The Women’s Centre for Health Matters Inc. is a community based organisation that uses social research, advocacy, community development and health promotion to empower women to enhance their health and wellbeing.
PUBLIC FORUM: Exploring sexual violence and institutionalisation in the ACT
Monday 20th of February
2pm – 4pm
National Library of Australia, Conference room (4th Floor)
From the moment of colonisation there has been institutionalisation in Australia, when thousands of women, men and children arrived as convicts. Since this time women have experienced institutionalisation in diverse settings including prisons, juvenile detention centres, aged care, psychiatric units, detoxification or rehabilitation centres, children’s homes and refugee detention centres. Women have experienced these institutions differently to men because of gendered life circumstances.
Sexual violence affects almost 1 in 5 Australian women, and women who have been institutionalised are more likely to have experienced sexual violence either prior to institutionalisation or while institutionalised.
Join us to hear from a variety of speakers who will explore the relationship between sexual violence and institutionalisation. Women speakers will draw on both personal experiences and broader perspectives to approach the topic from the view of women living with mental health issues, women in prison, women with disability and women Forgotten Australians. We will also hear from local Greens leader Meredith Hunter MLA and a curator of the NLA Forgotten Australians Oral History Project.
This public forum is part of Summer of Respect, the ACT Women’s Services Network’s summer-long anti-sexual violence campaign. It hopes to raise awareness about how the issues of sexual violence and institutionalisation affect women in our community, and how we can support women who have experienced this trauma and stop sexual violence from happening in the future.
Please RSVP to admin@wchm.org.au for catering purposes or for more information contact Laura Pound from the Women’s Centre for Health Matters on 6290 2166 or l.pound@wchm.org.au.
This event is supported by:
ACT Women and Mental Health Working Group
Monday, February 6, 2012
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Reinstatement of some Medicare supported counselling.
THE HON MARK BUTLER MP
Minister for Mental Health and Ageing
Minister Assisting the Prime Minister on Mental Health Reform
Minister for Social Inclusion
STATEMENT FROM THE MINISTER
1 February 2012
CHANGES TO BETTER ACCESS
In the 2011-12 Budget, the Gillard Government brought in changes to the Better Access program to deliver a mental health package that better targeted and supported some of the most disadvantaged people in our community.
The changes to Better Access allow us to rebalance our investments across new and innovative services that target and address mental illness throughout a person’s lifespan.
While Better Access was neither designed nor intended to provide intensive services or ongoing therapy for people with severe and persistent mental illness, the Government acknowledges there are some people with more complex needs who have come to rely on the program for support.
We recognise that reducing the number of rebatable sessions has caused some community concern and that the new services in our mental health package need to build further capacity before they are fully able to provide care and support to those with more complex needs.
We will therefore reinstate the additional 6 services under ‘exceptional circumstances’ for a transitional period to 31 December 2012. The transitional period will provide sufficient time for our new mental health services to build capacity and effectively respond to people with more complex needs.
The standard number of rebatable sessions under Better Access will remain at 10, consistent with the program’s focus on people with mental disorders where short term interventions are most likely to be useful. However, this change means that eligible individuals can receive up to 16 services in the transitional period where ‘exceptional circumstances’ apply.
In addition, individuals will continue to be able to receive Medicare rebates for ten group therapy services per calendar year on top of their individual sessions. People with more severe and ongoing mental disorders can also be referred to Medicare subsidised consultant psychiatrist services (where 50 sessions can be provided per year), or to other specialised mental health services.
Individuals will be eligible for an additional 6 allied mental health services under ‘exceptional circumstances’ from 1 March 2012 until 31 December 2012.
Minister for Mental Health and Ageing
Minister Assisting the Prime Minister on Mental Health Reform
Minister for Social Inclusion
STATEMENT FROM THE MINISTER
1 February 2012
CHANGES TO BETTER ACCESS
In the 2011-12 Budget, the Gillard Government brought in changes to the Better Access program to deliver a mental health package that better targeted and supported some of the most disadvantaged people in our community.
The changes to Better Access allow us to rebalance our investments across new and innovative services that target and address mental illness throughout a person’s lifespan.
While Better Access was neither designed nor intended to provide intensive services or ongoing therapy for people with severe and persistent mental illness, the Government acknowledges there are some people with more complex needs who have come to rely on the program for support.
We recognise that reducing the number of rebatable sessions has caused some community concern and that the new services in our mental health package need to build further capacity before they are fully able to provide care and support to those with more complex needs.
We will therefore reinstate the additional 6 services under ‘exceptional circumstances’ for a transitional period to 31 December 2012. The transitional period will provide sufficient time for our new mental health services to build capacity and effectively respond to people with more complex needs.
The standard number of rebatable sessions under Better Access will remain at 10, consistent with the program’s focus on people with mental disorders where short term interventions are most likely to be useful. However, this change means that eligible individuals can receive up to 16 services in the transitional period where ‘exceptional circumstances’ apply.
In addition, individuals will continue to be able to receive Medicare rebates for ten group therapy services per calendar year on top of their individual sessions. People with more severe and ongoing mental disorders can also be referred to Medicare subsidised consultant psychiatrist services (where 50 sessions can be provided per year), or to other specialised mental health services.
Individuals will be eligible for an additional 6 allied mental health services under ‘exceptional circumstances’ from 1 March 2012 until 31 December 2012.
Invitation to a discussion session about Find & Connect – a national web resource for the Forgotten Australians
Monday 23 January 2012
Invitation to a discussion session.
Find & Connect – a national web resource for the Forgotten Australians
Tuesday 14 February 2012, 1:00pm – 3.30pm
National Museum of Australia
Dear Sir or Madam,
I am writing on behalf of the National Find & Connect web resource project team working out of the University of Melbourne and Australian Catholic University. This project has been funded by the Commonwealth Government to create a national Find & Connect web resource through which Forgotten Australians and Former Child Migrants will be able to search for information about children’s Homes, guides to records of Homes, information about government policies and relevant legislation and other information related to their time in care.
The Find & Connect web resource can be viewed at www.findandconnect.gov.au. Find & Connect comprises eight state/territory websites and an overarching national website. Please note: this web resource is in its first phase; more information will be added over the next three years.
You’ve been identified as a key person whose knowledge and experience would be of value to the development of the Find & Connect web resource.
Members of the Find & Connect project team including Rachel Tropea, Sarah Green and I, will be coming to Canberra on Tuesday 14 February and would like to meet with you – the attached agenda will give you a sense of the matters to be discussed on the day. The meeting will be held at the National Museum of Australia, the exact room location will be posted at the front desk of the Museum.
This is a keystone project that will have a significant impact on building our national identity, and we really welcome your interest and involvement. Please email me at sorpin@unimelb.edu.au to rsvp, or call on 03 9035 4760 to discuss.
Yours sincerely,
Sally Orpin Communications and Liaison Officer Find & Connect Project | email: sorpin@unimelb.edu.au tel: 03 9035 4760 |
Initial Stakeholder Meeting
Tuesday 14 February 2012
Time: 1.00pm – 3.30pm
Venue: National Museum of Australia
AGENDA
1. Introductions
2. Purpose of the meeting
3. Introducing the Find & Connect ACT web resource
- Content of ‘Version 1’
- Strategies for linking Find & Connect web resource to support services – client liaison, feedback, referrals
- Underlying principles for working together - the Knowledge Diamond
4. Getting involved with Find & Connect ACT and further development of the web resource (2012-2014)
5. Discussion of key issues, priorities for ACT stakeholders
6. Wrap-up and next steps
Afternoon tea provided
rsvp to Sally Orpin sorpin@unimelb.edu.au (preferred) or 03 9035 4760
Getting to the National Museum of Australia.
The National Museum of Australia is located on Acton Peninsula on Lake Burley Griffin in Canberra, just a short drive south-west of the city centre. Access is via Lawson Crescent, Acton.
National Museum of Australia
Lawson Crescent
Acton Peninsula
Canberra ACT 2601
Lawson Crescent
Acton Peninsula
Canberra ACT 2601
Parking
- All on-site parking is free and has a 4-hour limit.
- Disabled parking facilities are available close to the National Museum's main entrance.
- A bus and coach parking area is close to the main entrance.
- Parking areas for caravans, motorhomes, campervans and trailers are also available.
Local bus services
- Action bus number 3 operates to the National Museum on weekdays and number 934 on the weekends. For route and timetable information and fares visit the ACTION website.
- The Explorer Bus offers a tour bus service to tourist attractions in the national capital. For route and timetable information and fares visit the Canberra Day Tours website.
Cycling
- Bicycle paths lead to the National Museum and bicycle racks are available for your use.
- A map of bicycle paths can be found on the Department of Territory and Municipal Services website.
Walking
- Enjoy a walk to the National Museum from the city on the bicycle/walking paths along the northern shore of Lake Burley Griffin.
- A map of walking paths can be found on the ACT Planning and Land Authority website.
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
School for Killers
School for Killers
More than 35 violent deaths in Australia have been linked to men who attended the same, often brutal, boys' home when they were teenagers, an ABC investigation has confirmed. Fifteen of these deaths led to convictions for either murder or manslaughter. The Institution for Boys, Tamworth was established in 1947 as a place of punishment for boys aged 15 to 18 who absconded from other boys' homes.
More than 35 violent deaths in Australia have been linked to men who attended the same, often brutal, boys' home when they were teenagers, an ABC investigation has confirmed. Fifteen of these deaths led to convictions for either murder or manslaughter. The Institution for Boys, Tamworth was established in 1947 as a place of punishment for boys aged 15 to 18 who absconded from other boys' homes.
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Past Adoption Experiences
This national research project aims to identify the support and service needs of people affected by past adoption policies and practices, particularly closed adoption processes in place until the 1990s.
It is hoped that people who have been touched by adoption experiences will take part in the study. This includes mothers and fathers, people who were adopted, adoptive parents, and other family members. Information is being collected using an online survey, in-depth interviews and hard-copy surveys by request.
AIFS contact: Pauline Kenny
FaHCSIA contact: Rachel Croome
It is hoped that people who have been touched by adoption experiences will take part in the study. This includes mothers and fathers, people who were adopted, adoptive parents, and other family members. Information is being collected using an online survey, in-depth interviews and hard-copy surveys by request.
AIFS contact: Pauline Kenny
FaHCSIA contact: Rachel Croome
Monday, November 28, 2011
Forget-me-knot Day 2011
The New South Wales representative for the Alliance for Forgotten Australians, Ms Pamella Vernon, attended the Forget-me-knot Day event at Redfern Park on Saturday 12th November 2011, facilitated by South Sydney Uniting Church, supported by St. Vincent de Paul, Lions Club and Adult Survivors of Child Abuse.
Friday, October 14, 2011
Forget-me-knot Day 2011
Forget-me-Knot day, November 19th is only 5 weeks away! There’s still time to get involved.
Here’s a sample of the events scheduled:
· Join in one of the scheduled events
“Sydney untangles the knot of Child abuse” in Redfern Park 11am Saturday 12th November, facilitated by South Sydney Uniting Church, supported by St. Vincent de Paul, Lions Club.
· Ask your local faith-based community to hold a service
Forget-me-knot Evensong at St. George’s Anglican Cathedral, Perth on November 6th at 5 pm. A quiet, reflective, prayerful service for all those whose concern is for adult survivors of child abuse. Prayer and music followed by a reception for those who wish to enjoy some fellowship afterwards
· Order your tangled knot pins
Forget - Many people forget that adults abused as children often need help to do those things others take for granted.
Me - ASCA works to empower survivors.
Knot - When children are abused they become confused. Even as adults, life can be chaotic and tangled.
· Hold an event and fundraise for ASCA at :www.everydayhero.com.au/event/FMKD2011
CMAX Cinemas Palmerston 3 Maluka Street, Palmerston NT Saturday 19th November 3.30 pm. ASCA Presents a Screening of MONEYBALL (M) starring Brad Pitt, Jonah Hill to support Forget-me-knot Day
To find out more go to www.asca.org.au/forgetmeknot or join us facebook. Unite in support of adult survivors this Forget-me-knot Day!
Here’s a sample of the events scheduled:
· Join in one of the scheduled events
“Sydney untangles the knot of Child abuse” in Redfern Park 11am Saturday 12th November, facilitated by South Sydney Uniting Church, supported by St. Vincent de Paul, Lions Club.
· Ask your local faith-based community to hold a service
Forget-me-knot Evensong at St. George’s Anglican Cathedral, Perth on November 6th at 5 pm. A quiet, reflective, prayerful service for all those whose concern is for adult survivors of child abuse. Prayer and music followed by a reception for those who wish to enjoy some fellowship afterwards
· Order your tangled knot pins
Forget - Many people forget that adults abused as children often need help to do those things others take for granted.
Me - ASCA works to empower survivors.
Knot - When children are abused they become confused. Even as adults, life can be chaotic and tangled.
· Hold an event and fundraise for ASCA at :www.everydayhero.com.au/event/FMKD2011
CMAX Cinemas Palmerston 3 Maluka Street, Palmerston NT Saturday 19th November 3.30 pm. ASCA Presents a Screening of MONEYBALL (M) starring Brad Pitt, Jonah Hill to support Forget-me-knot Day
To find out more go to www.asca.org.au/forgetmeknot or join us facebook. Unite in support of adult survivors this Forget-me-knot Day!
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Launch of Recipes for Survival: Stories of Hope and Healing by Survivors of the State ‘Care’ System in Australia
Please Join us for the Launch of Recipes for Survival: Stories of Hope and Healing by Survivors of the State ‘Care’ System in Australia.
Saturday, 22nd October 2011 at 2:00 pm.
The Book Launch will be held at
Relationships Australia
49a Orsmond Street HINDMARSH SA 5007
Please RSVP to drdeemichell@bigpond.com or phone 041 444 7675
People’s Voice Publishing
PO Box 582 Elizabeth South Australia 5112
Saturday, 22nd October 2011 at 2:00 pm.
The Book Launch will be held at
Relationships Australia
49a Orsmond Street HINDMARSH SA 5007
Please RSVP to drdeemichell@bigpond.com or phone 041 444 7675
People’s Voice Publishing
PO Box 582 Elizabeth South Australia 5112
Friday, August 26, 2011
Life inside Westbrook Children's Home, from the perspective of a survivor
Seminar - National Museum of Australia (NMA) Thursday 1 September 2011
Time: 12.30-1.30
Venue: NMA Friends Lounge
Topic: Life inside Westbrook Children's Home, from the perspective of a survivor.
Speaker: Al Fletcher
Alfred Fletcher was sent to Westbrook Farm Home for Boys in Toowoomba, west of Brisbane, in the 1960s. He was 15 years old. He lived there for two and a half years until he succeeded in running away. He likens his time there to living in a concentration camp. He endured floggings that tore his flesh, torture and abuse. Al records his experiences at Westbrook in his book, Brutal: surviving Westbrook Boys Home which was published in 2006 and re-released in 2010.
After Al escaped from Westbrook he worked as a merchant seaman and horticulturalist. He married, has grown up children and now lives in a Bayside suburb of Brisbane.
His story is one of many that will be included in the upcoming NMA exhibition Inside: Life in Children's Homes. Westbrook was established in 1900 by the Queensland Government to reform boys. In 1994 there was an inquiry into the operation of Westbrook and it was closed down.
See http://www.abc.net.au/stateline/qld/content/2006/s1611318.htm
Everyone is welcome, BYO lunch.
Time: 12.30-1.30
Venue: NMA Friends Lounge
Topic: Life inside Westbrook Children's Home, from the perspective of a survivor.
Speaker: Al Fletcher
Alfred Fletcher was sent to Westbrook Farm Home for Boys in Toowoomba, west of Brisbane, in the 1960s. He was 15 years old. He lived there for two and a half years until he succeeded in running away. He likens his time there to living in a concentration camp. He endured floggings that tore his flesh, torture and abuse. Al records his experiences at Westbrook in his book, Brutal: surviving Westbrook Boys Home which was published in 2006 and re-released in 2010.
After Al escaped from Westbrook he worked as a merchant seaman and horticulturalist. He married, has grown up children and now lives in a Bayside suburb of Brisbane.
His story is one of many that will be included in the upcoming NMA exhibition Inside: Life in Children's Homes. Westbrook was established in 1900 by the Queensland Government to reform boys. In 1994 there was an inquiry into the operation of Westbrook and it was closed down.
See http://www.abc.net.au/stateline/qld/content/2006/s1611318.htm
Everyone is welcome, BYO lunch.
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