In this month's Community Sector News there are some great local events to share around to members of the community who are interested in safety and history. Port Phillip is a unique place and learning about the area gives people a great sense of belonging.
Training and Professional Development
TRAINING | De-escalation and Occupational Violence and Aggression (OVA) for public facing roles in the Community Sector | Tuesday 14 November 2023 | 9.30am–3.30pm
Module 1: Awareness
Module 2: De-escalation
Module 3: Protection
Learning outcomes:
- understand situational awareness
- recognise the signs of an escalating situation
- understand how to control own emotions and speech in confrontational situations
- learn strategies for how to stay calm when working through de-escalation steps in the toolkit
- increase confidence in handling confrontational situations
- understand appropriate verbal and body language in confrontational situations
- learn how to deal with different types of aggressors, such as people under the influence of drugs.
Who should attend:
All levels of staff/volunteers who are in public facing roles providing services to potentially difficult or aggressive people. Leaders or managers will also benefit to support their team members.
- Where: St Kilda Town Hall Council Chamber
- Cost: Free
- Bookings: essential, online via Trybooking
Grants and Funding
VIC | GOV | GRANTING | Multicultural Festivals and Events Program | Applications close 3pm Friday 27 October 2023
The State Government of Victoria's Multicultural Festivals and Events (MFE) Program funds multicultural and multifaith community organisations to hold cultural festivals and events for Victorian communities.
The program offers grants of up to $50,000 to support activities that promote and foster social cohesion. There are two key objectives:
- to ensure Victorians can celebrate and preserve cultures, and share traditions
- to encourage the broader Victorian community to take part in events that further learning, understanding and respect for different cultures and traditions.
Over $1 million will be available through the Regional Multicultural Festivals and Events Fund to support regional multicultural community organisations and the delivery of events across regional Victoria.
Events must be held between 1 January 2024 and 30 June 2024.
Events
GATHERING | Safe and Sound Port Phillip | Saturday 7 October 2023 | 10am–1pm
Come along to the Safe and Sound Port Phillip event to connect with your local emergency services and Council teams.
Port Phillip has developed Safe and Sound Port Phillip to celebrate Community Safety Month, which occurs every October.
By attending you'll have the opportunity to meet and chat with local emergency services and Council teams and enjoy a range of activities, including:
- emergency services and Council vehicles on display
- emergency preparedness information stalls and sessions
- interactive CPR demonstrations
- a live mural painting, with free graffiti removal kit samples
- animal management showbags
- a free bicycle name engraving station and bike maintenance workshops
- an SES sausage sizzle
- live music by local musician Ernest Aines.
Everyone is welcome. Bring your family, friends, and neighbours to the first annual family fun event about safety in the Port Phillip community.
- Where: O’Donnell Gardens (near Luna Park)
- Cost: Free
- Bookings: no bookings required. Public event, just turn up.
WALKING | St Kilda’s Underground Music Tour | three dates available | 2–4pm
Join Melynda Von Wayward and Rob Wellington to explore St Kilda’s iconic music venues from the Palais Theatre to The George Hotel in Fitzroy Street. Hear about the bands, promoters, fashion, and artists involved in a significant decade of Australian music history from 1977 to 1987.
When: three dates available for this walk:
- Sunday 15 October 2023
- Saturday 11 November 2023
- Sunday 3 December 2023
Where: George Hotel, main entrance, 125-129 Fitzroy Street, Ends in Acland Street, St Kilda
Bookings: essential, online via Trybooking
WALKING | Angels And Battlers in Port Melbourne | Sunday 12 November 2023 | 2–4pm
Join Janet Bolitho to explore the history and locations of the services in Port Melbourne that have supported vulnerable Melburnians through crises of housing, poverty, pandemics, war, and depression.
Take a walk exploring the history of places and people in Port Melbourne supporting the vulnerable through crises such as housing, poverty, pandemics, war, natural disaster and economic depression.
- Where: Start and finish locations TBA in Port Melbourne
- Cost: Free
- Bookings: essential, bookings open 12 October, online via Trybooking
WALKING | Street Art and Ghost signs of St Kilda | Sunday 17 December 2023 | 10am–12noon
Join Tobias Nash and travel the streets, back lanes and industrial walls of St Kilda seeking the hidden ghost signs: ancient advertising typographies and how they relate to contemporary artforms such as graffiti and street art.
Travel the streets, back lanes and industrial walls of St Kilda seeking the hidden ghost signs: ancient advertising typographies and how they relate to contemporary artforms such as graffiti and street art. Access (wheelchair, mobility).
- Where: St Kilda Library, 150 Carlisle Street. Meet at Duke Street, Library rear entrance, End: Rear St Kilda Library, Duke Street, St Kilda
- Cost: Free
- Bookings: essential, bookings open 17 November, online via Trybooking
TALKING | Emerald Hill Library and Port Phillip Heritage Centre Author Talk | Tuesday 24 October 2023 | 6.30–8pm
Judith Buckrich is an author and historian who has written a number of books on the histories of Melbourne's peoples, places and institutions including the award-winning Acland Street: The Grand Lady of St Kilda (ATOM, 2017). In this talk Judith will speak about her current research into the history of the Yarra Birrarung (River) from before European settlement to the present day. Looking at the river’s social, industrial history and natural history, the presentation will be framed by the perspective of artists, writers, photographers and mapmakers.
- Where: Emerald Hill Library & Port Phillip Heritage Centre, 195 Bank Street, South Melbourne
- Cost: Free
- Bookings: online via Trybooking
Other Programs
ADVISING | Community Information Resources with 5 steps to keep safe during extreme weather
Know the risks and be prepared for storms, floods and heatwaves
Extreme weather including storms, floods and heat waves can affect anyone at any time. Dangerous flash flooding is a particular risk in the City of Port Phillip with some areas including Elwood, St Kilda, Balaclava and South Melbourne, at a higher risk. Most people have less than an hour’s warning before a flash flood, so it pays to prepare ahead of time. This summer we are also at a higher risk of heatwaves.
To help keep yourself, your family, your pets and property safe follow these life-saving emergency steps.
5 steps to keep safe:
- Be aware of your risk, check your local area’s SES flood guide
- Be prepared by making a plan, checking your insurance cover, storing items off the ground and cleaning drains and gutters.
- Be neighbourly, check in on vulnerable neighbours during hot weather or extreme weather.
- Be safe during extreme weather. Don’t drive during storms – it only takes 15cm to float. During heatwaves don’t go out in the heat of the day and keep cool.
- Be informed, sign up to the Vic Emergency app.
During an emergency:
- Call VIC SES on 132 500 for support.
- Call Triple Zero (000) for any life-threatening emergencies.
- Call 1800 226 226 for the Vic Emergency hotline.
Council's role in a weather emergency
Council is responsible for managing resources and coordinating relief and recovery for affected community members.
Community Profile
SPOTLIGHTING | Better Health Network (or BHN)
A not-for-profit organisation that has been providing primary and allied health care services to the communities across south-eastern Melbourne for nearly 50 years. BHN were formed by the voluntary amalgamation of Central Bayside Community Health Services (CBCHS), Connect Health & Community and Star Health in 2022.
What is your organisation’s elevator pitch?
Better Health Network has a long history of engaging volunteers in meaningful roles across a range of healthcare, social support, disability and community service programs in Melbourne’s South East.
Meaningful Connections is Better Health Network’s government-funded volunteer visiting program (formerly the Community Visitors Scheme) that has been enhancing the health and wellbeing of senior Australians since 1992.
The program provides companionship to seniors, through regular social visits, who are experiencing loneliness and social isolation.
Volunteer visitors are matched with recipients, based on shared interests, to enable meaningful connections through conversation and activities such as board games, reading, reminiscing or outings.
Volunteers support seniors living in either private homes or aged care facilities, with visits taking place weekly or fortnightly.
What is your name and role in the organisation?
My name is Hayley Peck. I’m a Volunteer Coordinator and have the privilege of leading the Meaningful Connections volunteer program and supporting volunteerism across BHN.
How many active members do you currently have?
BHN have over 200 active volunteers across program areas and sites.
How can someone become a member?
Better Health Network offers a range of volunteering opportunities for anyone interested in giving back and making our community Better. For more information visit website or contact 03 8587 0322 or email
What was the organisation’s proudest achievement in 2022?
Hosting a National Volunteer Week event in May 2022. The event acknowledged the tremendous contribution of the 200 strong volunteer workforce and also celebrated the 30 year anniversary of the Meaningful Connections program. The event was very well attended and attendees enjoyed a lovely lunch and a session of laughter yoga which lifted wellbeing.
Meaningful Connections also launched a promotional video series to share volunteer reflections and illustrate how the program supports seniors in the community.
What project or activity is coming up that you want everyone to know about?
Meaningful Connections is currently seeking volunteers living in and around the City of Port Phillip who can spare an hour each fortnight to help enrich the life of someone who is lonely.
If you or anyone you know would be interested in learning more about volunteering with BHN and Meaningful Connections please visit website or contact 03 8587 0322 or email
Or
Meaningful Connections will soon launch a new Dementia Resource Library for volunteers. The purpose is to help enhance engagement between volunteers and any recipients who may be experiencing some cognitive decline. This is an exciting new initiative which we hope will further support our wonderful volunteers.
Can you tell us one thing that works really well in your organisation and why it works well?
Meaningful Connections hosts bi-monthly volunteer meetings. These get-togethers are a great opportunity for volunteers to come together, to hear program updates, to share stories and to connect with peers over a cuppa. Attendance is optional but the program has seen an increase in volunteers joining and feedback has been that meetings are both a rewarding and nourishing experience.
To find out more visit website or contact 03 8587 0322 or email
MORE:
City of Port Phillip (CoPP)Address: 99a Carlisle Street, St Kilda, VIC 3182
Email: news@portphillip.vic.gov.au