Welcome to our first newsletter for 2016, I hope you feel refreshed and renewed after the holidays. We are, which is good because we have so much on the horizon for WHG over the coming months! Ever mindful of the need to seize opportunities and leverage where possible, we want to make the most of the fact that prevention of violence against women and gender equality remain high on state and federal political agendas. Thanks to the fantastic efforts of Rosie Batty, Liz Broderick and many others we have strong momentum around these issues and are heartened by the appointment of the new Australian of the Year David Morrison and his commitment to continue work in this area. We congratulate David and wish him well for the year ahead.
 
Late 2015 saw us complete the final reporting and evaluation requirements for the Department of Justice and Regulation funded Act@Work Program run by WHG over the past three years. These reports will shortly be available in full on our website and we are also working on a short version that outlines the impacts, success factors and learnings from this great pilot program. The good news is that we are continuing to deliver Act@Work under a range of funding arrangements, including fee for service, and we are keen to discuss with any workplaces out there who may be interested in learning more about how it is operates in both raising awareness and driving change within your organisation – call us!
 
WHG has just embarked on a significant initiative in the form of the Regional Strategic Plan for Prevention of Violence against Women in the Grampians. We have engaged consultancy firm Foresight Lane to assist with this process and will shortly convene a Reference Group of senior members of local government, health and community organisations across the region to drive the plan’s development.. We see the plan as an opportunity to make a lasting impact on preventing violence against women through an integrated action focussed approach across whole of government and community networks. There will be a number of opportunities for broader input both to the strategic plan and the Action Plan that will follow, so watch this space.
 
You will find details in this newsletter of our first PVAW Community of Practice for the year and are very excited that we have managed to get Chief Statistician from the Crime Statistics Agency Fiona Dowsley to present. Fiona, a criminologist, hails from Ballarat and is a highly engaging speaker so this should be a fascinating session for those invested in family violence prevention work across the region.
 
As I write we are putting final touches to our first draft of a submission to the Victorian Governments Gender Equality Strategy which is being undertaken in conjunction with the Central Highlands Family Violence Committee and other regional partners. If you would like to have a chat about making a submission either as an individual, community group or organisation, or would like to join in our submission,  please do get in touch with our office.
 
The focussing of effort initiative with Family Planning Victoria is about to roll out across the region and you will find details of workshops and scholarships in the newsletter. We encourage those working in sexual and reproductive health to make the most of these opportunities and to spread the word.

WHG Board update: at our AGM in November 2015, we farewelled Michelle Dunn who has been a highly valued Board member since 2012. Simone Noelker, a member since 2013, moved on from the Board in June last year and she was also thanked for her great contribution over that time. Two new  members were elected to our Board: Debra Gillick from Gordon who brings skills in health, mediation and management and Katherine Cape from Ballarat who has a background in maternal and child health, education and partnership development. We welcome Katherine and Debra and look forward to their participation.

The 105^th International Women’s Day is almost upon us, you can read about several events taking place across the region in this newsletter – there may be more that we haven’t covered so please let us know and we will put details on our website – and Happy IWD to all!

A Community of Practice is an effective way for people to share experiences, identify common challenges, solve problems and learn – thereby maximising opportunities to improve evidence-based practice in real time.
The Grampians Community of Practice for the Prevention of Violence Against Women (GCOP-PVAW) is a new initiative of Women’s Health Grampians designed to support people working in the prevention of violence against women space or hold an interest in implementing best practice prevention projects.
The GCOP-PVAW aims to:

• Assist people to access resources to improve their practice
• Translate research into relevant and accessible knowledge
• Facilitate the exchange of skills and knowledge
• Provide opportunities for people to support each other develop working relationships and share problem-solving strategies with one another.

GCoP involves the attendance of diverse representatives from the community sector; health services; local and state government; and the private sector.

You can find information, video and audio from the first GCoP-PVAW session here 

GCoP-PVAW Session 2: Preventing Violence against Women Before it Occurs: Why Data Matters?
The second session of GCoP-PVAW will explore the role of data as an advocacy tool for preventing violence against women and achieving gender equality including:

• The importance of data as an advocacy tool for PVAW.
• Understanding gender based data.
• Sharing tools and resources.
• Networking.

We welcome Fiona Dowsley (Crime Statistics Agency) and Hayden Brown (City of Greater Dandenong) as our keynote speakers.  Both have extensive experience and high-level expertise in using data to promote the primary prevention of violence against women and gender equality. 

DATE:  Thursday 3^rd March, 2016
TIME:  10.30 - 3.00pm
LOCATION:  Alexandra Oval Community and Recreation Centre, Waratah Avenue, Ararat.
TOPIC: Preventing violence against women before it occurs: Why data matters.
Free forum
RSVP: By Friday 26^th February, 2016
Click here to register using Eventbrite
 

People who have an interest in PVAW or those who manage PVAW projects are encouraged to attend.
For further informaiton please contact Dee Micevski  or the WHG Office 

 

International Women’s Day (IWD), March 8, is a global celebration of women’s social, economic and political achievements. It’s also a day of action to commit to advancing women’s rights and gender parity. IWD was officially marked for the first time in 1911 throughout Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland. On this day, more than one million women and men attended demonstrations and campaigned for women’s rights to work, vote and hold public office. 2016 marks the 105^th anniversary of IWD!
 
The first Australian IWD rally took place in the Sydney Domain on March 25, 1928 and called for equal pay for equal work; an 8 hour day for shop girls; no piece work; the basic wage for the unemployed and annual holidays on full pay.
 
In 1975, the United Nations recognised International Women’s Day, designated for March 8 annually. As a result, IWD is now an official public holiday in many countries throughout the world and is celebrated in different ways. No one organisation is solely responsible for IWD, hence different groups, organisations and localities often adopt themes that are relevant to them.
 
The world has witnessed a significant change and attitudinal shift in both women's and society's thoughts about women's equality and emancipation since 1911. With more women in the boardroom, greater equality in legislative rights, and an increased critical mass of women's visibility as impressive role models in every aspect of life, one could think that women have gained equality. However, the fact is that women are still not paid equally to that of their male counterparts, women still are not present in equal numbers in business or politics, and globally women's education, health and the violence against them is much worse than that of men – however we know these facts can be changed by addressing gender inequality.
 
This year, women across the Grampians region can celebrate IWD in the knowledge that gender inequality is higher on the political agenda in Australia than ever before, thanks to the hard work of those on the ground and those women in leadership roles who have advocated strongly. As advocates for prevention of violence we particularly acknowledge Rosie Batty and Liz Broderick as well as the many brave women in our region who have survived violent relationships and share their wisdom and experiences so we can learn from them and seek to change.
 
IWD is an occasion to review how far women have come in their struggle for equality, peace and development. It is also an opportunity to unite, network and mobilise for meaningful change.

Below are a number of events in the Grampians region, please contact us  if you would like an event added to our website.

When:Tuesday March 8, 2016  12 noon - 1.15pm

Where: Horsham Town Hall (fully accessible venue) 78 Wilson St, Horsham (accessible drop off zone) 

Tickets: $5 each

 

Join us for to celebrate International Women’s Day by attending the screening of “The Lady in the Van”This 2015 British comedy drama starring Maggie Smith that tells the true story of Mary Shepherd, an elderly woman who lived in a dilapidated van in a driveway in London for 15 years.

When:Tuesday March 8, 2016 at 7:00pm

Where: Regent Cinemas, Ballarat

Tickets: $15 each

Available from: WRISC, 125 Eureka St OR  Women’s Health Grampians, 2 Drummond St Sth.  
Payment by cash only please
 

 

Celebrate International Women's Day at Backspace Gallery
Meet Dorothy Nicol - whose collection of vintage fashion inspired this exhibition
Participate in a discussion led by Dr. Juliette Peers - exploring women's social history and feminist art
Create a collaborative dress sculpture

DATE: Tuesday 8th March 2016
TIME:  2pm - 6pm
LOCATION:  Backspace Gallery - Huyghue House 15 Camp street, Alfred Deakin Place, Ballarat
TOPIC: Please RSVP to laurenedietrich@gmail.com

 

Two Victorian coroners will celebrate International Women’s Day in Ballarat.

State Coroner for Victoria Sara Hinchey and Victorian Coroner Jacqui Hawkins will share their experiences at the Loreto College Ballarat’s International Women’s Day breakfast in March.

They will offer advice and answer questions to help empower others and celebrate achievements women have made within the community.

Ms Hinchey and Ms Hawkins are former Ballarat women who attended Loreto College.

Ms Hinchey, a former barrister of almost 20 years, was appointed as a County Court Judge in May 2015.  In December 2015, she was appointed as the State Coroner for Victoria.

Ms Hawkins was appointed as a Victorian Coroner in January 2014.

Loreto College principal Judith Potter said it was unique and impressive that two past students of the college were working as coroners.

“We are absolutely thrilled to welcome both Sara and Jacqui to the International Women’s Day breakfast. Both women are not only successful within their careers but within so many aspects of life our past pupils and current pupils attending the event will be privileged to hear them speak,” Ms Potter said.

“Sara and Jacqui’s visit will be an exciting event for all of those attending the event, particularly the students who will undoubtedly relate and engage with them and their experiences as Loreto girls.”

Ms Hinchey and Ms Hawkins will speak at Loreto College Ballarat’s IWD breakfast on Tuesday, 8th March at the Ballarat Golf Club. 

Published in The Courier 

The Victorian Gender Equality Strategy will consider the barriers faced by Victorian women throughout their lives, to guide actions and priorities to promote women’s leadership, economic security, safety, health and wellbeing, and civic participation across all areas of society.  

A Victorian Gender Equality Strategy Paper has been developed to guide a conversation on the key challenges and opportunities that gender equality presents. For more details click Here
Submissions close on Friday 18 March
Contact WHG if you would like to discuss a submission or join with ours!

In 2016 Family Planning Victoria is pleased to be offering a single round of education opportunities for health professionals working within Local Government Areas where the populations are most at need of reproductive and sexual health care. In the Grampians region we will be offering education sessions and clinical training and scholarships.
FPV and Western Victoria Primary Health Network are seeking applications for the following scholarships

• Certificate in Sexual and Reproductive Health (Nursing) (April 18-22 2016)
• Cervical Screening (Pap Test) and Introduction to Sexual Health (Nursing) course (either 29 Feb-3 March 2016 or 6-9 June 2016, with subsequent clinical placements in the following 6 months)
• HIV and hepatitis C test adviser course (May 9-10 2016, with 20 hours online learning and assessment prior) for health and allied professionals. 2 scholarships available for this course.

Applications for scholarships that cover the cost of the course can be made by sending a letter addressing the below criteria, along with your CV, to ceu@fpv.org.au
The following criteria will be considered in awarding scholarships. Please note – applicants are not required to meet all criteria

• Rural/remote work
• Working in Aboriginal Health Services
• Working with CALD/refugee communities
• High adolescent pregnancy rates
• Areas that have high STI/BBV rates
• Working with diverse communities
• Work at least 2 days per week in clinical setting within relevant postcode area
• Supervise others eg: GP supervisor, nurse preceptor
• Willingness to educate others in their area/clinic
• Work with young people
• Strong interest in reproductive and sexual health
• For nurses, evidence of professional development undertaken in related areas

          

 
Tuesday 22 March

9.30 am Women’s Health Q & A and Information
Morning Tea
10.30am onwards: Free 10 minute Health Checks
 
 
Hosted by Wendouree Neighbourhood Centre                
Health Information Session & free Health Checks provided by Ballarat Community Health Nurse
 
You must book your Health Check appointment & register for the information session.
Call Reception on 5339 5069

   

AWAVA, in conjunction with Our Watch, supported by WESNET (Women’s Services Network), invite you to attend an international conference on violence against women from 19-22 September 2016.

• Explore the challenges for preventing and responding to violence against women in remote, rural, regional, and metro areas in communities with limited services
• Engage in conversation and knowledge share from the Asia-Pacific, Australia and beyond
• Learn from overseas and local examples of improving capacity in challenging situations
• Explore community-driven approaches to prevent and respond to men’s violence against women and children
• Identify ways to ensure women’s safety and perpetrator accountability
• Examine coordinated and integrated approaches
• Strengthen strategies for building local and international movements for change

The conference comprises two elements. The main conference on Tuesday 20th and Wednesday 21st will focus on workshops and interactive forums (with a welcome reception on early registration on Monday, 19th). There is an optional third day on the 22nd featuring intensive sessions where issues will be visited in more depth. Invited speakers and session leaders will lead discussion across the entire program.

Program outline coming soon.

The Centre of Excellence in Eating Disorders is offering a one-off special training and supervision opportunity available to Victorian health professionals from both private and public services.
CBT Guided Self Help (GSH) is a highly structured, evidence-based, client driven and collaborative therapy using cognitive behavioural techniques to overcome Bulimia Nervosa, Binge Eating Disorder and subclinical disordered eating.
This special training will be in the form of a two-day skills based interactive training workshop plus six months cost-free access to monthly CEED internet-based group supervision for your work with CBT-GSH clients

Training dates are for Thursday 25 and Friday 26 February 2016, 10.00am – 4.00pm
Training will be held at Poplar Learning Centre, NWMH Parkville Campus, 35 Poplar Road, PARKVILLE

This event is COST-FREE (except for CBT-GSH manual purchase of $25)
Prior knowledge of cognitive behaviour therapy or bulimia nervosa and binge eating is not required. We ask that you pass this flyer on to anyone in your service with a special interest or client interaction with patients experiencing eating disorders who would benefit from this two day hands-on training.
This one-off opportunity is limited to only 40 participants.
If you’re interested, please download & read  CBT Guided Self Help training Outline 2016 and complete & submit application at:    http://www.trybooking.com/Booking/BookingEventSummary.aspx?eid=33390