The CoRE initiative continues to grow from strength to strength now with 84 organisations, clubs and networks registered as members.

A key aspect of ensuring the value of the initiative and monitoring its progress and impact is the annual evaluation. In July we will be sending CoRE members (who have been members for more than 3 months) a link to the Annual CoRE Member Impact Reports. These reports are really important to capture what organisations are doing and also to hear how we can support you better. The report will come in a survey format and take about 20 minutes to complete. Please let us know if you would like help preparing for, or completing this report.

A Community of Practice for CoRE members' communications staff was held in Beaufort in May to talk about how to embed CoRE messages into communications strategies, particularly media releases. Members talked about how they could promote CoRE and include prevention of violence against women and gender equality messages in various existing channels including websites and using social media to share local stories. The Community of Practice will meet again in September and any staff in CoRE member organisations connected with communications are welcome to attend. 

CoRE Member Local Stories: A chance to read how other CoRE members are taking action. A member since 2016 Grampians Pyrenees Primary Care Partnership is taking big strides towards raising the profile of gender equality. Stepping up as a leader for change they aim to connect and bolster efforts to prevent family violence across regions and sectors. This new case study reflects on their achievements, what has enabled their progress and how they have overcome  challenges in building communities of respect and equality. Thank you Emily Anderson, Executive Officer from GPPCP for the development of this local story.

As our exciting work with the sport sector continues we are pleased to report CoRE membership from sporting clubs has increased from 3 to 9, and welcome our newest members, Buninyong Soccer Club, Ballarat Roller Derby and Ballarat City Football Club. It is inspiring to see the ideas and actions clubs are developing to promote gender equality, as well as their commitment to creating a positive culture around women.

New Resource Taking Action for Sporting Clubs: To further support our new members in the sporting sector WHG have recently developed  a resource which highlights ideas for clubs to promote a culture of respect, equality and safety.

Central Highlands CoRE Community of Practice sessions have kicked off for 2018. Taking a different approach this year we will host a community of practice in each of our sub-regions (Central Highlands, Grampians Pyrenees and Wimmera). For the first session we explored our Gender Audit Tool which helps identify where gender issues may occur within an organisation.

Attendees included VicRoads, Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources, Djerriwarrh Health Services, Moorabool Shire Council, Buninyong Cricket Club, Ballarat Community Health, Ballarat Clinical School (Deakin University) and Ballarat City Council. We appreciate all the stories and experiences shared from organisations that are very active promoting gender equality. In particular Jenny Fink from City of Ballarat provided a snapshot of their approach to gender equality. As the largest council in the Grampians region their work represents a great opportunity to change the status quo for women.

Headspace Arms & Armour Program: WHG is pleased to be partnering with Headspace for this program beginning in June. Aiming to engage young men (18-25 years) in conversation about what it means to be a man in today’s world and the health issues that affect men. As one of a range of health issues that will be covered in the program, WHG is looking forward to speaking about gender inequality and violence against women. Registrations are now open, click here for more information.

For more information or support in this region, please contact Dee Micevski at dee@whg.org.au or 5322 4100.

A Grampians Pyrenees CoRE Community of Practice was held in Ararat in March, with CoRE members from the region coming together to share ideas and action. Thank you to Northern Grampians Shire and the Grampians Pyrenees PCP for sharing their CoRE journey. The CoP also included information about the new Gender Audit Tool and the Gender Inequality Report.

Save the Date: the next Grampians Pyrenees Community of Practice will be held in July 2018

Grampians Pyrenees Leading Change Dinner 13 June Thank you to all those who registered, this event has officially Sold Out! It is still possible to register on our wait list, to be contacted should any tickets become available or advise you of future Leading Change Events.

For more information or support in this region, please contact Kate Diamond-Keith at kate@whg.org.au or 5322 4100.

Welcome new CoRE member Wimmera West Grampians Neighbourhood House Network. Joining existing members in this sector, Warracknabeal Neighbourhood House and Learning Centre and Rainbow Neighbourhood House, as important organisations in getting CoRE messages out to communities through the Wimmera.
 
We also welcome Wimmera Catchment Management Authority as a new CoRE member.

Last month Horsham Rural City Council adopted an updated leadership statement on violence against women and children. It confirms Council’s commitment to creating a safe, equal and respectful community that supports the prevention of (or is free from) violence against women and children; and recognises that Horsham Rural City Council has a leadership role in the community and can influence cultural and social norms through interaction with individuals, families, organisations and community to eliminate attitudes that support violence. The Leadership Statement also indicates that Council is committed to addressing the drivers of gender inequality through the full range of our functions and responsibilities. 

The first Wimmera CoRE Community of Practice was held in April focusing on the Gender Equality Report and application of the Gender Audit Tool. The intent is for CoRE members to come together and discuss prevention of violence against women and gender equality issues. We hope hosting them locally will make them more accessible and reduce travel for organisations in this region. 

SAVE THE DATE: Wimmera CoRE Community of Practice will be held in Horsham 10:00am–12:00pm Wednesday 26 July

WATCH THIS SPACE: Unconscious Bias training to be held in Horsham in August
 
For more information or support in this region, please contact Melissa Morris melissa@whg.org.au or 5382 5607.

At a statewide level, Women’s Health Victoria recently opened Victoria’s first women’s sexual and reproductive health phone line 1800 My Options. A free and confidential service providing information and direction to clinical services such as contraception, pharmacy, counselling, abortion providers and a range of other services. We encourage sexual health service providers in the region to register their details with the 1800 MyOptions team.