Inner South Family and Friends Coming Events October – December 2023

Coming Events

TUESDAY 10 OCTOBER 2023 – WORLD MENTAL HEALTH DAY (WMHD) 

WMHD is going to be a very busy one for us as it is the day of the ‘Free Lunch’ 12.30pm to 2.00pm to which we have invited staff and at 7.30 pm we will hold our monthly meeting.

Both events are to be held at 549 St Kilda Road Melb (our usual venue for meetings). As a token of ISFAF’S appreciation for the dedication to the challenging work of improving the lives of our loved ones and to express our gratitude for the generosity of Alfred Mental and Addiction Health AMAH, Inner South Family and Friends has invited all Team Members of Alfred Mental and Addiction Health and the Alfred Health Housing Portfolio to join ISFAF members at Ground Level of 549 St Kilda Road for a free lunch.

We look forward to many members sharing the day with the staff. For catering purposes, please book via isfaf@alfred.org.au, phone 9076 4784 If you could contribute with a plate, it would be greatly appreciated, but not at all necessary.
TUESDAY 10 OCTOBER 2023, 7.30PM – ISFAF MONTHLY MEETING 
We have several excellent speakers planned and will soon advise our speaker for October.

SUNDAY 15 OCTOBER CARERS WEEK FILM AND LUNCH
We look forward to seeing you at 10 am at Palace Como Cinema, corner Toorak Road and Chapel Street South Yarra. Following the film, we will again enjoy a delicious lunch at Blossom Thai, just across the road. Details of film and how to book will be advised in the next few days.

BRIGHTON BEACH WALK ‘N CHAT ON THE 1ST & 3RD TUESDAY OF THE MONTH, PLEASE NOTE CHANGE OF DAY COMMENCING IN OCTOBER 2023
To avoid disappointment bookings by phone / text to the numbers shown are essential. Please book on the day before or by 10am on the day of the walk. Although we generally commence at 1 pm times may vary, as may the starting point and café during the current works in the area. Family members, including canines are very welcome . Non-walkers are welcome to join us at 2.15pm for a drink (at no cost): To book for walk on Tuesday October 3 and 17, November 7 and 21 please phone 0425 723 746 

TUESDAY 14 NOVEMBER  Monthly Meeting – 549 St Kilda Road
Guest Speaker: Associate Professor Simon Stafrace, Programme Director, Alfred Mental and Addiction Health
Topic: AMAH Current innovations in mental health

TUESDAY 14 DECEMBER  Annual End-of-Year Dinner venue tba
PLEASE REVIEW OUR WEBSITE REGULARLY FOR DETAILS AND UPDATES https://ispaf.org/ Working together helps everyone: If you have friends who

  • are caring for a loved one with serious mental illness and need support, introduce them to ISFAF – ask them to leave a message on  9076 4722 or email isfaf@alfred.org.au or contact Judi directly on 0425 723 746, email judi.burstyner@gmail.com
  • are members of ISFAF but do not receive email and might be interested in our current news, please contact them and pass this message on to them. 

We wish to thank: 

  • the Victorian Government via Alfred Health Carer Services for their generosity funding the concierge for our monthly meetings and a drink for participants of our Walk and Chats. 
  • Alfred Mental and Addiction Health for their continued generous support, including funding functions and providing us with office and facilities and venue for our meetings. 

  

Carers High Tea at the MCG

Carer Gateway – Celebration for Carers

You are invited to the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground to kick off Carers Week and enjoy high tea with our special guests, have a laugh and connect with other carers.The Carers High Tea at the MCG celebrates the hundreds of thousands of unpaid carers in Victoria and the vital role you play in our community. Take in some mind, body and spirit wellbeing with Wellbeing Facilitator Lee Couch, enjoy some laughs with Cal Wilson, one of Australia’s favourite comedians and hear how other carers manage including Robert (Dipper) DiPierdomenico who is returning to the G for this special day.

When: Sunday 8 October
Time: 11:00am to 3:00pm (please arrive at 10:30am)
Address: MCG Gate 3, Brunton Avenue, Richmond
Room: Olympic Room
Cost: Free!

We expect this event to be sold out quickly so please click on the link below to register your place.

Free tickets to the AFL sports museum available for the first 100 registrations!

RSVPs are essential.  No tickets available on the day.

You must be registered with Carer Gateway to attend this event.

NDIS Information sessions: New computer system

Excerpts from Mental Health Australia Weekly Update 8 September 2023

Lifeline reminds Australians that suicide doesn’t discriminate

In the lead up to this year’s World Suicide Prevention Day (Sunday, 10th September), Lifeline is reminding Australians that suicide can affect everyone and encouraging anyone who is doing it tough to reach out for help through the organisation’s 24/7 phone and digital crisis support services.https://www.lifeline.org.au/resources/news-and-media-releases/media-releases/

Caring for the carers of vulnerable Victorians

More than 60,000 Victorians care for a loved one living with mental illness, and the Andrews Labor Government is giving them the support they need – with new Mental Health and Wellbeing Connect Centres in seven regions now officially open. Delivering on a key recommendation of the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System, these services are the first of their kind in Australia, supporting the mental health and quality of life of caregivers when supporting someone with mental health challenges, illness, psychological distress or addiction.

https://www.sarahconnollymp.com.au/media-centre/media-releases/caring-for-the-carers-of-vulnerable-victorians/

Inner South Family and Friends Future Events 2023

EVENTS FOR YOU TO DIARISE

ISFAF Monthly Meetings second  Tuesday of the month.
Speakers who are experts in their field on topics of local and current importance.

Oct 10: World Mental Health Day. A free lunch at 549 St Kilda Road, Melbourne. A busy day for us all. Please email isfaf@alfred.org if you plan to join ISFAF and AMAH staff for a free lunch AND no need to book to join us again in the evening for our monthly meeting with a treat tba

Nov 14: Associate Professor Simon Stafrace, Programme Director, AMAH Current innovations in mental health

Dec 12: Annual End-of-Year Dinner, venue tba

SPECIAL EVENT

Film and lunch in honour of Carers Week details tba

Please review our website regularly for details and updates. https://ispaf.org/

Working together helps everyone
If you have friends who:

are caring for a loved one with serious mental illness and need support, introduce them to ISFAF / ask them to leave a message on 9076 4722  or email isfaf@alfred.org.au or contact Judi directly on 0425 723 746  /  judi.burstyner@gmail.com,

are members of ISFAF but do not receive email and might be interested in our current news, please contact them and pass this message on to them.

We wish to thank:

  • the Victorian Government via Alfred Health Carer Services for their generosity funding the concierge for our monthly meetings and a drink for participants of our Walk and Chats.
  • Alfred Mental and Addiction Health for their continued generous support, including funding functions and providing us with office and facilities and venue for our meetings.

Visit to Justin Art House Museum Sunday 10 September

JUSTIN ART HOUSE MUSEUM

11 am Sunday 10 September

Cnr Lumley Court and Williams Rd Prahran  https://www.jahm.com.au/

Enjoy two concurrent exhibitions and of course, as always – food, friendship, shared experiences, openness and camaraderie at ISFAF events.

  • PAPER: The Permanence of the Temporary is showing in the main gallery, examining the temporal and fragile nature of paper and how this contrasts with the permanence associated with art.
  • JAHM acquisitions, including challenging AI generated paintings, conceptual and media-based art and a range of works offer much food for thought in the upstairs apartment, where we will be offered delicious buffet ‘snacks’ in Charlie and Leah Justin’s delightful home designed by their daughter.
Prompt booking is essential to secure your place. The museum has limited numbers which cannot be extended. Secure places will be allocated strictly in order of receipt of donation to:

1.     To Westpac ISFAF Community BSB 033-169  A/c No: 258307, $8 pensioners, $12 non-pensioners

2.     ensure that your deposit shows your name,

3.     immediately after making the deposit, email isfaf@alfred.org.au  with proof of booking.

4.     Look out for a response email, which you will receive by around 5 September.

5.     If you do not receive confirmation by 5 September, please email: elenikontos@icloud.com.

 

Inner South Family and Friends Carer Support Group Meeting

ISFAF MONTHLY MEETING  7.30PM TUESDAY 12 SEPTEMBER 2023

Speaker: Anne-Marie Skegg, Senior Mental Health Clinician, Emergency Psychiatry , AMA

Topic:       Tricks on Getting Help for you and your Loved One

Venue:       Level Four, Spotless Building, AMAH, 549 St Kilda Road, Melbourne

 a little to the city side of Wesley College, 549 is easily recognizable by white umbrellas in the forecourt.

Lots of free parking in the centre lanes of St Kilda Road, with many trams stopping at the door.

If you are having trouble with transport, seek further information or just need a chat, about ISFAF and/or issues faced by carers please phone: Judi M: 0425 723 746 or Eleni M:  0412 018 722

Please come early to chat and to enjoy delicious food which will be available from 7.10 pm

Due to security needs, we are required to pay a concierge at the door of the building.