作者： Kath SpencerKath 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.
義工-2-律師成功案例
West Heidelberg Community Legal 的義工-2-律師成功故事 - 恭喜 Ankita！
請與我們一起祝賀昨天取得律師執業資格的 Ankita Krishna！經過多年的努力，這是一個重要的時刻。
Ankita 於 2019 年 12 月開始在 Banyule Community HealthWest Heidelberg Community Legal Service 擔任義工，擔任法律文員，負責分流和受理法律諮詢，當時她還在上大學。
2020 年末，Ankita 對家庭法產生了濃厚的興趣，因此她在完成最後一年學業的同時，擔任了 WHCL 家庭法/家庭暴力團隊法律助理的義工工作。Ankita 於 2021 年 12 月從 La Trobe 大學法律系畢業，並於 2022 年初成功在我們的 WHCL 一般法律團隊中擔任法律助理，同時完成她的實務法律訓練 (PLT)。
在昨天獲得執業證書後，我們很榮幸地宣布 Ankita 即將加入 WHCL 團隊，成為一名畢業律師。
恭喜 Ankita。我們很高興您能以學生義工和 PLT 的身份協助社區，也很高興您能以畢業律師的身份加入我們的團隊。
你好，Fawkner！建立社會凝聚力、連結和對多樣性的尊重
隨著 Fawkner 人口的變化，社會、經濟和環境也面臨挑戰。研究發現，有些社區成員感到處於不利地位、被孤立和受到歧視。
為了因應這些挑戰，Hello Fawkner！(HF) 的成立是為了建立社區領導力和當地居民的能力，以開發、執行和分享能強化社區的計畫。
該專案概述了四項主要計畫，包括領導力計畫、社區主導慶祝活動補助金，以及線上和印刷社區新聞。
在此查看該專案的主要發現。
該計劃的研究評估發現：
- 參加「偉大構想計畫」後，86% 的參加者認為他們已具備在社區中執行專案所需的技能。
- 75% 的和諧日派對活動參加者表示他們認識了新的文化和傳統
- 超過 80% 的讀者表示電子報和/或報紙增加了他們與 Fawkner 社區的聯繫感
- 超過 80% 的讀者表示電子報和/或報紙增加了他們對 Fawkner 居民多元文化的認識/瞭解
2018 年至 2022 年間，在所有四個計劃（以及相關的社區參與活動）中，HF 在 Fawkner 社區的影響範圍如下：
- 482 位參加者
- 直接接觸 16,550 人
- 間接接觸 14,815 人
- 支持 160 項由社區主導的活動
- 超過 90,000 美元直接提供給社區
"我了解到，擁有來自不同國家、不同文化的朋友，能讓你有機會在生活中學習新事物」 - Fawkner 居民
"身為澳洲移民，我獲得了自信，英文寫作能力也提升了許多。我一直喜歡寫作，夢想著能為報紙寫作，《Fawkner Times》對我來說是一個很好的機會！ 透過電子報，我也獲得了強烈的社區感，我與閱讀我文章的鄰居建立了聯繫，我現在更多地參與社區活動" - Fawkner 居民
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
Banyule 社區健康委員會主任 Peter Ogden 在服務社區 32 年後退休
Peter 和 Wendy Ogden 於 1970 年代早期在 West Heidelberg 社區定居養家。Wendy 和 Peter 成為社區的重要成員，為當時缺乏服務的當地社區進行建設。
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 在當地開設了一家小公司，同時也以各種形式為當地社區做出貢獻。1990 年，Peter 成為 West Heidelberg Community Health Centre 的董事會董事，該中心後來更名為 Banyule Community Health。Peter 和他的同事們協助引導 Banyule Community Health 經歷改變和機會，始終確保當地社區的價值觀在組織中根深蒂固。Peter 熱衷於提倡社區和提供符合當地需求的服務。Peter 對公平的堅持，加上他對商業和策略的敏銳觸覺，確保董事會始終管理有方。擔任董事會董事超過 32 年後，Peter 退休了。作為一名志工和董事，他的貢獻是無與倫比的。
"Peter為董事會帶來了敏銳的公平和包容意識。他的口號始終是社區第一。我們感謝他對當地社區的貢獻和承諾"。Banyule Community Health 執行長 Mick Geary。
為了紀念 Peter 和 Wendy Ogden 對 Banyule Community Health 和 West Heidelberg 社區的貢獻，Banyule Community Health 將以他們的名義每年頒發獎學金給奧運村小學，以資助一名當地學生。在為我們的社區服務數十年之後，Peter 將會享受做填字遊戲的樂趣，並在觀看 Bombers 隊的比賽時承受無盡的挫折。
謝謝 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.
「在人們生命中的這個時刻，能夠幫助他們需要支持的人是一件很棒的事」。
3081 天使 - 我們了不起的當地義工大軍
3081 Angels是Holstep Health （前身為 Banyule Community Health）與 Rosanna Baptist Church 攜手合作的志願組織，負責收集優質的二手嬰兒和兒童用品，捐贈給 West Heidelberg 和周圍郊區有需要的家庭。物品由當地其他家庭捐贈，並重新利用。Banyule Community Health 執行長 Mick Geary 將3081 Angels義工形容為「社區英雄」。"他們的工作往往不為人見，也不為人稱道。這種義工服務能夠讓家庭有一個公平的開始。他們是我們的社區英雄。
義工的雙向好處在 3081 Angels 中顯而易見。長期義工 Helen 說：「我每星期五都會來，我很享受我們所建立的團隊的友誼。在人們生命中的這個時刻，能夠幫助他們是一件很棒的事。做義工是一個很好的方式來提升自己的生活，它給了您自己方向。做義工不是為了金錢價值，而是因為您愛人、喜歡社區精神，而且在一天結束時，您自己也會得到回報。
3081 Angels模式也為擁有各種技能的人找到了角色。John 是當地的萬事通，但他的影響力是巨大的。"我一直都很喜歡修理東西，這讓我有機會做這件事，也讓我知道送出去的東西都修理得很好。我喜歡和人們打交道，這是一群可愛的志工，我在這裡交到了一些非常要好的朋友，知道人們因為我們花時間為他們工作而受益，我感到非常欣慰。
Lyn 看到她的義工服務改變了社區，改變了人們的生活。「我做義 工是因為我喜歡。我喜歡幫助別人。這很有樂趣，有很多笑聲和笑話，我們有很好的友誼，而且（我們所做的）是值得的。我只希望我可以做更多的事情，但是一週的時間不夠用"。
瞭解有關3081 天使的更多資訊，或 加入 3081 天使成為義工。