Anglicare Victoria

Winter has finally come to an end, which means longer days and (hopefully) warmer weather. For many of us this also means receiving our winter energy bills – which can come as a bit of a shock!

There’s a lot of information on your energy bill – usage, supply charges, and of course, the dreaded amount due. Understanding all of this can help you take control of your energy consumption, saving you money and reducing your carbon footprint.

If it all seems a little overwhelming, don’t worry – we’re here to help you read and understand your energy bills!
Swipe left to learn about the different parts of your bill and how you can use this information to stay on track.

If you’d like to speak to someone about how to understand or get help with your energy bills, call the Energy Assistance Program on 1800 531 741.

AV is proud to have been selected to participate in the Realise. Inspire. Support. Energise (RISE) Project, a fantastic initiative aimed at breaking down barriers and providing direct pathways for culturally and racially marginalised (CARM) women to access leadership positions within their organisations. We are one of 25 organisations in Australia taking part in this exciting project.

The RISE project will work with up to 15 women from each of the 25 organisations, facilitating their progression into leadership positions.

RISE is funded by Australian Government Office for Women through Women’s Leadership and Development Program (WDLP) 2022-2026 and harnesses the expertise of the Diversity Council Australia (DCA), SSI - Settlement Services International (SSI), and Chief Executive Women (CEW).

At AV, we are supporting 22 CARM women employees to participate in the RISE Project and we look forward to working together with these women to identify, design, deliver, and evaluate effective change interventions that address structural barriers and support leadership pathways for culturally and racially marginalised women at AV.

“This means a lot to me and to all the AV women of colour. This goes to show that AV fosters inclusive employment and wants everyone to feel valued and to explore their potential, regardless of their cultural identities."

- Esther, Senior Family Violence Practitioner at AV and RISE Participant

Good luck to all those involved!

ParentZone are running a FREE 6-week program for parents of 4–12-year-olds who are experiencing anxiety and need help coping with their emotions and feelings.

In this program you will learn:

✔️Parenting strategies to help your child cope with feelings of anxiety and anger
✔️How to support your child to cope with change and manage challenging behaviours
✔️Teach your child the skills of resilience to bounce back from adversity

This is a 6-week program and will run Thursday mornings starting this Thursday, Oct 31st (Halloween) 🎃 👻through to Dec 5th 2024.

To register head to our website - Parenting Anxious Children | Eastern Region - Anglicare Victoria

Enquiries: [email protected]

Join this parenting program to learn strategies, share stories, and take some time out for you. If you know anyone that would be interested, please share/comment.💜

Please Note: Parenting Anxious Children is an interactive program. You’ll need a device with video and audio device to fully participate.

Last week more than 500 residential care workers from across Victoria came together for the annual ResiROCKS residential care awards.

It was the biggest turnout the event has ever had, with attendees keen to acknowledge, celebrate and learn from individual workers and teams who care for children and young people living in residential care.

ResiROCKS is a highly respected event and always attracts competitive nominations from the 18 organisations in the state who provide residential care. AV is very proud to announce that we had five finalists this year, with Alex Bonacci receiving an Honourable Mention in the Education category. This is a great result for Alex who has only been with TEACHaR and AV for nine months! What a fantastic achievement!

Here are all our AV finalists:

🌟Alex Bonacci, TEACHaR Education Specialist - Education Award Finalist and Honourable Mention.
⭐Codie Hart, Residential Case Manager - Education Award Finalist
⭐Kylie Jones, Unit Coordinator - Hall of Fame Finalist
⭐Damon Eames, Unit Coordinator - Residential Carer Award Finalist
⭐Kylie Watson, House Coordinator - Residential Carer Award Finalist

Our success at the 2024 ResiROCKS Awards demonstrates the depth of talent and commitment we have within our residential care workforce at AV.

Congratulations team! We are so proud of your achievements, innovation, and leadership! 🌟 👏

Today is International Pronouns Day! It's a day to celebrate the importance of using the correct pronouns for our family, friends, and coworkers, and to raise awareness about how this simple act helps everyone feel seen and respected.

At AV, we’re proud to be a rainbow-accredited organisation, committed to creating a safe and inclusive space where everyone—staff, clients, and the community—feels supported and valued for who they are.

Using the right pronouns is one powerful way to show that respect, and it helps build a more inclusive world for us all.

Introduce yourself in the comments and share your pronouns with us! Let's keep the conversation going 💬✨

Can you believe Term 4 is about to start?! 📚 👩‍🎓

For many parents, carers, and teachers this means preparing secondary school students for their future and what life after high school might look like. For some, this means choosing subjects or applying for university or TAFE, while for others it means looking for a job, apprenticeship, or traineeship.

There are so many options to choose from, which can be quite daunting for young people. But, with your support they can begin to understand their passions, interests, and talents, paving the way for their journey into adulthood.

AV's TEACHaR team have provided some helpful advice to set your teenager up for success, along with some resources about career pathways for school leavers – whatever their aspirations may be.

For in depth information about Years 10, 11, and 12 and the different pathways available, visit: https://www.vic.gov.au/career-and-course-exploration-your-child

The Local Learning and Employment Network (LLEN) operates across Victoria and creates new links between young people, schools, employers, families, government, and community. Find your LLEN here: https://www.vicllens.org.au/find-your-llen/

MyFuture provides resources to explore career pathways and tools to develop self-knowledge to help with career decision-making: https://myfuture.edu.au/

To find your local Skills and Jobs Centre: https://www.vic.gov.au/skills-and-jobs-centres

To find out about TAFE and University Open Days: https://myfuture.edu.au/assist-others/open-days

Foster Care Week has wrapped up for the year but today, we’d like to share a heartfelt story of a couple doing their bit for the community.

Gippsland retirees Rose and David found a new purpose in life through offering respite and short-term foster care for children. They have provided respite, emergency, and short-term care at their beachside home for more than 30 children since 2017, helping ease the pressure on families going through a difficult time.

Rose and David are part of an Anglicare Victoria program called the 'Mockingbird Family'. The model works to bring a collection of foster families together to create a supportive environment that replicates the extended support networks available to other parents through their family unit.

The Mockingbird model is perfect for those empty nesters who have the space to support children in foster care. David said the couple have experienced many special moments, including a fortnight spent with a family of three children while their mother was in hospital.

"We took them to the wildlife park. We really made a great connection, and the children felt safe here. They enjoyed having stories read to them," he said.

Mockingbird not only helps create a sense of community and belonging for parents and children, but it also provides foster families with the opportunity to offer shorter-term and respite care.

Thank you to Rose and David for opening your home and hearts to providing a warm, safe, and inviting space for children in care.

Our very own Lisa Cappola, Team Leader at one of our Residential Houses in the North was nominated for and awarded the Lifetime achievement award at Darebin's Local Council for 25 years' service to the Youth in the Community.

The Lifetime Achievement Award recognises the contributions and connections in the council for advocating for young people and Lisa was acknowledged for her hard work, passion and contribution to the Darebin community.

Congratulations Lisa - what a fantastic achievement, we are so proud of you!

Congratulations to our Deputy CEO, Sue Sealey! 🎉

Sue was awarded the Robin Clark Leadership Award at the Victorian Protecting Children Awards for her exceptional work in advocating for vulnerable children, young people, and families. Her leadership and commitment over 37 years at Anglicare Victoria have helped transform lives and strengthen communities.

Here she is pictured with Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare's CEO, Deb Tsorbaris.

Please join us in celebrating Sue's incredible achievements!

The second half of the school year is now in full swing, and parents and kids should have a good idea about what is expected in their year level.

Reports have been sent home, and you may have had a parent-teacher meeting to discuss your child’s progress so far. Now is the perfect time to take a step back, reset and assess what you and your child need to focus on for the remainder of the year.

Organisational skills are key when it comes to young people succeeding at school and maximising their potential. In this post, Dr Deborah Trengove from Parentzone talks about core organisational skills and strategies that you can teach your child at home to help build their confidence, increase motivation and success both at school and at home.

Happy Foster Care Week! 💜 We wanted to start the week off by sharing the personal stories of our foster carers.

Hear from Michael and Kim about their incredible journey of fostering and the impact it’s had on their life and the lives of young people they looked after.

‘It’s a rewarding journey to be on’: Michael and Kim how foster caring has added to their lives - Anglicare Victoria After seven years as an Anglicare Victoria West foster carer, Kim has often had the same conversation with friends and acquaintances, that foster caring

This week is Women's Health Week, a time where we empower women to prioritise their health and wellbeing and celebrate and honour the incredible strength, resilience and beauty of women, this week and beyond. 🌈⭐

We encourage women to have those difficult conversations, learn and know their body and help reduce stress so that they lead healthier and fulfilling lives.

Today's post focuses on how to avoid burnout by listening to your body, embracing self-care and surrounding yourself daily with positivity. Remember, true wellness comes from a balanced approach whether that's through mindful eating, regular exercise or simply taking a break when you need it.

Your health and happiness are so important, and we encourage all women and their loved ones to prioritise their health and learn to put themselves first.

What's one thing you're doing to prioritise your wellbeing? Share in the comments 💜

Happy Wear It Purple Day! 🌈💜

Yesterday, we celebrated Wear It Purple Day at Anglicare Victoria, with the theme "Your Passion, Your Pride." It was a powerful day of solidarity, as we came together to support LGBTIQA+ young people and reaffirm our commitment to inclusivity. Thank you to everyone who wore purple, participated in events, and shared your passions. Let’s continue to create a workplace where everyone feels they belong. 💜

We couldn't resist sharing this fun photo of a recent Cardinia Dads support group session that brought fathers from the community together. These Dads explored early childhood development, built meaningful connections with their children, and fostered links within the community.

💜Final Cardinia Dads Group Session: 9 October – 13 November
📍Anglicare Victoria ParentZone
📍Army Road, Pakenham
📧Register: www.cardinia.vic.gov.au/mch

If you're a dad in Cardinia Shire, don't miss this chance to connect with like-minded fathers, share experiences, and access information about available support services.

Share this with a Dad!

Registrations now open!

📣 This year's final Cardinia Dads group sessions will be held from 9 October - 13 November at Anglicare Victoria's Parentzone on Army Road in Pakenham.

If you're a dad in Cardinia Shire, don't miss this chance to connect with like-minded fathers, share experiences, and access information about available support services.

✏️ Registrations for our next session are now open, to reserve your place and get involved, visit 👉 www.cardinia.vic.gov.au/mch

📸 Our recent Cardinia Dads support group session brought together fathers from the community, providing a supportive environment and valuable resources for parenting.

Dads explored early childhood development, built meaningful connections with their children, and fostered links within the community 💙

A big congratulations to the AV programs and staff who have been announced as finalists in the 2024 Victorian Protecting Children's Awards.

The AV finalists are:
🔸Sue Sealey, our Deputy CEO shortlisted for the prestigious Robin Clark Leadership Award
🔸Loddon Care Hub named finalist for the Minister's Award for Excellence in Protecting Children
🔸Family Wellbeing in Schools Program, the team have been shortlisted for the Engaging Kids in School Award

We also have two carer nominees, one for the Foster Carer award and the other, the Kinship Award.

Winners will be announced at the awards ceremony on Tuesday 3rd September.

Good luck to all finalists!

We’re thrilled to announce that the Keep in Touch (KIT) Project, Anglicare Victoria’s mobile mental health service for young people, will continue its vital work across Central Victoria, thanks to the generous support of Agnico Eagle Australia Community Partnership Program.

KIT has been a lifeline for young people in the Loddon Campaspe region, offering much-needed mental health support where it’s often hard to find. With this renewed funding, we’ll be able to keep reaching out to more young people, providing education, support and, most importantly, hope.

Your support makes all the difference. If you know of a school or community event that could benefit from KIT’s presence, or if you’re inspired to contribute, please email us at [email protected].

Together, we can make a lasting impact on youth mental health.

To learn more:https://shorturl.at/QxF03

Do you or someone you know have a passion for driving? Join us as an AV van driver in the Melbourne metro area! 🚚

Become a valued member of AV's Emergency Relief Volunteer team, supporting the community and making a difference in the lives of those impacted by crisis.

We’re looking for community-minded people to help out at our Emergency Relief Centres. You’ll play a crucial role in the team, driving an AV vehicle from Collingwood to Fitzroy to collect orders from charity partners and delivering them to various programs across metro Melbourne.

If you’re passionate about helping those in need, visit our website to learn more and volunteer today! For more information about the role, head to our website for more info Emergency Relief Volunteer - Anglicare Victoria

Last week was Homelessness Week, an opportunity to shine a light on a challenging problem that affects tens of thousands of families, children and individuals every night across Victoria. Anglicare Victoria is one of the organisations working with governments and the community to try and end homelessness.

On Thursday 8 August, we partnered with Njernda Aboriginal Corporation to put on a Homelessness Week event in Echuca in the north of the state. The event helped to raise community awareness of the solutions to tackle homelessness and educate people on how to make a difference. A barbecue and hot soup was provided on the day for those in need.

Our Regional Director Michael Oerlemans spoke at the event, talking about the lack of affordable housing in the Echuca Region. This is due to factors such as its popularity as a tourist destination – with many long-term rentals being converted to Airbnb and holiday letting – as well as the lasting impact of the floods and other factors like mental health and family violence.

Over the last year AV’s Echuca team provided direct support to about 300 people from as young as 16 to those in their 80s, who were either experiencing homelessness or at risk of losing their home. We also helped a further 300 people with information, advice or referrals to help them keep a roof over their heads.

We believe everyone deserves to live in a safe, secure and affordable home. And we will do everything we can to make this happen for the people we work with.

AV’s Echuca team looks forward to collaborating further with Njernda, the Campaspe Shire Council, Department of Families, Fairness and Housing, Victoria Police, Haven; Home, Safe and other key stakeholders.

Thanks to Njernda for hosting the event and the opportunity to work together for a benefit of the local community.

See you next year!

Knowing and identifying your child's strength is just as important as addressing their challenges. As parents, our job is to unlock their full potential, help them grow and guide them on their journey in life.

Swipe left to see what superpower gifts your child may have. You can also take this survey to discover your child's strengths 👉 https://www.viacharacter.org/

ParentZone run several different groups and classes for parents who need a little help navigating parenthood. If you're interested in attending one of their classes, check out our link in bio for program and sessions dates in your area.

Advice

We're proud to announce our sponsorship and participation in the National Kinship, Permanent & Foster Care Conference 2024! This event is all about recognising and celebrating the incredible carers who dedicate their lives to nurturing children and young people in need.

Carers play such an essential role in our community, providing stability, love, and guidance to those who need it most. This conference is an opportunity to honour their unwavering commitment.

As an organisation, we are committed to supporting the needs of carers and the children and young people in their care. Our sponsorship of this conference is just one of the many ways we are working to make a difference in the lives of these individuals and the communities they are part of.

An your continued support helps us make a positive impact in our community. Together, we can help ensure that every child in care has the opportunity to thrive.

On a typical night, around 30,000 Victorians are without a home, including around 6800 children. They might be in a car, a tent, on a couch or sleeping rough.

We are in the middle of Homelessness Week and AV is active in the fight against homelessness across the state.

The Victorian Homelessness Network is running a 'Houses at Parliament' campaign to raise awareness on the impact of homelessness and the urgent need for more social (public and community) housing. Part of the campaign involved folding 60,000 origami houses across the state – one for every household on the social housing wait list.

Houses at Parliament asks state and federal governments to commit to:
✔ Building at least 60,000 new social homes to meet current need in Victoria.
✔ Implementing the 10-year National Plan, with a commitment to END homelessness.
✔ Raising awareness and support to increase the range of voices calling on governments to address the housing crisis.

AV's Eastern and North Central region teams made more than 1000 origami houses between them to support the Houses at Parliament campaign. Have a look at some of the creative origami houses the team in the Lilydale and Box Hill houses made in solidarity with the nation's fight against homelessness.

Well done team!