WELCOME
Hello, and welcome to the weekly update from the Disability
Advocacy Resource Unit (DARU). If you would like to be removed
from this list or kept up to date another way, please reply to this
email and let us know.
DARU has been funded by the State government. It is run by a
governance group, including members of the Victorian Disability
Advocacy Network (VDAN), and the Victorian Council of Social
Service (VCOSS). DARU’s staff currently includes a Co-ordinator,
Sharon Granek, and a Project Administration Officer, Leah
Hobson.
We are always happy to hear from people who are interested in
what we do. If you have a question, an idea, some news you’d like
to see in the next update, or even if you just want to tell us
something we’re doing is good or bad, get in touch! Call us on 03
9639 5807 or email Sharon or Leah.
EVENTS
MYKI Mobile Discovery Centre Tour of Regional Victoria
When: 11th and 23rd July
Where: Craigieburn and Echuca
The Myki Mobile Discovery Centre is currently touring regional
Victoria. The purpose is to allow people to experience first hand
how Myki works and have questions answered by the development
team.
Details of the next two locations of the traveling centre are as
follows:
Craigieburn – Craigieburn Customer Service Centre
Craigieburn Road, Craigieburn
July 11 – 10.00am-4.00pm
Echuca – Carters’ Park
High Street, Echuca
July 23 – 11.00am-4.00pm
Community Information Sessions on the Disability Services Act
When: 11th July – 9th August 2007
Where: Various locations around Victoria
Registration: Call 1300 650 172 or email DHS. Please register
your interest as early as possible.
Community information sessions will be held for people with a
disability, parents, carers, family representatives and other
interested members of the community. The sessions will provide
information about the key areas of the Act and what the Act will
mean for people with a disability.
Ballarat
17 July 2007, 5pm – 7pm
Prince Regent Room, Ballarat Lodge
613 Main Road
Bendigo
18 July 2007, 2pm – 4pm
The Bendigo Schweppes Centre,
Marong Road (corner of Inglis Street)
Colac
23 July 2007, 10am – 12 noon
Colac Otway Performing Arts and Cultural Centre
Rae Street
Footscray
12 July 2007, 10am – 12 noon
Town Hall Reception Centre
Maribyrnong Council Offices
Corner Hyde and Napier Streets
Frankston
25 July 2007, 6.30pm – 8.30pm
Rotary Room, Frankston Arts Centre
Cnr Young and Davey Streets
Geelong
27 July 2007, 10am – 12 noon
Buckleys Entertainment Centre
54 Fellmongers Road
Breakwater
Mildura
30 July 2007, 3pm – 5pm
The Alfred Deakin Centre,
180–190 Deakin Avenue
Moorabbin
11 July 2007, 10am – 12 noon
The Chamber, Kingston Arts Centre
979 Nepean Highway
Preston
16 July 2007, 10am – 12 noon
Preston Town Hall
Corner High Street and Gower Street
(Gower Street entrance)
Ringwood East
19 July 2007, 7pm – 9pm
7 August 2007, 10am – 12 noon
Karralyka Centre
Maroondah City Council
Mines Road
Sale
1 August 2007, 10am – 12 noon
Princeton Motor Inn
25–41 Princes Highway
Shepparton
13 July 2007, 3.30pm – 5.30pm
Eastbank Function Room
70 Welsford Street
Stawell
17 July 2007, 12 noon – 2pm
Stawell Trotting Club, Laidlaw Park
Traralgon
1 August 2007, 2pm – 4pm
Century Inn
Corner Princes Highway and Airfield Road
Warragul
9 July 2007, 7pm – 9pm
Fountain Room, Warragul Arts Centre
Corner Smith and Albert Streets
Warrnambool
24 July 2007, 10am – 12 noon
City Memorial Bowls Club
50–58 Cramer Street
Wodonga
9 August 2007, 5pm – 7pm
Embers Room, Blazing Stump Comfort Inn
and Suites, Tallangatta Road
Relationships and Intimacy with ABI: Conference
When: 9:30am – 3:30pm 19th July 2007
Where: Maroondah Federation Estate, 32 Greenway Avenue,
Ringwood
Registration: Contact Brainlink on 9845 2955 or via email
Cost: $40.00 p.p
How can health professionals and agency staff develop a better
understanding of the problems and potential solutions related to
social isolation, intimacy and sexuality after ABI?
What issues affect both the individual and their significant other?
How do relationships change within couples and families?
What are the implications for professionals working with people
with ABI?
What supports are available to address these issues?
Join keynote speaker Dr Sally Cockburn (also known as Dr
Feelgood) for this conference. For more information, please see
the conference flyer and program.
Conference: A Partnership Approach to Ageing, Mental Health and
Ethnicity
When: 9:00am – 4:30pm Friday 10th August
Where: Angliss Conference Centre, 555 Latrobe Street
Melbourne
Registration: Visit the conference registration webpage to register
online or download a form.
Cost: $120 for registrations before Friday 13th July, $150 after
Friday 13th July
While the Australian population in general is ageing, it is estimated
that by 2011, one out of every five people aged eighty and above
will come from a culturally and linguistically diverse background.
However, relatively little Australian research currently exists on
issues surrounding the mental health needs of older Australians
from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds.
The overall goal of the conference is to provide a forum to raise
awareness about mental health issues among the elderly in CALD
communities. The conference also aims to promote the concept of
partnerships (e.g. between research and practice, between various
stakeholders).
The opening address will be delivered by the Honourable Daniel
Andrews MP, Minister assisting the Premier on Multicultural
Affairs. Keynote addresses will cover the subjects of:
 Cultural Attitudes Towards Mental Health;
 Suicide in older adults from CALD backgrounds;
 Being old out of place: Wellbeing of the refugee elderly in a
resettlement context.
A number of concurrent workshops will run in the afternoon,
followed by a panel discussion. For more information, visit the
conference website.
Melbourne Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Senior’s
Health and Well Being Festival
When: 9:30am – 4:00pm July 18th 2007
Where: Melbourne Town Hall
Cost: Free
The Gay Lesbian Bisexual and Transgender Seniors’ Health &
Well Being Festival is a free event with activities, entertainment,
and health and well being information available. Meet new friends
and improve your networks.
GLBT friendly services include:
• GLBT support and social groups including Vintage Men, Matrix
Guild, and the Bhurger Food and Wine Club.
• GLBT services including AGMC, GLHV.
• Classes on health and fitness will be available, including Yoga.
• Natural therapies and Chinese medicine.
• Massages.
• City of Melbourne and Moonee Valley older persons’ services.
• Health service providers from women’s and men’s health sectors
including WHISE (Women’s Health In the South East).
• Financial advisors
• Disability support group Access Plus.
Entertainment will be provided by the Melbourne Rainbow Band
and Performing Older Women’s Circus. Light refreshments will be
available.
A panel of guest speakers will be presenting on a range of issues.
The Melbourne Town Hall is an all access facility, including
wheelchair access. If unsure please feel free to contact us on 9827
4999 and we can investigate any special requirements.
TRAINING
Career and Employment Options for Adults with Autism Spectrum
Disorders
When: 7:45pm Tuesday 14th August
Where: Lyrebird Community Centre, 203 – 205 Lyrebird Drive,
Carrum Downs
Registration: To be made with payment by August 7th. Download
a registration form in PDF.
Cost: $10 for Southern Autism Spectrum Support Group
members; $15 non-members
In this information session, Debra Taylor from WISE Employment
Service will explain employment and training options for young
adults with autism spectrum disorder.
Debra is the Team Leader of the Disability Employment Network at
WISE Employment Frankston and Dandenong. Debra began
working in the Disability Services Industry 12 years ago, and over
that time has assisted many people to reach the goal of improving
their lives, through assistance with employment and training.
Debra completed a Bachelor of Applied Science (Disability
Studies) and has been working for WISE Employment since 2000.
WISE Employment is a progressive community-based enterprise,
WISE Employment is in the business of enriching the community
by empowering people through employment. Our mission is to
guide and inspire people to realise their potential and achieve
fulfilling vocational goals.
Advocacy Training for Young People with Disabilities in Ballarat
When: August 2007, date to be confirmed
Where: Ballarat
Registration: Forms must be submitted 20th July to Grampians
DisAbility Advocacy Association.
Cost: Free
The Youth Disability Advocacy Service, in partnership with
Department of Human Services and Grampians disAbility
Advocacy Association, is offering a free advocacy training
workshop to young people with disabilities between 12-25, who
live in the Ballarat Region.
The training workshop will cover a basic understanding of
advocacy and an introduction to disability rights. Participants will
learn how to speak out for their rights and gain information to be
better self advocates
To get an application form via email or an alternative format,
please contact Grampians disAbility Advocacy Association on
freecall number 1800 53522722, SMS 0407 688 201 or send an
email.
Please submit your application as soon as possible to avoid
disappointment as places are limited
Free Disability Awareness Training for Sporting Clubs in
Maribyrnong and Hobson’s Bay
Maribyrnong and Hobson’s Bay City Councils are offering sporting
clubs within the municipalities the unique opportunity of receiving
disability awareness training free of charge.
Presented by Sport Education Victoria and accredited by the
Australian Sports Commission, the Disability Education Program
(DEP) delivers a range of modules designed to build the necessary
skills and confidence to attract and include people with a disability.
Coaches, officials, volunteers and members can all benefit from
this training. For more information, contact the Access All Abilities
Officer in the relevant municipality at Hobson’s Bay: (03) 9932
1000, or Maribyrnong (03) 9688 0330.
REPORTS
Community consultation and the hard to reach: local government,
social profiling and civic infrastructure
The Hard to Reach project conducted by the Institute of Social
Research at Swinburne University takes place at a time when
there is increasing emphasis on good governance and the capacity
of local government to strengthen communities. Consultation
methods are seen as central to these processes, allowing local
government to fulfil its role as a place for civic engagement at the
neighbourhood level. In the broadest terms the research question
is: What are the characteristics of successful consultation with
hard to reach communities? This project aims to identify the
conceptual and practical difficulties associated with including hard
to reach groups in community consultation, investigate effective
current practices, and pool resources and strategies for use across
partner councils.
Reports, discussion papers and case studies from Victorian local
councils are available here.
SURVEYS
Disability Policy in Employment and Community Access - What are
the impacts?
Closing date: July 18th 2007
Do you have stories to share about people with a disability
accessing employment services or community access services?
What happens in your local area if people want to combine
employment with community access or day option programs?
What are the factors that are shaping the pathways that people
with a disability and their families choose, including as they
transition from school? What options are available for older people
with a disability who wish to retire from employment?
If you have experiences or input on these issues to share, Curtin
University and National Disability Services want to hear from you.
They are looking for input from people with a disability and their
families as well as a range of service providers including
employment, education, community access and advocacy as part
of joint project. Examples of good practice are also welcome.
A Word version of the survey is available here. For more
information, contact Taryn Harvey on (08) 9208 9811 or via email.
Building Social Inclusion: Priorities for the Social and Community
Sector Workforce
This survey is open to ALL people who work in the nongovernment social and community services (SACS) sector. This
survey is primarily addressed to ASU members who are
sponsoring this survey, however you do not have to be a Union
member to fill it in.
The purpose of the survey is to find out what needs to be done to
recruit and retain people to work in the non-government social &
community services sector and what workers in the sector feel
about their work. These are issues of critical importance. The ASU
will use this information to lobby all politicians in the lead up to the
2007 federal election and beyond. What we seek from all sides of
politics is a commitment to seriously address these issues of
significance. We need to build a highly skilled workforce to better
serve the needs of the disadvantaged people who use our
services.
All responses to the survey are CONFIDENTIAL. You can
complete the survey online here.
CALLS FOR SUBMISSIONS
auDA Foundation Grants
Closing date: 31st July 2007
Not-for-profit and research organisations are invited to apply for
grants to enhance the use of the internet for the benefit of the
community.
The funding, provided bu the auDA Foundation, can be used for
community demonstration projects, public education and
awareness initiatives, scholarships and research initiatives.
Funded organisations in 2006 included:
 Association for the Blind WA, for developing a customised
web browser for blind people;
 Goulburn Valley Family Care, for developing a website to
help support a suicide prevention program aimed at young
men;
 Australian Theatre for Young People, for providing young
playwrights with access to online resources and professional
tutoring, especially playwrights in remote areas;
 Community Technology Centres Association, for teaching
internet safety courses to children, parents and seniors
throughout New South Wales.
The preferences of the auDA Foundation Board are that projects
focus on local, regional and national community groups, enhance
internet access of people living in rural and remote communities
and improve access for disadvantaged groups.
For more information, visit the auDA Foundation website.
City of Yarra Community Grants 2008
Closing date: 10th August 2007
Yarra City Council invites applications from not-for-profit
community organisations and individuals to apply for grants in the
2008 Community Grants Program.
The aim of the 2008 Community Grants Program is to provide
financial and in-kind support for community initiatives and projects
that address local needs, build local capacity, strengthen social
diversity and enhance the wellbeing of residents in the City of
Yarra.
Annual Grants Program
The Annual Grants Program provides funding for small to medium
sized projects, activities and events that respond to the social,
cultural, recreational, environmental and economic needs of Yarra
residents.
Grants funding is provided under the following categories:
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Arts and Culture:
Arts Development;
Cultural Festivals;
Community Celebrations;
Community Arts;
Environment;
Services and Community Development;
Sport and Recreation;
Youth Services.
Home and Community Care Program
The Home and Community Care Program (HACC) provides
funding to local community organisations to develop social support
activities and meals and food programs to residents requiring
nutritional support.
Grants funding is provided under the following categories:
 Social Support Grants;
 Nutrition Support Grants;
 Positive Ageing.
For more information, fact sheets and guidelines, go to the City of
Yarra website.
Community Sector Scholarships: Executive Master of Public
Administration
Closing date: Thursday 16th August 2007
The Victorian Government is offering scholarships to community
sector employees in the Executive Master of Public Administration
at the Australia & New Zealand School of Government.
The Executive Master of Public Administration (EMPA) is a twoyear part-time course designed to develop management and policy
skills in future leaders. The course is primarily offered to public
sector employees from across Australia and New Zealand.
The Community Sector Scholarship Scheme provides three places
in the course for Victorian community sector employees. The
Scholarships include program fees, course related travel and
accommodation.
The Scheme aims to boost management skills in the community
sector, enabling it to:
 adopt more strategic approaches
 communicate more effectively with government and
business, and
 improve governance and financial management standards.
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Detailed eligibility and selection criteria, application forms, a
description of how the EMPA can benefit community sector
employees, and course information are available on the
Department for Victorian Communities website:
www.dvc.vic.gov.au. An information session will be held in July for
prospective applicants on Thursday 19th July, Department for
Victorian Communities, 1 Spring St, Melbourne, Level 15, Rooms
1 & 2 at 3pm. RSVP by Friday 13th July to: Grace Kilpatrick,
Department for Victorian Communities Tel: (03) 9208 3387 / Email:
grace.kilpatrick@dvc.vic.gov.au
Hobson’s Bay City Council Community Grants
Closing date: Thursday 23rd August 2007
The Hobsons Bay City Council Community Grants Program
welcomes applications in the Small Grant and Community Building
Initiatives Grant categories for ‘one-off’ projects or activities that:
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Meet a demonstrated community need.
Involve Hobsons Bay residents in the planning,
Management and implementation.
Encourage improved access and participation for community
members.
 Encourage collaboration between community groups.
 Are clearly focused on defined outcomes.
 Build community and social well-being in local
neighbourhoods.
Information sessions will be held throughout the City in the lead up
to the closing date. To register for one of the Community Grants
Information Sessions, you need to call 9932 1001 no later than
three days before the session.
Information Session 1
Date:Tuesday, 17 July 2007
Time:6.30 pm - 8.30 pm
Venue: Walker Close Community Centre, Cnr Millers Rd and
Walker Close, Altona North
Melway: 54 H10
Information Session 2
Date:Wednesday, 25 July 2007
Time: 0.00 am - 12.00 noon
Venue:Altona Civic Centre, Chamber, 115 Civic Parade, Altona
Melway: 54 H10
Information Session 3
Date: Thursday, 19 July 2007
Time: 1.00 pm - 3.00 pm
Venue: Williamstown Town Hall Supper Room, 104 Ferguson
Street, Williamstown
Melways: 56 C8
Information Session 4
Date: Wednesday, 1 August 2007
Time: 10.00 am - 12.00 noon
Venue: Altona Civic Centre Chamber, 115 Civic Parade, Altona
Melway 54 H10
For more information, visit the Community Grants webpage.
Victorian Honour Roll of Women 2008 – Call for Nominations
Closing date: 5:00pm Friday 28th September 2007
The Victorian Honour Roll of Women recognises and celebrates
the
achievements of women from all walks of life.
It honours Victorian women who have made a significant
contribution in a
particular field, or a lasting contribution that benefits the lives of
other women and/or their communities in Victoria, Australia and
internationally.
The Honour Roll was launched on 7 May 2001 as part of the
Women Shaping the
Nation Centenary of Federation celebrations and the government's
commitment
ends next year in 2008, marking the Centenary of Women's
Suffrage (women's
right to vote) in Victoria.
To date, 386 women have been inducted on the Victorian Honour
Roll. You can
also read more about these women on the Honour Roll and those
who were
inducted in 2007 on the Office of Women's Policy website.
Each year, the community is invited to nominate women and the
Minister for
Women's Affairs announces the new recipients to the Honour Roll
as part of
International Women's Day celebrations on 8 March.
Do you know someone who has made an outstanding contribution
in their
community? Nominate her now for the 2008 Honour Roll.
Nominations forms in Word and PDF form can be downloaded by
clicking on the relevant link. Hard copy versions can be
forwarded by calling (03) 9208 3129.
If you are an organisation that would like to publicise the call for
nominations and increase the awareness of the Honour Roll,
please download
an Honour Roll flyer to display on your organisation's noticeboard.