Category Archives: News

Carers Week Film and Lunch

CARERS WEEK FILM AND LUNCH SUNDAY 15 OCTOBER

Palace Como Cinema, corner Toorak Road and Chapel Street South Yarra

Sorry about later notice, but we have chosen this film, A Haunting in Venice, very carefully by waiting till it was seen by a member. His conclusion? – He found it extremely enjoyable and lots of fun.  Who could resist Kenneth Branagh playing Inspector Poirot in a brain teaser gloriously filmed in Venice?

Total donation of $12 for pensioners and $24 for non-pensioners, includes movie ticket and a $40 lunch at Blossom Thai immediately following the mid-morning movie.

Bookings close 5pm Wednesday 11 October (ie – the day after World Mental Health day) Numbers are limited, first in best dressed.

TO BOOK

Please deposit your donation by Wednesday 11 October – $12 for pensioners, $24 for non-pensioners.  Contact judi.burstyner@gmail.com  for banking details.

Please include:

  • Name and phone number of each individual attending (preferably mobile phone number)
  • Any special dietary needs / allergies of each individual in your booking.
    If you have any questions, please phone 0425 723 746 or email judi.burstyner@gmail.com Confirmation of booking and exact meeting time will be emailed on Thursday 12 October.

    PLEASE DON’T FORGET TO BOOK FOR THE WORLD MENTAL DAY HEALTH LUNCH ON TUESDAY 11 OCTOBER IT’S FREE – JUST EMAIL isfaf@alfred.org.au FOR CATERING PURPOSES.
    The lunch is a great way to meet staff. Bring a plate if you can, but please don’t feel obliged to bring one. The lunch is a thank you to staff at AMAH for their support to ISFAF and is a great opportunity for staff and carers to meet and chat in an informal environment.
    Our monthly meeting is on the same night – same place 549 St Kilda Road, Melbourne.  The free lunch is scheduled for 12.30pm – 2pm and our meeting (on the same day) is at 7.30pm, with speaker to be announced next week.

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. The lunch is a thank you to staff at AMAH for their support to ISFAF and is a great opportunity for staff and carers to meet and chat in an informal environment.

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 12 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.

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/