作者：凯斯-斯宾塞凯丝-斯宾塞
“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.
律师志愿者的成功故事
西海德堡社区法律中心的 "志愿者-2-律师 "成功案例--祝贺 Ankita！
昨天，Ankita Krishna 获得了律师执业资格，请和我们一起向她表示祝贺！经过多年的努力，这是一个重要的时刻。
Ankita 于 2019 年 12 月开始在 Banyule 社区卫生西海德堡社区法律 服务处担任法律助理，负责分流和受理法律咨询，当时她还在上大学。
2020 年末，安基塔凭借其对家庭法的天赋和兴趣，在完成最后一年学业的同时，成为了一名新的志愿者，担任我们 WHCL 家庭法/家庭暴力团队的法律助理。2021 年 12 月，安基塔从拉筹伯大学法律系毕业。2022 年初，安基塔在完成法律实践培训 (PLT) 的同时，成功在我们的 WHCL 综合团队中担任律师助理。
在昨天获得执业证书后，我们很荣幸地宣布，Ankita 即将加入 WHCL 团队，成为一名毕业律师。
恭喜你，安基塔。我们很高兴你作为学生志愿者和 PLT 为社区提供帮助，现在你又成为了我们团队的研究生律师，我们对此感到非常高兴。
你好，福克纳！建立社会凝聚力、联系和对多样性的尊重
随着福克纳人口的变化，社会、经济和环境挑战也随之而来。研究发现，一些社区成员感到自己处于不利地位、与世隔绝并受到歧视。
为了应对这些挑战，Hello Fawkner！(HF) 的成立，旨在培养社区领导力和当地居民的能力，以制定、实施和分享加强社区的举措。
该项目概述了四项关键举措，包括领导力计划、社区主导的庆祝活动补助金以及在线和印刷社区新闻。
点击此处查看该项目的主要发现。
对该计划的研究评估发现
- 参与 "伟大创意计划 "后，86% 的参与者认为自己掌握了在社区开展项目所需的技能
- 75% 的 "和谐派对日 "活动参与者表示他们了解了新的文化和传统
- 超过 80% 的读者表示，电子通讯和/或报纸增强了他们与福克纳社区的联系感
- 超过 80% 的读者表示，电子通讯和/或报纸增加了他们对生活在福克纳的人们的不同文化的了解/理解
2018 年至 2022 年期间，在所有四个项目（以及相关的社区参与活动）中，HF 在福克纳社区的影响范围如下：
- 482 名参与者
- 直接覆盖 16 550 人
- 间接影响 14 815 人
- 支持 160 项社区主导的活动
- 向社区直接提供了 90,000 多美元
"我了解到，有一位来自不同国家、不同文化背景的朋友，可以让你在生活中学到新东西"--福克纳居民
"作为一名移民，我在澳大利亚获得了自信，英语写作水平也有了很大提高。我一直喜欢写作，梦想着能为报纸撰稿，《福克纳时报》对我来说是一个绝佳的机会！ 通过电子通讯，我还获得了强烈的社区意识，我与阅读我文章的邻居建立了联系，现在我更多地参与到社区活动中来"--福克纳居民
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
巴纽莱社区卫生委员会主任彼得-奥格登（Peter Ogden）在为社区服务 32 年后退休
彼得-奥格登和温迪-奥格登于 20 世纪 70 年代初在西海德堡社区安家落户。温迪和彼得成为当地社区建设的重要成员，而当时的社区还缺乏相关服务。
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.
彼得在当地创办了一家小企业，并以各种形式为当地社区做出贡献。1990 年，彼得成为西海德堡社区健康中心（West Heidelberg Community Health Centre）的董事会董事，该中心后来更名为班尤勒社区健康中心（Banyule Community Health）。彼得和他的同事们帮助 Banyule Community Health 度过了变革和机遇期，始终确保当地社区的价值观在组织中根深蒂固。彼得热衷于倡导社区和提供满足当地需求的服务。彼得对公平的坚守，加上他对商业和战略的敏锐洞察力，确保了董事会始终得到良好的管理。在担任董事会董事 32 年多之后，彼得退休了。作为一名志愿者和董事，他的贡献无与伦比。
"彼得为董事会带来了敏锐的公平和包容意识。他的口号始终是社区第一。我们感谢他对当地社区的贡献和承诺"。米克-吉尔里（Mick Geary），巴纽莱社区医疗中心首席执行官。
为了纪念彼得-奥格登（Peter Ogden）和温迪-奥格登（Wendy Ogden）夫妇对班尤勒社区医疗中心（Banyule Community Health）和西海德堡（West Heidelberg）社区做出的巨大贡献，班尤勒社区医疗中心（Banyule Community Health）将每年以他们的名义向奥林匹克村小学颁发奖学金，资助一名当地学生。在为我们的社区服务了几十年之后，彼得将享受做填字游戏的乐趣，并为观看 "轰炸机 "队的比赛而感到无尽的沮丧。
谢谢你，彼得。
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.
"能帮助那些在生命中需要支持的人，真是太好了"。
3081 天使--我们了不起的本地志愿者大军
3081 Angels是Holstep Health （前身为 Banyule Community Health）与 Rosanna Baptist Church 合作开展的一项志愿者活动，旨在收集优质的旧婴儿和儿童用品，赠送给西海德堡及周边郊区的贫困家庭。这些物品由当地其他家庭捐赠并重新利用。Banyule Community Health 首席执行官米克-吉尔里（Mick Geary）将3081 天使志愿者称为 "社区英雄"。"他们的工作往往不为人所知。这种志愿服务让家庭有了公平的起点。他们是我们的社区英雄。
志愿服务的双向益处在 3081 天使团队中体现得淋漓尽致。长期志愿者海伦（Helen）说："我每周五都会来，我很享受我们创建的团队的友谊。能帮助那些在生命中需要帮助的人，我感到非常高兴。做志愿者是提升自己生活品质的好方法，它为你自己指明了方向。你做志愿者不是为了金钱，而是因为你热爱人民，你喜欢社区精神，最后你自己也会得到回报"。
3081 天使"模式也为拥有各种技能的人找到了工作。约翰是当地的 "万事通"，但他的影响是巨大的。"我一直喜欢修理东西，这给了我一个机会去做这件事，并知道送来的东西都是按照正确的标准修好的。我喜欢和人们打交道，这里有一群可爱的志愿者，我在这里结识了一些非常要好的朋友，知道人们从我们花在他们身上的时间中受益，我感到非常欣慰"。
林看到了她的志愿服务对改变社区和生活的影响。"我做志愿者 是因为我喜欢。我喜欢帮助别人。这很有趣，有很多笑声和笑话，我们有很好的友谊，（我们所做的）是值得的。我只希望我能做得更多，但一周的时间不够用"。
了解有关3081 天使的更多信息，或成为 3081 天使的志愿者。