A
place in the heart
Tea for two or twenty
Choir
on song for Housing Week|
May 2000 - Department of Human Services, Victoria, Australia |
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News General Rosemary faces a new challenge Rosemary Calder’s 10 years with the Department of Human Services have been the most rewarding of her professional life. Boronia Library will be one of more than 4,000 organisations to host Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea events in Victoria on May 25. The complex needs of people with an intellectual disability who are growing older brought together three Department of Human Services program branches for an innovative forum. The Manningham Men’s Shed project is appealing for voluntary leaders to share their skills. Hampton Community Centre and Parentzone have developed an innovative short course for young babysitters. Health professionals, administrators and practitioners who need to understand health economics are the target of three Monash University courses. Acute Health Department gets $576 million Budget boost The Department of Human Services was a clear winner in the 2000–2001 State Budget with an 8.6 per cent increase of $576 million to $7,253 million. Aboriginal families share their hospital experiences A new book celebrates partnerships between the Aboriginal community, the Royal Children’s Hospital and VicHealth. A groundbreaking study of African motherhood in Melbourne lifts a veil of cultural silence on broken families, sole parents and the shattering loss of social and professional status, says Bronwyn Pike, Minister assisting the Health Minister John Thwaites. There will be more ambulances and paramedics on the road after the Bracks Government announced a $19.9 million boost for ambulance services in 2000–01. Aged Care Better services for older Victorians A $17.4 million funding boost in the 2000–01 Budget will expand and improve services for older Victorians. More funding for palliative care service Ensuring that Victorians with a terminal illness and their families are given every possible assistance is a commitment of the Bracks Labor Government, says Aged Care Minister Bronwyn Pike. Community Care A sense of humour is a must for a foster carer, says Sue Gibson. Children, young people and families would benefit from a $35.2 million boost in the community care package in the Bracks Government’s first Budget, says Community Services Minister Christine Campbell. The Department of Human Services’ Legal Services Branch is conducting a series of Duty of Care seminars. DisAbility Services Club culture thrives in a friendly environment An enthusiastic crowd greeted the first show for 2000 at Club Wild–the friendly and accessible club where musicians and performers with a disability meet, perform and jam. Disability funding sets new agenda A $38.4 million increase to new and existing programs in 2000–01 will provide new opportunities for people with disabilities. |
Housing $94.5 million extra for public housing The availability of public housing for low income Victorians will improve with funding increased by $94.5 million over the next three years. A regal reprieve for rooming house Prominent St Kilda landmark, the Regal Hotel in Fitzroy Street, has been transformed in a $2.9 million joint venture between the State Government and the City of Port Phillip. Public housing tenant Irene Hanel believes a sip of warm beer each night as a young girl might have been the key to her long and eventful 100 years. Choir on song for Housing Week Performances by the Operation STITCHES Inner City Choir were highlights of two Housing Week events. Marathon mum and friend of those in need share honour A Ballarat foster mother to 48 children and a North Melbourne helper of sick and marginalised people have shared this year’s prestigious Frances Penington Award for an outstanding contribution by a public or community-managed housing tenant to the community. Mental Health Refresher for psychiatric nurses Healesville mother of two Erin Stevenson is among many nurses to benefit from Victoria’s first refresher/supervised practice course to attract psychiatric nurses back to the profession. Radio program has mental health in mind A new program on community radio in the western suburbs explores mental health issues from both a carer and consumer perspective. Regional areas offer help for the bereaved The Centre of Grief Education second semester training program will include seminars and workshops for professionals and the general public in Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo, Wangaratta and Traralgon. Public Health Centre builds on world-class research Premier Steve Bracks joined Dame Elisabeth Murdoch and Health Minister John Thwaites to officially open The Murdoch Children’s Research Institute at the Royal Children’s Hospital. Widespread acclaim for Dr Graham Rouch Rare bipartisan acclaim for one of Victoria’s most publicly credible and recognisable public servants, Chief Health Officer Dr Graham Rouch, has come at a special function to recognise his contribution to public health. Dr Graham Rouch’s 37-year career in public health is a path unlikely to be walked again. People with a mental illness who wish to cut down or give up smoking now have their own quit kit. Victoria’s ability to control mosquito-borne illnesses where they are most prevalent has been boosted by an increase in funding for new equipment and programs, says Health Minister John Thwaites. People with diabetes should have their eyes examined for diabetic retinopathy at least once every two years to monitor their potential for vision loss and blindness, says Health Minister John Thwaites. Community Health Planning for pregnancy and family African women in Melbourne’s western suburbs will benefit from two new programs—the Pregnancy Care Program and the Family Planning Project—developed at Women’s Health West. Heart disease nipped in the bud A six-week healthy living program for women with disabilities in the western suburbs will address ageing and heart disease prevention. Child Protection Extra funds for child protection Child protection and care has been allocated an extra $13.1 million in 2000–01 Budget. Collaborative approach to child protection Six-month-old John was born with a heroin addiction and abandoned in hospital by his mother Rachel, 22, who discharged herself to go home to his violent father. Primary Health New community health system for all Victorians Funding of $45 million over four years will radically overhaul the way health services are delivered to the community.
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