Giraffe NEWSLETTER FOR SUPPORTERS OF LIFE EDUCATION SOUTHERNT alk SEPTEMBER 2015 Message from our CEO We are heading toward a big event for our organisation – Ocsober. This is our annual, major fundraiser where we encourage Australians to “Lose the booze to help Aussie kids”. Our goal is to raise $700,000 nationally which will go towards helping us to empower 700,000 Aussie kids to live free from drug and alcohol misuse. For those of you who may be thinking “great idea, and great initiative”, but planning to skip the rest of this article because you “couldn’t do it”, keep reading... INSIDE Do I have a motive to encourage you to do Ocsober – absolutely! I am passionate about what we do and we need this campaign to assist us to not only keep doing THIS ISSUE what we do, but to do more of it. We need the funds and we need the increased awareness of our programs. So that is what is in it for me... that, and a month of pain and deprivation as I go without chocolate and sweets for the month as I don’t drink alcohol, but I do have chocolate…EVERY day! So what is in it for you? The impact of alcohol on our society...... pg 2 This is probably where I should talk to you about all of the great reasons that you should do Ocsober to help us and to help keep children safe and well – that goes Ocsober 2015...... pg 3 without saying; the health benefits – obviously, giving up alcohol, or undertaking a Education News...... pg 4 healthy behaviour for an entire month is good; the financial benefits – alcohol can Meeting school demand in the North East be expensive; the great example that you will set – you will show the kids and your Victorian Region...... pg 4 friends that alcohol is not needed to be happy and have a good time! Feedback from the field...... pg 4 Do you know what… there are lots of reasons to do Ocsober but what I am going Interview with Bianca Moleta - Community to do is to appeal to your competitive nature – I am throwing out a challenge to all in Wellbeing Officer...... pg 4 our three Life Education states – Victoria, Tasmania and SA. Let’s have the greatest News from Tasmania...... pg 5 number of participants and raise the most money for our states. I am saying that News from South Australia - Building our I think “healthy” competition is great, we can be the best if we work together... so Volunteer Base...... pg 5 let’s just do that! So to those of you who thought you would give it a miss this year, Contributions to Healthy Harold...... pg 5 I encourage you to sign-up, get all of your friends, family and colleagues to sign-up A sad farewell to our valued Committee Volunteer - and let’s be the best – it is only one month (it may be a painful month in some cases, Pam Palmer...... pg 6 but we can commiserate together as our skin clears and our livers regenerate and Save the Date - Be the CEO of our pancreases take a deep breath and our waist feels a little smaller)! Remember - your Career...... pg6 every dollar raised in our states stays in our states to be used to support our children – let’s empower our kids! Thank you to our Committee Chairs - Andy Sholl and Merna Slattery...... pg6

I have a little saying on my desk: “Magic is believing in yourself, if you can do that, Farewell our Champion Richard Williams OAM....pg 7 you can make anything happen” I believe in our states and our team, and I know we Richard Williams OAM Community Award...... pg7 can make this happen. What’s On...... pg 8 Have a great month! Michelle Wood, CEO SUPPORT OUR FRONTLINE AMBASSADORS FOR OCSOBER 2015

Stephen Fontana Jim Higgins ASM Tony Walker ASM Assistant Commissioner Crime CEO of Metropolitan Fire and Acting CEO Command of Victoria Police Emergency Services Board (MFB) of Ambulance Victoria More on page 3 Page 1 The impact of alcohol on our society

“All societies, without exception, make use of intoxicating substances, alcohol being by far the most common. Drinking has always been a social activity, and both consumption and behaviour have been subject to self-imposed social controls” – this is a statement which appears on the Ocsober website and comes from the European Commission Report ‘Social and Cultural Aspects of Drinking’. “Drinking has always been a social activity”…an interesting statement, and one which perhaps we as a society Empowering our children should challenge. and young people to make Alcohol is a drug. Drinking alcohol is an activity which arguably, and safer and healthier choices according to some health professionals and frontline workers, is the through education. greatest cause of harm within our society – should any activity which has the health and behavioural implications which alcohol is very well known to Our Ambassadors have, be known as a “social activity”? This is a conversation which is too large for this forum, however the following statistical information (from the Dr John Tickell Ocsober website) is alarming, and supports the need for strong, repetitive, age-relevant education to every Australian child, so that they each make Andrew Gaze AM informed decisions and do not simply become the next generation which Neil Mitchell embraces this “social activity”, which although can cause great harm and Alex Fevola has great cost, is seen generally as an acceptable behaviour. Steve Moneghetti AM • Every 24 minutes an Australian dies through either legal or illegal drugs Russell Robertson • Alcohol related harm was responsible for 5,554 deaths in 2010 and Our Frontline Ambassadors same year 157,132 people were hospitalised due to excessive alcohol consumption (Alcohol’s Burden of Disease In Australia, 2014) Dr de Villiers Smit - Alfred Health • Teenagers who start drinking before age 15 are five times more likely to Dr Fergus Kerr - Peninsula Health become dependent on alcohol than those who don’t start until they are 21 Assistant Commissioner Stephen Fontana - • Nearly 50% of 16-17 year old drinkers say they intend to get drunk most Victoria Police times/ every time they drank alcohol Associate Professor Tony Walker ASM - • More than 20% of 14 – 19 year olds consume alcohol on a weekly basis Ambulance Victoria • Alcohol is involved in 13% of all deaths among 14–17-year-old Australians. Jim Higgins ASM - Metropolitan Fire and • One Australian teenager dies and more than 60 are hospitalised each Emergency Services Board (MFB) week from alcohol-related harms. • Drinking contributes to the three leading causes of death among Our Board of Directors adolescents – unintentional injuries, homicide and suicide. Andrew Bennetto - Executive Chair Paul Wheelton OAM - Non-Executive Chair These statistics alone are alarming, so when according to the ADF, there is Lindsay Beer significant evidence to support the fact that drinking alcohol increases the risk of cancer, particularly mouth and throat cancer, oesophageal cancer, George Kalandadse bowel cancer (colon and rectum), liver cancer and female breast cancer, Caroline Jane Knight it is reasonable to question this drugs availability and consumption further. Campbell MacKintosh In 1988, the World Health Organisation classified alcohol as a Group Andrew Pirchan 1 carcinogen, which is the highest rating for any substance, and means Doug Rowe that alcohol causes cancer. It’s not just heavy drinking that places a person Rosemarie Stuhlener at risk of cancer; although drinking four or more standard drinks per day Angela Young doubles your cancer risk, even small amounts can lead to a higher risk. It doesn’t matter what type of alcohol is consumed, there is greater risk Our CEO whether you drink wine, beer or spirits. Conversely there is no evidence that Michelle Wood consuming alcohol prevents cancer, unlike the evidence that indicates small amounts of alcohol may help prevent heart disease. Our Contact Details PO Box 2439 So, this is a quandary… is it wise to consume a drug which has mind- Templestowe Heights, VIC 3107 altering effects; which has significant negative impacts on behaviour; which has evidenced detrimental, long-term health implications; which can cause Phone: (03) 9852 0199 injury and death; which has such a huge impost on the community? Fax: (03) 9852 0629 The question here is which drug is being discussed with these dangers - Email: [email protected] methamphetamines such as ice... or alcohol? Website: www.lifeeducation.org.au Alcohol is a drug…. a drug which is acceptable to our society, but twitter.com/lifeedsouthern without doubt, there are significant reasons to reduce its consumption.

facebook.com/pages/Life-Education Michelle Wood, CEO

Page 2 lose the booze to help Aussie kids Three of our frontline ambassadors who are senior members of the Victorian emergency services have decided to take the challenge and do Ocsober.lose Tony, Steve the and Jim have boozecommitted to Life Education as staunch supporters of preventative education for children – it is their teams who are at the cold-face, and who have the greatest interaction with people who haveto made help poor choices Aussie – sometimes to thekids detriment of their own health. These community leaders have made a commitment to Life Education and Ocsober, and we are so proud of them, and HOW TO GET INVOLVED welcome them to our team! Sign up as an individual This national campaign is a fundraising initiative that encourages people 1. Register as an ‘Ocsoberite’ to give up alcohol for the month of October and aims to raise $700,000 2. Decide on a name for your fundraising to empower 700,000 Aussie kids. page and amount you would like raise. If you’re still undecided about signing up this October, here are our 3. Promote your page to your family and seven top reasons why you should lose the booze and help raise money social network. for Aussie kids: Sign up as part of a team 1. Improve your health. Start getting into shape for Summer. Swap a glass of wine or beer for water instead, and use the month to kick- 1. Appoint a team leader to create a team start a healthier, fitter you. profile page. Ocsober helps you get motivated2. Request to the support of others by inviting 2. Raise money for Aussie kids. Help raise $700,000 so Life lose the booze for one month – duringthem October. to join the team. Education, with the support of their iconic giraffe mascot Healthy 3. Promote sponsorship via social media. Harold, can empowerYou’re not 700,000 just doing Aussie this to kidsget healthier, through you’ll its health have fun too - and raise money for Healthy Harold and Life Education, the largest provider of vital drug and health education to Aussie Kids. education programs, which teach children about the importance of Download free fundraising tools good nutrition and physical activity, as well as building their resilience Check out our free fundraising materials to peer and social pressures around smoking, alcohol and drugs. Register today at(such as posters, forms, tips, letters, forms 3. Set a good example for Aussie kids. Ocsober is all about saying and flyers) to inspire people around you to no to alcohol for 31 days and is a greatwww.ocsober.com.au way to set a good example join the good cause for October. for children everywhere. 4. Save money! Australian households spend an average of $32.35 Download tools for your workplace per week onThanks alcohol to our (ABS 2011). This year we especially recommend to local partners: set up a Tip Jar at your workplace or just 5. Lose weight and ‘Detox’ before summer. What better time to between friends. This is a good way to “save give your body some TLC than just before summer. Use this time to OcsoberOcsober is ais fundraisinga fundraising initiative initiative ofof Life Education Australia. Australiathe © © 2013 2015spare change” and at the same time focus on getting fit and healthy before the summer season arrives. 150701.2_4_Poster.indd 1 help the Aussie kids. 24/08/2015 12:00 pm 6. Help raise awareness around the impact of alcohol misuse in Australia. Ocsober provides everyone with a chance to raise Dollar Matching awareness by saying no to alcohol. Go to your employer or HR Manager and 7. Do it for yourself. Prove to yourself that you can go for one month ask if them if they’d consider dollar matching without alcohol, and that you can also have fun without it while what you raise. They could either provide raising money for Aussie kids. a one off donation, or match the funds you raise during a fundraising event, or from your Take the 31 day challenge and register now, create your total fundraising activities. individual or team fundraising page and join participants around Australia in losing the booze this Ocsober. Sponsor a Friend or Ambassador Take part in Ocsober by supporting one of our participants or Ambassadors. REGISTER TODAY AT Leave passes available for $25 per day www.ocsober.com.au OR $40 for the AFL long weekend!

Page 3 EDUCATION NEWS Interview with Bianca Moleta We have had an excellent response to our the Healthy COMMUNITY WELLBEING OFFICER Harold, Healthy Me Preschool program. The program is offered in three modules : Being Safe; Becoming Healthy; and Belonging and Connecting. Parent Forum pilots have been a great success. We continue to receive requests from Parents wanting to attend a forums in their local area. A recent Parent forum at Newport Lakes Primary School had 17 parents attend a pilot on Nutrition and Physical activity. Over the next month we will be Piloting a number of Teacher Forums. Theses forums aim at providing primary school teachers support in the delivery of health and drug education programs. The forums are tailored to meet the Why Life Ed as your choice of employer? needs, values and priorities of the community in consultation As an accredited practising dietician, I applied for with schools. the Community Wellbeing Officer role as I am very If you know any school that is interested in participating in a passionate about health promotion and would like to see Parent forum or a Teacher forum please pass on my details more people develop healthy eating habits. – [email protected] How have you used your skills and experience Carmen Pace, Operations Manager in your new role? With a background in retail and having worked for Lorna Jane, I have been able to use my promotional Meeting school demand in the experience and customer service skills when dealing with our valued customers. I love working with our North East Victorian Region preschool centres and strive to meet their particular Great news! With our new educator Rebecca Dickson needs and customer expectations. commencing employment on 5 August, Life Ed is better Tell us about your highlights at Life Ed? placed to service more schools located throughout the I have been given a wonderful opportunity to introduce North East Victorian region. Demands for our services the Healthy Harold, Healthy Me program to areas have continued to grow in this area and we are pleased throughout Melbourne. One of my recent highlights was to have an influx of school bookings for term 3 and 4. making 9 preschool bookings in one day. That amounts Our local Educator, Rebecca, has been doing a great job to around 225 preschool children being educated of introducing herself to the region’s Principals and looks on topics such as nutrition, physical activity, respect, forward to teaching the children about important health and emotions and communication and teaching them that wellbeing topics. ‘prevention is better than cure.’ Carolyn Byrne, Service Delivery Coordinator

Feedback from the field

Life Education visits are anticipated with glee by our students. Relevant programs are delivered at ‘‘appropriate grade/age/stage levels and enjoyed by all students. There is always lots of audience participation, several group activities and even the teachers are asked to join in! At grades 3 and 4, which are my teaching levels, our unit was “bCyberwise.” This was a highly

appropriate and educational session for the students,

most of whom own some sort of technological device and visit many sites. They particularly understood the value of a secure password and the potential‘‘ for trouble at some sites. Our presenter, Shy, is knowledgeable about all the areas she teaches and engages the students with humour and kindness. Student, Cooper Patterson, from Saint Joseph’s Catholic Liz James - Templestowe Heights Primary School School in Warragul eagerly awaiting his visit to the Life Ed van

Page 4 NEWS FROM TASMANIA CONTRIBUTIONS TO OUR HEALTHY HAROLD

Life Education is continuing to grow it’s presence in primary schools across Tasmania. Principals and teachers have continued to express an interest in the program, resulting in delivery of sessions and bookings being made for 2015 and 2016. Most recently the Life Education Team and Harold have visited children at primary schools based in the suburbs of Evandale, Bridport, Scottsdale and Natone. We are excited about being back in Tasmania and look forward to building our partnerships with teachers and principals. Tracey Groombridge, Programs & Relationships Coordinator NEWS FROM SOUTH AUSTRALIA Building our Volunteer Base As we continue on our path of rebuilding SA to Those volunteers not only helped us to build profile in be the thriving Life Education provider it once the area, but they helped raise nearly $1000 for the was, it has become evident the need and value state. of building our volunteer base. Volunteers bring a I was talking to one volunteer at the end of the week, wealth of knowledge, support and assistance to any thanking her for her time, and her reply was “I was organisation, so to tap into this valuable resource is a more than happy to help... do you know that people high priority. who volunteer live 20% longer?” Now I don’t know We were fortunate to be able to set up a stand selling the science behind her fact, but for her, she made me People’s Choice Lottery tickets at a local shopping realise that she gained equal benefit from us as we centre. People’s Choice arranged for a car to be on gained from her. This is a win/win approach that will be display which made the stand particularly attractive. a focus for us in SA in the next 12 months. Over the 4 days, we were able to fill 16 time slots with Ros Doudle, Programs & Relationships Coordinator volunteers (some doing multiple time slots).

Page 5 COMMITTEE & COMMUNITY NEWS A sad farewell to our valued THANK YOU TO OUR Committee Volunteer - Pam Palmer COMMITTEE CHAIRS Pam Palmer was one of the original committee members when Life Ed began in the Dandenong area in 1989. Pam was not a teacher, like many of the original team but an interested community member. Pam brought with her a group of friends, who were all active in the Dandenong community. They were also all part of Dandenong Apex whose members came from all different parts of the community and were extremely active and efficient fundraisers. Before Life Education was introduced into the Dandenong area the committee had to raise $140,000 to pay for the van and its installations. The team was so efficient that they also raised enough money to purchase a tow truck to be driven by two committee members and a car for the educator. However that was 26 years ago and the team has diminished ANDY SHOLL - Life Member through age and other interests. So it is time for Pam to move The LEV Board voted unanimously to appoint on. She has been an excellent treasurer for the past six years and Andy Sholl, the Chair of the Life Ed Geelong not only will we miss her financial skills but also her friendship and Committee, a Life Membership. Michelle and Carmen Pace (Operations Manager) recently visited dedication to Life Education. Andy and the Geelong committee to present Andy Goodbye my friend; with his award and welcome him to the select group of people who have been successful in gaining this John Gibson acknowledgement of their contribution and value to Chair of Dandenong -Springvale-Chelsea Commitee Life Education Victoria. Congratulations Andy…. and thank you so much! SAVE THE DATE

Please join the Melbourne Central Region Committee for their inaugural fundraising luncheon titled Be the CEO of your Career with special guest speaker MERNA SLATTERY Andrea Clarke Life Ed presented Merna Slattery with a Certificate Former Washington DC news correspondent of Appreciation for 27 years of active participation as a committee volunteer at a recent meeting. and Aid Worker Merna is the original founder of the Dandenong - Springvale - Chelsea Committee and has been an Friday 23rd October 2015 inspirational leader who has successfully promoted 12.00pm for 12.30pm - 2.30pm our school program and raised much need funds to at a venue within the Melbourne Central Region support program delivery. We sincerely thank Merna for her many $90 each or $850 per table of 10 years of service and dedication to Life More details to follow shortly! Education.

Page 6 Farewell our Champion Richard Williams OAM Life Education Victoria is mourning the passing of our Deputy Chair, Mr Richard Williams OAM who died recently after a valiant A Special Tribute Song and brave battle with pancreatic cancer. to Richard Williams OAM (to the tune of “”)

Well he’s put a lot in and he’s worked real hard He’s done his share and he’s surely starred Put his shoulder to the wheel You’d have to say He’s the real deal Your friends are gathered with you here To let you know we hold you dear Your passionate and do it well A deep commitment one can tell Richard joined the Board of Directors in 2010, and from the very Chorus beginning, as he did in all things that he undertook, he made an There’s just one Richard Williams impact. Richard, throughout his entire life epitomised volunteering He’s one in a million and community work. When he joined Life Education, he committed A gentleman that’s driven himself fully to the development of our volunteer committees, And its lots of him he’s given encouraging others to volunteer their expertise, time and energy Richard you’re a part of this whole town to make a difference to children’s lives – something he did until the And we know you’ve never let us down last days of his life. His dedication to community was infectious and he had an inordinate ability to engage people and support them He’s been with Sandra 50 years in coming to the realisation that they actually wanted to make a They’ve seen the joy and known the tears difference and help others – he did this very well. She’s still laughing at his jokes And still thinks he’s a stand out bloke Richard was a very successful business person – he was a philanthropist, an entrepreneur, a mentor, a friend and a volunteer – Richard you have done us proud he was also a husband, a father, a grandfather and a brother - his We pay you tribute true and loud loving family are very special people who we admire and appreciate Richard Williams OAM as they shared him with patience and understanding. He worked The like we’ll never see again for the community for almost his entire life and all who knew him, Chorus knew of this passion. He was a founding member of the Pied Pipers There’s just one Richard Williams and contributed significantly to the more than $6 million raised by He’s one in a million that group over 41 years for the Good Friday Appeal; he worked A gentleman that’s driven hard for Life Education; he supported The Smith Family and World And its lots of him he’s given Vision, and most recently, became an ambassador and advocate Richard you’re a part of this whole town for Pancare – his great hope was to raise awareness of pancreatic And we know you’ve never let us down cancer and fund research so others may be able to avoid his plight. (Written by Mike Brady AM) Richard Williams OAM was awarded the Order of Australia medal in 2012 for his services to community. Our lovely friend was so deserving of that recognition – he was kind and giving, and relentless in his work to make others’ lives better. He set an RICHARD WILLIAMS OAM example, and when asked about his work toward the end of his life COMMUNITY AWARD he said “I was just being me”. Life Education Victoria will be presenting this We will all miss Richard – all for our award annually at the Gala dinner. The recipient own reasons, but we are all better for will be a volunteer of our Organisation, who has having known him, and we all have displayed actions which are deemed to have memories of him which we will cherish, been in the same spirit of Richard – actions as Richard was memorable… which are based on wanting to make a positive difference in the lives of others. We are very pleased that we were able to inform Richard Vale Richard Williams OAM - Thank about our intention before he died, and he was you to our Deputy Chair; our friend; typically modest, but also pleased. We are very our mentor; our champion... never proud to be able to acknowledge Richard in will we forget.” this way – he will be remembered always.

Page 7 FUNDRAISING EVENT Please join Life Education’s Maroondah/Yarra Valley Committee at the 2015 AFL Grand Final Lunch with special guests Gavin Crosisca Former AFL Collingwood Footballer Daniel Connell Comedian Thursday 1st October 2015 12.00pm for 12.30pm - 3.00pm at the Yarra Valley Lodge, 2 Heritage Ave, Chirnside Park Enter the business card draw, try your luck with raffle prizes or bid on auction items. Our auction items include10 Medallion Club tickets at Etihad Stadium for the 2015 FIM Speedway Grand Prix on 24th Oct 2015 valued at $1200. $70 each or $650 per table of 10 RSVP: Grant Robertson on (03) 9852 0199 or email [email protected]

Yes, I would like to help keep children safer and healthier Every gift to Life Education Victoria helps towards our vision of empowering our children and young people to make safer and healthier choices through education.

$20 per month empowers $37 per month provides $49 per month supports 25 children to make safer, healthier education to help keep one us to deliver health and drug choices every year. That’s equivalent disadvantaged child safe from education to a small school in to a classroom of children. harm every week. regional Victoria for one year. I would like to make a gift of $ MY PREFERRED PAYMENT OPTION OR I wish to make a monthly donation of Cheque or money order $20 $37 $49 Other: $ Please find this gift enclosed and made payable to Life Education Victoria MY DETAILS Credit or Debit Card Name: Mastercard Visa Amex Diners Address: Card No.: Expiry: Cardholder’s Name: Phone No.: Signature: Email: Direct Debit Please return to Life Education Victoria Life Education Victoria Account number: 129978227 BSB: 633-000 PO Box 2439, Templestowe Heights, VIC 3107 OR scan & email to [email protected] Please send me more information about leaving a gift in my will. For easy, quick on-line donations visit our cause page http://www.gofundraise.com.au/beneficiary/LEV

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