Entries relevant to the Partners in Health, Safety and Wellbeing Committee

Women’s Health East Annual General Meeting

Published by Alex Makin on Tuesday 18th of November, 2008

Located at 28 Warrandyte Road in Ringwood, Women’s Health East is a community based women’s health agency. The organisation aims to lead, promote and supports health initiatives for women within Melbourne’s eastern region.

Today’s annual general meeting discussed the Health Promotion Plan, which identified the key priorities over the next three years. The plan includes a focus on violence against women, reproductive health and mental health and wellbeing.

Women’s Health East has an emphasis on advocacy, as well as health promotion and the organisation’s first factsheet assists in both of these aims. The factsheet, which is on violence against women, identifies the reported cases of violence and ongoing concerns over the under-reporting of such crimes.

Local government has the potential to promote health and wellbeing and encourage gender equity. As a candidate in the council elections I recently signed my commitment to the Action Plan for Women’s Health 2008-2012 and Council’s Community Wellbeing Plan will be able to assist in implementing these aims.

Partners in Health, Safety and Wellbeing Committee - final meeting for 2008

Published by Alex Makin on Tuesday 18th of November, 2008

This morning marked the final meeting of the bi-monthly Maroondah Partners in Health, Safety and Wellbeing Committee for 2008. The committee includes council and a number of external bodies, including Victoria Police, Connex, Department of Human Services, Outer East Primary Care Partnerships and the Department of Education, to implement a collaborative approach to enhancing the health, safety and wellbeing of Maroondah.

Today’s meeting examined food security within the eastern region, exploring the effects of rising food costs and the level of access to nutritious food. While Maroondah may be relatively well served with supermarkets and fresh food outlets, there are some pockets where there is a lack of access, particularly for people without access to a car.

The rising cost of living has also had an impact, particularly for people on fixed incomes, such as pensions, who are sacrificing food so that they can pay for other living expenses, such as rent, electricity and water.

The Primary Care Partnerships will be finalising a report on their findings in regard to food security with the aim of alerting governments to the food security difficulties experienced within the eastern region.

An update was also provided in regard to the Maroondah Community Wellbeing Plan, where the feedback provided by service providers is currently being considered. Community engagement and discussion over the plan will begin early to mid next year to provide an opportunity for widespread public comment.

I would like to thank the members and organisations who have been a part of the committee over the past three years and also to Cr. Jo-anne Taylor who was the previous chair.

Eastern Access Community Health 2008 AGM

Published by Alex Makin on Thursday 6th of November, 2008

Eastern Access Community Health (EACH) is a community based organisation that delivers an holistic approach to community health and support services across Melbourne’s eastern region, including Boroondara, Manningham, Whitehorse, Monash, Maroondah, Knox and the Yarra Ranges. EACH provides a range of community health services, including counselling, disability support services, respite care, assistance for gamblers and is also a registered training organisation.

Tonight’s annual general meeting provided an opportunity for the board and management team to discuss the taxation rulings that threatened the Donation Gift Recipient (DGR) and Public Benevolent Institution (PBI) status of Eastern Access Community Health. The loss of this status would restrict the organisation’s capacity to attract donations and would result in adverse tax treatment, including the loss of Fringe Benefit Tax exemptions.

Given the adverse ramifications of the taxation rulings it has been proposed that EACH be constituted as a company limited by guarantee. This would assist in meeting these challenges and allow EACH to continue to expand its services in community health provision.

The guest speaker was human rights advocate Julian Gardiner, who spoke about the need to break down the systemic human rights inequities that exist within society and perpetuate disadvantage. Inclusive communities, where human rights are respected, assist in removing disadvantage through ensuring that everyone is able to participate. Julian discussed how a lack of access into buildings or a lack transport choice can limit social inclusion and as a result entrench disadvantage.

Organisations like EACH, through their holistic approach to community health, contribute to reducing this disadvantage to create an inclusive community with opportunities for all people. For further information on Eastern Community Health please visit www.each.com.au.

Safe, Well and Connected: Action Plan for Women’s Health 2008-2012

Published by Alex Makin on Saturday 1st of November, 2008

Today I confirmed my commitment to the health and wellbeing of Maroondah through signing a commitment to the Action Plan for Women’s Health.

As a councillor and current chair of the Maroondah Partners in Health, Safety and Wellbeing Committee I am committed to improving the health and wellbeing of our community to help create a healthy, inclusive and connected municipality.

There are significant opportunities to involve Maroondah in wellbeing initiatives, given that the council is currently undertaking a new Community Wellbeing Plan. This document which will govern other council policies will guide Maroondah’s approach to the health and wellbeing of its residents.

It is important that all sections of our community are included within the plan so that council can take an holistic approach to the wellbeing of its residents and ensure that we can achieve an accessible and inclusive municipality.

View a copy of the signed commitment to the Action Plan for Women’s Health 2008-2012.

Partners in Health, Safety and Wellbeing Committee - defining the wellbeing of Maroondah

Published by Alex Makin on Tuesday 16th of September, 2008

The Maroondah Partners in Health, Safety and Wellbeing Committee comprises of internal council staff and external agencies to develop strategies and implement actions to improve the wellbeing of Maroondah.

The group’s current priorities include council’s new Community Wellbeing Plan. This plan, which is expected to be finalised in mid 2009, will set council’s priorities for the wellbeing, health and safety of Maroondah and will operate in partnership with agencies such as Victoria Police, the Department of Education, the Department of Health and community based organisations such as Eastern Volunteers and indigenous groups.

Earlier this month council conducted consultation sessions with service providers, such as carers networks, community houses and health agencies and today’s meeting provided an opportunity for the committee to provide its feedback.

The committee defined wellbeing as good health with social and cultural connectedness underpinned by a supportive and safe community.

This definition assisted the committee in identifying a number of issues that adversely affect the wellbeing of the Maroondah community. These issues were categorised into the broad categories of transport (inducing accessibility), housing, safety and social isolation and were identified as priority areas by the group.

The input from today’s meeting will assist council is preparing the Maroondah Community Wellbeing Plan and identifying potential partnerships to assist in its implementation.

The next and final meeting for 2008 will be held on Tuesday the 18th of November.