Category Archives: Education

Glen Eira Healthy Ageing – Carers Newsletter Autumn 2025

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Carers Newsletter Autumn 2025
Connecting, Informing and Empowering Carers in Glen Eira

Welcome to Healthy Ageing Glen Eira Carers newsletter.
We’re delighted to connect with you and share our plans for a year that promises new opportunities, stronger advocacy, and even more support for carers.

From upcoming initiatives and open consultations to training programs and community events, there’s something in here for every carer. Whether you’re new to our community or a long-time member, we hope this newsletter helps you feel informed, valued and inspired.

As always, your input is central to our development. If you’d like to learn more about any of the topics featured in this issue, or if you have feedback or questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

If you know someone in a caring role who may be interested, kindly share this newsletter.

 Healthy Ageing Team

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Text: Caulfield South Community House

Pathways for Carers Social Connect Group

Come and meet other carers as part of our Pathways for Carers group. Join us for a stroll around the local area followed by morning tea and finishing with a complimentary relaxing class. Classes will alternate between art therapy with the talented Cherie Ceberano and rotating craft, wellness or floristry. You are welcome to attend some or all parts of each session.

This activity is free and limited to carers who live in or care for someone in Glen Eira.

When: Second Friday of the month
Times:
10am – walk
10.30am – morning tea
11am–12.30pm – class/workshop
Where: Caulfield South Community House, 450–452 Kooyong Road, Caulfield South
More about Pathways for Carers

Please click. on the link below to read the complete newsletter:

Inner South Family and Friends Weekend in Bendigo

WEEKEND IN BENDIGO FRIDAY 20 JUNE TO SUNDAY 22 JUNE

RESPITE AND WORKSHOPS: UNDERSTANDING ADDICTIONS

We are very privileged that Gabby Cohen, currently seconded to Victorian Department of Health as Implementation Advisor, Harm Reduction Reform and due to return to her role as Manager, Addiction Health at Alfred Mental and Addiction Health has agreed to facilitate workshops on Harm Reduction and Understanding Addictions.  Priority will be given to individuals who are caring for a loved one suffering from an addiction.

In addition to workshops with Gabby, there will be time to rest, enjoy Bendigo, share meals in local eateries and to visit the Frida Khalo exhibition and Bendigo Art Gallery with a private guide.

Friday 1pm Meet at Bendigo Art Gallery, Frida Khalo Exhibition

Free time to explore Bendigo Art Gallery and surrounds

Check in to JulieAnna Motel on shore of Lake Weerona

6.30pm meet for dinner at local eatery

Saturday

Morning workshop with Gabby

‘long lunch’ near Lake Weerona

Afternoon discussions with Gabby

Dinner at local eatery

Sunday  Summing up followed by time to enjoy Bendigo

During the weekend, we will be joined by Bendigo Connect Centre and members of Self Help Addiction Resource Centre (SHARC)

Total cost: The Weekend Including accommodation 2 nights – Friday and Saturday.
Meals: Dinner Friday, Saturday, lunch on Saturday (breakfast is not included)
Workshops and Discussions facilitated by Gabby Cohen
Pensioners: $45 Non-pensioners: $90

Frida Khalo Exhibition: Pensioners: $10 Non-pensioners: $20.  Frida Khalo exhibition can be enjoyed as a separate event and is a separate cost

Accommodation: For previous respite we have booked an entire complex. This provided some flexibility with numbers.   However, with the Frida Khalo exhibition being in Bendigo, there is no opportunity for last minute changes.  All rooms must be booked and paid for ahead of time.

We will try to provide single rooms, but cannot guarantee to do so unless we receive your payment for single supplement ($60)

Transport is not included. There is a train to Bendigo and regular bus service and tram within Bendigo.

To Book: non-refundable deposits are required by 5pm Friday 23 May 2025

For the weekend: Pensioners: $25 Non-pensioners: $50

For Frida Khalo: Pensioners: $10 Non-pensioners: $20 (this is a highly subsidised charge for the Khalo exhibition)

1. Pay your deposits to ISFAF Community Account, BSB 033169 A/c No: 258307

If you are not prepared to share a room please pay an additional $60 single supplement at time of deposit. This may be refunded if there are sufficient single rooms for all, but will not be refunded otherwise.  Please ensure that your deposit shows your name and names of any others in your booking.

2. Email confirmation to isfaf@gmail.com and c/c to judi.burstyner@gmail.com

3. In your email, include the name, phone number and email of each individual in your booking (preferably mobile number)

For questions:  email judi.burstyner@gmail.com or WhatsApp 0425 723 746 phone calls on local lines will not be accepted

 

Excerpts from Mental Health Australia CEO Update 1 May 2025

Nominations invited for the Barbara Hocking Memorial Awards

The Barbara Hocking Memorial Awards honour those in the community who help create a world where we’re all connected and are protected from suicide. Named after Barbara Hocking OAM, a trailblazer in mental health advocacy and former Executive Director of SANE Australia, the biennial awards recognise those who embody the R U OK? mission of fostering meaningful connections any day of the year

Nominations close 3rd June 2025.
Learn more

2025 Woodcock Lecture hosted by Wellways: Dignity by Design – Humanity in the Mental Health System, 29th May 2025

The 23rd Annual Woodcock Lecture, hosted by Wellways, explores human rights in the mental health system. Dignity by Design: Humanity in the Mental Health System is a crucial exploration into how human rights-based approaches can transform our mental health support systems.
Learn more

Talking Point Free Seminar Series

NEXT WEEK – Wednesday 30th April 2025 – online from 1pm to 2pm

Drug use trajectories in Melbourne: How longitudinal studies can help us better understand people who use drugs,
presented by
Peter Higgs (PhD, BSW) is a Burnet Principal Research Fellow and Honorary in the Department of Public Health at La Trobe University. 

Research with people who use drugs is most frequently cross sectional. But we know people have ups and downs over their ‘careers’. With over 2000 people now recruited ‘SuperMIX’ is Australia’s largest and longest running study with people who inject drugs.

In this presentation findings and insights collected from participants will be presented as well as reflections from me on being involved with such a unique study for the last 15 years.

Peter Higgs (PhD, BSW) is a Burnet Principal Research Fellow and Honorary in the Department of Public Health at La Trobe University. He has over 25 years’ experience working in social and behavioural research.  He currently works on longitudinal research studies and has enduring relationships with cohorts of people using drugs and ongoing relationships with key public health scientists and community organisations.

Date: Wednesday 30th April 2025
Venue: Online
Time: 1:00pm – 2:00pm AEST
Cost: Free
Register: click here to register
If you have enquiries regarding registration please call (03) 8413 8413.

Excerpts from Mental Health Australia CEO Update 24 April 2025

 

Media release: It’s time to put people, not medicine at the centre of health care

The Australian College of Nursing is calling for a fundamental rethink of Australia’s approach to health care in the next term of government. In a ‘socialised healthcare model’, where more attention is given to preventive health and circumstances that lead to illness, a patient struggling with homelessness would be more likely to be referred to a housing provider, or to support services for substance use or mental health.

Read more

Update on the independent review into music and art therapy supports

The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) is considering the recommendations and final report of the independent review. There are no changes to the status of music and art therapy as National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) supports. The report and any updates will be published on the NDIS website.

Read more

2025 Woodcock Lecture hosted by Wellways: Dignity by Design – Humanity in the Mental Health System, 29th May 2025

The 23rd Annual Woodcock Lecture, hosted by Wellways, explores human rights in the mental health system. Dignity by Design: Humanity in the Mental Health System is a crucial exploration into how human rights-based approaches can transform our mental health support systems.

Learn more