Koori NEWS JUNE 2020

LISTENING TO OUR MOB SPEAK

OUR MOB SPEAKS IS A NEW The Our Mob Speaks approach WAY OF LISTENING TO OUR draws on the deep wisdom, strength and resolve of Aboriginal people COMMUNITIES. OUR MOB living in the , both past SPEAKS IS ABOUT THE and present. COMMUNITY TALKING, AND Regular feedback and updates will In this issue... MDAS LISTENING. be posted on the MDAS website and WELCOME TO OUR NEW Our goal is to yarn with around 400 Facebook page to keep everyone in ACTING CEO PAGE 2 people every three months, across the loop with Our Mob Speaks. ’S MEN’S HUB TAKES Mildura, , and The first yarns are happening now, SHAPE PAGE 3 . This means we will be and we’re hearing about how we out yarning with people, young and can support community members to TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF old. We will be listening to what is recover from COVID-19. – A MESSAGE FROM on your mind and how MDAS can MEL LANE PAGE 4 improve the support we provide. To find out more about Our Mob Speaks, contact: A dedicated team of good listeners will be doing the listening - John Mildura/Robinvale: John Jackson Jackson, Ian Kirby, John Mitchell 0427 942 388 Ian Kirby 0429 968 030 and Sarah Nalder. They will record Swan Hill/Kerang: only what is said, not who said it. John Mitchell 0437 042 688 This is so everyone can feel safe to Sarah Nalder 0428 615 226 talk about what’s on their mind. Pictured: Top right; Ian Kirby and The information gathered through John Jackson these yarns will be essential for Above right; MDAS Community Liaison us to continue improving MDAS Officer Swan Hill Sarah Nalder and services. It will also be used to talk Community Engagement Officer with government about community Johnny Mitchell concerns and ideas, to make sure we are attracting the right investment to support our communities. of youth services, a senior program REVAMP FOR manager for families, and most RECEPTION AT Koori recently, the Director of Family and Community Services. FAMILY SERVICES NEWS He is committed to supporting our DURING THE COVID-19 families and individuals in times of SHUTDOWN, THE DOORS need, and working towards positive MIGHT HAVE BEEN CLOSED outcomes, whatever that may look BUT THERE WAS PLENTY like. Andy’s focus is not only on OF WORK GOING ON, WITH MILDURA’S FAMILY SERVICES community, but capacity-building RECEPTION AREA GETTING A WELCOME TO OUR within MDAS, by mentoring and MAKEOVER! supporting staff, and encouraging ACTING CEO ANDY them to take opportunities and step The reception desk has been CHARLES up to the next level. moved to the opposite side of the reception area so our team can PROUD YORTA YORTA MAN Andy took on the role when former greet you as you arrive. The area ANDY CHARLES HAS BEEN CEO Rudolph Kirby stepped down has also had a freshen up, making APPOINTED ACTING CHIEF for personal and family reasons in it a much nicer place to work and EXECUTIVE OFFICER (CEO) March. Rudy’s vision, determination wait! OF MDAS. and hard work over nine years guided the dramatic transition of Pictured: Tessa Clark and Pam Since starting at MDAS in 2011 as MDAS into a modern, innovative McCormack in the bright new Mildura a Youth Justice Worker, Andy has Family Services reception and effective one-stop-shop for worked his way up as a manager Aboriginal people. MEN’S HUB DEADLY THIS decisions I make and have made. TAKES SHAPE MONTH: KAILEY Would you recommend it? Studying ENTERING THE OUR NEW MILDURA MEN’S HUB gives you a greater perspective and CULTURAL IS REALLY STARTING TO SHINE! CLARK can really help a person change for the better. CLASSROOM Thanks to our MDAS Family Violence MDAS LEARNING AND Team and the Family and Youth DEVELOPMENT I especially would recommend it HAVE YOU SEEN OUR Services crew, we are another step to the youth like myself; After not MILDURA ABORIGINAL closer to seeing our dream become a She has just completed her completing school, I was so negative LIAISON OFFICER IAN reality at the San Mateo Avenue site traineeship and Certificate 111 in and disheartened thinking I wouldn’t KIRBY’S QUICK DIDGE in Mildura. Business make anything of myself but through LESSON ON FACEBOOK? When complete, it will be a Men’s Getting to know Kailey: I’m a young this study, and I now have such a Starting with the basics…how to Hub and a Men’s Shed - a centre Indigenous woman who believes in positive outlook and I have so many get a sound out of a didge! We’re for all ‘Men’s Business’ and positive pushing people to do their best and big goals for the future. working on a new series of videos men’s and boys’ programs run by striving for absolute greatness. I Will you do more training/study? I with our Community Engagement Coordinator Rocky Sloan and love to help people to reach their full would love to keep studying and keep Team that will include cultural his team. potential and feel that regardless learning in the future. I don’t have activities and information – ideas to Pictured: Left; Youth Services manager of background, we all have stuff we any plans set right now but I am so try at home to reconnect to culture It so exciting - we will soon have a Calvin Henry brought in his team to help need to overcome, but once we’ve passionate about upskilling and feel and Country. Keep an eye out! brand new, purpose-made space for Right; Support worker Brady Hall and got our minds set on what’s right that I would love to keep learning and all the great work they’re doing! Case Manager Blake Hall for us, we will push to achieve it. My keep achieving. Pictured: Ever wondered how to get a family and community are extremely sound out of a didge? Uncle Ian important to me, I absolutely love Kirby can help! of screen time during lockdown, Monitor the purchase of games or the fact that I work in not only an LOVE YOUR SPORT, organisation but a team (Learning with mobile phones, tablets and the microtransactions. television used more than usual. and Development) which helps PROTECT YOUR KIDS Prevent unintentional access to Unfortunately, gambling is advertised to grow, support, and upskill our PROFESSIONAL SPORT gambling sites by using a filter like heavily on television and through social community. IS MAKING A COMEBACK Gamblock or Betfilter. media, making it easier for young How did the training help you? It FOLLOWING THE COVID-19 people to be exposed to If you have concerns about your not only helped me to excel in many LOCKDOWN, WHICH areas of my current role but also gave PREVENTED MANY online gambling. child’s gambling behaviour, or your SPORTS FROM TRAINING own, MDAS can help. Contact Sioned me more insight on how businesses To reduce your child’s exposure to AND PLAYING. Price to talk about the options work. I now feel that I have the gambling or gambling advertising: confidence in not only my job but in So it’s a good time to make sure we available. Phone Sioned on 0409 562 myself to go on and do greater things. love the game, not the odds. Talk to your child about the risks and 106 or email [email protected] I feel my study journey has really potential risks that are associated with helped me as grow as a person and We all know there’s been plenty gambling. be more comfortable and confident in

MDAS NEWSLETTER | JUNE 2020 You can see Mel’s video story on CANCER our MDAS Facebook page. Around WON’T WAIT CANCER SURVIVOR AND MDAS MDAS BOARD MEMBER MEL LANE SAYS IT’S REALLY IMPORTANT OUR MOB LOOKS AFTER THEMSELVES NOW, AND IN THE FUTURE. The proud Yorta Yorta woman was diagnosed with cancer GET YOUR FLUVAX seven years ago and credits early treatment for her successful THIS WINTER recovery. Our mob is much more likely to get “Taking care of yourself means very sick from flu and need treatment going to your doctor or Aboriginal in hospital. This winter, with health practitioner if something COVID-19 already putting pressure is not right with your body,” on our health system, it’s even more says Mel. important to get your flu shot. “Most changes in your body The flu shot is free for all Aboriginal aren’t due to cancer, but if there people aged six months and over. is something worrying you, Contact MDAS to book in for your don’t wait.” flu shot and you will get a Deadly To make an appointment for a Choices beanie or scarf when it’s health checkup, contact MDAS done! Contact MDAS on 1800 183 593. on 1800 183 593.

Aboriginal tenants at risk of eviction Local Justice Worker program Personal Trainers OUR SERVICES Transitional support (Mildura) (Swan Hill Under Family services) Road to deadly Health FAMILY AND COMMUNITY AOD Robinvale Dual Diagnosis Model of Care Deadly choices (school programs) SERVICES (Mildura Youth 12 - 25) (Swan Hill Adult 16 - 65) MDAS Health program FAMILY VIOLENCE SEWB Mental Health Access CARE AND CULTURE Nutrition & Public Health Advisor Meminar Ngangg Gimba – Refuge (Swan Hill) Aboriginal Children Specialist Advice Meminar Ngangg Gimba – Outreach Clinical & Therapeutic Mental Health Support Service (ACSASS) AGED AND DISABILITY (Mildura/ Robinvale/ Swan Hill/ Kerang) (Swan Hill) Aboriginal Family Led Decision Commonwealth Home Support Meminar Ngangg Gimba – Cultural Mental Health Community Support Making (AFLDM) Programme (CHSP) Healing Group Work Service (Swan Hill & Mildura) Cultural Support Planning (CSP) Home and Community Care Program Men’s Family Violence Case for Younger People (HACC-PYP) Kinship Care Management HEALTH Home Based Care (Foster Care) Men’s Family Violence Cultural GP CLINICS Therapeutic Residential Care Behaviour Change Group Work Nurse Well Women’s Clinic Therapeutic Residential Case Men’s Family Violence Cultural Aboriginal Health Workers Immunisation Clinic Management Healing Group Work Outreach Workers First Supports Adolescent Family Violence Case Chronic Disease Management TACKLING SMOKING AND HEALTHY LIFESTYLES SERVICES Kinship Reunification Management Maternal Child Health Quit Smoking Support FAMILY AND YOUTH Adolescent Family Violence Culture Nurse Health Checks Healing Group Work Family Services Transport EARLY YEARS Integrated family services SOCIAL EMOTIONAL WELLBEING SPECIALIST SERVICES Maternity Services (Swan Hill & Mildura) Stronger Families Koori Women’s Diversion (Mildura) Drug And Alcohol Worker Maternal and Child Health (Swan Hill & Mildura) Family Preservation Mental Health Demonstration Psychologist In Home Support program YOUTH SERVICES Project (Mildura) Maternal And Child Health Nurse (Swan Hill & Mildura) Early School Leavers Alcohol and other Drugs Podiatrist Treatment Service Cradle to Kinder (Swan Hill & Mildura) Youth Support Program Cardiologist (Mildura Swan Hill/ Kerang Robinvale) Koori Supported playgroups Youth Justice Urologist Bringing them Home (Swan Hill & Mildura) Koori Connect Paediatrician (Mildura Swan Hill/ Kerang Robinvale) Koori Preschool Assistant program Koori Night Patrol Aboriginal Communities Gambling Optometrist (Mildura) Youth Justice Robinvale Awareness program (Mildura) Cardiologist HIPPY (Home Interactive Program HOUSING SUPPORT Family Wellbeing program Audiologist for Parents and Youngsters)(Mildura) Crisis Support (Mildura Swan Hill/ Kerang Robinvale) Physiotherapist Connected Beginnings (Mildura)

OPENING HOURS MILDURA SWAN HILL KERANG ROBINVALE Mon - Thur 9am - 5pm 120 Madden Avenue 70 Road 9 Nolan Street 77 Perrin Street Friday 9am - 4pm 5018 4100 5032 8600 5450 3019 5026 1848

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