Awtur: 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.
Storja ta' Suċċess ta' Voluntier għal Avukat
Storja ta' Suċċess ta' Voluntier-2-Avukat f'West Heidelberg Community Legal – Prosit Ankita!
Ingħaqdu magħna biex nifirħu lil Ankita Krishna li lbieraħ ġiet ammessa biex tipprattika bħala avukat! Mument enormi li jiġi wara snin ta' xogħol iebes.
Ankita bdiet tagħmel volontarjat fis-servizz legali tal-Komunità tas-Saħħa Komunitarja ta' Banyule f'West Heidelberg f'Diċembru 2019 bħala klerka legali fejn kienet qed tieħu ħsieb it-triage u l-inkjesta għal mistoqsijiet legali waqt li kienet għadha l-università.
Fl-aħħar tal-2020, l-attitudni u l-interess ta' Ankita fil-liġi tal-familja wassluha biex tibda rwol volontarju ġdid bħala assistenta legali li taħdem mat-tim tal-liġi tal-familja/vjolenza domestika tal-WHCL tagħna waqt li tlestiet l-istudji tal-aħħar sena tagħha. Ankita ggradwat mil-liġi fl-Università ta' La Trobe f'Diċembru 2021 u fil-bidu tal-2022 Ankita rnexxielha tikseb rwol bħala paralegali fit-tim ġeneralista tal-WHCL tagħna waqt li tlestiet it-taħriġ legali prattiku tagħha (PLT).
Wara li lbieraħ irċeviet iċ-ċertifikat tagħha biex tipprattika, kburin li nħabbru li Ankita dalwaqt se tingħaqad mat-tim tal-WHCL bħala avukat gradwata.
Prosit Ankita. Ħadna gost ħafna li tgħin lill-komunità bħala studenta voluntiera u PLT, u ninsabu ferħanin ħafna li issa għandnak fit-tim tagħna bħala avukata gradwata.
Bongu, Fawkner! nibnu l-koeżjoni soċjali, il-konnessjoni u r-rispett għad-diversità
Hekk kif inbidlet il-popolazzjoni ta’ Fawkner, seħħew sfidi soċjali, ekonomiċi u ambjentali. Ir-riċerka sabet li xi membri tal-komunità kienu qed iħossuhom żvantaġġati, iżolati u diskriminati.
Biex twieġeb għal dawn l-isfidi, Hello Fawkner! (HF) twaqqfet biex tibni t-tmexxija tal-komunità u l-kapaċità tar-residenti lokali biex jiżviluppaw, jimplimentaw u jaqsmu inizjattivi li jsaħħu l-komunità tagħhom.
Il-proġett iddeskriva erba’ inizjattivi ewlenin inkluż programm ta’ tmexxija, għotjiet għal ċelebrazzjonijiet immexxija mill-komunità u aħbarijiet komunitarji online u stampati.
Ara s-sejbiet ewlenin mill-proġett hawn .
L-evalwazzjoni tar-riċerka tal-programm sabet:
- Wara l-parteċipazzjoni tagħhom, 86% tal-parteċipanti fil-Programm The Great Idea ħassew li kellhom il-ħiliet li kellhom bżonn biex iwettqu proġett fil-komunità tagħhom.
- 75% tal-parteċipanti fil-Programm tal-Party ta’ Jum l-Armonija qalu li tgħallmu dwar kulturi u tradizzjonijiet ġodda
- Aktar minn 80% tal-qarrejja qalu li n-newsletter elettronika u/jew il-gazzetta żiedu s-sentiment ta’ konnessjoni tagħhom mal-komunità ta’ Fawkner.
- Aktar minn 80% tal-qarrejja qalu li n-newsletter elettronika u/jew il-gazzetta żiedu l-għarfien/fehim tagħhom dwar il-kulturi diversi tan-nies li jgħixu f'Fawkner.
Bejn l-2018 u l-2022, fl-erba’ programmi kollha (kif ukoll attivitajiet assoċjati ta’ involviment tal-komunità), HF kellu l-firxa li ġejja fil-komunità ta’ Fawkner:
- 482 parteċipant
- Firxa diretta ta' 16,550
- Firxa indiretta ta' 14,815
- 160 avveniment immexxi mill-komunità appoġġjati
- Aktar minn $90,000 ingħataw direttament lill-komunità
“Tgħallimt li meta jkollok ħabib minn pajjiż differenti u kultura differenti, ikollok iċ-ċans li titgħallem affarijiet ġodda f’ħajtek” – Resident ta’ Fawkner
“Bħala immigrant fl-Awstralja, ksibt il-kunfidenza u tejjibt ħafna l-ħiliet tal-kitba tiegħi bl-Ingliż. Dejjem kont inħobb nikteb u ħlomt li nikteb għal gazzetta u The Fawkner Times kienet opportunità mill-isbaħ għalija! Ksibt ukoll sens qawwi ta’ komunità permezz tan-newsletter elettronika, ikkonnettjajt mal-ġirien tiegħi li qraw l-artikli tiegħi u issa jien ħafna aktar involut fil-komunità tiegħi” – resident ta’ Fawkner
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, id-Direttur tal-Bord tas-Saħħa tal-Komunità ta’ Banyule, jirtira wara 32 sena ta’ servizz fil-komunità
Peter u Wendy Ogden marru joqogħdu fil-komunità ta' West Heidelberg fil-bidu tas-snin sebgħin biex irabbu l-familja tagħhom. Kemm Wendy kif ukoll Peter saru membri ewlenin tal-komunità fil-bini ta' komunità lokali li dak iż-żmien kienet nieqsa minn servizzi.
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 waqqaf negozju żgħir lokalment u sar ukoll kontributur għall-komunità lokali tiegħu fi kwalunkwe forma li kienet meħtieġa. Fl-1990, Peter sar Direttur tal-Bord taċ-Ċentru tas-Saħħa Komunitarja ta' West Heidelberg, li aktar tard sar Banyule Community Health. Peter u l-kollegi tiegħu għenu biex jiggwidaw lil Banyule Community Health permezz tal-bidla u l-opportunità, dejjem jiżguraw li l-valuri tal-komunità lokali jkunu msejsa sew fl-organizzazzjoni. Peter kien avukat passjonat għall-komunità u kellu servizzi reattivi fis-seħħ li jissodisfaw il-bżonnijiet lokali. It-tenaċità ta' Peter għall-ġustizzja, flimkien mal-għaqal kummerċjali u strateġiku tiegħu, żguraw li l-Bord kien dejjem immexxi tajjeb. Wara aktar minn 32 sena bħala Direttur tal-Bord, Peter irtira. Il-kontribut tiegħu bħala voluntier u Direttur huwa inegalabbli.
“Peter ġab sens qawwi ta’ ġustizzja u inklużjoni fil-Bord. Il-mantra tiegħu dejjem kienet il-komunità l-ewwel. Aħna grati għall-kontribut tiegħu u l-impenn tiegħu lejn il-komunità lokali tagħna.” Mick Geary, CEO ta’ Banyule Community Health.
B’unur għall-kontribut inkredibbli ta’ Peter u Wendy Ogden lil Banyule Community Health u l-komunità ta’ West Heidelberg, Banyule Community Health se tagħti borża ta’ studju annwali f’isimhom lill-Iskola Primarja tal-Villaġġ Olimpiku biex tappoġġja student lokali. Wara għexieren ta’ snin ta’ servizz lill-komunità tagħna, Peter se jieħu gost jagħmel il-crossword u jsofri frustrazzjoni bla tmiem jara l-Bombers.
Grazzi Pietru.
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.
"Huwa sabiħ li tgħin lin-nies li jeħtieġu appoġġ f'dan il-mument ta' ħajjithom."
3081 Angels – l-armata tal-għaġeb tagħna ta’ voluntiera lokali
3081 Angels hija mmexxija minn volontarjat, sħubija bejn Holstep Health (li qabel kienet Banyule Community Health) u l-Knisja Battista ta’ Rosanna, li tiġbor oġġetti tat-trabi u tat-tfal ta’ kwalità u użati biex tagħtihom lill-familji fil-bżonn f’West Heidelberg u s-subborgi tal-madwar. L-oġġetti jingħataw minn familji oħra fiż-żona lokali u jintużaw għal skopijiet oħra. Is-CEO ta’ Banyule Community Health, Mick Geary, jiddeskrivi l-voluntiera ta’ 3081 Angels bħala “eroj tal-komunità”. “Ix-xogħol tagħhom ħafna drabi ma jidhirx u ma jiġix imfaħħar. Huwa t-tip ta’ volontarjat li jagħti s-setgħa lill-familji biex ikollhom bidu ġust. Huma l-eroj tal-komunità tagħna.”
Il-benefiċċji b'żewġ direzzjonijiet tal-volontarjat huma tassew viżibbli mat-3081 Angels. Helen, voluntiera li ilha taħdem għal żmien twil, tgħid "Niġi kull nhar ta' Ġimgħa u nieħu gost bis-sħubija u l-ħbiberija tat-tim li ħloqna. Huwa sabiħ li tgħin lin-nies li jeħtieġu appoġġ f'dan iż-żmien ta' ħajjithom. Il-volontarjat huwa mod tajjeb ħafna biex ittejjeb ħajtek stess, jagħtik direzzjoni lilek innifsek. Ma tagħmlux għal valur monetarju, tagħmlu għax tħobb lin-nies, tħobb l-ispirtu tal-komunità u tiġi ppremjat fl-aħħar tal-ġurnata."
Il-mudell 3081 Angels sab ukoll rwoli għal nies b'firxa ta' ħiliet. John huwa l-persuna lokali li tgħallem kollox, iżda l-impatt tiegħu huwa immens. "Dejjem ħadt gost nirranġa l-affarijiet u dan jagħtini opportunità biex nagħmel dan u biex inkun naf li l-affarijiet li jidħlu jintbagħtu msewwija bl-istandard it-tajjeb. Inħobb nitħallat man-nies, huwa grupp sabiħ ta' voluntiera u għamilt xi ħbieb tajbin ħafna hawn u huwa tant sodisfaċenti li nkun naf li n-nies jibbenefikaw mill-ħin li nqattgħu naħdmu f'isimhom."
Lyn tara l-impatt tal-volontarjat tagħha li jbiddel il-komunità u jbiddel il-ħajjiet. “Nagħmel volontarjat għax inħobbu. Nieħu gost ngħin lin-nies. Huwa divertenti, hemm ħafna daħk, ċajt, għandna ħbiberija kbira u (dak li qed nagħmlu) jiswa. Nixtieq biss li nista’ nagħmel aktar imma m’hemmx biżżejjed ġranet fil-ġimgħa”
Skopri aktar dwar it- 3081 Angels jew biex tivvolontarja mat-3081 Angels.