Category Archives: Communication

Inner South Family and Friends Support Group Meeting and Social Activities

ISFAF MONTHLY MEETING  7pm for 7.30pm TUESDAY 10 SEPTEMBER 2024

GUEST SPEAKER:  Alice Ryan, Alfred Mental and Addiction Health,  Physical Health Portfolio

 TOPIC:  The Importance of Physical Health in Mental Health and the Opportunities Offered by AMAH

Individuals with mental health issues have been reported to die 25 years earlier than the general community. Much of this can be attributed to poor systemic and physical health. The AMAH Physical Health Portfolio, led by Alice, received Outstanding Team Effort award in recognition of its achievements in physical and mental health at the Equally Well Forum May 2024. Come to learn of innovations, improvements  and other assistance that is available to help your Loved Ones to live fuller, healthier and longer life.

No need to book for our monthly meeting. It’s free and includes a small light supper provided by our committee from 7.05 pm. However, a small contribution is always extremely welcome.

VENUE:      Level Four, 549 St Kilda Road, Melbourne – a little to the city side of Wesley College, 549 is easily recognisable 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 on 0425 723 746 or Eleni on 0412 018 722

Please come early to chat and to enjoy delicious snacks which will be available from 7.05pm. For security, we are required to pay a concierge at the door of the building.

Parliament House, MelbourneOld Treasury Building, Melbourne

WEDNESDAY 18 SEPTEMBER:  10.15AM Tour of Old Treasury Building followed by Lunch at Parliament House
Bookings close at noon Thursday 12 September. This deadline is essential for the parliamentary kitchen.

TO BOOK:

  1. deposit donation ($15 / $30 ) to Westpac ISFAF Community One A/CBSB 033-169    A/c No: 258307,
  2. make sure your booking shows your name and the names of others in your booking
  3. email burstyner@gmail.com
  4. Please make sure that your email shows proof of booking and
  • Your menu choices for each of two courses. The menu is attached. Gluten free and vegetarian dishes are marked. Please ignore the prices – these are what ISFAF will pay, but your total cost for two courses including the tour of Old Treasury Building is $15 / $30. Drinks, including tea and coffee can be ordered on the day. These are at additional cost which you will need to settle on the day.
  • the names of those for whom you have booked and each of the two courses they have chosen.

Confirmatory email will be sent by 5pm Saturday 14 September. If you do not receive the confirmatory email but have paid, email judi.burstyner@gmail.com urgently  by 5pm Sunday 15 September.
If you have questions regarding the bookings, please contact Judi directly on 0425 723 746 or judiburstyner@gmail.com 

 

Talking Point Free Seminar Series

 

Family Drug Treatment Court: Improving outcomes for parents experiencing addiction and their children in child protection proceedings, presented by
Matt Wilson – Statewide Program Manager, Family Drug Treatment Court – Children’s Court of Victoria

This presentation will showcase the Children’s Court of Victoria’s Family Drug Treatment Court (FDTC). The FDTC is a 12 month judicially monitored, solution-focussed court approach that seeks to engage parents whose children have been removed from the care due to parental substance misuse of dependence with the aim of achieving safe and sustainable family reunification.

Through an exploration of the Family Drug Treatment Court, the webinar will provide participants with the opportunity to:

  • Understand the operations of the Family Drug Treatment Court in the Children’s Court of Victoria
  • Understand how solution-focused court-based approaches lead to significantly higher and more sustainable rates of family reunification for parents who have experienced addiction.

Matt Wilson is the Statewide Program Manager of the Family Drug Treatment Court in the Children’s Court of Victoria and led the court to be awarded the 2019 Victorian Protecting Children Awards prestigious Robin Clark ‘Making A Difference’ Award. Matt has an almost 30 year history working in a range of statutory, clinical, leadership and managerial roles across the children, youth and families sector. Matt’s academic qualifications lie in Social Work, Child, Adolescent and Family Mental Health, Child and Family Practice Leadership, and Addiction science.

Matt is 2020 Churchill Fellow, and a 2023 Policy Impact Fellow through the University of Queensland’s Centre for Policy Futures and the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust.

Date: Wednesday 27th November 2024
Venue: Online
Time: 1:00pm – 2:00pm AEST
Cost: Free
Register: click here to register

TREAT Rest and Recovery Session

TUESDAY 20 AUGUST 5.30pm to 8pm at 607 ST KILDA ROAD (NOT OUR USUSAL 549) 

5.30pm CATERED BUFFET DINNER AND 

6.30pm 90 MINUTE ‘TREAT’ REST AND RECOVERY 

Therapeutic Relaxation and Enhanced Awareness Training, or ‘Treat’ has been shown to significantly reduce burnout and increase mindfulness. 

Treat was created and will be presented by Jo Gibbs, BN (PostReg), RN (AHPRA), GradDipCouns (MACA), MBSR/MBCT, ACT and EFT trained, Suicide Awareness Trainer, Hand-Hand Peer Support facilitator. 

Jo has worked in hospitals and in healthcare for over 35 years. From her experience as a hospital and university trained registered nurse, university trained human services counsellor and an interdisciplinary facilitator for hospital and leadership teams, Jo has created a unique and practical approach to burnout. Her current focus is helping reduce the high fatigue she has witnessed in clients over recent years. Participants learn how to increase personal energy and awareness, enhance vitality and psychological safety, and improve cognitive, physiological and emotional resources. The Treat ‘Rest and Recovery’ sessions are especially designed to support carers and help reduce cognitive and physical fatigue, stress and emotional exhaustion. These sessions are very gentle and help you shift into a calm, renewed and relaxed state, where physiological healing and emotional regulation can occur. They are based on the most up to date research and include a blend of mindfulness practices, psychological tools, gentle movement, relaxation and restorative rest. No prior experience is needed. 

https://www.treathealthcare.com.au/in-personprograms 

Due to limited space and the need to advise caterer, bookings MUST Close 5pm Wednesday 14 August.

TO BOOK: 

1. deposit donation ($12 / $24 ) to Westpac ISFAF Community One A/C BSB 033-169 A/c No: 258307, 

2. make sure your booking shows your name and the names of others in your booking 

3. email judi.burstyner@gmail.com with proof of booking 

4. Please double check that your email shows the names of those for whom you have booked, 

5. any special dietary needs. We will try our best to cater to these, but cannot guarantee that all will be possible. 

Confirmatory email will be sent by 5pm Saturday 17 August. If you do not receive the confirmatory email but have paid, email judi.burstyner@gmail.com urgently and by 5pm Sunday 18 August. 

If you have questions regarding the bookings, please do not hesitate to contact Judi directly on mobile 0425 723 746 or judi.burstyner@gmail.com 

 

 

Inner South Family and Friends Monthly Support Group Meeting

 ISFAF MONTHLY MEETING 7pm for 7.30pm TUESDAY 13 AUGUST 2024 

GUEST SPEAKER: MAJOR NARELLE JACOBSON AND SARAH STEVENS, THE WELL, SALVATION ARMY 

TOPIC: THE MANY, MANY SERVICES THAT ‘THE SALVOS’ PROVIIDE 

The services of interest to us all are too many to list, They include homelessness, general relief and financial counselling and alcohol and drug management. I have seen very successful alcohol detox via the Salvos. Major Jacobson will be accompanied by Sarah from Doorways and Relief. You can learn more about the many services and how to access them at
https://www.salvationarmy.org.au/about-us/our-services/ 

No need to book for our monthly meeting. It’s free and includes a small light supper provided by our committee from 7.05pm. However, a small contribution is always extremely welcome. 

VENUE: Level 4, 549 St Kilda Road, Melbourne is a little to the city side of Wesley College, 549 is easily recognisable 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 on 0425 723 746 or Eleni on 0412 018 722 .

Please come early to chat and to enjoy delicious snacks which will be available from 7.05pm .

Excerpts from Mental Health Australia Weekly Update 7 August 2025