21 March: Equal Opportunity Act 2010: an overview (Bairnsdale) – Free 22 March: Using the Commission’s free dispute resolution service (Bairnsdale) – Free 26 March: Equal opportunity contact officer: new to the role (Carlton) – $528 ($132 for

volunteers, community advocates and community organisations) 28 March: Investigating formal complaints (Carlton) – $528 ($132 for volunteers,

community advocates and community organisations) Register online or call (03) 9032 3415 for more information.

Age discrimination roundtable with Professor Axel Gosserie

Visiting Professor Axel Gosserie will host ‘Is Age Special? Confronting EU and Victoria anti-discrimination Law’ at the Commission office (3/204 Lygon St, Carlton) at 6pm on 20 February. RSVP to [email protected] or (03) 9032 3421.

Irabina Childhood Autism Services education calendar

Irabina Childhood Autism Services have released their January–June 2013 education calendar. If you’d like a copy of the calendar email [email protected] or call (03) 9720 1118.

Nominations open for the National Migration and Settlement Awards

Nominations are now open for the Migration Council Australia’s National Migration and Settlement Awards. The awards showcase the work of organisations and individuals that assist new migrants to settle into Australia. Nominations close Friday 8 February at 5pm, and can be made online at migrationcouncil.org.au/awards. Winners will be announced by the Prime Minister at a Gala Dinner on 18 March 2013.

‘A Home of My Own’ seminar

On 27 February Belonging Matters Inc is hosting a seminar entitled ‘A Home of My Own’. The event aims to inspire people to think differently about assisting people with a disability to move into a place of their own. There is a cost of $220 per person ($55 concession/family) and registration closes on 18 February. For more information and to register contact [email protected] or call (03) 9739 8333

Please note: You are receiving this ebulletin because your email address has been subscribed to our mailing list. For further assistance please call 1300 292 153.

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Level 3, 204 Lygon Street Carlton Victoria 3053 [email protected]

humanrightscommission.vic.gov Web Version

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5/ NDIS CAMPAIGN:

Hi there,

I just had to let you know - we've reached 150,000 supporters of the Every Australian Counts

campaign.

On top of the Prime Minister's announcement of the Federal Election date on September 14, it's an exciting

week.

We're celebrating with this terrific photo above of Annie Doyle, from disability service provider

Sunnyfield, who has shown her support for the National Disability Insurance Scheme from the

summit of Mt Vinson in Antarctica!

Together we are now a 150,000-strong force of Australians who demand change for the lives of people

with disability, their families and carers.

Thank you for all your hard work - it's this work that will see the NDIS delivered.

John

John Della Bosca

and The Every Australian Counts campaign team

www.everyaustraliancounts.com.au PS. Submissions have now closed to give feedback on the laws that will govern the

NDIS. But not before we had the chance to put in our two cents' worth.

The Every Australian Counts contribution gives a snapshot of more than 1,400 submissions that supporters around the country made to the inquiry. You can read it here.

© 2012 NDIS | Revolutionising disability services. All rights reserved.

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6/ MIND POSITION DESCRIPTION:

POSITION DESCRIPTION:

SECTION A: POSITION CONTEXT

Position Title Trainer

Position Reference

Position Type Part-time – the equivalent of 15.2 hours per week to December 31st 2013

Classification Range is ATS&P Level 5 depending on experience and qualifications

Service/Department Learning and Development

Area/Group/State RDA/Central Office/Victoria

Effective Date January 2013

Position Purpose:

The focus is to co-ordinate and deliver a series of training programs on the Mind model of recovery-oriented practice.

Mind Information:

Mind is a leading provider of community managed mental health services in Victoria and South Australia. Mind works with people who experience mental health difficulties, to help them live well in the community, with or without symptoms. At Mind, we recognise that having safe and affordable housing, getting a job and building trusting and supportive relationships are integral elements of the recovery journey and essential to maintaining good mental health.

Mind offers a diverse range of services including recovery-focused individual and family services, transition from acute settings to community support, residential rehabilitation services for young people and adults, housing support, respite services, volunteer and mentor programs, information and referral and care coordination services. It also offers a range of specialist programs including programs for people with a mental illness and intellectual disability, recreational and arts programs and family strengthening programs. This diversity offers staff significant opportunities for ongoing learning and professional development.

Mind’s service approaches are grounded in consumer and family/carer focused recovery practices. Our people work collaboratively with our consumers, their families and carers, and other service agencies and professionals, in supporting our clients on their recovery journey. We recognise the individual, respect their rights and preferences, and actively encourage their engagement with our organisation.

Mind is an open, collegiate human service organisation which offers challenging, fulfilling work opportunities. It has a strong commitment to staff training and development and offers flexible work conditions. Mind is a great place to work.

Service/Area/Group/State Information

Learning and Development provides a range of learning options to Mind staff that support Mind’s values, professional development and statutory obligations. It provides semester long calendars of training and










administers programs such as access to qualifications, traineeships and student placement. It is a part of the Research Development and Advocacy department which supports Mind service delivery with centralised functions such as research and quality improvement.

The Learning and Development team consists of a Manager, a Training and Events Co-ordinator and an Information and Education Services Co-ordinator.

Reporting Relationships:

Reporting Lines The position reports directly to the Manager.

Location:

Central Office, Heidelberg

SECTION B: KEY RESPONSIBILITY AREAS

The key responsibility areas (KRAs) are the major outputs for which the position is responsible and are not a comprehensive statement of the position activities.

Key Responsibility Areas

1. PROVISION OF TRAINING The Trainer is responsible to deliver a series of training programs on the Mind model of recovery oriented practice. The role involves:

• Learning the material for delivery

• Working collaboratively with Mind staff involved in the delivery of the training packages

• Delivering the sessions as rostered and required

• Supporting and co-ordinating staff access to pre-training requirements, the training program and the evaluation process.

2. LIAISON WITH MIND STAFF AND OTHER STAKEHOLDERS • Promote the Recovery Learning Experience within Mind

• Respond to queries in relation to the training programs

• Liaise with staff from Mind and other stakeholders as required

3. ADMINISTRATION • Working with the Training and Events Co-ordinator to support the smooth delivery of the training and the development of processes for staff attendance

• Assisting with preparations for training programs as necessary

4. PARTICIPATING IN AND CONTRIBUTING TO MIND PROCESSES AND TEAM PROJECTS AND FUNCTIONS

• Being involved in professional development and organisational activities as required by Mind

• Attendance at team meetings










• Participating in regular supervision with the Learning and Development Manager.

5. OTHER DUTIES

• As required

SECTION C: CORE REQUIREMENTS

Technical

1. Qualifications - Certificate IV in Training and Assessment is highly regarded

2. A personal lived experience of mental ill-health and recovery.

i.e.- Has experienced their own mental health challenges that has required assistance from a mental health service and is able to interpret this experience to mentor others and facilitate change.

3. Current Valid Driver’s Licence

4. Current National Police Record Check

5. Current Working with Children Check

Experience / Knowledge / Attributes / Values

1. Knowledge of the concepts of recovery and well-being and understanding how the lived experience can enhance service delivery to those experiencing mental ill-health

2. Skills and experience in organising and conducting training, including facilitation skills

3. Ability to work collaboratively across the Learning and Development and Engagement Units and with Area services.

4. Capacity to cope with the delivery of a rigorous training regimen.

5. Highly effective interpersonal skills incorporating the ability to communicate effectively with a range of staff including managers

6. Computer skills

SECTION D: CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

This is a part-time contract position until December 31st 2013 at the equivalent of 15.2 hours per week with the possibility of increasing to 19 hours per week. The role requires travel to regional areas and possibly interstate. Working hours will be between Monday to Friday worked between the hours of 8.00 am and 6.00 pm as required.

Salary classification range is at ATS&P level 5 depending on qualifications and experience (+ 17.5% leave loading).

You are able to salary package a tax free amount of up to $16,050 per FBT year plus other items including meal and entertainment and accommodation. The amount available for salary packaging will be subject to










Commonwealth legislation as it applies from time to time and on the basis that Mind will not incur any liabilities for FBT. Mind offers salary packaging through an outsourced provider (currently EPAC).

Other conditions are as per Mind’s industrial agreement.

Employer superannuation contribution is 9%.

Permanent appointment is subject to a six month qualifying period of employment.

Appointment is contingent on a satisfactory National Police Record Check and Working with Children check.

SECTION E: OTHER DETAILS

Privacy:

In accordance with Privacy Legislation, Mind will use the personal information provided by applicants solely for the purpose of making appointments to positions within Mind. Mind will take all reasonable steps to protect the personal information it collects and uses. It will not disclose such information to any outside organisation. Mind will destroy the personal information when it is no longer needed for selection purposes except where the applicant accepts a position within Mind. By submitting personal information to Mind, applicants are deemed to have given their consent to the collection, use and storage of their personal information for the purpose stated above.

Further Information:

For further information, please contact Malena Stankovski, Learning and Development on (03) 9455 7952. Please email your application/resume to Malena Stankovski at [email protected] by 9am on Monday February 11th 2013.

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7/Beyond Expectations:

Disability Programs, NSW Department of Education & Communities

Beyond Expectations, created by TAFE NSW, is a series of 73 video profiles of people with a range of disabilities, who are making their marks in the workforce. Two DVDs are available free upon request, one has 55 profiles and the other has 10 profiles. Each profile is a short video clip of several minutes. With broadband, you can view online all 10 profiles from DVD 1 and the entire pilot set of eight inspiring profiles! For more information, go to Beyond Expectations - https://www.det.nsw.edu.au/media/downloads/communityed/disabilityacces/beyondexpvideos/beyond.pdf

Contact Name: [email protected] Contact Phone: (02) 9244-5085

Contact Email: [email protected] Website: Beyond Expectations DVDs - watch online or request DVDs

Publications and Research - Beyond Expectations - DVDs and clips online

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8/ Women with disabilities Victoria:

ISSUE 10 : JANUARY 2013

The Violence Against Women with Disabilities Newsletter is a quarterly publication highlighting

projects, resources and research responding to violence against women with disabilities. Past editions

are available at www.wdv.org.au/newsletters.htm#ViolenceNews.

For more information or to contribute, please contact Jen Hargrave, Policy Officer – Violence Against

Women with Disabilities, at [email protected].

View the Quarterly in your browser here

In this Issue:

Introduction: a new format for the Quarterly

Preventing violence against women with disabilities: Developing gender sensitive practice

amongst disability workers

Voices against Violence research progress report

Improving access to crisis services: Women’s Domestic Violence Crisis Service develops a

Disability Action Plan

Responding to allegations of sexual assault in Supported Residential Services - a new

protocol

Inter-agency Guideline for responding to the Abuse and Neglect of At-risk adults (IGUANA)

UN Women keep disability in the gender frame: Lakshmi Puri speaks on ‘Forgotten Sisters'

Australia responds to CEDAW (Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against

Women

Preventing violence against women: Vic Health training

Responding to family violence experienced by women with a disability: Getting Safe Against

the Odds training by DVRCV

Women with Disabilities Victoria Annual Report 2011 - 2012




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Introduction: a new format for the Quarterly

Welcome to 2013, and the new look Violence and Disability Quarterly. We hope that this look brings

you more user-friendly formatting. If you are using MS Outlook and finding the formatting is not ideal,

we recommend viewing the Quarterly through your web browser here. We invite feedback and

contributions to the Quarterly via email to [email protected]

Preventing violence against women with disabilities: Developing gender

sensitive practice amongst disability workers

Women with Disabilities Victoria has received funding, from the Victorian Department of Human

Services, for the development of a ‘gender and disability’ professional education program.

The objective of the program is to develop and deliver a training package aimed at improving the

quality of gender sensitive practice amongst disability workers. The program will aim to achieve this

by improving their knowledge and skills in regard to:

Concepts of gender, gender equality, gender relations and sex

The socio-economic disadvantage of women with disabilities and its impact on social inclusion and

quality of life

Human rights obligations pertaining to gender and disability

The relationship between marginalisation, disability, gender stereotypes and violence

Gender sensitive practice in delivering disability services

Good practice in health promotion and primary prevention of violence against women.

Jackie Moden and Di Kilsby are the consultants undertaking this work from November 2012 – July 2013. The disability workforce as the focus Disability services are a strategic site of intervention for this education. They deliver services to a significant number of women and girls with disabilities many of whom spend a substantial part of their lived experience within these services. As frontline service providers, disability workers are in a key position to support women with disabilities to uphold their right to achieve their goals. A module for organizational leaders will be included to encourage gendered policy and protocols and leadership across the organization. Ultimately, it is planned to extend the training to other sectors including local government and health services.



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The next stage Stage 2 of the project is to develop a train the trainer package and train women with disabilities to co-facilitate the program. Pending further funding it is proposed that Stage Two will include a pilot of the learning package in one metropolitan and one rural area. During the pilot the project will be evaluated to identify the program’s strengths and gaps, refine the content, resources, materials and assessment tool to improve the final product. Discussions have been held with Yooralla regarding being involved in the pilot training. Discussions are also being held regarding a pilot site in the Barwon Region where an NDIS Trial will also be located.

Voices against Violence research progress report The Voices against Violence is a research project being undertaken by Women with Disabilities Victoria in collaboration with Office of the Public Advocate (OPA) and the Domestic Violence Resource Centre Victoria (DVRCV). The researchers are investigating the experiences of women with disabilities of any kind (including physical disabilities, sensory disabilities, mental illnesses and cognitive impairments) who have experienced violence. The project is funded by a research grant from the Legal Services Board.

As part of the project, OPA have undertaken an audit of their records. 100 files were studied and a significant number of files revealed cases of family violence experienced by women with disabilities. Magdalena McGuire is conducting the research at the OPA, and is interviewing OPA staff and volunteers from the Community Visitors and Independent Third Person programs about their experiences working with women in family violence situations. Researchers from DVRCV are conducting the second part of the study, which involves interviewing 20 women with disabilities who have experienced family violence. 5 women have been interviewed to date and 2 information sessions have been held, one in Melbourne and one in Shepparton. There has been a positive response to the research and invitation to be interviewed, with responses and interest from across Victoria. DVRCV researchers, Delanie Woodlock and Philippa Bailey, invite those interested to participate in the project to be in contact. Those who identify as women with disabilities who have experienced family violence are welcomed to participate in an interview. Contact Phone: 03 9486 9866

Web: www.dvrcv.org.au

Email: [email protected] and [email protected]












Improving access to crisis services: Women’s Domestic Violence Crisis

Service develops a Disability Action Plan

Adrienne Agg

The Women’s Domestic Violence Crisis Service (WDVCS) has become the first statewide family

violence service provider in Victoria to develop a Disability Action Plan (DAP).

The WDVCS DAP aims to create a supportive environment where the whole organisation from the

Board, CEO, leadership team and Crisis Support Advocates engage in a process of continuous

improvement, working towards the elimination of any barriers to service access experienced by

women and children with a disability.

There were important factors driving the creation of the DAP. A disproportionately high number of

women with a disability are subject to family violence, sexual assault and institutional violence,

according to figures from Women with Disabilities Victoria.

Furthermore, in 2009 / 2010 17.5 per cent of the women seeking services from the WDVCS were

women identifying as having a disability. Women with disabilities often experience higher rates of

violence, at the hands of a greater number of perpetrators and are less likely to report the abuse they

experience. The WDVCS is particularly concerned about the unknown numbers of women with

disabilities who do not enter the system in part because of the barriers to access.

The WDVCS DAP features four outcomes:

1. Reducing barriers to women with a disability accessing WDVCS managed goods, services and

facilities;

2. Reducing barriers to women with a disability obtaining and maintaining employment with

WDVCS;

3. Promoting inclusion and participation in the community of women with a disability; and

4. Achieving organisational culture change in attitudes and practices which discriminate against

disability.

The performance measures include:

· Sign language interpreters to be available on request for clients;

· Scope the feasibility of providing service via SMS / text message;

· The WDVCS Media Project to raise awareness and inform debate on the impact of family










violence on women with a disability; and

· New WDVCS employees to participate in training on the intersection of family violence and

disability.

The Disability Draft Plan 2013 – 2016 was approved in principle by the WDVCS board in November

2012. Once the Disability Action Plan has been lodged with the Australian Human Rights and Equal

Opportunity Commission and when approved, it will be available online at the WDVCS website.

Women with Disabilities Victoria will bring you update’s of WDVCS’s progress with the plan through

this publication. www.wdvcs.org.au

Responding to allegations of sexual assault in Supported Residential Services - a new

protocol

Residents living in Supported Residential Services (SRS) may be victims of alleged sexual assault. In

such instances, it is important that key individuals and organisations have a clear understanding of

their respective roles.

To this end, a protocol has been developed between SRS proprietors, officers of the Department of

Health and Centres Against Sexual Assault.

The protocol, Responding to allegations of sexual assault in SRS functions to::

1. Provide information to CASA about Supported Residential Services (SRS) and the obligations of

SRS proprietors for handling allegations of sexual assault

2. Outline the role of Department of Health (the department) and CASA in responding to contact from

SRS proprietors, staff or other parties regarding allegations of sexual assault involving people who

live in SRS.

View the protocol here.



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Inter-agency Guideline for responding to the Abuse and Neglect of At-risk adults (IGUANA)

Women with Disabilities Victoria were delighted to participate in a forum designed to prevent and

respond to violence against people with disabilities in disability services. The Office of the Public

Advocate hosted 41 participants from a range of key government agencies and community service

organisations on the 5th October 2012. Participants gathered to discuss the desirability of developing

an inter-agency guideline for responding to the abuse and neglect of at-risk adults (IGUANA). There

was a commitment to develop the guideline and continue work in 2013. The presentation and notes

from the forum can be viewed via the Office of the Public Advocate's research page.

UN Women keep disability in the gender frame: Lakshmi Puri speaks on ‘Forgotten Sisters'

Extracts of opening Remarks by Lakshmi Puri, Assistant Secretary-General and Deputy Executive

Director of UN Women at the Panel Discussion on Preventing and Ending Violence against Women

with Disabilities. New York, 23 October 2012, posted by UN Women. UN Women are the United

Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women.

“We need to mainstream a disability perspective into the work on gender equality and women’s

empowerment. Starting from the work of the UN Women, special attention will be given to the needs

and concerns of women and girls with disabilities.

UN Women will focus on advancing the rights of women and girls with disabilities in all aspects of

society and development. Their perspectives should also be included in all aspects of work to

implement the CEDAW.

In the area of addressing violence against women and girls with disabilities, UN Women has already

taken a number of steps:

We provided inputs to the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights for the development of

a Thematic Analytical Study on the issue of Violence against Women and Girls and Disability.

We are giving special consideration in The United Nations Trust Fund to End Violence Against

Women, which is administered by UN Women on behalf of the UN system, to programmes reaching

especially marginalized populations including the internally displaced, refugees, victims of trafficking,

and women with disabilities.

For example in Namibia, the UN Trust Fund grantee International Planned Parenthood Federation is



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working on promoting sexual and reproductive rights and providing related services as mechanisms to

respond to violence against women. The programme includes preventive measures such as

awareness raising and training targeting women and girls living with disabilities. As a result of these

trainings, women living with disabilities’ access to services have increased.

In Albania, we are supporting organizations of women with disabilities to ensure that the concerns and

recommendations are reflected in the National Strategy on Gender Equality, Reduction of Gender

Based Violence and Domestic Violence (2011-2015). This resulted in the inclusion of provisions for

women and girls with disabilities in the final draft of the Strategy and its Action Plan.

In addition, our Global Virtual Knowledge Centre to End Violence against Women and Girls contains

information on some of the particular challenges faced by women with disabilities, and provides some

guidance on how services can be more inclusive.

Our work on the elimination of violence against women and girls, including women and girls with

disabilities, focuses both on prevention and protection as well as response. Beyond the importance of

using these two approaches in parallel, States must go beyond ad hoc efforts and start looking at

addressing violence in a holistic, comprehensive and coordinated way. This means addressing the

root causes of violence, including poverty and some social norms, behaviors and attitudes that tend to

perpetuate violence. Protection and support services should not only respond to violence but also aim

at helping to prevent violence.

My second point is that mainstreaming disability into gender-related work is not enough. It is also

necessary to mainstream a gender perspective into disability work. I have listened to the General

Assembly on social development, including questions relating to the world social situation and to

youth, aging, disabled persons and the family. Throughout the debates, representatives from a total of

80 member states or regional groups were almost unanimously in support of the mainstreaming of

disability into sustainable development agenda. However, in speaking of disability issues, no member

state mentioned gender or took note of difficulties facing women and girls with disabilities.

All work on disability should incorporate a gender perspective and special attention should be given to

include women and girls with disabilities into the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of

Persons with Disability and its monitoring and evaluation.

My third point is the urgent need to improve statistics and indicators on disability, segregated by

gender and age. Data collection on violence against women and girls, including women and girls with










disabilities, and monitoring and evaluation of the impact of laws, policies and programs are essential

to understanding what works and where investment should be concentrated.

Violence against women and girls with disabilities cannot be addressed in isolation. Mainstream

women’s organizations and organizations of persons with disabilities, including organizations of

women with disabilities, must work more closely together. Today’s panel is an example of how we can

come together to more effectively address the violence against women and girls and the rights

of women and girls with disabilities.”

View the full speech on the UN Women website here.

Australia responds to CEDAW (Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against

Women

FaHCSIA

Australia appeared before the United Nations Committee for the Elimination of Discrimination Against

Women (CEDAW Committee) on 20 July 2010 at the UN Headquarters in New York. The Committee

subsequently released its recommendations to the Australian Government identifying the two most

pressing issues facing Australia in the field of gender equality as violence against women and the

disadvantages faced by Indigenous women. The CEDAW Committee requested that a follow-up

report, outlining government efforts to implement their recommendations be submitted.

The Commonwealth Office for Women coordinated the development of the follow-up report and

Australia submitted this report to the CEDAW Committee in November 2012. This report is a whole of

government report, containing input from Commonwealth, state and territory portfolios responsible for

Australia’s policies on violence against women and Indigenous women’s human rights.

Australia’s follow-up report is now available on the website of the Office of the UN High Commissioner

for Human Rights at www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/cedaw/followup.htm. A copy has been attached

for your information. The website also includes copies of NGO reports also submitted to the CEDAW

Committee.

Office for Women

FaHCSIA

[email protected]



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Preventing violence against women: Vic Health training

In February Vic Health is running a two-day short course called, Preventing Violence against women:

Addressing the social and economic determinants of health. The course will provide practical

knowledge and build skills among participants in how to stop violence against women before it starts.

Focus This course will equip participants to build environments within organisations and across

communities that foster and maintain safe, equal and respectful gender relations.

The short course also provides the opportunity to strengthen and develop partnerships between

organisations and across sectors to support the planning and implementation of activity to prevent

violence against women.

Who should attend?The short course has been designed for people coming from diverse

occupational areas, sectors and settings, including: community, health, social policy, education and

local government.

Course details Date: Thursday 14 and Friday 15 February 2013

Time: 9.30am to 4.30pm (Registration starts at 9.15am on Day 1)

Venue: Seminar Rooms 1 & 2, Ground Floor, 15-31 Pelham Street, Carlton

Cost:: $500

Application process: Please complete the online application form via the VicHealth website no later

than Monday 4 February 2013

W: www.vichealth.vic.gov.au

Further information: Caitlin Dunlop, [email protected]

Please note that spaces are limited. This course is expected to fill so please apply early. You will

need to be available for the FULL TWO DAY course.

What will I learn?

The course will introduce participants to:

The nature and impact of violence against women on individuals and communities

The underlying causes and factors that contribute to high rates of violence against women

The case for prevention and for developing strategies that can stop violence against women

before it occurs

A framework for understanding how to address violence against women and to create

environments that are safe, inclusive and supportive of women

Promising practice examples, tools and resources in ‘doing prevention’ across sectors and

settings

Approaches to project planning and evaluating what works in preventing violence against

women



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Responding to family violence experienced by women with a disability: Getting Safe Against

the Odds training by DVRCV

This training is for workers who are currently working in the family violence sector to gain a better

understanding of the context and experiences of women with disabilities who experience violence;

explore best practice responses in relation to risk assessment and safety planning, and share

strategies that will prepare your agency to better respond to the needs of women with disabilities.

Date Wednesday 27 February

RegisterForm to Register for Getting Safe Against the Odds Training is on the DVRCV Website.

Phone: 9486 9866

Email: [email protected]

Web: www.dvrcv.org.au

Women with Disabilities Victoria Annual Report 2011 - 2012

We are pleased to share our recently released Women with Disabilities Victoria Annual Report 2011-

12. It is available on our website in PDF and Word formats, along with our Full Financial Report for

the period.

Our Annual Report outlines the work undertaken by the organisation during the twelve month period

between 1 July 2011 - 30 June 2012.

Highlights for the year covered in the report include:

Creating an accessible workplace

Social Media: YouTube channel and Exploring the Digital Divide

Roundtable of women with disabilities meet with the UN’s Special Rapporteur on Violence

against women

Workforce development on Gender and Disability

If you would like a hard copy of the report please contact Sarah at [email protected] or on (03)

9286 7800.

Thank you for your support in 2012. We look forward to another year of working together to achieve

our vision of 'a world where all women are respected and can fully experience life'.

Adrienne Agg Communications & Media Advocacy Coordinator

Women’s Domestic Violence Crisis Service Women’s Domestic Violence Crisis Service

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9/ NDIS Bill - Time for Closer Examination:

This article is a week old as submissions to the NDIS ended on the 25th, but thought I would include it as it contains some pertinent points:

NDIS Bill - Time for Closer Examination

Posted: Thursday, January 24, 2013 - 08:49

Author: Tricia Malowney

As more than a thousand submissions have been made to the Senate Inquiry into the National Disability Insurance Scheme legislation, the President of the Victorian Disability Services Board and systemic advocate for inclusive practices, Tricia Malowney puts her magnifying glass over the Bill.

OPINION: Over the holidays among my light reading was the NDIS Bill. While I think that a superficial reading makes it look pretty good, there are a number of points which I think need to be addressed, or re-examined or added.

The Government has called for submissions in relation to the Bill and submissions close on January 25, 2013. The cynic in me says that the timing is set so that they get a small number of submissions and are able to push it along without too much commentary or controversy – introduced and first and second reading in November 2012, which is AGM month so everyone in the Not for Profit Sector is flat chat doing annual reports and getting it all organised – December is spent ensuring that clients have access to services over Christmas, and January sees many people on leave.

Well, I’ve got news for everyone, regardless of other pressures Australians with Disabilities, our families and friends and the service sector have been waiting with baited breath for the opportunity to comment on this Bill.

There is still time to put in your own submission, and if you want to piggy back on my comments, feel free to do so.

I believe that the Bill needs to have acknowledgement that the majority of Australians with disabilities are able to make decisions on their own behalf, regardless of whether their legs work or not, or they have a communication disability or they can hear or they are blind.










Having said that I welcome the acknowledgement in Section 5 that when a person makes a decisions on behalf of another, those decision made must be those which the Australian with a disability would make, were they able to do so. This is truly a step in the right direction. My only quibble would be that we need to add the words where appropriate at the end of Section 4 (12) The role of families, carers and other significant persons in the lives of people with disability is to be acknowledged and respected. Not every person with a disability wants their family involved in the decision making process. I know that I don’t want my Mum telling me what services I need.

I am very keen for the NDIS to get up. After all, once I finally found what the disability requirements were in Section 24, under the Bill, I fit the criteria Section 24 (1) A person meets the disability requirements if: (a) the person has a disability that is attributable to one or more intellectual, cognitive, neurological, sensory or physical impairments or to one or more impairments attributable to a psychiatric condition; and (b) the impairment or impairments are, or are likely to be, permanent;

(c) the impairment or impairments result in substantially reduced functional capacity to undertake, or psychosocial functioning in undertaking, one or more of the following activities: (i) communication; (ii) social interaction; (iii) learning; (iv) mobility; (v) self-care; (vi) self-management; and

(d) the impairment or impairments affect the person’s capacity for social and economic participation; and

(e) the person’s support needs in relation to his or her impairment or impairments are likely to continue for the person’s lifetime.

(2) For the purposes of subsection (1), an impairment or impairments that vary in intensity may be permanent, and the person’s support needs in relation to such an impairment or impairments may be likely to continue for the person’s lifetime, despite the variation

Mind you, I may still not get to participate, I turn 60 next year, and I can’t be considered for the NDIS if I apply once I turn 65. It’s not my fault if they can’t get their act together by then. And what about my cohort who has been waiting for services for years, and who are over 65 already, despite being diagnosed prior to 65. Stiff bickies according to the Bill. This is substantially different to what we were told in consultations. We were told that it was about time of diagnosis, not time of application. Can I apply now please? Or will my disability disappear once I turn 65? Oh happy days!










In Part 1, it clearly says that a person must request to be a participant in the NDIS – and that it must be in the form approved by the CEO – surely in this day and age, it needs to be in a format which suits Australians with disabilities, and our families and supporters. It is hard enough without having a CEO having the power to decide how we need to make an application. Surely it needs to be clearly stated that we have the right to be able to make the application in a format and in a way that suits us, including orally or via text or in Braille or in easy English, if that is what we need.

I am very concerned about the lack of a transparent, independent complaint mechanism which is independent and external to the agency. Talk about disempowering – I don’t like what you have decided to do for me – that’s fine, you will appoint someone within your organisation to review your decision.

Let me give you an example of what I mean: Section 48 talks about the CEO having the power to conduct a review of a plan. So an Australian with a disability asks the CEO to review the plan, if the CEO doesn’t respond after 14 days, it is deemed to have been denied. What the... and yet the CEO can decide to conduct a review at any time. Hmm sounds like a power imbalance to me.

So I have asked for a review and I don’t like the response or the CEO has decided they won’t do a review, so what can I do. Well, according to Section 99, these are reviewable decisions so I can have them reviewed.

So under Section 100 – Review of Reviewable Decisions – 5. (a) the CEO receives a request for review of a reviewable decision; or (b) the CEO is taken to have made a reviewable decision because of subsection 21(3) or 48(2); the CEO must cause the reviewable decision to be reviewed by a person (the reviewer): (c) to whom the CEO’s powers and functions under this section are delegated; and (d) who was not involved in making the reviewable decision.

In other words I can ask the CEO for a review and the CEO must appoint a person from their own agency to review the decision that the CEO has made. Power imbalance is rife in this section. Gee thanks, that system works really well in the aged care sector.

As well, to me this looks very much like Victorians with disabilities will be worse off under the NDIS. In Victoria we have the Disability Services Commissioner, who is an independent commissioner to whom complaints can be made about the decisions made, about service deliver and who can assist in mediating and conciliation, and who also has the power to conduct investigation and impose penalties.

Without an independent complaint mechanism, which has the power to conduct investigations, whether referred by the Minister or instigated by the independent, and impose penalties where needed, we will continue to see substandard treatment of Australians with Disabilities.










The Bill is completely silent on the issue of abuse of Australians with Disabilities – we all know it occurs, and we all want it eliminated. Where in the Bill does the provider need to be of good character, where are the police checks? Where is the need for a register of service providers who have failed the test of good service provision? You know, the ones who are transferred or who lose their job at one agency only to appear at another service provider. Or are these all going to be in the rules?

And of course, the Bill is completely silent on the issue of diversity. Where is the acknowledgement of the need to provide culturally sensitive services for Indigenous Australians with Disabilities or CALD Australians with Disabilities, where is the acknowledgement of gendered service provision. Where are the guarantees that church based service providers will not be able to refuse service delivery if I am GLBTI or Atheist or a single parent? What if the provider does not approve of my lifestyle choices? We know that these are already issues for Australians with disabilities. Where are the protections for us?

Nothing about us without us has been the catch phrase which underpins the social justice agenda of Australians with disabilities and our families.

While the Bill talks of the inclusion of Australians with Disabilities on the Board, it does not provide an opportunity for Australians with Disabilities to apply to be on the Board. A little bit of a cherry picking opportunity for the Minister to get people who will support his/her agenda? We need the Board to be open and transparent. In addition, where is the requirement for the agency to employ Australians with disabilities? We all know how badly Australia does in relation to employment of people with disabilities when it is compared to other OECD countries. Well here is an opportunity to lift our game. EMPLOY US.

There are many Australians with disabilities who have the necessary skills and experience. We just don’t get a go.

We need all of you to put in a submission to the NDIS – feel free to pick up on what I have said, others will have a different take on it, but the Bill needs to be discussed.

Put in a submission, go on, do it now. There is even an easy form to fill in if you need to.

You can find it at http://yoursay.ndis.gov.au/draftbill> and you can find a copy of the Bill athttp://aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/Bills_Search_...

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10/ Sprout Community Market:

Sprout Community Market - Info & feedback session Thursday Feb 7th

1-3pm @ Sprout, Cnr Watt & Clapham Sts, Thornbury For who? - Anyone who would like to be involved in Sprout Markets, - Those currently involved in the market, and/or - Anyone who wants to know how the market runs, what’s involved with having a stall; helping on

Sprout stalls or set up. About Sprout Community Market Sprout Market started in 2008 and is a well-established and loved local market – with a diverse range of stallholders both from within Sprout programs as well as the wider community. The Market exists to support people involved in mental health recovery programs - supporting people to develop life and prevocational skills as well as communication skills, team work, work preparation skills, and building self-confidence through holding stalls and market involvement. The Market also helps strengthen the broader community and Sprout participant’s involvement in community life. Stalls include wonderful food stalls, clothing, organically grown plants, seedlings, produce and Sprout made preserves, live local music, the famous Sprout Chai stall, second hand and newly crafted items, and great handmade designs. The first market for the year will be held on March 7th from 3-7pm and runs on the first Thursday of the month March-May and Sept-Dec. In this session: We will be looking at:

- How to get involved in the market (having your own stall or being part of the Sprout set up and

stalls). We will be looking at roles and rostering for the first market too.

- What skills would you like to develop? What would like support with as part of the market?

- Ideas for what people would like to see in the market in the future, what works well at the

moment, what can be improved.

Contact: If you are interested in coming along to this session, or would like to know more about it, please call or email Zanni Waldstein (Sprout Market Coordinator) p) 9484-5565 m) 0424 029 180 or [email protected]

Zanni Waldstein Sprout Market Coordinator Wednesdays and Thursdays Sprout | Mind Cnr Watt and Clapham Streets, Thornbury PO Box 1599, Preston South 3072

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11/ Active Moreland website launch:

Whether it’s a swim at one of the six Active Moreland leisure centres, a hit of tennis at one of the many local courts, a walk in one of our parks or a kick at one of our synthetic soccer pitches, there are many opportunities for residents to get active. ‘Active Moreland’ is an initiative for the Moreland community that encourages people to see the benefits of participation and living an active lifestyle. It’s also an education tool with information about sport and physical activity. “This website will help residents who want to make a lifestyle change, get active, get social or just get information on what is available within and around Moreland,” Mayor Oscar Yildiz said. The easy-to-use website has been designed to be user-friendly for those who aren’t particularly tech savvy, people with a disability, people from culturally diverse backgrounds and people of all ages. “We want to break down any barriers that make it difficult for people to get active and I am certain this website will go a long way to achieving that,” Mayor Yildiz added. The website also includes improved access to information about the aquatic and leisure facilities’ group fitness timetables and lap lane pool availability, making it easier to fit physical activity in your day. Activity Match Activity Match can help you prepare for getting involved and if needed, a facilitator from one of Council’s Active Moreland Leisure Centres at Brunswick, Coburg and Fawkner can help you access information about the sport and physical activity options in Moreland, provide you with additional information or meet you at your chosen club or activity to introduce you to other participants. For those who may need extra time to feel comfortable and confident in the activity environment, a facilitator can support you to get to know the people at the activity, help to adapt or modify activities with the activity leader and help you to plan to participate in the activity. If you prefer to speak to someone face to face, our Active Moreland Leisure Centres at Brunswick, Coburg and Fawkner can help you access information about the sport and physical activity options in Moreland. You can visit an Active Moreland Centre or call to speak to a friendly staff member.

Contact Name: Brooke Mezzetta Contact Phone: 9240 1277 Contact Email: [email protected]

Website: activemoreland.com.au Top




http://www.activemoreland.com.au/








12/ CERES:

CERES Community Dinner Last year we trialled a few Member’s Dinners for CERES staff and members. These were so popular and so much fun that we've decided to hold these more regularly, and open them up the whole CERES community - that means you! Join us for an informal social dinner where you can meet like-minded CERES-loving folk and learn more about what we do. Wednesday 20 February in the Community Kitchen. Bookings

Melbourne Food and Wine Festival presents: Earth MasterClass Start the day sipping cocktails with earth-inspired ingredients (think boutique Australian spirits and liqueurs with native Australian herbs and fruits), watch the chefs in action and taste their creations during an afternoon of workshops from Ed Kenney, Ben Shewry, Matt Wilkinson, Michael Stadtländer and Massimo Spigaroli. The day culminates in an unrivalled outdoor feast under the stars, joined by many of the local and international presenters from Langham Melbourne MasterClass. Friday 8 March at CERES. More info Michael Mobbs free talk Join Michael Mobbs, author of Sustainable House and Sustainable Food, for a free lunchtime talk in The Merri. He will be discussing his new book and the practicalities of urban farming. An organic "Turkish Feast" vegetarian lunch is available for $18. 11:00am - 12:30pm Wednesday 20 February. Bookings essential, contact Luisa on 9389 0124 or by email.

Travel to Arnhem Land CERES Global is privileged to run two trips to the remote homeland Community of Mäpuru in Arnhem Land this August. This is a unique opportunity to learn about Yolngu culture from Indigenous leaders who are passing on their traditional skills and knowledge to future generations. More info | Email



http://www.trybooking.com/Booking/BookingEventSummary.aspx?eid=41040

http://www.ceres.org.au/coming-events/melbourne-food-and-wine-festival-presents-earth-masterclass

mailto:[email protected]?subject=Michael%20Mobbs%20RSVP

http://www.ceres.org.au/global/weavers.html

mailto:[email protected]?subject=Mapuru%20Trip%20Enquiry








Travel to Indonesia Are you looking for an opportunity to travel with purpose, to connect and work with local communities? CERES Global is travelling to Indonesia this April on a socio-environmental and cultural journey focused on mutual learning and exchange. More info | Email

Save the date for our upcoming Harvest Festival - Saturday 23 March The annual CERES Autumn Harvest Festival is a celebration of the cycle of the seasons and a tribute to the people who work the land so that we may eat. The focus is on food: where it comes from, how it is prepared and – of course – the best way to enjoy it! There will be stalls, live music, workshops, kid’s activities, a cake baking competition and a community harvest dinner. CERES is now taking expressions of interest from stall holders. How are your nonna skills? At this year's Harvest Festival we'd like to host a community tomato saucing day in the Community Kitchen, and we're looking for an experienced home passata maker to assist us. If you know anyone who'd be keen to help out for a few hours, please get in touch with Jess on 9389 0120 or by email. Gardening Like a Forest A unique opportunity to spend two days with Dave Jacke, world-leading thinker, designer and teacher of integrated forest garden and permaculture design. This intensive weekend course will provide students with first-class design techniques and knowledge to create edible, resilient and regenerative landscapes. Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 March, CERES Van Raay Centre. More info MyYoga: health, well-being and healing MyYoga classes include dynamic asana work and pranayama, and end with a gentle relaxation and meditation to support health, well-being and healing. There is no need to book and mats are provided. Wednesdays 6:30pm - 7:45pm in the Learning Centre, $18 per class. Website | Email Unwind after work in the lovely and peaceful surrounds of CERES with Anybody Yoga Anybody Yoga is for anybody! Classes are mindful, meditative and appropriate for all levels. Through connecting the breath with movement, Loretta encourages a mindful practice and endeavours to teach yoga as a life practice that can be applied to everyday living. All sessions are by donation. Mondays 6:00pm and Wednesdays 5:15pm in the Learning Centre. Website | Email



http://www.ceres.org.au/global/exchange/indonesia.html

http://www.ceres.org.au/global/exchange/indonesia.html

mailto:[email protected]?subject=Indonesia%20Trip%20enquiry

mailto:[email protected]?subject=Stall%20Holder%20enquiry

mailto:[email protected]?subject=Stall%20Holder%20enquiry

mailto:[email protected]?subject=Sauce%20making%20at%20Harvest%20Festival

http://www.ceres.org.au/coming-events/gardening-like-a-forest-with-dave-jacke

http://www.myyogaschool.com/

mailto:[email protected]?subject=Yoga%20at%20CERES%20enquiry

http://www.facebook.com/anybodyyoga

mailto:[email protected]?subject=Yoga%20at%20CERES%20enquiry








Belly dance Monday nights Learn the ancient art of Belly dance with Trisnasari, founder of Underbelly Dance Studio and professional performer. Her friendly, easy-to-follow teaching style has attracted many students over the years. Monday evenings, 4 February - 25 March at CERES. More info | Bookings

Robert Rides the Peaks On Labour Day our Chairman Robert Larocca is riding the SCODY 3 Peaks Challenge. He will be fundraising to support a charity project which will be run by CERES in conjunction with Brunswick YMCA and Merri Community Health Services. The project will help residents of two local Rooming Houses improve their lives in by harvesting and cooking their own meals in partnership with CERES Site Team. To sponsor Robert please visit http://personalchallenge.gofundraise.com.au/page/GlickJ Community Food Projects Forum Last year we held our first Community Food Projects Forum which was a great success. Sixty people from community groups, local government, community health and community gardens came together to share and learn about Community Food Projects in and around Melbourne. We had great presentations from Mark Daniels from Social Traders and Peta Christensen from Cultivating Community. Many thanks to Inner North Community Foundation for supporting the event. Check out a full write up of the day on our blog, or sign up for the Community Kitchen Newsletter to hear about upcoming events. CERES Community Kitchen The Community Kitchen is stretching its beaters and slowly waking up from a Christmas nap. December was the busiest month yet for the Community Kitchen: team building days, Christmas parties, casting for the Australian River CERES news Cottage, family cooking days, and more. Jess is now busy developing programs and testing recipes for the year to come. Get in touch with Jess if you'd like to learn more about hiring the kitchen for your event, team building day or cooking program, or sign up for the quarterly newsletter to hear more about the Community Kitchen.

Free music at CERES Market - February Gig Guide

Saturday 2 - Django Players - Django Reinhardt Gypsy Jazz Wednesday 6 - Cheeky Chooks - Stories, Song and Craft for Kids Saturday 9 - Turramurra Flamenco Trio Wednesday 13 - Vinod Prisana & Friends - Indian Flute Saturday 16 - Lucy Wise - Folk Indie



http://www.ceres.org.au/whats-on-regular/bellydance-class

http://trisnasaridancer.wordpress.com/class/

http://www.bicyclenetwork.com.au/general/great-rides/42359/

http://personalchallenge.gofundraise.com.au/page/GlickJ

http://www.innernorthfoundation.org.au/

http://www.innernorthfoundation.org.au/

http://www.ceres.org.au/_blog/CERES_Blog/post/CERES_Community_Food_Projects_Forum_-_Wrap_up/

http://eepurl.com/qcsV5

http://www.ceres.org.au/venue-hire/CommunityKitchen.html

mailto:[email protected]?subject=Community%20Kitchen%20enquiry

http://eepurl.com/qcsV5








Wednesday 20 - Gus McMillan & Pals - Blue Grass Swamp Saturday 23 - Willy Wagg Tails - Jazz Trio Wednesday 27 -Emma Bathgate & Pals - Jazz Trio

Workshops and Short Courses CERES Living Green Workshops are back for 2013. With DIY courses as varied as Cheese-making, Vegetable Gardening, Basket Weaving, and Working with Hand Tools, these hands-on courses offer great opportunities to learn how to be more “green” in your everyday living. The Short Course brochure will also be available in the coming weeks, and includes the ever-popular Complete Urban Farmer course. As part of the Learn Local network, CERES is focussed on providing new skills to adults. Email us to receive e-copies of the brochures as soon they come out. Alchemy - Erno Berkovics Sanders The exhibition Alchemy showcases Erno Berkovics Sanders’ unique vision of our solar system from gold, brass, bronze lights and old machines parts. These ‘steampunk’ style planet sculptures are formed from an array of recycled, found and re-purposed materials, including fire hoses, solid bronze gears from pastry mixers, and pistons from a teabag-making machine. From Wednesday 6 February - Sunday 16 February at Synergy Gallery. Launch night is Saturday 9 February 6:00pm - 8:00pm. Exhibition hours: Wednesday - Saturday 11:00am - 4:00pm. Invite to Synergy Synergy Gallery is a non-profit community art gallery (est. Northcote 2001) now at CERES in the beautifully restored Red Train circa 1909. We invite enquiries for art exhibitions in any medium at very reasonable rates. We also host poetry readings and book launches, small gatherings and other events. Email | Website Pop Up is coming to CERES Pop Up is coming to The Merri with an exciting new collaboration between Melbourne’s most passionate chefs and celebrities: a love of food is combined with a unique state-of-the-art setting for the culinary pleasure of enthusiastic participants. The first night of the event series is Friday 22 February. Stay tuned to the CERES Events page for more details. What kind of weather is this? As the weather has been up, down, and a little bit all over the place, it can be hard to know what to plant at this time of year. It’s a little too early to start on winter veggies, so your best bet is to stick to fast-growing leafy greens such as lettuce, rocket, climbing spinach and silver beet. Be mindful that these will benefit from a bit of shade and consistent soil moisture to prevent them bolting (going to seed). Beans are still fine to plant, as well as late crops of cucumbers and zucchinis, and herbs such as mint, basil and sage. Visit the Nursery for friendly advice from passionate gardeners, as well as season-appropriate seeds and seedlings.



mailto:[email protected]?subject=Workshop%20Brochure%20-%20request%20to%20be%20added%20to%20the%20mailing%20list

mailto:[email protected]?subject=Workshop%20Brochure%20-%20request%20to%20be%20added%20to%20the%20mailing%20list

mailto:[email protected]?subject=Gallery%20enquiry

http://synergygallery.blogspot.com.au/

http://www.ceres.org.au/whatson

http://www.ceres.org.au/whatson

http://www.ceres.org.au/nursery








News from our friends

A day in Tuscany Join Sustainable Table as we explore Lina and Tony Siciliano's thriving urban farm, sample their award winning Rose Creek Estate wines and enjoy an organic harvest lunch. If you've been day dreaming about turning your backyard or balcony into a productive garden, or you just want to connect with how food is grown, then this event is for you. Sponsored by Australian Ethical Super as part of theSustainable Living Festival. More info David Spratt and the Climate Emergency Co-author of Climate Code Red, David Spratt, presents the latest climate science and its links to extreme weather events worldwide. David is an experienced activist and will talk about the urgent action needed to tackle the climate emergency. 6:30pm – 8:00pm Monday 4 February at the University of Melbourne, or watch live online. More info | Live streaming 18-21 years old and want to car share? Just to let everyone know, GoGet is accepting 18 to 21 year old drivers. If you don't have your full licence, you can still sign up, you'll just need to be on your P2 licence. So share, tweet, cluck - whatever you kids do these days - and let everyone know! Garden Ambassador Program The Australian Garden at the Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne is currently seeking an additional 40 volunteers to join its Garden Ambassador program. Garden Ambassadors are a big part of the visitor experience, and typically spend 10 -15 hours a month helping visitors learn more about Australian native plants and make the most of their time at the Gardens. More info

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http://www.sustainabletable.org.au/

http://www.australianethical.com.au/

http://www.festival.slf.org.au/

http://www.festival.slf.org.au/

http://www.sustainabletable.org.au/EventCalendarDetails/tabid/56/2013/2/939

http://beyondzeroemissions.org/events/discussion-group

http://beyondzeroemissions.org/streaming/livestream-HD720.html

http://beyondzeroemissions.org/streaming/livestream-HD720.html

http://www.goget.com.au/

http://www.rbg.vic.gov.au/australian-garden

http://www.rbg.vic.gov.au/rbg-cranbourne/volunteers-cranbourne



VMIAC V2 issue 68

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Transcript of VMIAC V2 issue 68