Author: Kath Spencer
“Your Gateway to Support” campaign a finalist in 2022 Marketing Excellence Awards
Merri Health’s ‘Your Gateway to support’ campaign was a Finalist in the Australian Marketing Institute’s 2022 ‘Marketing Excellence Awards’ not-for-profit category.
Developed with and featuring carers, the campaign encourages Victoria’s 700,000+ unpaid carers to get support through the federal government’s Carer Gateway service.
Launched in February, it successfully connected with carers and has already led to a 12% increase in people registering for Carer Gateway supports. Calls from carers also increased, and people visited the campaign webpage 30,903 times to find out more.
The bold advertising is designed to grab carers’ attention and illustrate how Carer Gateway can enhance lives. It features a colourful ‘portal gateway’ carers step through to get peer support and respite.
Merri’s marketing team partnered with The Creative Works Agency to develop the campaign and promote it to carers through television, radio, outdoor signage, digital ads, public relations and social media. The advertisements were shown 5,014,778 times across all channels.
This is the biggest marketing campaign Merri Health has launched, and the award acknowledges the team’s creativity and commitment to carers.
Merri Health leads Carer Gateway in Victoria with six health partners: Alfred Health, Bendigo Health, Barwon Health, Family Care, Grampians Health (previously known as Ballarat Health), Merri Health and Uniting Vic.
Volunteer-2-Lawyer Success Story
Volunteer-2-Lawyer Success Story at West Heidelberg Community Legal – Congratulations Ankita!
Please join us in congratulating Ankita Krishna who was admitted to practice as a lawyer yesterday! A huge moment that comes after years of hard work.
Ankita commenced volunteering at Banyule Community Health West Heidelberg Community Legal service in December 2019 as a law clerk undertaking triage and intake for legal enquiries while still at university.
In late 2020 Ankita’s aptitude for and interest in family law saw her move into a new volunteer role as legal assistant working with our WHCL family law/family violence team whilst completing her final year studies. Ankita graduated from law at La Trobe University in December 2021 and in early 2022 Ankita was successful in obtaining a role as a paralegal within our WHCL generalist team whilst completing her practical legal training (PLT).
After receiving her certificate to practice yesterday, we are proud to announce that Ankita will soon join the WHCL team as a graduate lawyer.
Congratulations Ankita. We loved having you assist the community as a student volunteer and PLT, and are thrilled to have you on our team now as a graduate lawyer.
Hello, Fawkner! building social cohesion, connection and respect for diversity
As the population of Fawkner has changed, social, economic and environmental challenges have occurred. Research found some community members were feeling disadvantaged, isolated and discriminated against.
To respond to these challenges Hello Fawkner! (HF) was set up to build community leadership and capacity of local residents to develop, implement and share initiatives that strengthen their community.
The project outlined four key initiatives including a leadership program, grants for community-led celebrations and online and print community news.
Check out the key findings from the project here.
Research evaluation of the program found:
- Following their participation, 86% of participants in The Great Idea Program felt they had the skills they needed to take on a project in their community
- 75% of participant in The Harmony Day Party Program said they learned about new cultures and traditions
- Over 80% of readers said the e-newsletter and/or newspaper had increased their feelings of connection to the Fawkner community
- Over 80% of readers said the e-newsletter and/or newspaper increased their knowledge/understanding of the diverse cultures of people who live in Fawkner
Between 2018 and 2022, across all four programs (as well associated community engagement activities), HF has had the following reach in the Fawkner community:
- 482 participants
- A direct reach of 16,550
- An indirect reach of 14,815
- 160 community-led events supported
- Over $90,000 provided directly to community
“I learned that having a friend from different country and different culture gave you a chance to learn new things in your life” – Fawkner resident
“As an immigrant in Australia, I’ve gained confidence and improved my writing skills in English a lot. I always loved to write and dreamed to write to a newspaper and The Fawkner Times was a wonderful opportunity for me! I also gained a strong sense of community through the e-newsletter, I’ve connected with my neighbours who read my articles and I’m now much more involved in my community” – Fawkner resident
Aboriginal artist Simone Thomson captures Merri Health’s reconciliation journey in new artwork
As NAIDOC Week comes to an end, we want to continuously recognise and celebrate the rich culture, history and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Merri Health is honoured that Simone Thomson crafted our new Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) artwork telling a beautiful story about our commitment to reconciliation.
Simone Thomson is a proud Woi-Wurrung Wurundjeri and Yorta-Yorta Traditional Owner through her mother. Her inspiration comes from her spiritual connection to Country and the rich colours and textures of the earth and sky.
“In an evening sky, Bunjil flies across a crystal moon staring out over country, his great creation… The moon represents Merri Health’s commitment to shine a light on Reconciliation at all times of the day and night.”
Reconciliation in building a very strong tomorrow – Ngi-a-Gat Balit-Djak Yirramboi.
Read the beautiful story behind the RAP Artwork
Peter Ogden, Banyule Community Health Board Director, retires after 32 years of community service
Peter and Wendy Ogden settled into the West Heidelberg community in the early 1970’s to raise their family. Both Wendy and Peter became key community members in the building of a local community that was bereft of services at the time.
Wendy became a significant contributor to local clubs, the Olympic Village Primary School, and the West Heidelberg Community Health Centre. Still today, Wendy leads the ‘Women of West Heidelberg’, connecting local women and addressing local issues.
Peter set up a small business locally and also became a contributor to his local community in whatever form was required. In 1990, Peter became a Board Director of West Heidelberg Community Health Centre, which later became Banyule Community Health. Peter and his colleagues helped guide Banyule Community Health through change and opportunity, always ensuring the values of the local community were entrenched in the organisation. Peter was a passionate advocate for the community and having responsive services in place that met local needs. Peter’s tenacity for fairness, combined with his business and strategic acumen, ensured the Board was always well governed. After more than 32 years as a Board Director, Peter has retired. His contribution as a volunteer and Director is unmatched.
“Peter brought an acute sense of fairness and inclusion to the Board. His mantra was always community first. We are indebted to his contribution and his commitment to our local community.” Mick Geary, Banyule Community Health CEO.
In honour of Peter and Wendy Ogden’s incredible contribution to Banyule Community Health and the West Heidelberg community, Banyule Community Health will award an annual scholarship in their name to the Olympic Village Primary School to support a local student. After decades of service to our community Peter will enjoy doing the crossword and suffer endless frustration watching the Bombers.
Thanks Peter.
Merri Health recognises Aboriginal Country names in addresses
Information and mail from Merri Health looks a little different now, as we are proudly recognising Aboriginal Country names in our address information.
Traditional Country names are included above our street address in all Merri material including email signatures, stationery, our website and outgoing mail, to recognise and show our respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities past and present.
Merri Health CEO Tassia Michaleas said, “Recognition and equality are critical to health and wellbeing. We want to continuously recognise and celebrate the contribution of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders communities.
“Now when people see a Merri Health address, they will be reminded of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ unique connection to Country.”
This initiative supports proud Gomerai woman Rachael McPhail’s drive to have Traditional Country names included in all addresses. Her idea grew driving through Wiradjuri Country, where she noticed councils’ Acknowledgement of Country on signage.
She took her idea to Australia Post which has developed addressing guidelines.
Merri Health has adapted this initiative across the organisation as part of our ongoing commitment to closing the health gap with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples through initiatives that promote respect, equality, and recognition.
This initiative is a key commitment in our 2021-23 Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP).
We encourage you to find the Traditional Country name for the area that you live in, and to keep your eyes peeled for Merri mail.
Count Me In Too receive an LGPro 2021 Award for Excellence
We are pleased to announce that the Count Me In Too team have received an LGPro 2021 Award for Excellence.
The LGPro Awards for Excellence promote and celebrate the outstanding work being undertaken and delivered by individuals and teams working in Local Government in Victoria.
In partnership with Moreland City Council, our Count Me In Too program brought together over 600 women and girls from culturally diverse backgrounds to play a variety of sports in Fawkner, Glenroy and Hadfield. The program had a particular focus on gender equity and addressing family violence.
The program connected participants with their local sporting clubs where, each week, participants gathered together, shared stories, made friends, and forged deeper connections within the Moreland community.
Congratulations to all team members involved across Merri Health and Moreland City Council!
The initiative ended in 2019.
Our Early Childhood Early Interventions team take home the “We Take Care” award
Our Early Childhood Early Intervention team in Ovens-Murray have been awarded the “We Take Care” award for the Light Up Awards by the NDIA.
They were nominated by the team at Partner Performance Vic Tas who congratulated them on their amazing commitment to the families and communities that they work with.
They noted the team’s knowledgeable feedback and contributions to various projects and meetings with the agency was also to be highly commended.
The team were nominated for being role models for our values, going above and beyond in their role and for achieving significant results.
Thank you to Partner Performance Vic Tas team!
Urdu Women’s Group helping new migrant women
Merri Health’s Urdu Women’s Group began with projects such as creating awareness about mental health, pregnancy and dental health. However, with increasing stories of racism and abuse, it evolved into something more.
Community Engagement Officer, Sarwat Nauman, was interviewed by SBS about how the Urdu Women’s Group started and how it has been a support system for women who have migrated to Australia.
“It’s great to help people that need support at this time in their lives.”
3081 Angels – our amazing army of local volunteers
3081 Angels is a volunteer run, partnership between Holstep Health (formerly Banyule Community Health) and Rosanna Baptist Church, which collects quality, preloved baby and children’s goods to give to families in need in West Heidelberg and the surrounding suburbs. Goods are donated by other families in the local area and repurposed. Banyule Community Health CEO Mick Geary describes the 3081 Angels volunteers as “community heroes”. “Their work is often unseen and unheralded. It’s the type of volunteering that empowers families to get a fair start. They are our community heroes.”
The two way benefits of volunteering is really visible with the 3081 Angels. Long-time volunteer Helen says “I come every Friday and I enjoy the fellowship and the friendship of the team we’ve created. It’s great to help people that need support at this time in their lives. Volunteering is such a great way to enhance your own life, it gives you direction yourself. You don’t do it for monetary value, you do it because you love people, you like the community spirit and you get rewarded yourself at the end of the day.”
The 3081 Angels model has also found roles for people with a range of skills. John is the local jack of all trades, but his impact is immense. “I’ve always liked fixing things and this gives me an opportunity to do that and to know that things that come in are sent out fixed to the right standard. I love mixing with the people, it’s a lovely group of volunteers and I’ve made some really good friends here and it’s just so gratifying to know that people benefit from the time we spend working on their behalf.”
Lyn sees the impact of her volunteering changing the community and changing lives. “I volunteer because I love it. I like helping people. It’s fun, there’s a lot of laughs, jokes, we’ve got great friendship and (what we’re doing) is worthwhile. I only wish I could do more but there aren’t enough days in the week”
Find out more about the 3081 Angels or to volunteer with the 3081 Angels.