field Exhibition - The future is a foreign country: they do things differently there*

field invites established and emerging artists of all mediums to explore the theme “The future is a foreign country: they do things differently there”* - Imagining the lives of people with disability in the world of tomorrow and to submit artworks for possible inclusion in a group exhibition.

All two dimensional mediums are encouraged, along with written works.

A panel will select artworks for exhibition from those submitted, according to the following criteria:

Relevance to the theme “The future is a foreign country: they do things differently there”;
Creativity;
Quality and composition of image.
The exhibition will run from 30 November – 20 December, 2009 in The Foyer Gallery at Gasworks Arts Park. There will be an opening celebration on Friday 4 December.

Entries now due on Friday 30 October, 2009 by 5pm.

• Exhibition Advertisement (pdf document)
• Entry form (pdf document)
• field Art Exhibition facebook page

* with apologies to LP Hartley

Vacancy: ARAFEMI: Manager Linwood PARC

Manager Linwood PARC
Key Leadership & Partnedship Role

ARAFEMI provides recovery orientated support for people with a mental illness and their carers with the goal of enabling people to live with respect and dignity in the community. The Linwood PARC Program is a partnership program between ARAFEMI Victoria (a psychiatric disability rehabilitation support service or PDRSS) and the Eastern Health Adult Mental Health Service (EHAMHS). The Linwood PARC Program offers 8 overnight placements and 2-day placements. The purpose of the facility is to provide brief (1 – 4 weeks) intensive residential rehabilitation and recovery care. Applicants will have relevant tertiary qualifications, highly developed skills and experience in the management of a community mental health service.

ARAFEMI offers a competitive salary based on experience; generous salary packaging; regular training and development; 17.5% leave loading and a friendly supportive team environment.

Please download the relevant Position Description from the link below.
Position Description

For further information contact Sarah Rosenberg, HR and Communications Officer, 9810 9300.
Please email applications addressing the key selection criteria by 17th October to sarah.rosenberg@arafemi.org.au

Part-Time Respite Worker
ARAFEMI is a unique organisation which houses both the lead support service for carers of people with mental illness in Victoria and recovery services for consumers. Our Flexible Respite Options Program offers planned and emergency respite to carers and consumers in the northern, eastern and southern regions of Melbourne. This is a 24hour service and includes; home based respite and respite accommodation. The innovative structure of supports ensures that the needs of families, carers and consumers are central to respite planning. This service is provided within the context of our existing expertise in families and carers and our specialist mental health knowledge.This position will be supported by the Team Leader Respite Program and Family Services Manager to deliver flexible respite across the Eastern Region as well as areas of Southern and Northern metropolitan Melbourne. Please download the relevant Position Description from the link below.
Position Description

For further information contact Sarah Rosenberg, HR and Communications Officer, 9810 9300.
Please email applications addressing the key selection criteria by 17th October to sarah.rosenberg@arafemi.org.au

Launch of e-forum on Human Rights and Cultural Diversity

A partnership between the Australian Human Rights Commission and the Institute for Cultural Diversity has led to the development of a new E-Forum on human rights, which is located on the website http://www.culturaldiversity.net.au.

This site provides a new way of finding out about what is happening in culturally diverse Australia in human rights, the arts, justice, research and among agencies working in government, business and the community.

The site is run by a not-for-profit, non-government company - the Institute for Cultural Diversity.

The site is designed to help generate an informed network of people able to contribute to Australia's development as a creative, democratic and productive society. In this way, it bridges communities, faiths and states.

Human rights is just one theme which the site covers. The site’s other themes include: arts, justice, agencies and research.

The cultural diversity website offers a new, exciting and secure space for informed debate, valued contributions, practical feedback, sustained consultations, formulation of new and creative ideas and canvassing of diverse opinions.

Visit http://www.culturaldiversity.net.au and take a look.

2009 Diversity@Work Awards

2009 Diversity@Work Awards

TICKET SALES CLOSING
2009 DIVERSITY@WORK AWARDS
THURSDAY 15 OCTOBER 2009 – PENINSULA DOCKLANDS

Make sure you book your tickets for the 2009 Diversity@Work Awards before the closing deadline of Friday 09 October, 2009.

Join us for an unforgettable and inspiring evening celebrating true leadership by organisations and individuals who encourage diversity and inclusion within the workplace and broader community.

The evenings celebratory program will include a special keynote presentation from Reverend Tim Costello, CEO, World Vision, Jenny Brockie, presenter of Insight, SBS TV as Master of Ceremonies and musicians and artists reflecting Australia’s diverse community as well as announcing the winners of the eleven award categories.

Book your tickets now via www.diversityatwork.com.au/awards

Corporate tickets: $195.00 per person or $1755.00 per table of 10
Community tickets: $95.00 per person or $855.00 per table of 10

Community tickets are limited and are selling quickly.

Certificate IV in Mental Health (non clinical) CHC41102 (Bendigo)

Program & Code	Certificate IV in Mental Health (non clinical) CHC41102 (Bendigo)	Register your place or download the flyer in PDF format.
About	Facilitator: VICSERV & Wodonga TAFE Certificate IV in Mental Health (non clinical) CHC41102 is a national qualification that makes up one level of the National Community Services Training System. This national system has been developed by the combined efforts of Government and non-government agencies, union representatives and professional bodies as well as workplace representatives on a national project team. It provides training options for a career path for employees in a range of sectors in Community Services.
Fee inc GST	VICSERV Member Rate $1000 including GST, course materials provided. (We have been able to secure Commonwealth Government’s Productivity Places Program funding along with assistance from the Victorian Government.).
Date(s) & Times	Enrolment 21 October 2009. Program Commences on 18th November through to (refer to the registration form for the specific workshop dates)

Rethinking Mental Health: Improving Community Wellbeing competition.

We invite you to participate in the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and Ashoka’s Changemakers’ Rethinking Mental Health: Improving Community Wellbeing competition.

Submit your entry by October 14th, 2009 at
http://www.changemakers.com/en-us/mentalhealth
…and take advantage of the funding opportunities and global exposure, while contributing to the next big change!

If you have any questions please email us at connect@changemakers.com.

We look forward to finding out more about your work in the sector and to seeing you on Changemakers!

Best,
Elizabeth Araujo

Craze Lateral Solutions Pty Ltd seeks survey participants

From: http://www.crazelateralsolutions.com/f7a4ea3e-e771-4a32-8cec-53ead211d78b.aspx

Introduction

In Australia there is a commitment to mental health consumer participation by all levels of government in recognition of the important role mental health consumers play in designing policy, programs and services.

Expanding role - Consumers are increasingly undertaking a range of roles at all levels of the mental health system including: contributing to the education and training of health professionals; sitting on boards; advising on the running of services; assisting with evaluation and service change; being employed as consultants and advocates by mental health services and organizations; and being expert advisers at national decision-making tables as well as in the broader community development setting.

The need for a new organization - The Australian Government is seeking to establish a new peak national mental health consumer organization. In Nov 2008, the Department of Health and Ageing brought together an Expert Reference Group drawn from a range of consumer organizations to consider the next steps in establishing a new national consumer organisation. As a result of the meeting, the Expert Reference Group determined a need for a nationally owned, representative and independent consumer organization.

The project team - Following an open and national tendering process, Leanne Craze and her mental health consulting company, Craze Lateral Solutions, were selected to assist the Department and the Expert Reference Group obtain mental health consumer views, on the most appropriate organizational models for the new peak organization.

We are very keen for all Mental Health consumers, advocates and agencies to have their say in a 10min online survey. Please pass the survey link below on through your network.

http://www.crazelateralsolutions.com/e9ae1145-e516-43e5-a62b-b0e947bc6af4.aspx

OHS Equipment Grants | VCOSS

OHS Equipment Grants | VCOSS:

VCOSS is participating in the WorkSafe Community Sector Prevention Fund Project through the distribution of Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Equipment Grants. The grants will support not-for-profit community service organisations (CSOs) in Victoria to improve workplace health and safety through the purchase of equipment and/or modifications to address identified OHS hazards.

CSOs can use the one-off grants (of up to $5000 including GST) towards the purchase of equipment and/or modifications which will eliminate or reduce hazards in their workplace.

All you need to know about the grants, eligibility and how to apply is detailed below.

Please read through carefully first and contact laura.mondon@vcoss.org.au if you have any further questions.

If you wish to be notified of future funding rounds for these grants, please contact erin.wicking@vcoss.org.au

Next funding round - October 1st - November 30th 2009

Applications for the next round of equipment grants will be open from October 1st - November 30th 2009. To be added to our distribution list and be notified of the next funding round, email your details to erin.wicking@vcoss.org.au All applicants are encouraged to obtain a free OHS safety audit prior to requesting a grant as this will assist in identifying equipment and/or modifications needed. See Free OHS Audits to see if your organisation is eligible for a free audit.

If you wish to be notified of future funding rounds for these grants, please contact erin.wicking@vcoss.org.au

Please note that there will be further funding rounds available in 2010.

For more information: http://www.communityohs.org.au/ohs-equipment-grants/

DISTSS Governance Training

DISTSS Governance Training: "A Terrific Learning Opportunity
for Boards of Management"

A Terrific Learning Opportunity
for Boards of Management

NDS (National Disability Services Victoria) and DISTSS (Disability In-Service Training Support Service) are pleased to announce that they will be offering boards of community services organisations the opportunity for learning and development workshops on
Enhancing Good Governance.

Workshops will be customised to meet the needs of individual organisations and will be provided on site.

The key aims of each session are to ensure that boards are:

• aware of their governance responsibilities
• up to date with current legislation and service expectations
• up to date with current expectations of the Victorian Government
• fully prepared for forthcoming independent quality monitoring
• aware of currently available free resources

The 2 hour workshops are conducted by experienced trainers and have been piloted in the disability sector with positive feedback.

Workshop Details

Workshops will be available from July 2008 until June 2010

Cost

• Free - for organisations with revenue * of $1 million or less
• $350 - for organisations with revenue* of between 1 million and 3 million dollars
• $700 - for organisations with revenue* in excess of $3 million dollars

*Revenue from Disability Services Division in 2008-09.

Venue & Time

• Workshops will be offered at your organisation, at a time that suits your board
• Workshop Duration - 2 hours

There is capacity for workshops to be conducted for a number of boards at a single session if convenient. If you are considering this option please contact DISTSS.

How to book a workshop

To arrange a workshop, please complete the Training Request Form, or contact:
Ms Bev Schutt
DISTSS
Tel: (03) 8686 5621 or
Email: bev.schutt@distss.org.au

The workshops are specifically tailored to meet the needs of each board and include content on the following:

• Disability Act 2006
• Quality Framework
• Understanding Good Governance
• Leading organisational change

“The workshop added positively to our understanding of both our governance role, and the new Disability Act.”

CEO, Murdoch Community Services Inc.

“The board is now planning to review the risk strategies to ensure the aspects of the presentation are covered comprehensively. The session was vibrant and enabled full and frank discussion.”

Acting Chairperson, Central Access Ltd.

Regards

7th Oct: ReachOut present: Celebrate Mental Health Walk & Festival

This year the Celebrate Mental Health Walk and Festival will be held on Wed 7th October 2009. This Mental Health Week activity will leave Cheltenham Library at 12 noon and proceeded along Stanley Ave to Station Street then to Charman Rd and Park Rd to Cheltenham Park.

Come along and join in the fun there will be lots of activities, food and information. Bring your friends along for a great day. For more information call Heather on 9585 5677."

7th October - Seminar: Understanding Anxiety Disorders & Current Treatments

Anxiety Recovery Centre Victoria presents:

Understanding Anxiety Disorders & Current Treatments

What is an Anxiety Disorder? The nature and impact of obsessive compulsive, social anxiety, panic and generalised anxiety disorders & current evidence based treatment approaches

Guest Speakers - Dr Sunil Bhar, Clinical Psychologist & Senior Lecturer in Psychology, Swinburne University and; Wendy Malcolm, ARCVic Member & Joel Magarey, Author of "Exposure- A Journey" (2009) will be sharing their sharing personal experiences of living with OCD and Anxiety Disorders and their journeys of recovery and hope.

Time: 7.00pm - 8.30pm

Venue: The Supper Room at the Melbourne Town Hall, Cnr Swanston & Collins Streets, Melbourne

Cost: A Free Event - Supported by the Lord Mayor's Charitable Fund, City of Melbourne

Bookings essential

For bookings please contact the Office on 03 9886 9233 or HelpLine 1300 269 438 (ANXIETY)

http://www.arcvic.com.au/info/events/CommunityEducationSessions.htm